Farima Alavi

"I like a world where fashion and design collide."

Farima is an assistant editor for HGTV.com. Aside from her job, she loves fashion, playing with her rambunctious Yorkie, Rosie, and is a self-proclaimed foodie. She lives in a house where she is patiently learning how to "fix" things.

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Highlights From LEGENDS 2013

by Farima Alavi May 21, 2013 1 Comment

Designers and bloggers alike can agree that LEGENDS is the design event of the West Coast. Held May 8-10 at the La Cienega Design Quarter, the event brought design enthusiasts together for high-profile cocktail parties, book signings, showrooms and more. One of the most popular attractions was the window displays that selected designers created based on the theme, Time Capsule: The Past, Present and Future of Design. Social media ambassadors, Alissa Swedlow of Swedlow Design, Kelly Lee, founder and editor of Kelly Golightly, and Megan Arquette of Megan Arquette Design, give us the scoop on their favorite displays.

Alissa’s favorite display was by Tamara Kaye-Honey of House of Honey at the Waterworks showroom. “I wanted every item in that window to come live with me in my house, including the giant tassel,” she says.

Tamara Kaye-Honey's Window Design

Mary McDonald’s design for Dragonette Ltd. was Megan’s top pick. “Bringing in space travel — which at one time seemed so futuristic — and combining it with classic elements was a fun yet beautiful way to incorporate Mary’s signature style, while keeping with the theme,” Megan says.

Mary McDonald's Window Design

Kelly loved Designer Jeff Andrews’ display at the Downtown showroom because “it was simple, graphic, bold and impactful. Plus, I’m a sucker for black and white,” she says.

Jeff Andrews' Window Design

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Answer to “Decorate This Space: Pick the Right Vanity”

by Farima Alavi May 16, 2013 5 Comments

You guessed correctly if you chose option A. Designer Mary Jo Fiorella brings a fresh, open look to this small bathroom with a glass-enclosed shower, blue mosaic tile flooring, white tile walls and a marble countertop.

White Contemporary Bathroom

We randomly chose one person from the comments, and Kristin C. is the winner of an HGTV baseball cap, gardening gloves and this month’s issue of HGTV Magazine. Congrats!

Check back next Wednesday to decorate a new space.

Decorate This Space: Pick the Right Vanity

by Farima Alavi May 15, 2013 360 Comments

Can you guess which vanity belongs in this bathroom?

Decorate This Space

Type A, B or C in the comments section, and we’ll reveal the answer tomorrow. One lucky winner will win an issue of this month’s HGTV magazine, a pink baseball cap and garden gloves. You don’t have to guess correctly for a chance to win.

Choose A, B or C

You may only comment once to be considered, and you don’t have to purchase anything to win; a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds depend on total number of entries. Void where prohibited by law. Only open to legal residents of 50 U.S., D.C. or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least 18 years of age to win. All entries (comments) must be entered between 10:00 a.m. ET on May 15, 2013 and 12:00 p.m. ET on May 16, 2013. Subject to full official rules. By leaving a comment on the blog, you acknowledge your acceptance to the Official Rules. ARV of prize: $15. Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC, d/b/a HGTV, 9721 Sherrill Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37932.

Grow Hydrangeas the Easy Way

by Farima Alavi May 14, 2013 5 Comments

It’s hydrangea season, and it seems like everybody around you (including Grant) has gotten the hang of growing this beautiful flowering shrub. If you’re feeling overwhelmed (I know I can’t be the only one!) — don’t panic. HGTVGardens.com has come up with a little cheat sheet to help you on your way. They’ve made it easy to pick the right type of hydrangea for your climate and how to care for it.

Nikko Blue Hydrangea

Give it a try, and let us know how you’ve successfully grown hydrangeas this season.

Answer to “Decorate This Space: Pick the Right Patio Rug”

by Farima Alavi May 9, 2013 3 Comments

You chose correctly if you guessed option B. Designer Brian Patrick Flynn painted stripes on a canvas to create an outdoor-friendly rug.

Eclectic Patio

We randomly chose one person from the comments, and Pamela is the winner of an HGTV baseball cap, gardening gloves and this month’s issue of HGTV Magazine. Congrats!

Check back next Wednesday to decorate a new space.

A Sneak Peek Into BPF’s LEGENDS Window Display

by Farima Alavi May 8, 2013 1 Comment

Today marks the first day of LEGENDS, a three-day celebration of design in Southern California. The event brings together tastemakers from the world of interior design, decor, art, fashion and architecture for keynote panel discussions, book signings, exhibitions, special events and more.

This year’s theme is Time Capsule: The Past, Present and Future of Design. Interior designers from across the country have been invited to decorate the windows at the La Cienega Design Quarter, a shopping destination for top quality home design. Designer and HGTV friend Brian Patrick Flynn gives us a sneak peek into the inspiration behind his window design — a mixed look and feel of a 1950′s nuclear family and a present-day nuclear family.

Design by Brian Patrick Flynn

“There’s a mix of traditional and global-infused, as well as an updated color palette. And while the furniture and overall style is a big mix of the past, the family for which it has been conceptualized is all about the present, and more importantly, the future,” Brian says.

When asked what he would add to his own design time capsule, he said “a stack of current presentation boards, which would allow me to look back in 30 years to see how much my style has evolved and/or changed,” but his personal one would include a photo of him “sporting a full head of hair circa 2013, neatly stashed inside my metal Mork & Mindy lunchbox.”

Decorate This Space: Pick the Right Patio Rug

by Farima Alavi May 8, 2013 287 Comments

Can you guess which rug belongs on this patio?

Decorate This Space

Choose A, B or C

You may only comment once to be considered, and you don’t have to purchase anything to win; a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds depend on total number of entries. Void where prohibited by law. Only open to legal residents of 50 U.S., D.C. or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least 18 years of age to win. All entries (comments) must be entered between 10:00 a.m. ET on May 8, 2013 and 12:00 p.m. ET on May 9, 2013. Subject to full official rules. By leaving a comment on the blog, you acknowledge your acceptance to the Official Rules. ARV of prize: $15. Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC, d/b/a HGTV, 9721 Sherrill Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37932.

Answer to “Decorate This Space: Pick the Right Water Feature”

by Farima Alavi May 2, 2013 1 Comment

You guessed correctly if you chose option C. Designer Katrina Leonidov Fairchild placed an eclectic water feature made with recycled glass and tile and porous gravel flooring in this Mediterranean courtyard.

Mediterranean Courtyard

We randomly chose one person from the comments, and Debb64 is the winner of an HGTV baseball cap, gardening gloves and this month’s issue of HGTV Magazine. Congrats!

Check back next Wednesday to decorate a new space.

Don’t Forget the Piñata!

by Farima Alavi May 2, 2013 No Comments

Cinco de Mayo is only three days away! You may think there isn’t any time left to throw a fiesta, but the beauty of this holiday is you only need three key things — drinks, drinks and a piñata. You can make your own traditional piñata, or turn it up a notch and make a floral orb version. Either way, it’ll be the focal point of your party (maybe break the piñata before you serve the drinks).

Floral Orb Piñata

Get the Simple Instructions Here>>

Serve These Flavorful Cocktails

Decorate This Space: Pick the Right Water Feature

by Farima Alavi May 1, 2013 184 Comments

Can you guess which water feature belongs in this colorful outdoor space?

Decorate This Space

Choose A, B or C

You may only comment once to be considered, and you don’t have to purchase anything to win; a purchase will not increase your chances of winning. Odds depend on total number of entries. Void where prohibited by law. Only open to legal residents of 50 U.S., D.C. or Puerto Rico, and you must be at least 18 years of age to win. All entries (comments) must be entered between 10:00 a.m. ET on May 1, 2013 and 12:00 p.m. ET on May 2, 2013. Subject to full official rules. By leaving a comment on the blog, you acknowledge your acceptance to the Official Rules. ARV of prize: $15. Sponsor: Scripps Networks, LLC, d/b/a HGTV, 9721 Sherrill Boulevard, Knoxville, TN 37932.