I’m back from paradise, tanned (or ever so slightly less pasty) and relaxed (or perhaps at least vaguely less stressed out). Due to another crappy doctor’s report the day before we were scheduled to fly out we really weren’t sure we’d be able to go, but after much conferencing we hopped on a plane and I’m happy to report that the whole family survived the trip unscathed, even the fetus. My mom got married, we spent a lot of time by the pool, and everyone drank their weight in vodka. Except for me. Boo hiss.

I’m having some issues re acclimating to the time zone, by which I mean that I would prefer to spend the entire day lazing in bed and catching up on tv, so don’t expect any fabulous decor related news today (although I have been changing some stuff up, so expect many pleas for help later in the week). Mostly I just wanted to drop in and say, Hey — I’m ok.

And also to point out that Ike is angling to become captain of the croquet world.

Fun times were had by all.

See you dudes tomorrow!

Probably those of you who have been reading for years are a little worried about me. I mean, I used to write about trendy mctrendster things — things irreverent young hipsters marched toward like lemmings off a cliff. Also I was in a very teak state of mind — if it was mid mod, I bought it without question. I’m not sure what’s happening to me, but I think it’s called growing up. I’m working on expanding my repertoire and developing my own style, rather than glomming onto random shiny trinkets and hopefully assembling them into something passable (not that I won’t continue to indulge in that heady pastime, albeit ccasionally).

But I think maybe the world is a little different, too. With the downturn came a yearning for better days, and with that for well made objects that are crafted to last for generations — or at least beyond the next overhyped, overpriced trend cycle. A bit of antiquarian nostalgia goes a long way though, so I also appreciate bold choices with color, art, and form that balance out all that stuffy stuff. Plus my twinsie pals brass and chrome never hurt anyone, now did they?

All I’m trying to say is: don’t worry (too much) about me. I’m not going crazy cat lady on you. I won’t hang fiberglass hotel pleated curtains and declare them “fantabulous!”. I’m not planning to dedicate every nook and cranny to my burgeoning Capodimonte collection. And although my home is beginning to look like I’m opening a Persian rug store, I promise to mix it up with some youthful, arty choices. Because I’m not actually old. yet.

I am Erin, hear me roar.

Or perhaps at least meow very loudly, like a precocious kitten still practicing at sharpening her claws.

[image via Atlantis Home]

Hi. I feel a little self conscious about dumping my gross pregnant problems onto you, so if you want to keep it light and fluffy, I don’t blame you one bit — see you tomorrow! For everyone else, I decided I should stop being so cryptic because you’re probably all imaging worse things than are actually happening, like maybe I’m growing a hydatiform mole in my stomach. Or a Snooki. But no, it’s just a baby. And he looks great, and also very well hung if I may say so myself.

The problem is that I have this giant bleed in between my uterine wall and amniotic sac called a subchorionic hemorrhage. It’s actually not that uncommon; what’s uncommon is the size (ginormous) and how late it appeared in the pregnancy (2nd trimester). Also it doesn’t seem to be absorbing and shrinking, which means that every time I go to the bathroom and blood comes out (sorry, but this is my life right now), I start panicking that the baby is next. This occurs on almost an hourly basis.

But the clot appears to be stable for now, and the baby is stable for now. So really all I can do is wait and stress out and do very little in the way of work. Who’s going to do all the wallpapering for me? And the painting??? I have TWO hunky baby rooms to design and unless I learn how to wiggle my nose and make magic happen, I don’t know how it’s all going to come together.

You know what, big effing deal. It will probably make the blog boring since there will be a little more conversation and a little less action, but I’ll do my best to spice things up. With blood and guts (hopefully kidding).

Now let’s get busy dreaming up some fancy boy rooms. I really thought it was a girl so that penis threw me for a loop, but luckily I already have experience in the field.

And luckily I love boys.

[Francois Halard]

While I am still just a noob, I find myself getting sucked deeper and deeper into the wild world of Pinterest. It’s so much better than storing all of my favorite images on ye olde overburdened hard drive. Plus I’ve been revisiting some old DC posts (we’ve been doing this for 3 1/2 years…. yikes!) and pinning pictures that continue to inspire me. Boy have my tastes changed with time (thank Jeebus).

Anyway, I’d love for you to join me! Follow me HERE.

My account is still in its formative stages, but I promise to continue stocking it with oodles of glitz, glam, and kapow zing!

It would also be cool if you posted lots of awesome stuff to your pinterest so I can steal it. Thank you.

[Elle Decor via MFAMB]

I feel like every post I write begins with an apology — for being sick, for moving, for having a kid, for maybe sort of kind of trying to have a life. Truth is, I’m tired. I get up every day and write a post because I still love blogging, but lately my posts have been crap. Not to put too fine a point on things. I have so many housey stories to tell you, several new thrifty purchases to share, plus a goody bag of trends I need to discuss… But you’re going to have to wait until next week. Because mama needs a vacay from obsessing about furniture and white painted bricks.

Although I do love me some furniture and white painted bricks.

Anyhow, I’m packing up and headed east to Texarkana — land of cowpies and fried okra — to spend time with family. My beloved grandmother is moving into a nursing home after this holiday season, I’m going wedding dress shopping for my baby sister, and I might even watch some football. Panta Rei, people. Everything changes. You can’t step in the same river twice so make it count.

I hope your turkey is magnificently overstuffed, juicy, and shared with fine company.

Until next week.

[Buckingham Interiors]

Feeling better, but still queasy.

Yeah, about like this.

See you dudes tomorrow.

[AD Russia]

AD Russia is one of my favorite shelter mags because they always have a super mix of neotrad glamour and avant garde chic, with just a dash of loopy to keep it interesting. The latest issue I perused definitely had some lovely rooms, but it also scored way high on the freakometer.

Case in point:

What. the. hell.

What is even happening here? Why does that lamp have eyes? Why is this in an Architectural Digest magazine? I mean, can you ever imagine Margaret Russell giving this spread a pass?

 I don’t know. It’s kind of awesome. Maybe the American AD should just hop on the googly eye train?

See – they don’t even look out of place. Well, maybe just a little. But those perky peepers totally jazzed up that snoozefest, right?

Happy Friday, kids. Obviously I am due for some rest.

Back next week with pictures of the new house, which may or may not prominently feature googly eyes.

Yes, Karly and I are headed to The Big Easy to attend my best friend’s wedding… wait, was that a movie? Anyway, the blog is going to be out of commission for the rest of the week, but more importantly I’d like to know what we MUST do in New Orleans — besides drink. The last time I went to New Orleans was in paleolithic times, so I know things have changed. But there are still some iconic Louisiany things to do on the list. #1 is eat gumbo (and drink Abita).

OH MY GOD. Like manna from heaven (amazing recipe here).

So, I need to eat. A lot. And drink. A lot. Also, I would like to buy (affordable) things. Please help me to benefit the fine economy of New Orleans by purchasing vintage lighting and fantastic art. Thank you for your support. I like cemeteries and music, too.

No really. That’s my post. It’s pretty much your post.

Can you tell me where to go?

Thanks. I love you long time.

Ok, I know that usually this is an interiors blog where we enjoy the best and brightest of interior porn.  BUT, technically, since the blog is called design crisis, sometimes we dabble in other arenas, fancying ourselves worldly enough to talk about such things as art and graphics and music.  Well, today I’m pretty sure we have our first ever fashion related post and I bring this to you not because I know (or care) a thing about fashion but because the product presentation in this campaign is BEYOND WORDS.  It’s Dadaism meets Robert Palmer meets Pop Art meets Bear Grylls.  So, to say the least, it’s totally rocking my face off.  Shall we?

Ka-Pow!  I was having a hard time deciding which image to start with, but I figured egg on the head was as good as any.  Oh, also there are earrings in this image and they are by Alexis Bittar.  More More More!

There are a lot of animals happening here, which you know sends my heart racing 6-ways-to-sunday.  Is there anything better than a cat photoshopped to do something human?  Or, say, a zebra wearing a couch for a hat?  I didn’t think so.

That concludes the animal portion of our program.  But wait!  There’s more!

So awesome

Do you think Erin’s vacation is looking like this right now?

If so, we should kill her

I’m so grateful to survive yet another scorching summer week with a bored toddler that I may let a little loose this weekend…

Probably not that loose.

Happy weekend!

[Roger Davies]

Tomorrow, tomorrow people I will be stepping aboard an airplane alone with my 8-month old child.  We will be flying an in-direct (as in changing planes with an 8 month old + acutremonts) flight to Virginia without any assistance from any man or beast.  For it is just Eero, the 24 pound acrobat with 6 teeth, and myself stepping into the great unknown

I need some time to prepare myself.  You dudes spend some time telling me what you think of the situation pictured here, I really just don’t even know.  Maybe they could have painted a straight line.  Or a diagonal line?  Why am I still even typing, you’re supposed to be writing this junk today.