GOING TO THE SMALL SIDE: ALIXE LAUGHLIN

Ever since I saw Alixe's apartment featured in Matchbook Magazine, I've come back to her photo spread again and again. The small size and bizarre soffit-ing gave me a boost of hope that I could pull off a similar vibe of beachy chic and casual elegance in my own digs. The rooms also showed new nesters how to slip in a lot of style with little stuff; the apartment is actually fairly spare and packs all its punch in color. Bold, beautifully patterned color. Secretly, I think I love this apartment because it looks like an ad campaign for Quadrille. Of course, it helps if, like Alixe, you work for Quadrille and have access to the world's most wonderful (and presumably deeply discounted) fabrics. But I digress.

Lucite lamps! Chinoiserie! Java grande fabric! Zebra! What's not to like?

A small selection of fabrics are the only tête-à-tête  in this space - the walls, coffee table, and art in soft neutrals simply listen in.

The sideboard is from Circa Who, a marvelous store in West Palm Beach, but they deliver anywhere. Such as my DC living room. I love the side table I ordered from them!

Fantastic saya gata walls. I can't help feeling that some images in simple white (or RED) frames would heighten the drama.

Love this bedroom - the balance of frilly linens with chinoiserie lamps and a striking headboard - and that wall hanging you could just walk into. 

/All images/ Matchbook Magazine/ Unabashedly Prep/