Sadness

I try to keep this blog real, and in that vein, I feel I should share with you....

This week, we lost our Baby Girl.  I was 27+ weeks.

Saturday, she was moving like a little acrobat - normal for her.  Sunday, we spent the day busy doing projects around the house, so it wasn't until I was relaxing that evening that I realized I hadn't felt her move all day.  We did the usual things they tell you to do: pushed around on my belly, ate some chocolate, but we couldn't get her to move.  Monday, my midwife couldn't find a heartbeat, and an ultrasound confirmed our worst fear:  she was gone.

We had enjoyed such a normal, healthy pregnancy - no different than my previous two.  There was nothing to indicate a problem.  Even the last ultrasound showed a normal brain, spine, heart, placenta - everything looks perfect.  We are devastated and dumbfounded.  We may never know what happened.  

Right now, we are holding our other two precious girls even tighter, and doing our best to put our hearts in God's hands, trying to understand that our angel's mission was not of this world.

Right now, all I can think about is being with my family, and I ask you to please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.

always,

alison

A "matchy-matchy" look I actually go for

I'm working with an e-client on the freshening-up of her living and dining rooms.  She's having crown moulding and built-ins added, and my suggestion is to paint the wall and trim the same color, but with different finishes à la this room by Suzanne Kasler.

via

...and then, paint the insets of the built-ins with a contrasting color that coordinates with our design scheme...

source unknown

  

Nothing radical, but a nice twist, and a step away from traditional.  Remember how Martha toned down the heavy (albeit impressive) moulding in one of her myriad homes with this pretty shade of blush? Splendid.

 

By keeping all this trim monochromatic, the room stays out of Fussydom

Serene.

It works well with more streamlined trim, too.

*Last three Images courtesy of this post on Houzz

Definitely. Yes.

Bent on Burl Wood

Did you know burl wood is an abnormal growth found on a tree that has typically experienced some sort of stress - like insect or fungal infestation?  Rather nice material for being an unwanted arboreal house guest, wouldn't you say?

I've been eyeing this particular desk/vanity/console made of burl wood and lucite for some time.

 

 

 Source: myinteriorlife.blogspot.com via Alison on PinterestO

I've also been wondering how it, or a clever knock-off, could make an appearance in my casa.  In a DIY mind-set, I came across these options:

Contact Paper via Ebay (could work, or could be very, very B.A.D.)

Veneer sheets via Ebay - Gets the award for best looking, but also requires more of an investment...oh, and serious application skilz.

 

...and faux wood wallpaper via here. Possibly the happy medium.

I'm sounding crazy, but the call of the Burl is getting stronger!

Sunday Foodie over at MLHPlate

Wondering what in the world to whip up this Sunday?  Check out my food blog for a quick recipe based on my latest food obsession.

Highlighting Interior Photography

As I'm gradually accomplishing projects around my house, and planning to put together a portfolio of my interior styling work, I'm focusing more and more on what it takes to present a room amazingly.  A professionally photographed space can take a less-than-extraordinary room, and with incredible angles and lighting, make it look straight out of a design glossy.  A poorly-lit and photographed room, however inspiring it may be, will never earn its true merits.

I came across the work of Ashlee Raubach, who's photographs of interiors capture light and essence perfectly, creating a sense not only of a beautiful space, but of actually wanting to be a part of them. 

Talk about inspiring!