complete success!

We have completed one of our grandest projects to date! The DZ house on the UA campus went under a radical transformation this summer. We went into the project with plans to install over the course of the summer, but when the budget allowed for new flooring and some much needed upgrades, our installation was reduced to just a few days (which consisted of no sleep, crazy coodination with deliveries and fast and furious accessorizing). Check out our Facebook album with more images!

beach wedding

Tuscaloosa Magazine's Beach issue hit the web today and featured the story of a beloved home on Ono Island where we did a wedding last summer. (Happy anniversary to Harris and Cheri!) We couldn't help ourselves not to flip through all the wedding photography. It's still up on photographers Meg and Charles Baisden's site (here). Unfortunate for us, we don't have any Gulf Coast weddings on the books this summer...it sure would be lovely to plant in the sand and dip in the ocean after a long weekend of hard work!

Photo - Meg and Charles Baisden

pink damask

We're finally about to start painting a (pre)teen's room that is sure to be an epic before and after. Between the tornado and back ordered fabrics, the project has been drawn out several months longer than we anticipated. Although we won't post photos until the room is complete, we did want to share the perfect rosy creamy white wall color we'll be using. It's Benjamin Moore's Pink Damask and we are tickled to find such a bright, happy neutral shade. Definitely a little easier on the eyes than the polka dots or Honeysuckle pink - two options that were (sort of) in the running, but don't stand a chance against the this hue's timeless and feminine softness.

where we've been

We took some time away from the heat last week and weekend to work, play and celebrate on the East coast. Two of our very special clients and friends tied the knot in Newport, RI, and we were both honored to be a part of the weekend. On Tuesday, Matt and I parted ways - he went straight to Newport to help regulate and coordinate design for the after rehearsal dinner, and I visited my old home in New York before heading over to Newport. It was inspiring to be in the city and wonderful to catch up with old friends.

The after rehearsal dinner, on the other hand, took lots of very hard work from many design teams. Matt's talent was the glue that pulled the details of the event together, and it would not have been the same without his creativity and determination to show Newport how Alabama throws a party! From the lighting (special ordered by MCD, pictured above) to the table settings to the copy on the menu, the event was a creative director's dream.

Now, back to reality.

Image by Pam Poellnitz

LOV for the MOB

Last weekend's wedding (a few images here) was a sweet celebration and we were honored to work with such lovely clients and friends. Though the reception site - the childhood home of the bride - had little structural damage from the tornado, the landscaping was a bit disheveled and debris was piled up and down the roads leading to the home. With the help of some talented folks, everything was cleared and re-scaped beautifully, just in time.

When we started planning the event a year ago, the MOB (mother of the bride) kept mentioning Lily of the Valley. It's not often that we work with the tiny, delicate, fragrant blooms, but we were able to sneak it into our flower order for the weekend and nestled it around the reception as a surprise for her. A quick google search brings up the storied history of the flower with some references reading that it symbolizes a return to happiness. Undoubtedly, the wedding weekend brought a new found joy and we think we'll try to use Lily of the Valley every chance we get.

market thursdays

There's a good thing going on every Thursday afternoon this summer and the best part is that it's a few skips away from MCD. Homegrown Alabama, the brainchild of some sharp UA students, sets up a farmer's market at Canterbury Episcopal from 3-6 every summer Thursday. Their farmers come out offering the gamut of Alabama produce (summer squash, strawberries, radishes, carrots, onions, garlic, fresh herbs), locally-raised beef, handmade soaps, pottery, live music, ice cream, fresh tea, jams and more. We guess this means we'll have to stop using impromptu beach trips as an excuse to pick up Chilton County peaches. If you missed it this week, mark your calendar to stop by next time, we'll be there.

warming up

Amidst prepping for a fabulous wedding this weekend, we pulled together a preliminary proposal for a client looking to refresh a masculine living room. We stumbled across this image from the January 2008 issue of Southern Accents (may you rest in peace) and were inspired to include details of weathered leather, whiskey tones, and woolly plaid to evoke a warm, traditional feel. Of course, we'd also suggest to keep the AC on and the ice chest well-stocked, since we are at the threshold of summer in Alabama.