Nurseries

Decorating a nursery can seem a momentous task when you're an exhausted, hormonal, sometimes bed ridden mommy-to-be. I sometimes wish I'd given mine a bit more thought, but ce la vie, it turned out cute enough. Besides, what was the point considering what it would turn into? Picture this: 2 contemporary cribs (that haven't been slept in in months) flanking a queen mattress on the floor (this is where both babies actually sleep), a train table with blocks and Duplos, etc. We actually play in our nursery fairly often.

Although my nursery in no way resembles these images, I did actually use them for inspiration!

I love this room for being gender neutral and having the mini Barcelona chair that I covet.


Most parents don't have the nerve to use a lot of black in a nursery, but the black wall, striped ceiling, white floor, and Nelson Bubble Lamp, make this very modern and bit preppy at the same time.

Clearly, for slightly older children, I love the eclectic look of this room. it's contemporary yet a little folky.

This is Interior Designer Julie Richards son's nursery that I discovered on La Dolce Vita's blog http://paloma81.blogspot.com/2009/05/personal-style-defined-julie-of-shelter.html. Also check out Julie's blog http://shelterinteriordesign.blogspot.com/ for more amazing ideas.


This nursery is exactly what I love: an adult living space that works for an infant. The chaise is where you'd read stories and cuddle, the artwork and its gallery-look is quite sophisticated, and I adore the Netto crib. The chalkboard paint along the walls is a cute touch for what you'd imagine is the bedroom of a future artist. This room looks unisex which is great for those parents who want to be surprised.

I'm not a join-er?

I can only assume that being a twin mom is certainly a little different than mothering singletons. For example, I spent the months prior to giving birth trying to figure out how to have enough contraptions (bouncers, jumpers, exersaucers, boppys, carseats, strollers, etc.) so that I would always have a place to put my twins, so that my hands would always be free in case one baby had an emergency. The babies didn't seem to mind, and in fact, seemed quite happy all of the time.

My twins do many things at the same time. This includes, teething, pooping (yes, they nearly always have bowel movements within minutes of each other), eating, bathing, and many milestones seem to happen within days of each other, and I'm looking forward to many more.

However, they've had individual personalities from the beginning, and now that they've reached their 1-year mark, Sienna's already toddling around, and Sophie's still scooting (she doesn't crawl traditionally, but scoots on her bottom) alongside her sister. Sophie loves her pacifier and Sienna doesn't care about it other than at bedtime.

I embrace having twins. Many days I dress them alike, mostly because I think it's funny and it's also just easier to buy two of everything. I'm not even put off by the incessant attention we receive when we are in public. I can only liken it to walking around with a celebrity. At first it was a little off-putting, but seeing babies really seems to make people happy. Only occasionally will I get an obnoxious reference to a creepy Jack Nicholson thriller with a scary pair of twin ghosts.

Despite all this I eschewed joining the local chapter of the Twins Club. Since pregnancy people have basically harassed me about joining. They'd tell me it's "incredible support" and that I'd need it. But I felt like if I got a night out, I'd prefer to spend it having dinner & a drink with some real friends, trying to feel like a human being for just a couple of hours. Once I was accosted by two separate Mother of Twins while standing in line at Trader Joe's . One turns to me and says, "are you a member of the twin group?" To which I replied, "I'm not really a join-er."

Hmmmm...I'm "not really a join-er"????? I never really played a sport, joined a sorority, or the like. It's not as if I walk to the beat of a different drummer, but in some ways maybe I thought I wouldn't be good enough? Who knows, I'm not a psychotherapist, but I just knew I was sick of all these women bothering me about their group.

Here's what I pictured: A bunch of post-partum women, sitting around the basement of a church, drinking coffee (this part I like), and complaining about how they never get enough sleep, and how their husbands never help.

Fortunately, I had no such issues (okay, maybe I'm a little tired and my back always hurts), and have always felt that misery is quite contagious.

Fast forward 12 months, and I realize that mothering twins can be quite isolating, and your long-time girlfriends rarely bring their kids to play or invite us over. Who can really blame them, we're a handful. I was convinced by another mother of twins to JOIN the group. Not for the meeting or support or any of that business, but to get into the Twin Tag Sale a whole two hours earlier than the general public! It was totally worth it. Additionally, I opted to join a playgroup with other twin moms and their kids. I think that I'd misjudged the group.....from what I hear, they seem to be welcoming, kind, informed, supportive, and a wonderful resource for new twin moms. Maybe I am a join-er!

A Thoughful Gift

I received the loveliest housewarming gift from a girlfriend who recently came to visit. She's now working for a swank New York gallery/bookstore, and she brought me a print from one of their recent installations. It's from a series called "Storefront" from husband/wife photographers James ands Karla Murray who documented the disappearing mom & pop storefronts from in and around NYC.

She gifted me "Richard's Barbershop." It's truly a timeless gift!


http://clicgallery.com/info/2009-07-murray/


http://www.clicgallery.com/locations/index.htm

Connecticut's Quiet Corner

Having a baby (make that babies) can be a bit isolating, which is why you need interesting friends. If they live states away, all the better for babies to nap. I've started driving to my friend Hillary's Connecticut home at least once a month. I adore her son, and her style!


Hillary and her young family relocated from Providence where she was a boutique owner (my neighbor on Thayer Street) for a quiet and peaceful existence in this quintessentially New England place. The colonial home they purchased has mature gardens and grounds and a house that has a soul, having sheltered people for over 200 years.




They made some upgrades and made the house work for them, while essentially maintaining its colonial history. I really appreciate that ability in a non-professional designer since it's so easy to get side-tracked (my own pitfall when it comes to decorating). The floors are original, and the walls still look remarkable. The couple did a kitchen update, and yes, there's a plasma on the wall. Even though it's a very old home, it feels like a young family has breathed a new life into it. the family entertains often, taking advantage of their phenomenal patio and gardens.


Farmers markets, neighbors stopping in, weekend guests, dinner in the gardens. Hillary's husband calls their life in the Quiet Corner wholesome, and it sure looks that way. Where can I sign up?

Drink? I think I will, thank you.

Based on the name of my blog one might assume that I enjoy an occasional alcoholic beverage. While I certainly do partake in the occasional (okay, frequent) libation, I chose the name of the blog with Webster's version in mind:

Main Entry: 1lush
Pronunciation: \ˈləsh\
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English lusch soft, tender
Date: 1610
1 a : growing vigorously especially with luxuriant foliage b : lavishly productive: as (1) : fertile (2) : thriving (3) : characterized by abundance : plentiful (4) : prosperous, profitable 2 a : savory, delicious b : appealing to the senses c : opulent, sumptuous
synonyms see profuse
— lush·ly adverb
— lush·ness noun

The Urban Dictionary meaning is simply a coincidence.

However, that didn't stop me from finding the coolest new(ish) bar in Boston, Barbara Lynch's Drink. So I'm nearly a year late getting to the bar, but hey, I've been having babies! It's located on Congress St, across the street from another old fave Lucky's, in the area named Fort Point. The design is slick: more asian-inspired with lots of angles, and no bottles to be seen, but don't let that fool you, they are serious about their cocktails!

A friend visiting from NYC was gushing at how terribly cool it was to see a huge block of ice being chipped from to make cocktails, and after a few words with our genius bartender we realized champagne was not the right choice and that we needed to sample his expertise. Mixers like bitters and Cassis are in medicine droppers, and you won't find things like prepared sour mix in this joint.
http://drinkfortpoint.com/

Fall Shopping: Shopbop.com

It's easy to feel out of touch with the world of fashion when you're a stay at home mom of two one-year-olds, which is why Shopbop.com is so spectacular and addictive. Their Lookbooks are fabulous. Hmmmm, this season I'm going to be a "classic." No, I changed my mind, I'm definitely a "wanderer." Point. Click. 40 pieces of clothing that fit that life, oops I mean look. Here's what I'm feeling this Fall,:

Dolce Vita "Zigzag" sweater $297 & "Silvia" dress $188; Stuart Weitzman suede platform boot $595;

Marc By Marc Jacobs Parker Plaid Jacket $858; Nightcap Clothing Equestrian Tights $198; Ashe Pearl Wedge Boots $462;

Ode to Domino

It makes me sad every time I'm reminded that Domino magazine ceases to exist. I have a near complete collection, because somehow I miraculously had the good sense to keep nearly every single issue. The ones I'm missing, believe me I know exactly what's in them, I look forward to finding someday. Domino launched as I was starting to nest, and having no design background, looked to it for inspiration.

They called it a "guide to living with style" and it truly was. It was a step-by-step on how to live an elegant yet bohemian lifestyle: menus for entertaining, cocktail recipes, how to launder correctly, floral arrange, and of course how to decorate. It was a great accompaniment to higher brow home pubs that are good inspiration, but that you can't always see ourself living the life on their pages.

I found that some other fans had the ingenious idea to share images on Flickr. At this moment I feel an overwhelming need to share a couple of my faves....

This is the image that made me realize my own personal style. I thought it was a perfect blend of traditional, contemporary, and exotic. (The woman in the corner is the interior designer).

The kitchen images happened to arrive as we were about to embark on a major kitchen renovation. The wall color ( Benjamin Moore's Cliffside Gray), white cabinets with recessed door faces, hardware, dark floors, and carerra marble really hit it out of the park. I told myself it shouldn't matter that I was inspired by Katie Lee Joel. Who? You know, the chick who was married to Billy Joel and wrote a cookbook. Really it was Nate Berkus' design and we love him.

Another great combo: a Wisteria etegare, Kohler sink, B&W area rug, and animal print towels in neutrals.

Someday I'll blog about outdoor spaces and include this. It's Sunrise Ruffalo's patio.

Ahhhhhhhh, it's nice to walk down memory lane. Sometimes it's easy to forget why you like certain things and where you honed your sense of style. Domino gets a lot of credit. I feel lucky that whenever I'm stumped for design inspiration I only have to wander into my library, pull down a West Elm magazine organizer, and flip the pages.

I thank my lucky stars that Elle Decor's still in print, the next best thing to Domino.