I can't believe it is the 4th year that Big City Moms will be hosting the "BIGGEST BABY SHOWER" here is DC. I will look for any reason to get down to Georgetown. If you just had a baby or getting ready to have one, this is the hottest ticket in town.
So earlier this year I made that final move with Everly & Monet and decided to implement my design services with the fee attached. I'll be honest in that it was pretty freaking scary. Of course I’ve have been doing design all these years, but charging was taking it to the next level. And I’ve always had a lot of fear around that. Would peopIe actually want to hire me for those services.
When I sit down with parents to design a big kids room, I often ask them if they've thought about a desk. They often look at me like I'm crazy --this is a 2 year old we are talking about. But "if kindergarten is the new 1st grade" your little one may be doing homework before you know it. If you gotta buy a desk, it better be cute.
Today I want to talk about life year 1 with a baby. I am so excited to feature one my clients, Rachel Pomerance Berl, as our guest blogger. A longtime journalist, she has written for The Washington Post, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and U.S. News & World Report.
It all started when Ever arrived. I have been helping moms & moms-to-be since 2005, way before I became a mother. I already loved being a designer with little ones in mind, but I didn’t know what it actually took to bring a new life into the world.
So I turned 40 this week, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. It's finally nice to have a huge milestone for myself and not just for my kids. I feel like I am also hitting a milestone in my career, as we focus more on design. So of course, I had to experience the mecca of Home Design--High Point, North Carolina. OMG!
How to prepare for the 2nd baby?When it comes to this baby world there are so many things that make you overwhelmed...... and then there were 2. As an expert in this baby space, I really try to keep things simple, functional and transitional.
So you got some windows..... So you know you need curtains....... But getting window treatments right is a crucial part of any design. Especially because they are NOT cheap. Lately, I've been spending a lot of time learning more about the in's & out's of window coverings. There truly are so many things you need to consider up front. Not to mention where you exactly hang them. That's a whole other ball of wax. Thus, figuring all this all out can be very daunting. So I sat down with the window treatment expert, my girl Laurie McParland of Picture Perfect Windows. We talked about everything you need to know to get it done properly.
Beautiful Master Bedroom Drapes by Laurie Mcparland Designs
When clients sit down with me to talk about window treatments, I quickly try to figure out what route they need to go:
We make simple flat panels. Many of the manufactures I work with like Bebe Chic & Pine Creek make lovely curtains. They can come with either a rod pocket or with buckram to be used with ring hooks or clips. They will always have a relaxed casual look. These usually run around $250 & include fabric.
What can she not do? You name it Roman Shades, Cornices, Balloon Valances. She can do it all. Especially when you want specific styles panels, like Toptack, Pinch Pleat, Goblet or Inverted pleats. Her styles are more structured & consistent. They will always look perfect. These usually start around $300+ Fabric by the yard
It's important to know what you need from your window treatment. Are they going to just be decorative or functional. Are you going to open & close them everyday. Or will they stay in place? How much light comes into the space? All curtains need to be lined! But do you really need a black-out lining? I say if sunlight is streaming in during nap-time, you need black out.
There are so many ways to hang a curtain. For 12 years I have been designing & selling drapes to clients. Most often we use a simple 3" rod pocket. Well, I have recently learned that is wrong!! Thanks Laurie. To clarify, rod pockets are great for stationary non-working drapes. But if you want to move smoothly back and forth on the rod, you need to put them on rings. Then you attach the curtains to the rings with hooks placed in the back of the panel. Or you can use ring clips that attach to the top of the panel. The clips are definitely more of a casual look. But they will both give you the functionality you are looking for.
When hanging curtains, there are few rules one must follow
I think Erin Gates of the lifestyle blog Elements of Style said it best. I have cut & pasted from one of her best blog posts. I could not have said it better & she only used 4 WORDS:
After 20+ years making window treatment for Bethesda's best. What are the things that absolutely drives her crazy.
Back in the day I used to hold on to floor models like they were GOLD. Not anymore. You like it you buy it, it's gone. We bring things to the studio floor & sometimes they leave quicker than I want. Had you visited us last weekend, you would have thought we had nothing to sell. So my boys at N-Route brought some new pieces. You know I try to jam everything but the kitchen sink into 900 square feet. I wanted to take a moment to give you a feel of what we have on board.
When Nikki Herson Eberstein commented on a post of a pretty feminine bedroom picture on Instagram, I had no idea what I would be apart of. “@everlyandmonetUmmmmm, I need this room for Jami STAT: You think you could “girl-up” her hospital bed? Upholster her headboard and make it look less clinical??????” Of course I said yes. I would love to show a little love to mom with strength I can't imagine & a little girl who is a FIGHTER.
So you know it's bad when your Daughter says "Mommy why aren't there any pictures of me on the walls?" Especially when this is the child who has had 11 professional photo sessions with "Best of Bethesda" photographer Kyung Jung of Yellowhale photography. Honestly, it is so embarrassing. I don't know how many excuses I can make...but here is a brief list:
This week I want to kill two birds with one stone. I’m getting ready to reorganize my website and I need to review each of my manufacturers. We have chosen the best companies in the business. So in this week’s blog I want to share why I love them. Check them out.
Today I wanted to compare & contrast some of the Brands I carry at Everly & Monet in Contrast to Pottery Barn. Now don’t get me wrong—I love the beautiful Pottery Barn catalog and walking through a beautiful Pottery Barn store. However I think that you should always consider your options before letting Pottery Barn be your default
I had so much fun introducing everyone to the fabulous girl bosses of Bethesda last fall. Our readers nicely received the blog and some folks actually gave them a ring. It really was so cool to be able to highlight such hardworking entrepreneurial women; I couldn't wait to do it again. It takes a lot of guts to step out & open your own business. I’ve watched these 6 women put in so much hard work throughout the years & to see them flourish in their craft is amazing. I am honored to call them friends.
One of the exciting perks of my job is getting to attend trade shows. Having a chance to see all the new & cool pieces before they enter the market place is so much fun. It is cool to be among the best manufacturers in the industry. It is really important for me to stay on top of the latest trends and whats HOT in design.
Here are some cool things I found at the most recent NYNOW tradeshow held in New York's Javits Center. This is a show exclusively to the trade for furniture, gifts, flatware & accessories.
I walked this show with new & open eyes. This is the 1st time I walked it as Everly & Monet, Introducing myself as a Children's Designer & Studio owner. It was a little strange not looking at Trumpette socks & the cutest baby blankets. Instead I was looking "Adult" options that could translate into youth spaces. Vanities/Desks, Chandeliers/Pendants, Artwork, Rugs & little decorative accents. I am always overwhelmed with just how much is out there. So may wonderful options!
Check out some of my cool findings from the pictures I took below. Please note I will not be bringing everything into the studio. However, I now have access to a abundant of new & interesting lines that enable me to introduce you to unique pieces when we try to build a space. It's all about having amazing resources at my fingertips. Don't hesitate to ask me about anything you see below.I already have some orders in queue...
Today, I want to talk about our design process. When you work with me in the studio, how do we get from Consultation, to Design, to a complete space? How does my thought process work in conjunction with your thought process? Then how does it all come together to create an amazing room. A perfect example of this collaboration has to be with our clients Kimberly and Derek Adams.
Now when coming prepared for a consult, it never hurts to be a little Type A. In all of my years, I have never had anyone with a PowerPoint presentation in hand. Yes, printed out with enough copies for everyone. And I must say, I absolutely loved every minute of it! Please check out how we turned her presentation into her dream nursery.
As I hang out at Guardados restaurant in Bethesda, prepping my blog post for the day. (If you haven’t been there, you must go. Bethesda Eats: Future Blog) Today’s post I want to take the blinders off & show you a little behind the scenes of how I create lovely fabric layouts. Oh it’s a process. Fabric combinations just don’t come out of thin air. I spend several hours becoming one with my fabrics. Memorizing their textures, colors, prints & patterns. This helps me understand what fabrics will work well with others Thus, when clients come in, I can make their vision come together. See how we do it.
Everybody can play at our studio. It's funny because my mother probably would have never stepped foot into a store like mine. Maybe it's because she would assume everything in my store would be way too expensive for her to afford.
I am so excited to reveal the beautiful nursery of my amazing clients Allison & Mychael Cohn. Over the years Allison has been a very loyal client. She has always been the 1st in line to celebrate the birth of her friends babies. So It was important for me to celebrate the birth of her son Mason with a room that would bring her joy. It turned out just perfect.
Well y'all it's finally here. I've been hinting for awhile that we would be making changes to the store. So l now say goodbye to Daisy Baby as we knew for the last eleven years, a baby boutique full of gifts & clothes. We now welcome Everly & Monet, a Children's Design Studio full of fabric samples & wood chips. But more importantly, a comprehensive menu of design services
