Nursery Design Comes Alive

Over the last nine months, I've been working with some favorite long-distance clients to design the nursery for their first baby, Oliver, who is due any minute.  E-design leaves a lot of interpretive "wiggle room," and often, designers don't have a chance to see the space as envisioned.  Being able to see a design come to life is incredibly rewarding, so I couldn't be more excited with how beautifully they realized my ideas for the Little Guy's special space. 

The finishing touches have been made, and now, all it needs is a special little occupant!

We were going for a clean, subtle masculinity.

We commissioned the abstract art from blogstress extraordinaire and up-and-coming-artist, Jenny from MFAMB.

 

I couldn't resist sending them the tiny moccasins, handmade in Brazil.

The original design board.

I am currently accepting clients for e-design.  Please contact me, Alison at atexski@yahoo(dot)com for rates and information.

We had a lot of these for Christmas...

...but the fun shouldn't end with the holiday.  Check out my commentary at my food blog, HERE
Hope yours was Merry & Bright

My DIY Agate Lamps

I'm dipping my toe back into the blogging waters with this little project I've been wanting to share for some time.  I'm sure I'm not alone in obsessing over the gorgeous lamps we've all seen made of semi-precious stone, agates and geodes.  Bad News:  those things are crazy expensive.  Good News:  The area of Brazil where we live is geode mecca - where dozens of quarries and mines are found.

 

 I found some lamp-making kits through this seller on Ebay, knowing that with some awesome rocks, I could make my own glamazon lamps.  On our last day trip to a little mining town, I snagged two, large (about 5 lbs each) amethysts for a really reasonable price.  

I gilded the base of the rock with paint, and painted the lamp base red per Ben's suggestion.  I had planned to go boring-black on the base, but am so glad I went with my hubster's opinion, as I love how the purple-red-gold color combo amps up the glam factor.  Dontcha hate it when spouse's are right? ;)

As you can see, the rock sits in front of the lamp pole, which isn't quite the perfect-professional look I'd like to have, but it makes for a very simple project, and overall, gives the look I was going for.  The lampshade still needs a little zhushing, too.

Yes, my bedside table needs some serious styling help, but you get the idea.  A+ for effort, right?

Thank You

I am overwhelmed by the touching comments so many of you have left reflecting your thoughts and prayers over our loss of our baby girl, Lauren.  For those of you who share this kind of loss, I am so deeply sorry.  I've also received many kind emails, and if I haven't been able to respond directly, please know that each and every one has touched my heart, and lifted my soul - thank you.

Beneath it all, I feel a current of Hope.  Your thoughts and prayers continue to lift my family, and it is all I can offer to wish you and yours a blessed holiday season.

alison

Lauren Giese 11.20.2011

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!

 

 

 

Ready to BOO! *with cupcake update*

We're just about ready to roll with tonight's festivities.  All my girls have their costumes...

Been doing a lot of this...

...and this

...and still need to attempt this...

Source: tumblr.com via Alison on Pinterest

I'm not the best baker, so wish me luck, and have a safe and Happy Halloween!

*UPDATE*  OK, Done.  Sometimes, I surprise myself....

Feeling confident now...onto these...

Source: notquitenigella.com via Alison on Pinterest