Beyond the Designs

Welcome to Beyond the Designs - a lifestyle blog by CRD&CO. I look to share some moments beyond the projects including lifestyle, fashion, food, and all the things I love! I hope you enjoy this fresh and new content. And, please, reach out with any and all feedback or ideas. I’d love to hear from you! xx

Holiday Moments Alison Melnick Holiday Moments Alison Melnick

In the Kitchen: Christmas Cookies

Holiday baking is more than cookies in the oven—it’s nostalgia, family traditions, and sweet moments made together. From classic Christmas cookies to a treasured great-grandmother’s crumb cake recipe, this season in the kitchen is all about memories that last long after the last bite.

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Sourcing Corner Alison Melnick Sourcing Corner Alison Melnick

Back to School & a New Routine

As both a mom and an interior designer, I know how quickly the first week of school can fly by. The rush of new routines, school supplies, and the excitement (and nerves!) of a fresh start often leaves our homes buzzing with activity. Now that we’ve made it through week one, it’s the perfect time to pause, catch our breath, and create spaces that support calm, focus, and a little inspiration for the year ahead.

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Everything I Loved Alison Melnick Everything I Loved Alison Melnick

Everything I Loved: May Edition

Is it me or do the spring months just blend into one big cluster? As a mom, the days are so chaotic and it seems like 2:30 pm appears out of nowhere. May was full of a lot of late night office moments to hit deadlines, play catch up, and check things off my to-do list.

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In The Kitchen Alison Melnick In The Kitchen Alison Melnick

In the Kitchen: My Go To Pasta Salad

As MDW quickly approaches (How is the unofficial start to summer next week?!), I am thinking about the endless possibilities of summer snacks and apps I’ll whip up for a backyard BBQ or to bring along to a friend's pool party. My favorite dish to indulge in over the summer is my “go-to-pasta-salad!”

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Everything I Loved Alison Melnick Everything I Loved Alison Melnick

Everything I Loved: March Edition

March was a crazy busy month but I guess that’s what I get for taking off half of February. I was in full cheer-mom mode and we got hit with a spring sports schedule like never before. Hello, three softball teams, five cheer competitions, the largest PTA fundraiser of the year and of course, client installs, photoshoots, and elevating the business. March was wild but here is a glimpse at the moments that made me the happiest - even if I looked like I was drowning!

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Sourcing Corner Alison Melnick Sourcing Corner Alison Melnick

Sourcing Corner: Wallpaper Moments

Wallpaper is one of my favorite layers of a project. It’s a single design decision that truly transforms a space from one dimensional to showstopping. Wallpaper works in so many different spaces of a home too - think a powder bathroom to wow guests, a kid’s bedroom to create a playful moment, a dining room to make a statement - the options are endless!

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