Amidst so much to choose from, decorating and registering can become overwhelming. To sort things out a bit, designer Erika McPherson Powell of Urban Grace Interiors has shared some functional and heart-warming insights from her well-feathered nest.

Erika is certainly nesting these days; she is 9.5 months into her first pregnancy! I can't believe she found the time to do an interview, but am so very glad that she did.

What is the most loved housewarming gift you have ever received?
Fresh flowers or veggies from my sister’s garden...she brings them every time she visits!

What is the most loved wedding gift you have ever received?
A Lynn Chase serving bowl that I had not registered for, but absolutely love.

What is the most useful wedding gift you have ever received?
Cuisinart 2-in-1 {Blender & Food Processor}! I use it four times a week!

What is the most loved housewarming gift you have given?
When my sister moved into a new old house I bought her scented drawer liners because we laughed about the “grandma smell” in the bathroom cabinet.

What is your favorite home item that you purchased or found for yourself?
I know it’s August (and very hot and I’m very pregnant!) but my favorite home item is the heated mattress pad that is on our bed. Granted, we only use it four months out of the year...but it is awesome. Separate controls for each side of the bed, so I can crank up the heat on my side and my husband is still comfortable. Plus, unlike an electric blanket, this is nice because you can still use crisp sheets on top – electric blankets are always that polyester material that grosses me out.

What is your favorite little treat especially for houseguests?
We have a local apothecary shop called Patchouli’s, and they carry a scent called “A Day At The Beach”. It comes in a Sugar Scrub that I absolutely adore, so when friends come to visit me at the beach I often have one for them as a gift.

What dishware do you use on a daily basis?
Lenox Butler’s Pantry {pictured right} and green dishes from Target that are now discontinued.

Have you ever registered for china or entertaining tableware {or splurged on some for yourself}?
I haven’t because when my great-grandmother passed away I inherited her china, and I absolutely adore it. It is nothing fancy; my great-grandmother didn’t have much, and lived most of her adult life in a mobile home. But somehow, I know for sure that if this pattern was still available today it is what I would have registered for when I married. It is a discontinued pattern by Noritake called Greenbay.

What is your next dream or goal for your nest?
Well, considering my current state {very pregnant!}, I am nesting like crazy. With each new weekend comes a new ‘nesting goal’...this weekend, we will finish up the nursery and find a new home for the Christmas décor that was once stored under the guest bed {that we took down in place of a crib}. Living in Florida, we don’t have basements, and we don’t have a garage...so we have to get creative when it comes to storage. Should be interesting to see where our poor Christmas tree gets stored!

Erika shared recently shared this adorable photo, taken at her in-laws' farm, on her wonderful blog. Erika says she likes the cows more than ever these days, because she still feels small in comparison to them :) Isn't she the most stylishly modern mama-to-be? You can follow along as she transitions into full nesting mode with the arrival of her little one; I know I will!