The Beautiful Designs of Urban Interiors

I have to dedicate today's entry to my talented mother, Vicki Crew, and her wonderful business partner, Susan Smith.  Urban Interiors' work is featured on Allan Knight's Live Beautifully blog today.  If you would like to read the post and view some of their most recent work, you can click here.  Below are just a few of the images used.  Congratulations on all of your success, ladies!

Residence in Preston Hollow

Master Bedroom in the Azure

Powder Room in the Azure

Dining Room in the Azure

My Latest Project In Boston's South End

I had the opportunity to work with a wonderful couple who moved to a townhome  in Boston's South End last September.  I assisted them with their kitchen remodel, new paint, wallpaper selections, carpet, as well as furnishings, rugs and window treatments throughout the house.  Take a look at the finished product.  I have also included the "before" photos at the bottom of this post so you can see the true transformation. 

AFTER

BEFORE

 

 

Beautiful Terrarium Demonstration

This past Saturday I had the pleasure of attending a demonstration, given by local floral designer John LaRoche for blueGuave, on creating beautiful table top terrariums.  The demonstration took place at the West Elm Trilogy location.  These gorgeous terrariums are an excellent way to bring life into your home.  


I am sharing a summary of what I learned to get you started on your own indoor garden. 

MATERIALS

1.) Glass Vessel

2.) Plants (Succulents are an excellent and low maintenance choice)

3.) Garden Gloves (Some of these plants may be a bit prickly)

4.) Bamboo Tongs (Make it easier to reach in the bowl to remove or rearrange plants)

5.) Wooden Spoon (To press soil down around and in between plants)

6.) Paint Brush (Used for wiping sand off glass bowl and top of plants)

7.) Wooden Fork (Helps move lichen and moss around)

8.) Garden Shears (Used to trim root of plants or tops of plants if too tall for the vessel)

9.) River Rocks

10.) Sand

11.) Organic Soil

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Gather materials

Fill vessel with river rock base

Add thick organic soil and create a well for plants

Trim the root of the plant to fit in the vessel. Submerge root in water for a few minutes before placing it in the container.

Place plants in the vessel, and then use a wooden spoon to pack down the soil around the base and in between the plants. Take your paint brush and clean off the edge of the glass and any dirt that has gotten on top of the plants.

Add in sand.  You can get sand at a pet supply or fish store. Start by pouring it in one location and then spread it around the bowl with the brush.  Finish by wiping away any excess sand on the bowl or on plants, and then you are finished.

Final products

Congratulations to Annie Selke on her book, Fresh American Spaces.  The book illustrates five distinct American decorating styles from Everyday Exuberance, Refined Romantic, Happy Preppy, Nuanced Neutral and Cultural Eclectic.  It is filled with creative ideas for decorating your home and how-tos, along with beautiful illustrations.  Fresh American Spaces helps to guide the reader to finding a style that is happy, comfortable, fashionable and functional.

I arrived early enough to the book signing at Hudson this past Saturday, that I had the opportunity to have a wonderful chat with Annie about her career and her family.  As a mother-to-be, I was enthralled with the story she shared about starting Pine Cone Hill, her first line, out of her garage right after her daughter was born.  It is encouraging to see such passion and drive resulting in incredible business success. 

Annie Selke, Myself, Kim Lucian

Annie Selke

Dash and & Albert Rugs for Sale at Hudson

Hudson owner, Jill Goldberg and Annie Selke

Jill Goldberg featured under The Next Wave in the February 2012 issue of House Beautiful.

Annie Selke Book Signing

Annie Selke, the woman behind Pine Cone Hill, Dash and Albert Rug Company and Annie Selke Home, will be making an appearance at Hudson Boston for a book signing of her first book, Fresh American Spaces, this Saturday, February 11.


I remember the bedding I purchased for my first apartment after college was Pine Cone Hill with Belle Notte accent pillows. Pine Cone Hill was a relatively new brand at the time, and I felt very sophisticated in my "grown up room".  I am excited to meet Annie this weekend and purchase a copy of her new book. 


Please see below for details about the event.

Nursery Project Complete!

I am relieved to say the nursery/guest bedroom is complete!  It needs some finishing touches, but it is a nice feeling to know that if our baby girl is born tomorrow, her room is ready for her.  We, on the other hand, have been ready for her for quite some time.  


First let me say that mothers are amazing, especially mine!  My sweet mom was in town this past weekend, and I physically could not have finished everything without her help.  Also, it was just so fun to have her here to share in the excitement.  We spent the weekend, upholstering the board behind the crib, coming up with a way to cut out and cover that over sized "F" in a velvet fabric, and making panels for closet doors.  


I will post a DIY step by step instruction list as to how we created the upholstered wall installation  later this week if anyone is interested.  So here it is...

These before and after shots below are pretty fun to look at.  The room went through quite the transformation.

Latest Nursery Design Board

I can't believe how long it has been since I have posted!  With the holidays, my work schedule, and preparing for this baby, time just got away from me.  Anyway, our little angel's nursery is really coming along, so I thought I would share the latest design board with you.  Note to all expectant mothers out there, this stuff takes forever to come in, so plan early!