It's A.....

GIRL!!!

Meet Elizabeth Teagan born on Tuesday, September 27th!  And, in case you don't realize Elizabeth and I share the same birthday.  She graced us with her presence on my 40th!  What a miraculous gift. 

Our hearts are filled with joy!  God bless!

Our Rental in Vienna

First a little background......Since we'll be in Vienna, Austria for a short time (9 months) we needed to find a furnished place.  When I first realized this I was disappointed because I really wanted an unfurnished place.  Why?  I wanted to decorate it, silly!!  I already had the vision created and it was going to be cool, urban and funky.  

But, reality kicked in, and with a newborn and a toddler (and not to mention only 9 months) and how realistic would this be?

Everyone told us to look outside of Vienna mainly because it's better for families, more space, more land and it'll be cheaper.  I was attracted to cheaper part, but, we won't have a car.  And, I didn't want to be stuck in a house all day.

Besides, I'm a city girl at heart.  I mean we have a chance to go to Vienna and I want to be where all the action is!!

While searching, I found Viennese apartments that were suitable, but I have to say they were so poorly decorated I just couldn't bring myself to even consider them.  I guess you can say I'm a snob that way.  But, I wanted it all - great district, walking distance from everything, true Viennese character (herringbone floors and high ceilings), and large windows with potential for a lot of light.

I know a pipe dream.

Then, one day I found it!! It was like the clouds opened up and choir started to sing!!  It was over our price range, but we decided to talk to owners hoping that a longer rental of 9 months would be a bargaining chip to negotiate an affordable price.  It turns out that it was!  The owners are incredible (American and Austrian) who live in Maryland, but spend their Christmas and summer holidays in Vienna.  They have two small children and it all just clicked.

The kicker??  The location is killer (6th district right - one block from the 1st district) in the Museumsquartier next to Naschmarkt (most popular food and flea market) and three blocks from my son's school and walking distance to the University (my husband's work).  I mean - does it get any better??

Our apartment is in a historically protected building and has a elevator.  This was important (not a deal breaker) but since I will have stroller, a baby, a toddler and groceries to carry this will make life easier.  This is the foyer of our apartment building....

Aren't the details gorgeous?  A little different from the cape cod that I'm living in right now! :)  The first thing that attracted me to this apartment were the floors - yes, ladies and gentlemen, the apartment has herringbone floors!!

This is the living room.  And, below is the other side of this room which is the eating/dining area.  Love those large windows!!

Below is the master.  I like how everything is sparsely decorated and not cluttered.  You really enjoy the architectural elements of the apartment.  How about those french doors leading on to the living room!

The children's room.  This will be Luke's room - he nearly fell off his chair when he saw the playscape in the bedroom!!  

And, the kitchen!  This kitchen is considered quite modern and large for a european city! I am so happy we have a little table and chairs where we can have breakfast in the mornings!

So, those are all the pictures for the moment!  I'm just so thankful we found this apartment in such a great location (walking distance from everything).  I'm looking forward to sharing our time over there with you all!!  Can't wait!

Surprise Party & Sneak Peek

This weekend my husband threw me a surprise birthday party (brunch) that he has been planning since this past April!  I was completely and utterly surprised because honestly, my birthday is the last thing on my mind these days.  But, it was the sweetest thing and I am completely humbled by all his effort, and the distances friends and family traveled to make the event.

Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of pictures (as it was yesterday) and am waiting for friends to email me, but my blogger friend Casey, from Loft and Cottage was there and it was so fantastic to see her and her boyfriend, Michael!  So, I have this picture of us (from her post this morning)!!

Thanks Casey!! Doesn't she look so cute?

My husband did all the planning, made the invites, flowers and vases (he scoured etsy and got inspired) with input from his sister.  I told him he should consider a career change and go into event planning. :)

Yes, I'm turning 40 next month (two days after this baby is suppose to arrive!)

In other news, here is a sneak peek of our newly renovated bathroom.  I should have final pictures to post by the end of the week.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!!  Happy Monday!

Exciting News!!

I'm thrilled to finally spill the beans that we will be packing up (and selling) our house and moving to Vienna, Austria.  Kevin will be doing a sabbatical at the Technische Universitat in Vienna for 9 months.  We won't be leaving until end of December, so it'll give us a couple of months to sell our house,  have the baby, move into a short-term rental (if we sell quickly) and then spend the holidays with family before we leave for Vienna.

I can't tell you how excited I am to move to Europe AND to live in a city.  Kevin and I have identified a flat (3 bedrooms) right on the border of the first and sixth districts and next to Vienna's most popular open air market, Naschmarkt, that offers 120 market stands daily, trendy restaurants and on Saturdays a flea market.  If we get the flat, I'll share pictures soon!!  While the move is short-term, I very much looking forward to the change and experience.  If any of you find yourself in Europe (next year), you will definitely have to get in touch!!

The Best Design Advice

The one and only room in our house that has remained untouched since moving into our house is our dining room.  I have no idea why.  Probably because we use this room for everything and I couldn't be inconvenienced with tearing it apart.  But, it's time. (As my mom would say).

One day I was talking  complaining to my friend about feeling overwhelmed with trying to get all my home projects done by summer's end (more on that later) when she recommended the best piece of design advice I've ever received. 

She suggested I contact an interior designer to seek some 'free' advice/consultation.  What?  That's brilliant.  Why didn't I think of that?  Oh, yeah, I have pregnancy brain!

In fact, I remember Kirsten from 6th Street Design School did a post on how to become a better designer and one of things she suggested is to hire a designer.  Now I know why.

Without hesitation, I put up a post on craigslist (under 'gigs') advertising that I was seeking an Interior Designer or ID intern who was willing to provide free consultation on my home in return for a Starbucks coffee of their choice.  No joke.  I recieved 5 responses!

Lucky for me, the interior designer that I contacted is new to the area having just moved from NYC.  She has her degree in Interior Design from a university in the U.K.  She is keen on starting her business here in CT and is building her client base.  She happily agreed to meet with me for a free consultation and we spent Saturday morning walking through my home.  I soaked up every minute of it!!  It was so refreshing to see things from her point of view.

For example, here is a paraphrased excerpt of our conversation.  The setting is my living room.

Her: "Do you mind me asking why you put your bookshelf over there?"
Me: "Well, I thought it looked good and that space was empty."
Her: "Well, I think it would look better over on that wall because it would provide symmetry to that wall as you have an entry way on one side and nothing on the other."
Me; "Oh, you know, I've never thought of that before."

What I learned is that every suggestion she made there was a legitimate reason for it.  Another example, she suggested I move my mirror opposite my window to provide more light into my room.

As much as I love design and think I have a good eye, I realize I approach design with my gut as oppose to relying on technical knowledge.  I think you need both.  It was refreshing to hear her reasons as to why things would work better in some spaces versus other spaces.

We focused a bulk of the consultation on my dining room throwing around ideas.  I probably was her 'worst' client as I told her that I had NO money for a real budget and everything in the room had to be repurposed.  So, her consultation didn't focus on sourcing furnishing, but instead helping me to finalize my thoughts, espeically my color palette. 

Needless to say, decisions have been made and progress is on it's way.  Painters are actually here today painting.  More to come soon!

So, lesson of the day, if you're interested in learning more about design - hire a designer (or buy them a coffee!).  You won't be sorry!!