At Home with Michelle at Design Evolution
Posted on | May 27, 2009 | 3 Comments
This week we’re taking a tour of Michelle’s condo of Design Evolution! I met Michelle through Holly Becker’s Blogging Your Way class when she graciously volunteered to participate in the “At Home” series. And I’m so glad she did! I just love her style, her blog, and I think I’m in love with her cute dog, Milo, too!
1. If you could give your personal style a name, what would it be? Schizophrenic. I kid. I make fun of myself for changing my style often. Despite this the foundation pieces of both my wardrobe and my home are classic and have clean lines.
2. Do you have a favorite designer that you admire? I’m a big fan of the husband and wife team Wary Meyers. They have a great ability to use flea market and thrifted pieces to create spaces that are fresh and modern yet feel comfortable and inviting. I also can’t help but admire Kelly Wearstler for her balls to the wall this is my style take it or leave approach to interior design. Though I do not desire to live in one of her spaces I would certainly like to visit.
3. What is your philosophy on design? Ultimately the most important thing about design is that the person feels comfortable in the space. One person many feel that really modern design is cold and unwelcoming yet another person may feel that they can only relax in a home that is stark, minimal, and totally modern. I also think when it comes to designing a home there really are no rules. If you like something and it feels good to you then there will always be a way to make it work in the space.
4. Have you tackled any home/diy projects recently? If so, which one is your favorite and do you love the results? The largest home renovation we’ve tackled is a total remodel of our condo’s kitchen. The kitchen was so gross when we first moved in that anything we could have done would be considered a vast improvement. If I was planning on this condo being the home I would reside in for many years I would have probably done everything different though I’m pretty pleased with the end result.
5. Please tell us about your blog. I started Design Evolution about 6 months ago out of creative frustration. I was no longer feeling fulfilled by my day job as an environmental consultant and wanted to have a space where I could express my creativity. I’ve been interested in interior design for as long as I could remember so having a blog became a great place to share my likes, dislikes, ideas, etc. My hope is that people will find Design Evolution as a place where they can turn for new ideas or for a solution to a design dilemma. I’m willing and available to offer e-design services so if anyone is interested feel free to drop me a line!
6. If money weren’t an issue, what’s the #1 thing you’d change about your home? If money was no issue the #1 thing I would change about my home is… my home! We are definitely ready to have our own house where we do not share walls with our neighbors.
7. What kind of home do you live in? I live in a two bedroom condo with my boyfriend and our dog.
Now let’s play a little game… I’ll start a sentence and then you finish it!
1. My home style is… eclectic. (I actually really hate the over use of that word). The foundation of my style is mid century but I like to layer different looks so my accent pieces right now have a bit of a Moroccan feeling.
2. My fabric tastes are… somewhat whimsical, I suppose. Fabric is where I like to go a little crazy with brighter colors and layered patterns and textures.
3. I’m fascinated by… the evolutionary process. I am forever inspired by the creative mind of Charles Darwin.
4. My favorite local shop is… Semplice. The shop carries a great mix of home décor, stationary, and beauty items. It’s the kind of shop I could see myself owning one day.
5. My favorite piece is… my walnut buffet from West Elm (my first piece of “real” furniture.)
6. My most treasured possession is… my grandfather’s Olympus SLR that is now in my possession.
7. My interior’s nightmare is… my bathroom. The entire room grosses me out. I would love to gut the entire thing and start fresh.
8. My biggest design pet peeve is… Pottery Barn! Any home that looks like all of the furniture was plucked right out of a furniture showroom. (I will confess that I own a Pottery Barn rug and love it. What really makes me cringe is when people think their home should look just like a page out of the catalog.)
9. My best tip is… take your time and fill your home with only pieces you really love. Don’t feel like you have to fill up your home with a bunch of furniture from Levitz just so that you have a decorated home a month after you move in. It will take time to figure out what rooms really need what pieces and it may take even longer to find that perfect piece. When you do find the perfect piece for perfect corner of you home it will make you happy every time you look at it.
10. My biggest source of inspiration is… Blogs, blogs, blogs. I love to see photos of homes from Germany, The Netherlands, and Scandinavian counties so I often turn to blogs like The Style Files, Yvestown, and Emmas Designblogg for inspiration. Anna @ Door Sixteen inspires me with the meticulous detail she pays to each of her home improvement projects. I hope to be able to do the same in my own home.
1. If my house caught on fire, I would grab my puppy Milo on my way out the door.
2. I could not live without a box of wine in my home.
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Thank you so much for participating, Michelle!
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3 Responses to “At Home with Michelle at Design Evolution”
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Hello!
My name is Kristin and, if the blog name didn't give it away, I'm an interior designer. I'm also a self - proclaimed nerd, a grad student at SCAD-Atlanta, and a big fan of architecture, photography, travel, and iced chais. In a nutshell: I'm a lover of good design of all kinds.
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Seen + Heard
May 27th, 2009 @ 10:01 pm
Ooo! Ooo! I actually have a question for you! Your bedroom wall – is that a decal or did you paint it yourself?
Your kitchen renovation looks great, by the way!
May 29th, 2009 @ 10:00 am
Kristin,
I hand painted the bedroom wall but it took me an entire day, It’s definitely worth the price to buy the decal that I based the design off of from Ferm Living http://www.fermlivingshop.us/stickers/branches.html
May 29th, 2009 @ 10:35 am
I love this series! So great to read about Michelle and have a peak into her condo. I love your West Elm piece and the lamp shades are so fun! What a great space!