Welcome to House*Tweaking’s first ever S.M.I.L.F. Week!  What’s that?  You don’t know what a S.M.I.L.F. is?  Well, it’s a stylish mama I‘d like to friend, of course.  And I’ve got a long list of them. They are blogging mamas with incredible style, great senses of humor, inspirational blogs, cute kiddos and beautiful outlooks on home life and beyond.  In honor of the impending Mother’s Day holiday, I asked some of my favorite S.M.I.L.F.’s to answer a few questions related to design, kids, and life in general.  I’ll be sharing their answers with you throughout the week.  I know with kids AND work AND house projects AND blogs these women are busy bees, so I’m very grateful to them for taking the time to participate in my nosy little interview.  Thank you, S.M.I.L.F.’s!

Kirsten from Simply Grove

Kirsten writes the blog Simply Grove and her style is to. die. for.  She can style a vignette like nobody’s business!  She has an uncanny ability to mix vintage with modern.  Although her home’s pallete is mostly neutral {grays, whites, blacks, browns}, Kirsten has a way of adding contrast, warmth and texture to keep the space feeling totally comfy and livable.  And it seems her kiddos have picked up on her design sense. They contribute their design picks regularly over on Kirsten’s blog.

H*T – What do you do for a living, where do you live, and who all lives in your home?

Kirsten – My name is Kirsten Grove and I am an Interior Stylist/ Decorator/ Blogger.  I live right outside of Boise, Idaho with my husband, 2 kids and dog, Bear.  My son just turned 6 and my daughter will turn 5 next month.

H*T – What’s your #1 piece of advice for mixing kids and style together successfully under one roof?

Kirsten – Don’t take your home seriously.  Meaning, if you are going to have little ones running around, keep your space light hearted and fun.  With that, it can still be a beautiful space!  My friends always comment on how homey my homes have been but how stylish they stay, in the midst of chaos.

H*T – What’s been your biggest surprise since becoming a mom?

Kristen – How little you start thinking about yourself.  You realize that before children, life was wrapped up around you you you.  After having my kids, I noticed that my stupid little temper tantrums about petty issues grew less and less.

H*T – What do you and your hubby do to keep the spark alive?

Kirsten – We try and have one date night a week.  Now that doesn’t always happen but it is our weekly goal that we try and maintain.  We also alternate who plans the date and who gets the sitter.  Traveling alone can also keep sparks going!

H*T – What’s your favorite activity to do at home with your kid(s)?

Kirsten – We all love to cook and eat together!  My daughter will want to help in the kitchen while my son gives his 2 cents on what foods look good.

H*T – What’s your favorite time of day and why?

Kirsten – I love the evenings.  Its nice to wind down after a busy day, sit on the couch with the family and just talk.  We all have alot to say!!

H*T – What home-related items would make it onto your Mother’s Day wish list if money wasn’t a concern?

Kirsten – I really need a sideboard for our dining room.  I recently saw a cork sideboard that looks totally cool and modern.  The price tag isn’t that cool but if money wasn’t an option, I would bring that baby home!!!

Thanks, Kirsten!  You can see Kirsten’s amazing home here.

Thanks to all my S.M.I.L.F.’s for inspiring me and motivating me every day and for finding a few minutes out of their hectic schedules to answer my questions.  Happy Mother’s Day to all you mamas out there. Have a very stylish weekend!

image:  yanphoto.com via Kirsten Grove

Welcome to House*Tweaking’s first ever S.M.I.L.F. Week!  What’s that?  You don’t know what a S.M.I.L.F. is?  Well, it’s a stylish mama I‘d like to friend, of course.  And I’ve got a long list of them. They are blogging mamas with incredible style, great senses of humor, inspirational blogs, cute kiddos and beautiful outlooks on home life and beyond.  In honor of the impending Mother’s Day holiday, I asked some of my favorite S.M.I.L.F.’s to answer a few questions related to design, kids, and life in general.  I’ll be sharing their answers with you throughout the week.  I know with kids AND work AND house projects AND blogs these women are busy bees, so I’m very grateful to them for taking the time to participate in my nosy little interview.  Thank you, S.M.I.L.F.’s!

Kirsten from 6th Street Design School

You already know her as the totally talented interior designer behind the 6th Street Design School blog and if not, well, now you do.  I’m amazed by Kirsten’s ability to create fun, colorful, graphic and playful interiors that are sophisticated and grown-up at the same time.  Not everyone can do that! She’s a whiz at mixing patterns and colors alike.  Here’s what Kirsten had to say about being a mom and life at home.

H*T – What do you do for a living, where do you live, and who all lives in your home?

Kirsten – I am an Interior Designer in Utah. I live with my husband, son Jett ( 20 months) and our dog.

H*T – What’s your favorite baby/kid item in your home?

Kirsten – I love the curtains in my sons’ room. I’m not sure if those count as a kid item. But since they are in a kid’s room I think they could count! I think the fabric is great for a boy’s room. It’s modern, youthful and graphic.

H*T – What’s your #1 piece of advice for mixing kids and style together successfully under one roof?

Kirsten – Don’t get attached to things! I don’t think that you shouldn’t buy nice things but make sure it’s not going to be the end of the world if the item gets damaged. Buy lots of magic erasers!

H*T – What’s been your biggest surprise since becoming a mom?

Kirsten – That I can still follow my passion for design. I used to think that once I became a mom I wouldn’t be able to do anything of the things I loved. I have realized that isn’t the case at all. Now I’ve just learned to balance motherhood and Interior Design.

H*T – What do you and your hubby do to keep the spark alive?

Kirsten – We like to travel together. He is a pilot so we get to fly for free. It’s great to take little trips together so I can get away from work and blogging.

H*T – What’s your favorite activity to do at home with your kid(s)?

Kirsten – Jett is still really little so we can’t do a lot but we love to go on walks when the weather is nice. Our neighborhood is really beautiful and there is a big lake we can walk around. We get to take our dog and all be together as a family.

H*T – What’s your favorite time of day and why?

Kirsten – After Jett is in bed! I know that sounds bad to say but it’s when I finally get some things done and I can relax.

H*T – How do you unwind after a busy day?

Kirsten – I take my computer down by the t.v. and turn it on to one of my favorite shows. American Idol, Bachelor or Biggest Loser. Then I just sit down and relax and read through some of my favorite blogs. Sometimes ice cream is involved.

H*T – What do you hope to teach your child(ren) about home and family life?

Kirsten – The family unit is something that is extremely important to me. I hope to teach my children that our home is a safe haven.  I want our home to be a beautiful and happy place.

H*T – What home-related items would make it onto your Mother’s Day wish list if money wasn’t a concern?

Kirsten – New countertops in my kitchen!

Thanks, Kirsten!  How cool is it that her hubby’s a pilot…and they get to travel for free?!  You can check out more of Kirsten’s amazing home over on Apartment Therapy where it was featured as a house tour last month.

images: Kirsten Krason for 6th Street Design School