Tell us a little bit about yourself! How did you go from working for the MLB to having a blog and working in the interior design industry with Amy Berry?
Hi! I’m Ali, so nice to meet all of you! I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, went to school at the University of Kansas, where I met my husband, and we now live in Dallas, Texas. After school, I started working for MLB in Kansas City. I learned so many invaluable skills at this first job, including how to use Photoshop, and developed my love for being creative.
From a young age, my mom and dad always encouraged creativity. My mom owned her own children’s clothing line (one day I want to bring it back!), and I was always surrounded by fabrics and crafts. My dad was an architect, so we spent lots of time drawing and coloring together. I think that is where my love for interiors started. After leaving MLB and Kansas City, my husband and I moved to Dallas where I met Amy Berry. She took me under her wing and taught me everything. I feel so lucky to be able to do something I love every day!
You and your family recently moved into a new home and had your first child (congratulations!). What is your process for decorating and renovating your home?
I am not sure if I would recommend buying your first home, renovating and having a baby all in a matter of months, but we are having so much fun with this project! My husband and I had been looking for a little over 2 years, so when we found this gem we instantly knew it was the perfect house for us!
When it comes to our process, we decided to tackle the house renovation in phases. We loved the traditional style of the home, but it needed a major facelift. Before we moved in, we decided to start with the major renovations: painting the entire house (inside and out), overhauling the backyard, giving all of the bathrooms a little refresh, and a few other small updates. We had a limited timeline before our sweet baby boy was due, so we decided to take on the kitchen renovation in phase two.
As far as the decorating process, we started with the nursery, and now we are going room by room. We are completely starting from scratch in almost every room, so it is a big undertaking. My best advice is to make a spreadsheet with everything you want to purchase, so you can create a budget and check things off as you go!
You gave your guest bathroom a major refresh! What did you change in the bathroom and what was your goal for the renovated space?
The bathroom really was an eyesore before our refresh-- even the toilet and bathtub were tan! The guest bathroom is visible from the stair landing, so I loved the idea of creating a fresh and clean space. We went with a white penny round and white ceramic subway tiles to create a blank slate. The light blue stripe wallpaper was so happy and since it’s our little boy's bathroom, I wanted it to be fun, yet not too juvenile.
Advice on where to save and splurge?
Splurge on things that will pack a punch like, fixtures and bath linens! You can find great deals on tile and the design will still look fresh and clean!
"My best advice is to make a spreadsheet with everything you want to purchase, so you can create a budget and check things off as you go!"
Sources:
- Wallpaper: Sylvan Stripe (@thibaut)
- Mirror: Lanai Mirror from Serena & Lily (@serenaandlily)
- Sink Fixtures: Purist Widespread Faucet (@kohler)
- Sconces: Shades of Light (@shadesoflight)
- Lampshades for Sconces: Amy Berry Home (@amyberryhome)
- Window Shade: Custom from Amy Berry (@amyberryhome)
- Floor Tile: White Penny Round (@thetileshop)
- Towel Round Hook on Wall: West Elm (@westelm)
- Rattan Glassware: Natural Seagrass Glassware (@lindrothdesign)
- Hardware on Sink Vanity: Kohler (@kohler)
QuickFire:
- Favorite Coffee Table Book: Beautiful by Mark D. Sikes (@markdsikes)
- Favorite Hostess Must Haves: Monogrammed Cocktail Napkins (my best friend, @kateandcoembroidery creates the cutest designs) and a signature cocktail (my favorite, a spicy skinny margarita)
- Recent Interior Design Splurge: This chandelier for our bedroom.
- Recent Interior Design Steal: This outdoor furniture set.
