I’m frequently asked, “What inspires you?”  I’m never able to pinpoint a single sole source.  In fact, I’m usually a bit overwhelmed by the question.  I get inspiration from all kinds of people, places and things: blogs, designers, my kids, fabrics, magazines, books, nature, etc.  I thought this would be a good week {it’s okay to start the week on Tuesday, right?} for me to share with you whom and what inspires me.  I could use a little inspiration this week anyway.

I’d like to start off with the obvious.  Blogs.  Blogs inspire me to no end.  I love peeking into other’s homes and blogs are a great *legal* way for me to do that.  {I’ve been known to drive and walk by homes at night in the hopes of catching a glimpse inside their lit windows.}  To me, home is a very personal place that reflects those who live in it.  Even when homes aren’t design-oriented, you can learn a lot about people just by how they live.  As a child, I loved going to friends’ homes and getting to be a part of their everyday life for the day.  Sometimes the most minute detail can turn on the lightbulb in my head.  {For instance, I ‘borrowed’ my friends’ idea for hanging kitchen towels from towel rings hung on the side of the upper cabinets above the kitchen sink.  Such an easy and practical idea!}

So, yeah, blogs let me in on home interiors that I wouldn’t get to experience otherwise.  And this is a fairly new concept.  Just within the last decade, the blogosphere has erupted with blogs pertaining to anything and everything you could imagine.  You probably already know this or you wouldn’t be reading this now!  I love the idea of being able to read up on my faves when the kids are napping or have gone to bed for the night.  I don’t read my favorite blogs daily {I wish I had the time!} but at least twice a week I sneak in a few minutes to see what they’re up to.  Here are my top 5 favorite blogs in no particular order:

1 – Young House Love:  No surprise here!  John and Sherry Petersik know what they’re doing and have made a career out of it.  I’m inspired by their energy, frugality, green ways, optimism, humor and oversharing. I love that they have returned their blogging style to the diary-like entries that got them started in the first place.  While they are busy, busy bodies, they’re also quick to remind that a polished interior takes time {and even a few mistakes} to accomplish.  Go Youngsters!

2 – The Happy Home:  Belinda Graham is a very talented Australian blogger, writer, designer and mother.  I find her and her home to be quaint, tidy, delicate and real.  Her home feels ‘just right’ – not too big, not too small, not too sparse, not too overstyled.  She offers great tutorials for budget-friendly, easy and sometimes kid-help-worthy projects.  I love when she throws in snippets of everyday life at home with two {soon to be three!} kiddos.  That makes her and her home even more real to me.

3 – Pure Style Home:  Lauren Liess is my idol.  She switched careers in order to become an interior designer.  And has she ever!  She’s currently working on designing a room for the DC Design House.  What an honor, right?!  My dream.  She’s also a Sheffield School graduate {she was kind enough to answer a few questions about the course for me before I enrolled} and mom of two young boys.  It’s very evident that Lauren’s design talent is innate.  Nothing in her designs is forced or contrite.  She can mix old with new like nobody’s business.  She inspires me to follow my dreams…even with young kiddos in tow.

4 – Apartment Therapy:  The mecca of all home interiors.  I could spend {what am I talking about? I have!} hours perusing the virtual house tours.  Nothing gets my creative juices flowing like a little AT.  I’ve found some great inspiration for paint colors and furniture layouts just by studying up on the house tours alone.  The amount of information provided can sometimes be so much that I’m a tad overstimulated, so I try to limit my visits to once a week – just to keep me sane!  The fact that AT featured my home back in November 2010 in no way puts them at the top of my list.  But it does make me pretty giddy.  I’m also looking forward to gaining more insight into decorating, organizing and creating a stylish smaller home since we’re on the verge of downsizing.  AT regularly features functional living spaces less than 1,000 square feet in size.

5 – decor8:  Holly Becker over at decor8 is down-to-earth, organic, sweet, sensible and intelligent. She features artists, stylists, designers, photographers, stores, Etsy finds and publications that all relate in some way to decorating – with a focus on the handmade.  While her content crosses international borders, you can always count on a consistent look and feel.  One that’s not overthought or too perfect but, rather, simple, natural and even meaningful.  I’m anxiously awaiting the release of her first book, Decorate.  Holly has a warm writing style that immediately makes you feel welcome and special.  She also offers an e-course on blogging if you’re interested.  {I’d highly recommend it!}

There you have it.  My top 5 blogs.  I’m sure there are a ton more blogs out there offering great images and info pertaining to design that I don’t even know about.  Would you mind sharing some of your favorites in the comments section below?  I’m always amazed by the sources you guys turn me onto.

images:  1) Dana Miller for House*Tweaking  2) Young House Love 3) Belinda Graham for The Happy Home 4) Helen Norman photography; Lauren Liess for Pure Style Home 5) Wes & Schwartz for Apartment Therapy 6) Debi Treloar photography via decor8