What I'm Working On

I can't tell you how immensely grateful I am for all the positive feedback I've received regarding the new site design (and yes, the zebra is coming back), the nursery tour video, and the formal launch of my design business (!). Every kind comment brings a misty little tear to my eye, and reminds me of how far I've come since last year. Having a new baby is the most thrilling, exhausting, confusing thing that will ever happen to many people. It's a time of great joy, but the loss of self can be pretty overwhelming. Want to go to the movies? No. How about to dinner with other adults? No. What about to the bathroom by yourself? HELL NO. A mind once brimming with ideas and enthusiasm becomes hijacked by sleep deprivation and the accursed Fresh Beat Band (reach for the skyyyyyyyyy!). And then babies get older. Luke turned one last weekend, and although I still run into walls on occasion, I am slowly regaining my humanity. Work has a lot to do with that.

So to all my design clients, new and old, thank you for giving me a purpose beyond wiping butts. Here's some inspiration via pinterest for what I'm working on.

Moody traditional glamour with a global twist for a brave client with fantastic taste:

Warm modern for clients in a trendy hood who just sprang for a fabulous antique kilim rug:

Soothing blues with fresh contrasting colors for a talented photographer friend:

Crazy colorful with a palm springs flair for a swingin' vintage poolside home:

And I have a brand new client with a 20s Dutch Colonial. Work hasn't begun yet, but I'm considering something along these lines... perhaps a little less trad and a touch more shiny modern:

Exciting!!! I love the variety!

Anyway, I have lots going on and I can't wait to share progress pictures with you. Also, my kitchen is still in a sad state of disrepair and SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. SOON. So stay tuned for kitchen talk, round 2000000.

In the meantime, if you're interested in design services drop me a line at erinwilldesign [at] gmail.com and we can chat.

And once again, thank you for your support! I'm not very good at accepting compliments, but I love them all the same.

You people are the best people in the world.

[pinterest]

In Which I Humiliate Myself, AKA Video of My Nursery Tour on House Proud

You know how sometimes you see pictures of yourself, or hear recordings of your voice, or -- you know -- see yourself on tv, and wonder how the pod people managed to take over while you were sleeping? You know?

ABSOLUTELY!

I suspect my parents will be confused when they discover I have transitioned from born and raised in east Texas to Jessica from Sweet Valley High (don't judge). Or maybe I always sound like that?! Either way, I need some elocution lessons.

Thankfully Luke is adorable and precious and pretty much steals the show. Plus Amy Hadley is utterly charming! If you live in Austin the segment will be airing on YNN today.

Enjoy the video and try not to hurl tomatoes at your screen.

Willkommen! Bienvenue! Howdy!

Remember those seemingly empty promises I made months -- nay, YEARS -- ago of bringing the blog out of the dark age of muskets and horse drawn carts? Well, I finally put aside my fear of computers and public failure and done did it. Please, have a look around. Check out my new portfolio. You might find that five years' worth of posts are more accessible, or you might find that Rome is burning... after all, I built this city on a foundation of ignorance and hackery. But isn't it pretty?

In all honesty I was motivated to clean up by my fancy cable television debut, which is scheduled for today. I couldn't have fame and fortune come knocking only to find me clothed in old skivvies, could I?

Speaking of my 15 minutes of fame, here is the only behind the scenes shot I managed during our whirlwind shooting session. It's called an OTS (over the shoulder) shot... I know that because I'm now a seasoned tv vet, yo.

Between Amy Hadley's perfect bone structure and Robbie the camera dude's gymmy guns, I'm convinced YNN is breeding a super race of extraordinarily handsome, ridiculously talented people. Thanks a lot for making the rest of us feel frumpy, YNN. Thanks.

Anyhow, the shoot was super fun although a little stressful, and I think maybe some of the enamel on my teeth is gone now. I am a boss behind the camera, but in front of it...??? Pretty sure I'm going to come off like a buck toothed double chinned know it all dummy. I probably should have grabbed some hay straw and started chewing it up like I was Minnie Pearl filming Hee Haw.

You may have guessed by now that I haven't seen the segments yet. That's because I don't have Time Warner (shaking my fist at ATT Pooverse right now). But I assure you I will You Tube that business -- buck teeth and all -- and post it asap even if I have to don my ninja duds and sneak into Time Warner myself.

So please do stand by in case I need a ride home from the police station. And if you are in Austin please tune into Time Warner's local news channel YNN to see my segment on House Proud.

Thanks for visiting!