Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Aug 26, 2011, 9:39 pm
{Baby G., about 6 weeks ago} I suppose in some ways this post was inevitably, but I wanted to delay it until I was absolutely sure. I didn't want to lead you on or risk saying something I didn't mean. I've decided I'm going to pack it in here at Odi et Amo. While I thoroughly enjoyed the 2+ years of...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Jun 1, 2011, 9:39 pm
{Baby G. loves his play mat!} Today was my first day back at work following a 12-week maternity leave. It was both easier and harder than I had expected. On the one hand, I felt as though I'd simply picked up right where I'd left off; my time away felt more like days rather than weeks. And yet…eve...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - May 17, 2011, 12:35 pm
While just about any technicolor shade is right on trend this summer, there's something about orange that I'm loving right now. Perhaps it's because orange seems just right for the increasingly warm weather. Or maybe it's just the punch of bold, bright, cheerfulness that my wardrobe needs right now....
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - May 16, 2011, 10:45 am
Locked, loaded and ready to roll! Yes, I know I've been a very bad blogger, but y'all may be unsurprised to hear that being a new mom and blogging regularly aren't exactly simpatico. In any case, while I promise better, design-oriented posts later this week, I wanted to pop in this morning and get f...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - May 6, 2011, 6:56 pm
Tobi Fairley's Arkansas home is featured in this month's Traditional Home. While I'd seen many of the rooms before via her online portfolio, I was still excited to see one of my favorite designers featured -- and to see a few "new to me" rooms. Her entryway, with its bold black and white wallpaper i...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - May 3, 2011, 6:44 pm
Tomorrow Baby G. will be two months old -- man, does time fly! In many ways it feels like he's only been with us for a few days and, yet, I can't really imagine my life without him now. With each passing week he's getting bigger, more alert, more expressive and definitely more fun. This weekend we d...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Apr 28, 2011, 6:53 pm
Jane's House as of April 20, 2011 Editor's Note: This post is the second in a series detailing the design of my sister's new house. If you missed last week's installment for Jane's study, go HERE. Well, the construction of Jane and P.W.'s house continues at a quick pace -- indeed, the exterior is a...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Apr 24, 2011, 10:46 pm

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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Apr 21, 2011, 5:24 pm
Last weekend while my in-laws were in from Florida for a visit, I finally found the opportunity to recover my dining room chairs. In our old house, I had covered our dining room chairs in a pretty (if a little bit dark) print from Marimekko, but the purple-grey and black print was all wrong for my n...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Apr 19, 2011, 5:16 pm
Have you checked out TradHome, the new online decor magazine? It's a collaboration between Lonny Magazine and Traditional Home and I'm loving the fresh, updated take on traditional design. In some ways, the magazine reads much like Traditional Home as it features the work of the magazine's 20 New Tr...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Apr 18, 2011, 8:13 am
Today we're kicking off the design of Jane's house with her study, which will be in a 12' x 11' bedroom on the second floor of their new home. The room itself is fairly standard, though there is a lovely large West-facing window that we'll be playing up with some wonderful draperies. As this room wi...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Apr 15, 2011, 1:22 pm
Jane's House (as of April 15, 2011) I know it may feel like I have abandoned you, but I promise I have not. Indeed, I've been hard at work on a new project (and a series here on Odi et Amo) -- Jane's House! My sister and her husband P.W. are designing and building a new home in the greater Houston ...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Apr 7, 2011, 3:05 pm
On Monday Baby G. turned one month old and I have to say it both feels like he's been around forever and that he was just born yesterday. What makes me happiest is that I feel like I'm starting to get more back every day: he's more alert, more active, and even starting to coo and verbalize some! Eve...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Apr 5, 2011, 6:45 pm
Palmer Weiss It's no secret that elephants are an incredibly popular motif in interior design right now. From paperweights to side tables, they're popping up just about everywhere. My favorite iteration so far though has to be this chic console table, shown above in classic white and below in cherry...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Apr 1, 2011, 6:00 pm
Just wanted to alert everyone to a huge sale going on now at Mod Green Pod, an eco-friendly fabric and wallpaper company based in Austin, Texas. Everything, yes, everything is currently 50% off. Fabrics are now $15/yard for solids and $20/yard for prints. Wallpaper is currently $55 a roll. Hurry whi...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Mar 28, 2011, 11:02 pm
Although Houston enjoys moderate winters, there's just something about Spring that puts a little bounce in my step. Perhaps it's the promise of summer (though my summer vacations have long since passed) or the newly budding flowers, but a gorgeous spring day never fails to put me in a good mood. And...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Mar 24, 2011, 7:06 pm
Last weekend my college roommate (who married my cousin!) came over to take pictures of Baby G. for his birth announcement. I went with an announcement from Pear Tree Greetings, which has a great selection of modern stationery that's highly customizable. Of course, I had to do an aqua and orange col...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Mar 23, 2011, 10:28 pm
I wanted to acknowledge Elizabeth Taylor's passing today. I was a huge admirer of her work, especially her title role in the 1963 version of Cleopatra, which ranks in my top 10 for all-time favorite movies. After all, with Elizabeth Taylor, Rex Harrison, Richard Burton how can you go wrong (especial...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Mar 22, 2011, 8:37 pm
Most designers tend to have a few favorite things (be it a particular color, pattern or even piece of furniture) that they use over and over again in their work. And sometimes that repetition can become a designer's trademark, their personal signature on a space. For Miles Redd, there are a number o...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Mar 19, 2011, 6:49 pm
In some ways, it feels like an eternity since we brought Graham home from the hospital; in others, it feels like the blink of an eye. So far, we have been blessed with a healthy, generally happy baby who's been growing like a weed (an inch and 1 lb, 6 oz. in a mere 13 days!) and even giving us some ...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Mar 18, 2011, 1:18 pm
When you look at shelter magazines and design blogs as much as I do, it can sometimes feel like you've seen absolutely everything before. Been there, done that. Sometimes it feels like the more I dive into design, the harder it is for designers to truly knock my socks off and show me something I hav...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Mar 14, 2011, 8:46 am
Back in December, I updated y'all on my master bedroom (re)design as we swapped out our queen bed for a king and our tiny end tables and dresser for more ample (and more glamorous) storage. At the time, I was dubious as to whether or not I'd be able to get anymore done on the room before Baby G's ar...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Mar 6, 2011, 4:45 pm
Graham Kirk arrived on Friday morning at 11:08 am at a hearty 8 pounds and 10 ounces, 20.5 inches. After checking into the hospital Thursday evening with regular contractions, we ended up having to kick-start my labor with Pitocin around 3 am (don't worry, I caught some solid sleep from 10 pm on)....
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Mar 1, 2011, 2:08 pm
Wishin' and hopin' and thinkin' and prayin' Plannin' and dreamin' each night of his charms That won't get him into my arms Okay, so I may be taking some liberties with the old Dionne Warwick song, but the essential message is the same: if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. I'm 39 weeks pregnan...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Feb 27, 2011, 11:04 pm
There are some truly ridiculous pregnancy products out on the market today. While I understand that expectant mothers may want to create some keepsakes and mementos of such a big event, I daresay that there are a few memories that may not really be worth memorializing and reliving. Recently I joined...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Feb 21, 2011, 9:48 pm
1. The color palette. Wheat and cream punctuated with cool slate blue and rich coffee is soothing, gender neutral and classic. The perfect choice for a master bedroom where you're looking to balance competing tastes and create a sense of calm.  2. The iron chandelier with wood bead trim (Visual Com...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Feb 17, 2011, 8:09 pm
At 37 weeks and 2 days pregnant, I'm absolutely dying to get back into "normal" clothes (or have my normal clothes fit, well, normally). While it will probably be a few more months before I do any serious shopping to let my weight/size settle back down, the top of my wishlist is a stripe blazer, whi...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Feb 15, 2011, 8:30 pm
Last night I was watching Dear Genevieve on my DVR. Genevieve was decorating a small office, the focal point of which was going to be a juju hat. And it got me thinking how fascinating it is that these feathered Camaroonian ceremonial headdresses (also known as tyns) have become the darlings of the ...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Feb 14, 2011, 10:16 pm
Happy Valentine's Day, my darlings! I hope each of you got to spend the day with your sweetie and other loved ones. As always, many thanks for your continued support of Odi et Amo. Hugs and Kisses,Averill Photography Credit: Doxie Valentine courtesy of Persnickety Pelican.
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Feb 9, 2011, 7:31 pm
As with throw pillows, there are approximately a bazillion fabulous options for bedding. And I for one can never get enough. Truly, great bedding can make a bedroom -- and it's far easier to swap out with the seasons (or your mood) than furniture. If you're a lover of linens like me, then you'll be ...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Feb 7, 2011, 7:30 am
Apologies for being a week late in getting pictures of the nursery up on the blog, but I was waylayed a bit by work and weather last week and couldn't get the finishing touches put in the nursery until this weekend. Last Friday I showed you a photo of the finished window seat, complete with cushions...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Feb 3, 2011, 7:23 am
I wanted to share some photos of my baby shower to show off how amazingly talented, creative and generous my friends (and sister) are. While I love design, party planning is definitely not my forte. My go-to formula is to book a private or semi-private room at a fun restaurant, get my friend Natalie...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Feb 1, 2011, 7:49 pm
I'm so excited that the premier issue of High Gloss, the latest web magazine to hit the virtual newsstands, has arrived. The brainchild of fellow Houstonian blogger Paloma Contreras (of La Dolce Vita), High Gloss is all about interior design, style, fashion and entertaining. HG promises to deliver h...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Jan 31, 2011, 7:30 am
I've picked up a few tips and tricks for navigating pregnancy as stylishly as possible over the past 8 months or so and I thought I'd share some of them with you today. Fortunately, there are now plenty of maternity clothes options on the market today so you have no excuse not to look your usual cut...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Jan 27, 2011, 10:54 pm
The nursery is almost done! While the big reveal will have to wait until next week as I put the final touches on the room over the weekend, I thought I'd whet your appetite with a sneak peek of the window seat, complete with cushions and my DIY pillows and pelmet box (more on both next week).  In o...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Jan 25, 2011, 8:45 pm
I'm totally in love with this ottoman/stool (dubbed a chakki by Serena & Lily). Available in two finishes (white and a dark walnut) and 12 fabrics (including some fantastic prints), it's a truly versatile piece that would work in a bedroom, living room or den. Even better? The cushion is slip covere...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Jan 21, 2011, 8:05 pm
Kelley Interior Design More than a decade ago, my cousin painted her small living room black. At the time, I was skeptical, but now it's perfectly clear that she was truly ahead of her time; indeed, in retrospect, those black walls with her black and white toile sofa was super chic). In any case, b...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Jan 18, 2011, 8:06 pm
Entryways and hallways are so often ignored in decorating, but they can be a wonderful opportunity to create some serious drama in these pass-through spaces. Even if your entry or hallway is small, I suggest going big with larger scale patterns and a few large pieces of furniture or accessories as s...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Jan 14, 2011, 8:28 am
Okay, okay, so you guys have worn me down. I've resisted showing pregnancy photos of me up until now primarily because (a) I honestly wasn't showing until around Thanksgiving and didn't look really pregnant until Christmas so until recently there wasn't much to look at and (b) I manage to remember t...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Jan 12, 2011, 10:09 pm
I came home today to find a completely painted nursery; what a wonderful midweek pick-me-up! I'm loving how bright and clear the pale aqua is. Now all that's left is to starting loading in the room. Stay tuned! {I should note that I didn't have a surprise visit from the painting fairies. Dave and I ...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Jan 11, 2011, 8:28 am
Windsor Smith 1. The rose print linen on the walls and chairs is feminine, but the oyster and grey colorway and grid pattern keeps it from being overly sweet. 2. The more modern mix of wingback and Parsons chairs is a great counterpoint to the traditional Louis Philippe table. 3. The settee -- I lov...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Jan 7, 2011, 9:00 am
Today I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be giving away a Binth baby book (in green -- perfect for either sex)! Original woodland illustrations lead from the day of birth through the 3rd birthday with ample room for photos, thoughts and memories. This would make a wonderful gift for the expecting o...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Jan 5, 2011, 8:10 am
{If I could give you each a Sprinkles cupcake, I would!} Today marks the completion of my second year as a blogger. 2010 was definitely an exciting time for this little blog as I saw my readership quadruple over the course of the year and my focus -- and my voice -- shift slowly towards the more per...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Jan 4, 2011, 8:00 am
Today I'm over at La Dolce Vita guest posting about my dream home. Be sure to stop by (click HERE) and say "hello" and check out my indulgent design choices for decorating my ultimate fantasy home. Thanks again Paloma for giving me the opportunity to participate in your new series!
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Jan 3, 2011, 8:30 am
Over the course of the holidays, despite plenty of company and my growing fatigue (and belly!), I did manage to get a good bit done in the nursery. When we last left off, the spare bedroom was essentially our storage room, which meant the first task was clearing it out. After several trips to Goodwi...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Dec 31, 2010, 9:49 pm
2011 will mark some major milestones in my life: March 2011: David and I will welcome our first child -- a boy.May 2011: David will turn 30.June 2011: I will turn 30.September 2011: David and I will celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary.November 2011: Marks my 5th year as a licensed attorney (unfor...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Dec 22, 2010, 11:13 am
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'm off for the next few days enjoying some quality time with the family and some much needed R&R. I'll be back next week though with plenty of updates on the nursery (including some DIYs) as I scurry to get the room in shap...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Dec 20, 2010, 2:19 pm
I'll admit that I'm a big fan of documenting everything (I'm a lawyer, after all!) and I cherish the baby books my mother and grandmother made for me. But a lot of the books on the market today just strike me as a bit too cheesy, a bit too...well, babyish. Cue a random (but most welcome email) from...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Dec 17, 2010, 8:49 am
So a few weeks ago I ordered the Noah's Ark print in turquoise from English design collective Bold & Noble for the nursery. Unfortunately, they initially sent me the print in poppy red -- a great color, but definitely not what I ordered. Quick to make amends, however, B&N shipped me the turquoise v...
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Averill C. posted an article on Odi et Amo Blog - Dec 16, 2010, 9:36 am
Back in August I posted some pictures showing off some preliminary work we'd done to our backyard. Well, four months later I am thrilled to report that we've finally finished landscaping and that I couldn't be happier with the finished results. While we spent a huge chunk of my 2010 bonus on the ...
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