...because home doesn't happen overnight.
Along with the ominous task of downsizing from a 2,700 sq ft builder home to a less than 1,700 sq ft fixer-upper comes the even more challenging task of editing down our belongings {clothing, toys, furniture, decor, tools, etc.}. That’s right. By choosing to downsize we’re losing ~1,000 sq ft of living space – not mention a third garage stall, an outdoor shed, and more than 1,200 sq ft of unfinished basement space.
In preparation for the big move, I went through ALL of our stuff and donated/sold whatever I knew we could live without or whatever wasn’t going to fit in our future house. {That included ALL our infant/toddler necessities…before I knew we would be unexpectedly expecting a third kiddo. Whoops. But that’s a whole ‘nother story.} For selling power, some of our decor and furniture stayed with the sale of our home as agreed upon in the sales contract.
I thought you might be interested in seeing which larger decor items we no longer possess as a result of our decision to downsize. Here goes. I’ve labeled ‘sold’ stuff with a magenta X and ‘stayed’ stuff with a teal X.
As you can see, that’s a lot of stuff g-o-n-e. Most of the area rugs stayed with the sale of the home along with all secured lighting fixtures, the dining table and the desk in the guest room. The other items we sold via Craigslist and word of mouth. We still have two of the white slipcovered chairs from the sunroom that we’re using in the apartment for now, but we’ll be selling those as well when we move into the Underdog. We sold our big family room sectional sofa and matching ottoman since they would have been too large for our future family room. Right now we’re using the petite sofa from our former living room {see the first image} in the apartment. I’d like to keep the petite sofa and use it as a type of informal banquette seating in our future mudroom/dining room. The guest bed {see the last image} is sitting in storage waiting for Handy Hubby’s parents to come rescue it and use it in their own home.
And that’s just the big stuff. I donated a bunch of other items to Goodwill or gave them away to friends and family. We should get a pretty nice kickback come tax time since I saved all the Goodwill receipts! I have a feeling that once we move into the Underdog and I start unpacking boxes from storage, I’ll find even more things to be sold or given away.
So other than thinking you may be curious to see what we left behind and sold, I also wanted you to know what we have on hand because I’ll soon be sharing our quest to find new furnishings for the Underdog. The money we made by selling off numerous pieces of furniture will be used to purchase a few main pieces for the Underdog. Namely, we’re on the hunt for a new family room sofa, accent chairs, a dining table {which we’ve already acquired!} and area rugs.
We’ve had many family members and friends have pity on us when we answer their question, “So what all did you have to get rid of in order to downsize?” But we really don’t want or need their pity. We don’t feel sad or resentful about giving up any of that stuff. After all, it’s just stuff. While some of it was nice and we enjoyed it, it didn’t define who we are or make us truly happy.
Plus, now that I’m discovering and learning more and more about design everyday, my style is evolving and I’m looking forward to choosing items that reflect that. Of course, the pieces we incorporate into our home must stand up to our kids too. They can’t be simply stunning aesthetically. They’ve gotta be comfortable, easy-to-clean and durable. That makes the hunt a little more difficult but not impossible. And that’s something else I’m looking forward to sharing. There’s no reason why a house with kids living in it can’t be stylish yet practical. Gone are the days of impeccable, special occasion only, kid-free rooms. It’s just wasted space if you ask me. If I’m paying for it, I want to use it…frequently.
Don’t cry for me Argentina. I’m very much looking forward to the challenges and sacrifices that come with downsizing. Yes, we’re losing square footage. But we’re gaining so much more. An affordable home that is nothing more than we need. A non-superfluous environment in which to raise our children. The opportunity to turn a neglected, run-down, underdog house into a living and breathing fun family home. And maybe even the financial freedom to chase life dreams.
So, don’t feel bad for us. We feel extremely lucky and grateful for this new experience.
images: all Dana Miller for House*Tweaking
We are settling into apartment living nicely. The boys really seem to like it. I think they see it as a big playhouse. It’s a welcome change for them from the ‘showhouse’ {i.e. previous house we sold by owner..more on that next week} conditions we were living in for nearly five months. The words “No! Don’t touch that!” haven’t slipped through my lips once in the past two weeks. The kids happily litter their toys around the apartment and make tents out of furniture, blankets and pillows. Sometimes I don’t even make them put it all away at night because, well, it doesn’t matter. No one’s coming to visit and we aren’t hanging by a thread waiting for a call from potential buyers who want to come see the place. We’re just living here.
Still, after living in the apartment a few weeks, I’ve decided there are some things that need to be addressed to make our new space function well and feel a little more like home…albeit an interim one. Not all of the things I want to do deal with are major design dilemmas – by god, there are plenty! – because we’re only going to be living here temporarily. Most of the projects I want to take on will affect the way we use the apartment and how it works for us. Don’t worry, though, I don’t think I can completely steer clear of all design-related ideas! I’ve gotten a bunch of different feedback concerning interim housing and possible projects. Some people advise not to touch a thing and focus all energies on the Underdog while, at the opposite end of the spectrum, I have others saying to go all out on the apartment and make it ours. I appreciate all the input and I can see the pros/cons of both sides. Maybe you’ll be happy to know that I’m taking the middle ground on this one. Not really to appease any one side but simply because that’s how I feel about the matter. I could not live in a place for longer than a month without changing something. That’s just not me. Tweaking is what I do. And it usually improves our everyday living. On the other hand, I will have a lot of ideas that don’t make the cut due to time, money and energy constraints. I can’t see putting in tons of work and money into a space that we’ll only be living in short-term. So, my to-do list will focus only on those projects that will enhance our apartment living experience without cutting into our wallets, renovation time {at the Underdog} and everyday life. With me? Okay, here are my top priorities as of today. Maybe once I check them off, I’ll move onto other like minded ideas.
1 – Hang stuff. I purposefully selected a few wall decor items to make the move to the apartment versus storage. I chose items knowing exactly where I wanted to put them so I didn’t end up with a bunch of unnecessary stuff in our small apartment. Plus, as long as I don’t make any holes in the walls larger than the size of a dime, we’re not responsible for patching them when our lease is up. No skin off my back! Still, the few paintings, frames and mirrors I brought to the apartment haven’t made it off the floor. I’ve left them propped against the walls out of harms way just waiting to be hung. I’m ready to put some {small} holes in the walls! The bare white walls are starting to feel a tad asylum-like.
2 – Organize the utility closet. For an apartment, I think ours has ample closet space. I’m just not really using it to it’s fullest potential. This utility closet just off the dining area is a case in point. While it’s plenty large enough to house the things we need it to house {safe, printer, steam mop, broom, important files, etc.} it’s not functional. It’s one big pile o’ stuff. I think adding some freestanding shelving and wall hooks would improve this storage space tremendously!
3 – Remove cumbersome folding doors. There are a LOT of folding doors in the apartment. 4 to be exact: one near the front door {shown above}, one off the kitchen that hides the washer/dryer, and two in the boys’ bedroom that act as closet doors. I’ve already decided that the one right near the entrance to the apartment needs to go. It doesn’t open or close properly and when it is open, no one can open the front door or else the two doors just bang into each other. The folding door in the kitchen doesn’t seem to be too much of a problem {just hideous to look at} since I’m the only who uses it for doing laundry. I think it may stay. The closet doors in the boys’ bedroom are a safety hazard. Everett has already pinched his finger in them once and I’m betting it’ll happen again. They’ll be coming down as well. I plan on hanging fabric panels in place of the folding doors I remove. Oh! And I’ll have to reinstall the doors I remove when our lease is up.
4 – Add to our house plant arsenal. If you’ve ever lived in an apartment you can attest to what I like to call the apartment smell. It smells like a hot mix of old water and musty carpet. It doesn’t go away no matter how often you clean or open your windows. While it has definitely improved since the first day, our apartment still has a faint, distinct odor that doesn’t quite smell like home. I’m using my Scentsy burner and it helps some, but I think adding in more air purifying house plants would help too. Plus, greenery in a home is always pretty and lively.
5 – Do something about the dining chandelier. The light above the dining area is too small, too high and not anywhere near our style. I’d love to tweak it somehow so that we have a larger, more stylish, lower hanging light above our dining table. With the ceilings being 15′ high, I can’t remove the light myself but I’ve been conjuring up ideas for disguising the light and making it seem bigger than it actually is. I think it could really become the focal point of the open living space if I play my cards right.
6 – Transform the front door into a message center. In our last home I painted a sliver of wall in the kitchen with chalkboard paint to act as a message board. I miss it! I didn’t realize how useful it was until now. We would jot down needed grocery items, daily notes, reminders and even inspirational quotes to keep us on our toes. We definitely need something like it in the apartment and I think the back of our front door will be a great spot for it.
So, those are my current projects for the apartment. I plan on tackling some of them this weekend and brainstorming the rest. That light is gonna be a doozy! But I like challenges and some of my most creative work comes from the most awful ‘before’ setups. Keep in mind that all projects need to be budget-friendly and reversible, so as not to sink money into a space that is only temporary. The jury is still out on painting any walls….hmmm.
images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking
First of all, WE HAVE INTERNET ACCESS! Yay! Okay, carry on…
This is the ‘in progress’ view of our kitchen from the living area of our future great room. The oven and hood will be in the middle of the two windows. {For more details on the kitchen layout, look here.} If you look at the ceiling, you’ll notice three blue electrical boxes for light fixtures. Specifically, they are the electrical boxes for our kitchen island pendants. As you can see, there will be a trio of pendants centered above the kitchen island. I thought about one big pendant over the island but since the island is going to be over 8′ long, I think 3 smaller pendants will balance the length of the island better. I thought I’d share with you what pendant lights *I think* I’ve officially decided will go there. Not just for your benefit but for mine too. Handy Hubby says I have to start making some design element decisions and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a tad overwhelmed. So, I’m taking it one step at a time {while still trying to keep an overall aesthetic in mind} and starting with something relatively easy first. The kitchen island pendants seemed like a good place to start.
I’ve been stalking this minimal, industrial-like West Elm globe pendant for months now. {Maybe that’s why I’m somewhat fond of the globe lights in our apartment‘s kitchen.} I think a trio of them will work great above the island. I want something see-through so that, when you’re in the living area of the great room looking into the kitchen, your eye travels past the pendants to the wall that will eventually house a streamlined hood. A more solid pendant would stop your eye short at the island’s location and cut up the space taking away from that open, airy feel we love so much and are trying to achieve. But the pendants still have enough presence to define the island.
Like I said, I’ve been eyeing these globe lights for months. Mostly with the hope that they’ll go on sale and I can snag them up. {Currently, you can get one of these lights for $99 and a trio for $269.} But, alas, no price reduction has occurred and we’re getting down to the wire {bad pun} on picking ceiling fixtures for the Underdog. At least, that’s what HH is telling me. So, with thriftiness in mind, I bought $300 worth of West Elm gift cards from our local Kroger store while their quadruple fuel points special was running. That means I got $1/gallon off my last fill-up at the gas pump! {For those of you who don’t shop/have Kroger stores, they offer point rewards for gift card purchases. The points can be used to deduct money from your fuel purchases at Kroger fuel centers or participating Shell stations.} I plan to use the gift cards to purchase the pendants. Not exactly the clearance-priced globe lights I was hoping for but at least I got some savings elsewhere. It all adds up.
What do you think? Do you like the idea of minimal, non-view impending globe lights over the future kitchen island? I think they’ll look like fabulous little fish bowls lit up in the evening hours.
images: 1) Dana Miller for House*Tweaking 2&3) West Elm
The Inside Source is eBay’s digital style magazine. It’s a curated collection of what’s hot in fashion, home and garden, and pop culture based on proprietary data provided by eBay. In other words, they take all that stuff on eBay and show you how to use and enjoy it.
Imagine my surprise when one of the online magazine’s contributors asked me to participate in an article featuring items recycled and incorporated into interior design! The article, Recycling: Not just for Empties, compiles a variety of reused items – from pallets to fish nets – and shows how they were reinterpreted as home decor.
{Love that pallet daybed!}
My church pew turned porch bench is featured in the article if you want to check it out…along with a bunch of other great ideas. Words can’t describe how honored I am to be included in the round-up. It has me itching to get back to DIY design after several months of focusing on the marketing and sale of our home by owner. Handy Hubby and I just discussed a future DIY project that we have in store for the Underdog and I am super excited about it! I’ll give you a hint…it involves the placement of our flatscreen TV.
Thanks for the mention, Marni!
images: 1-3) The Inside Source 4) Dana Miller for House*Tweaking
I took a little time to bring some spring inside. My family room mantel is an easy way for me freshen up our space: it’s a small vignette, it’s a simple backdrop to begin with, my kids can’t touch it!, and I can crop out all the mess going on around it. I started by switching out the velvet slipper chair for a mid-century modern chair from the living room.
I found the chair on the side of the road a few years ago, refinished it, and made new geometric print cushions. To me, the velvet upholstery felt more wintery and I like the playful, modern look of this chair for spring. I added a vase of $4 yellow gerber daisies to the scalloped side table and then moved onto the mantel.
Whenever I take on the task of switching up the mantel, I ‘shop’ around the house. I found the trio of octagon frames in my craft closet and decided they needed to make their mantel debut.
I bought the frames from Goodwill last year, spray painted them white and added swatches of fabric. I love the touch of geometry that the shapely frames lend to the mantelscape. The bottom 2 frames are leaning against the wall and the top one is hanging from an adhesive 3M hook that I painted the same as the wall color to disguise it. Since nearly all of our walls are painted the same color, I figure I can use it again elsewhere and it will blend in just as well.
To keep things fresh and airy – which is what spring feels like to me – I added round white votives and vases, a tall vase of green pom poms {also $4}, and relocated a paper maché ‘M’ from the living room.
Including monograms and typography in a vignette is a great temporary way to make a space feel personal.
I always like to have some warm candlelight glowing on the mantel since it’s about one of the only places I can keep lit candles out of the reach of little hands.
So that’s what my mantel is looking like these days. I like to tweak it with the changing seasons. It’s a quick, easy and cheap creative outlet for my fickle creative tendencies.
Have a lovely, springy weekend!
images: all Dana Miller for House*Tweaking
I am so happy to share a design e-book that Lauren and Courtney over at Kelly + Olive included me in today!
The e-book, Ideas You Should Steal, features “17 fun projects submitted by top home, craft, and lifestyle bloggers from all over the web.” {Those are their words, not mine.} Not only does it benefit anyone looking for a quick and easy design project, but it also benefits the non-profit organization Dwell with Dignity. Dwell with Dignity is a group of interior designers and volunteers who work to create soothing, inspiring homes for those struggling with homelessness and poverty. Their goal is to expose less fortunate families to nurturing home environments with the hope of helping them maintain a standard of living they can be proud of and thrive in. So when K+O contacted me a while back about participating in this project, I didn’t have to think twice about contributing. Who doesn’t want to see everyone live in a home that is inspirational and conducive family life?
Without giving too much away, the e-book features several well-known design bloggers along with step-by-step guidelines for the project they contributed. I was completely shocked to see my headshot included alongside such savvy bloggers and designers! It’s an honor to be included in the mix. If you wanna see it all for yourself, then follow this link on over to K+O and make a small donation {$1 is the suggested amount} to receive your own download of the e-book. It just might make a difference in two lives – yours and a Dwell with Dignity beneficiary!
Oh, and if you’ve never heard of K+O, now’s your chance. Kelly + Olive is the name of the design biz/blog that two Chicago gals run. Ironically enough, their names aren’t Kelly and Olive at all but Lauren and Courtney. And they’re pretty rad. They offer professional advice on choosing a color scheme, furniture, accessories and styling techniques for interiors…online or in real life if you’re lucky enough to live near the windy city.
With all the chaos going on internationally over the past several weeks, I’ve been reminded of my gratefulness for our safe and healthy home. Many people, including children, aren’t so lucky. I’ll admit to getting caught up in decorating, painting, DIYing and just plain homemaking…but there are moments in time like this that make me appreciate all that I have and have done…it’s very humbling. Maybe design won’t save the world, but caring people like Lauren and Courtney can make it a better place to live. 100% of the proceeds of this e-book go directly to Dwell with Dignity. Thank you Lauren and Courtney for such a great opportunity!
Here’s to an inspiring, humbling, healthy and safe weekend. Give your significant other, kid, baby, pet, parent or friend an extra hug.
images: all linked within
Last week I shared a few inspiring blogs, designers and books. I meant to include magazines that consistently spark DIY decorating ideas in my head but, somehow, the week ended abruptly. In the words of my two-year-old, “Sorry ’bout dat.” I simply cannot leave out glossies. I get so excited when new issues arrive in the mail and can’t wait until the kiddos are in bed at night, so I can devour them {the mags not the kiddos}. Here are a few glossies that we refer to time and time again when making our house a home.
Better Homes & Gardens – No surprise here. This magazine has and will be around for ages. It appeals to designers and everyday homebodies alike including articles on decor, food, family life and gardening. I especially like the “I Did It!” page at the end of every issue featuring a homeowner who took the renovation or redecoration of their space into their own hands to save money and create something unique. BHG is a great source for DIYers, homemakers and people with careers that don’t necessarily relate to design. Total motivation.
{Happy Saint Patty’s Day! You like my censored address label?}
House Beautiful – Oh, House Beautiful, how you get me dreaming. Unless I win the lottery {which isn’t likely to happen since I don’t play}, I’ll probably never own anything ever shown in the pages of this high-end glossy. And that’s just fine with me. So what does HB do for me? Instead of getting pouty about all the stuff I’ll never have, I study this glossy page for page taking cues from the pros, dumbing it down and putting my own spin on things. It’s a great source for color schemes, room moods and furniture placement. I especially enjoy the house tours which include an interview with the interior designer. They always talk about the shortcomings of the space and how they ‘fixed’ it. There are usually a few tricks I learn and take away from reading the designer interviews.
Flor – I guess technically this is a catalog. But it’s one that I’m always surprised by. Who knew a carpet tile product catalog could be so inspiring?! The styling, vignettes and colors are creative and part of the not-so-overexposed side of design. I love finding inspiration from unexpected sources!
The Family Handyman – This is for all you{r} Handy Hubby’s out there! Mine included. I can’t lie. I don’t read this magazine but Handy Hubby does and loves it. He’s found countless little DIY tips along with ideas for making large scale projects easier and more doable in this glossy. {Can I call a handyman magazine ‘glossy?’} And since Handy Hubby is half of the team over here, the information given in this magazine ends up in the designing aspects of our home at some point. What usually happens is I get a crazy idea for a decor project and Handy Hubby says something like, “Oh, I could use the {insert applicable product, tool or method here} like I saw in Family Handyman!” Then he refers to the mag for advice and resources. It’s a great way to get my better half involved in and excited about home decor and home improvement.
Lonny Magazine – This FREE online glossy {that can be printed for a price if you’d like} is simply scrumptious. It’s pretty evident that it was founded by a designer and photographer duo. The images offer inspiration galore and focus on independent thinking and individual style. I like different. Lonny is a great way to expose yourself to new design ideas that are a spin-off of the traditional.
Those are the glossies that get my wheels turning when I’m contemplating design in my own home. I try not to copy what I see but, rather, change it up into something I can afford and/or DIY. If these subscriptions are too pricey for you add ‘em to your birthday or Christmas wish list…that’s what I do. You can always check out each mag’s website {as linked above} at no cost for just as much inspiration. Again, as with inspirational books, I would encourage you to read the material offered in these mags – not just peruse the images. There’s so much info in the text. Check out the back of magazines for paint, furniture and accessory resources…very helpful if you find something you really like.
You may have noticed that all of the images I showed above aren’t from current issues. There’s a reason. They’re some of my favorite issues. Once I finish an issue, I make a cut-throat decision to keep it {or a page or two from it} or get rid of it. I just don’t have the space to keep every single issue I read. If it’s a particularly inspiring issue, I’ll find a place for it on my bookshelf. If not, I’ll usually tear out a page that I want keep for future reference then pass the rest of the magazine on to a friend/family member or toss it in the recycling bin. It keeps me and my inspiration folder focused.
Here are a few other glossies that I regularly receive or sometimes buy and find helpful:
What are some of your favorite go-to magazines or catalogs?
images: 1-4) Dana Miller for House*Tweaking 5) Lonny Magazine
This week I’ve already shared which blogs and designers inspire me to make my house a place I love to live. Today, I’d like to introduce you to several books I own that have played {and continue to play} a part in my wannabe design world. I’ve always been enamored by books. Going to the library is a longtime favorite activity for me. I have vivid memories of going to story time at our local library back when I was no older than 5. I love the hush of a library and the way it smells. Have you ever noticed how borrowed library books smell once you have them at home? {Well, not the ones that have been previously borrowed by smoking homes.} If someone created a perfume of that scent, I just might wear it. I love the hunt for a good book. I love the organized aisles and shelves. I love the anticipation of the library…hmmmm…which book will I bring home with me? I love the vastness of the library. You can find a book on practically any topic. More than anything, I love that it’s free. So, it should come as no surprise that design books are a major inspiration to me. {I wish our local library had a better selection.}
The Nest Home Design Handbook – Carley Roney successfully discusses design room-by-room offering tips on how to style, arrange, organize, clean and personalize your home. The back of the book gets down to the nitty gritty mentioning specifics on lighting, closets, utilities, rugs, housekeeping and furniture layouts. There are even resource pages of grids and furniture icons that you can copy, cut and arrange to play around with room layouts. I love this book not only for its design sense but its practicality and relevance. It would make a great housewarming gift for a first-time homeowner!
New Decorating Book {Better Homes and Gardens Decorating} – BHG encourages you to find your inner designer in this book. It takes you from the very beginning helping you to discover your style. Beyond the room-by-room basics, it includes before-and-after makeovers, quick and easy projects, house tours, emphasis on balance and scale, outdoor living, ideas for floral arrangements, discussions on finishes and unique window treatments. Oh, and it has TONS of pictures. It’s like a magazine made into a book. It is BHG after all. This would be a good book to study and read before starting to decorate your own home as it gives advice on how to find a style, color scheme and mood that you’ll want to live with forever.
Design Idea Book – This book by Karen Templer is a showstopper. Pure inspiration. It features a compilation of designer idea houses that utilize the best of the best in the way of architecture, decor, materials, furniture and finishes. I would never be able to afford any of the homes in this book but they are great go-to’s to mimic on a smaller, less expensive scale. The image of the family room above is one of my all-time favorite inspiration photos. This is one of those books that you could read a million times over and find something new to inspire you each time. This would make a great coffee table book.
Downtown Chic – Robert and Cortney Novogratz are unstoppable. Over the last 10 years, they’ve bought, gutted, renovated and designed numerous homes. This book is sort of documentation of all that. It’s fun to see how their aesthetic has changed and developed over the years. The Novogratz’s are style and business savvy, so it makes sense that their passion has organically evolved into a pretty lucrative career. And they did it all while creating and raising a family…a very large family. Seven kids in total. {Yep, they’re the 9 By Design people.} Yowsas! Their lifestyle and decor choices may not be exactly like mine {I don’t think I could handle the renovation of that many homes in such a short amount of time along with 7 kiddos in tow AND still remain sane.} but I’m inspired by their willingness to learn, try new things, be true to themselves, take risks, follow a passion and persevere. Look where it’s got them so far! I love that the book includes information on hiring contractors and the bumps that go along with modernizing older homes. Many of the photos include {at least some of} their children showing me that families and design can live under one roof.
Amy Butler’s Midwest Modern – You already know that Amy Butler is one of my inspirations when it comes to design. But did you know that she has a book that helps to spread her fresh take on modern living? I absolutely adore this book. Amy’s philosophy on interior design is simple…surround yourself with people, natural elements and art forms that you love. Her home has a real connection to the outdoors and it’s evident that Amy uses nature as one of her main sources of inspiration. Her book also includes topics outside the realm of interior design namely fashion, music, gardening, handmade crafts and even camping! This book will never go out of style as won’t Amy’s view on a simple yet fulfilling lifestyle.
A few more books that I own and have found helpful are:
I almost always purchase my books from Amazon, usually in pairs so I can get the free shipping deal. I’ll ask for Amazon gift cards for my birthday and Christmas because I know there will always be another design book I’m wanting. I keep a running list of books that I want but don’t have and I’m a few years behind when I finally get them. But if they are the really good ones, it doesn’t matter because they’ll always be relevant to the world of design.
I just purchased these two books but haven’t had a chance to sink my teeth into them yet:
Maybe once I’ve had a chance to read up, I can give reviews on them if you think that’s something that would be interesting.
I encourage you to add a few design books to your personal library. They really are helpful in creating a home that’s you, a home that you can live in for years to come. And please, please, PLEASE read them! – don’t just look at the pictures {although that’s fun to do after you read ‘em front to back}. There’s so much information in the text that helps to explain the images. I’ve found myself looking at a picture and not seeing much but then I read the page and learn a wealth of knowledge from the picture. The words and photos are there together for a reason. You’re only shortchanging yourself if you don’t actually read design books.
Another tip I have for reading design books is to keep a little notepad handy for jotting down particular page numbers or images in books that you’d like to refer to again. I know they make those little sticky tabs to bookmark pages but I don’t like them for two reasons: 1) when I flip to that page with a bookmark sometimes I have no idea why I bookmarked it in the first place 2) I like to display my books and those tacky little tabs aren’t that appealing. So keep a running handbook of book titles, inspiring page numbers and a brief description as to why they’re inspiring. Believe me, it’ll be useful someday.
Happy reading!
images: all Dana Miller for House*Tweaking
True to my word, I’m continuing to share my sources of inspiration. Yesterday, I mentioned my most favorite-est blogs. {Thanks for introducing me to a few of your faves as well.} Today I’d like to talk about a few designers who I find myself drawn to over and over again. You might be surprised to learn that they’re not all solely interior designers. From formally trained professionals to ‘they’ve just got it’ talents to self-made entrepreneurs…there’s more than one way to stake your claim in the design world.
Amy Butler {artist & designer most credibly known for her fabrics and sewing patterns}: Maybe it’s because she’s from the Midwest {she actually lives in Ohio too} but Amy’s sense of found style really speaks to me. She’s not afraid to cover an heirloom piece in a modern graphic print or to plop down finds from nature walks right onto her coffee table. It’s easy to see that Amy’s fabrics, wallpapers, art and stationery are inspired by nature. And how could nature go wrong? Amy gets it all right with colorful floral prints, geometric prints and no-fail coordinating designs. From handbags to wall art to hand towels and even apparel, Amy’s talents spread far and wide. Her vision reaches nearly every facet of everyday living.
Erika McPherson Powell {interior designer}: Ever heard of Urban Grace Interiors? If so, then you already know that Erika is the design genius behind the biz. If not, you should definitely check the portfolio. Erika is a trained, experienced professional with higher-end clients. While I may not be able to afford any of her interiors, I can certainly learn from them. Erika’s sense of balance, scale, symmetry and contrast are quite intriguing to me. Her rooms are usually minimally styled, meaning there’s not a lot of stuff in them. But the pieces that are there belong there. The way she can edit a room is something I strive to embrace. The use of calming colors, rich wood tones, architectural details and vintage pieces {especially lighting} give her a signature style. Classic but modern. Her designs are timeless and will never predate her.
Bonnee Sharp {textiles & interior designer}: Bonnee is the master mind behind Studio BonTextiles and her quality textiles are graphic and delicate at the same time. The patterns have a way of injecting pattern and interest into a room or piece of furniture like no others can. And I can’t mention her name without also mentioning her interior design capabilities. Her personal residence was featured in several publications for its quirky sense of charm juxtapositioned against contemporary fabrics, furniture and finishes. Now, that’s my {dream} idea of a modern cottage!
Nate Berkus {interior designer}: The man’s got his own TV show now for crying out loud. He’s amazing. The way he can work a room by simply proposing I-never-thought-of-that furniture arrangements is pretty fantastic. Not to mention his ability to successfully mesh black, navy, camel, velvet, glossy finishes and leather into one room. While the interiors he designs may look like a million bucks, they aren’t always so. Nate’s keen on thrifting, DIYing and repurposing. He makes great efforts to design spaces with people, life and real meaning in mind. And he’s not formally trained in design. Just goes to show that when you’ve got it, you’ve got it.
Emily Henderson {stylist & designer}: My newest favorite designer. I love Emily’s success at mingling feminine alongside masculine. Clean lines + fresh flowers + cowhide rug + patterned wallpaper = I love Emily. The vignettes she creates are unmatched and nothing is ever too perfect. I’m inspired by her use of charcoal and navy accents. And the layers. Oh, the layers. She’s good. Real good. I should probably start DVRing her new show, Secrets of a Stylist, to study how she arranges accessories.
So those are my steadfast designer crushes. Each has their own style and vision not just like the next. I find myself borrowing from their strengths and interpreting them in my own way. Not so sure how I’m doing at that yet, but I do enjoy trying. And whenever I’m losing sight of what I want my own home to feel/look like, I always return to their portfolios for inspiration and ideas. They get me right back on track in no time.
images: 1-3) David Butler for Amy Butler Design 4-6) Urban Grace Interiors, Inc. 7 & 8 ) Terri Glanger for D Home 9) Studio Bon Textiles 10) Roger Davies for Elle Decor 11 & 12) William Waldron photography for O magazine 13-16) Emily Henderson for HGTV
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
budget decor, DIY, kid-friendly