Hello! Thanks for checking us out! We are Jillian and Lisa, friends, neighbors, and co-founders of The Brick Nests.
We are so thrilled to be partnering on this blog together! We bring two unique voices and personalities to this project, and look forward to sharing our individual strengths and points of view. Here’s a little more about us!
I’m Jillian of The Brick Nests. Mom to three little ones, wife to Drew, and neighbor to Lisa. In 2011 we bought our dream home with tons of classic charm and in need of lots of updating. Since then, we have been very busy making our home comfortable and stylish with a mix of antique and modern decor, and have refreshed every single room of our large brick house. The changes have ranged from simply putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls, to the more creative painting of floors (blog post!), to completing a major kitchen renovation, which transformed a kitschy kitchen stuck in the 1980s into a modern-day beauty.
Before I was a mom, wife, and blogger, I was a college athlete (James Madison University field hockey), traveling nurse, and avid beach bum! You can still find me at the beach in the summer, except now I am under an umbrella slathered in sunscreen and covered in sand, maybe even sneakily writing a blog post on my phone! When I’m not busy with my home projects, I can be found at the gym, helping friends with their houses, and running around town with my kids.
I am inspired by nature and fun, colorful prints. I love all colors, neutral and bold! I have a mix of tan, gray, blue, green, and even red in my home. My favorite patterns are ikats, chevrons, polka dots, and even an animal print here and there. I’m not afraid to experiment by mixing patterns and styles. You can find a little bit of everything in my home (florals, animal prints, stripes, geometric fabrics, antiques, modern furniture, color, neutrals, even a little bit of coastal decor), and I think this is what makes it unique, cozy, and charming.
For the last year I have been helping friends and family make their nests stylish. Many have encouraged me to make my passion for decorating more than just a hobby and thus, our blog was born! I’m so excited to share my talents, projects, and creativity with you. Welcome to our brick nests!
Hi! I’m Lisa of The Brick Nests. I’m a stay-at-home mom of two young children, wife to Stew, and neighbor to Jillian. I have a background in art history, a passion for photography, and a love of stylish design. Before becoming a mom, those interests guided me into jobs with Sotheby’s (an international fine art and antiques auction house) and Rhode Island School of Design. With the recent purchase of our home–a brick and slate charmer from the 1930s with beautiful period architectural details and lots of potential for modern-day sophistication–my eye for artistic beauty, color, and proportion naturally expanded into an interest in the aesthetics of the home. I love using vivid colors and energetic prints, and infusing classic design with contemporary personality, global influences, and coastal elements. This eclectic style gives my house character and puts my family’s stamp on our home.
Aside from home design, art, and photography (check out the Portfolio page to learn more about my photography!), my interests include fitness, cookies, fashion, comfy PJs, reading quietly, singing loudly, high-style boutiques, and bargain treasure hunts. I find writing enjoyable, spending time with friends energizing, and organizing Legos by color meditative. When not relaxing at Home Sweet Home, I go on adventures with my family and take every opportunity to travel and explore. I find so much inspiration for my home and life from these travels, especially from our favorite seaside destinations (the coast is my happy place!).
Those who know me know I have a lot to say! I get super excited to share a new product obsession, details of a weekend getaway, or my latest decorating decisions. I often get asked for tips or thoughts on all sorts of subjects because I’m happy to take the time to discuss my experiences and like giving helpful hints. That trait, combined with my enjoyment of writing and photography, and my passion for home decorating and life beautifying, made blogging a perfect fit for me–and thus, The Brick Nests was born.
I’m a big believer that a home and a life can be not only functional and family friendly, but also full of beauty and style. I’m so excited to bring you my thoughts, tips, and ideas, from my nest to yours!
If you want to get to know us even better, read on! Here are a few fun facts about us.
Favorite things in your home
Jillian: That is tough. I have always loved how my children’s rooms have turned out–fun, playful, colorful, vintage and modern, very similar to my personal style characteristics. I also adore my master bedroom and bathroom, as it is very tranquil, spa-like, and grown-up feeling. I love how my kitchen renovation looks too, but I must confess I was more passionate about creating this beautiful white, clean, modern space than I am about actually cooking in it!
Lisa: My parents gave us a classic Thos. Moser handmade New Gloucester rocking chair for our wedding present. The craftsmanship is superb and it’s of heirloom quality. There were many a night that I rocked my children to sleep in that chair, so it holds a special place in my heart. We also received as a wedding present a Nantucket basket handmade by a family friend with our wedding date and an emblem of the sun, the symbol of my husband’s and my alma mater, Bowdoin College, engraved in scrimshaw. It is meaningful to me, as it reminds me of the college that helped shape me and at which I met my husband, as well as Nantucket, one of my favorite places. Both of these things reside in my living room, which also happens to be my favorite room in the house. It’s comfortable, gracious, cozy, bright, and beautiful all at the same time. And of course I love my photo albums! I am a photographer–but long before I had a fancy camera, I was a shutterbug with a point-and-shoot, capturing precious everyday moments and exciting adventures alike, and I love reliving those memories by looking at pictures!
Personal style
Jillian: Ready go, colorful, functional, fun, and contemporary with a vintage flair. I would consider my style classic, but with an unique and adventurous feel.
Lisa: Classic with a bohemian flair. I gravitate towards crisp color combinations, love prints, and adore embellishments. I have a penchant for fabulous shoes that make a statement. I believe my personal style is reflected in my home through the use of bright colors, fun patterns, and bold accessories.
Favorite Color
Jillian: I do love all colors but, I would have to say bright pink and coral would be my favorites! Think summer manicure and pedicure colors! Although currently, I don’t rock much pink in my home–maybe I will change that.
Lisa: Colors, plural! I don’t have just one favorite. Aqua, azure, coral, pink-lavender, and emerald green. Aside from thinking they’re pretty, in my mind I associate aqua with serenity, azure with clarity, coral with happiness, pink-lavender with sweetness, and emerald green with, well, emeralds–and who wouldn’t like a little more of all those things in her life?!?!
Favorite place
Jillian: I was very fortunate to travel the country when I was nursing, including a road trip across the entire USA. Hawaii is my all-time favorite place ever! Sunsets, beaches, tropical flowers and fruit, hikes up mountains, swimming in waterfalls, shopping, and surfing. It doesn’t get much better than Hawaii. Los Angeles and California in general are also amazing with a totally different West Coast vibe. But I’m an East Coast gal, and I love Rhode Island and Nantucket. Also, I would like to give a shout out to my bed. After having children, my bed is a cozy, dreamy, warm place I haven’t been visiting as much as I would like to.
Lisa: Easy. Florence, Italy. I spent six months there in college, and I long for it. The abundance of breathtaking art everywhere, the jaw-dropping architecture, the warmth of the people, the sound of the motorinos zooming down the narrow streets, a certain quality to the light rising over the Arno River, the smell of the bakeries, the mind-blowing history of it all–so many reasons to love it. Nantucket is a close second. It’s the perfect New England seaside destination. And I can’t forget Boston, my home town, for so many reasons that I don’t even know where to begin!
Favorite flower
Jillian: My first job was at a garden center and I am fairly knowledgeable about plants and flowers, but this question is easy for me. My wedding flowers were blue hydrangeas, which are, hands down, my favorite. I keep asking Dr. Drew to plant more in our yard, but alas we don’t really have the proper sunlight exposure in most of the gardens (darn trees!).
Lisa: It’s a tie between pink peonies and blue hydrangeas. They are both gorgeous statement flowers. I used a lot of peonies at my wedding, as they are exuberant and elegant at the same time, and have a lovely, fresh fragrance. And hydrangeas are a stunning staple of New England gardens.
Best thing about being a mom
Jillian: It is without a doubt the best thing that has ever happened to me. Seeing the world through their innocent and imaginative eyes is amazing. The most humbling, precious, and important title I’ve ever had is that of Mom.
Lisa: The snuggles! The hugs and kisses, the giggles and silliness, the wonder and excitement at every new experience. The brightness of their smiles and the way those smiles make my heart overflow with love. My kids are even chattier than I am, and I love to hear all their thoughts and therefore see the world through their eyes. I’m cherishing these wonderful and precious years because, boy, are my kids growing up fast!
