If you could give your personal style a name, what would it be?  My style is very … personal. If a name is required than let’s call it the Annaish style. It’s a blend of eclectic, Scandinavian, British, vintage, shabby chic style. I love cozy, intimate, unconventional, practical spaces.  Minimal design is something I never think about, it’s not an option if it is my decision, although there is some great minimalistic designed furniture I’d love to mix and match with scrapped wooden furniture in shabby interiors.

What is your philosophy on design? My personal opinion is that the way one decorates his home is the most personal statement he can make about himself. You can tell by a person’s home if the person is warm, honest, educated, unsecure, loving, frustrated or whatever, but to stick only to the concept of design, I think that BALANCE is the best design.  Design shouldn’t be about money or rules, design should be about beauty, cleverness and inspiration.  So if a designer piece really makes you happy than get it, but personally I would not overfill my home with designer furniture. Forget the trends; follow your heart when your home is at stake.

Have you tackled any home/diy projects recently? If so, which one is your favorite and do you love  the results? I started a home decoration project in the summer of 2009. It was a studio in a new built house, but unfortunately I couldn’t finish it as the house had to be sold and the new owners had different plans with it.  I felt soooo frustrated! So I am hunting now for other opportunities and people who would give me the chance to manage a decoration project.

As for other DIY projects, I built some cutie flowers out of paper, wire and Scotch tape. DIY projects are very rewarding, but unfortunately I am always in a huge lack of time for such projects.

Please tell us about your blog I started my blog in August 2009 as I was very interested in interior design and all the related topics, and felt the need to store and share all my finds. I am also planning to do more in this field – like starting to study interior design and furniture restoration – so I figured it would be a good preparation for my plans. 

If money weren’t an issue, what’s the #1 thing you’d change about your home? Well, if money weren’t an issue I would rethink/rebuild the electrical system in my home, in order to eliminate as much as possible the wires all around and avoid improvisations, and then I would change my bathroom. It does not represent me anymore and from the practical point of view nothing functions as it should. Finally I would hunt and buy all the things I still miss, like an ancient desk for my work place, a sofa for my tiny living room, a cool audio and video system, and paintings and pictures for my walls.

What kind of home do you live in? I live in a 60 sqm apartment. It has 2 rooms and a kitchen. The apartment was meant to have one bedroom, one living room and the kitchen, but I broke down the wall between the kitchen and the hall way, to create a bigger room. Now, the former living room is the bedroom (a big one) the former bed room is a 2 in 1 space, guestroom and work place, and the kitchen is now an open space including also the so-called living room. As I said before I still miss some furniture items, so this logic is partially only in my imagination, but soon it will be complete.   My dream though is of a house with a porch and garden. This might mean that I am not so much of an urban girl, but I can live with this.

What about your home made you want to live there? (Was it the view? The hardwood floors? Small commute?) I live in a country where most people own their homes, so I own mine too. On the other side, the options range in Bucharest is not very offering. Most people live in apartment buildings, the heritage of the communist era. There aren’t many possibilities to change the outside look of these buildings. They are and probably will remain ugly and grey.  But people do their best to change the inside look, so inside those ugly buildings hide sometime beautifully decorated apartments.

So when buildings and apartments are more or less uniform, the criteria remaining are the area and the neighborhood. 

My home style is… comfortable and fun and men say it’s too feminine.
I’m fascinated by… vintage and antique furniture.
My favorite local shop is… British Gallery.
My favorite piece is… my IKEA Guest bed, which is sooo clever! It’s a 3 in 1: Sofa, 2 person’s bed and storage.
My most treasured possessions are… my books.
My interior’s nightmare is… dust and custom made chipboards furniture. That’s something very Romanian. It’s difficult to explain.
My best tip is… that following rules in interior design might generate a safe result but for sure not a special one.
My biggest source of inspiration is… all the beautiful interior design blogs on the web.

If my house caught on fire, I would grab my insurance policy on my way out the door.

I could not live without a washing machine in my home.
These answers have not much do to with design…

. . . . . .

Thank you so much for participating Anna! I really enjoyed it.  Even though I’m not always the biggest fan of red, I think your kitchen is cool – and I love your little heart details and built-in shelves!

Hello everyone!  I am SO happy to be posting an At Home interview today – it’s been awhile since I’ve posted one, but rest assured that I have a nice group of bloggers willing and ready to share their home with you!  This year we’re kicking off the home tours with Carole King of Dear Designer’s Blog.  Haven’t heard of her?  Well, she’s fairly new to the scene – in fact, she just started her blog in November of 2009!  I think you’ll like Carole, and not just because she offers free (yes, free) design advice, but because her blog is well written and full of gorgeous pictures and ideas.

Enjoy!

If you could give your personal style a name, what would it be?  Hmm that’s difficult.  My style is changing constantly, but I guess I would like it to be described as classic, timeless, and easy on the eye.

In reality, I am under the same constraints as everyone else.  My home is a mixture of old and new, inherited and re-invented.  None of us can throw things out every time we fancy a change and nor should we.  It’s much better anyway, to adapt what we already have and use our creativity to make something  old and tired, beautiful again. 

Do you have a favorite designer that you admire? I have so many!  I love Helen Green for her classic style, Tara Bernerd for her eclectic style, Clarissa Hulse, Neisha Crosland, Sue Timney (I once heard her give a talk and it was so inspirational – she has had an amazing life), Gail Taylor (Tailor Howes Designs), Kelly Hoppen, David Collins, the list would go on……

What is your philosophy on design? You should feel uplifted every time you walk in your front door.  Our homes are our sanctuary – it’s a hard world out there!   Summed up by the words of William Morris  “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”
There is no excuse for living with ugly.  If you hate it, get rid of it or change it.  Paint doesn’t cost much, it just takes a bit of effort.

Have you tackled any home/diy projects recently? If so, which one is your favorite and do you love the results?  I’m constantly re-decorating.  Luckily my BF is a keen diy-er and is a total perfectionist.  We have recently finished the bedroom and the hall/stairs and landing.  I’m very proud of both.  He does the decorating and I design the room and paint the furniture.  Both contain my painted furniture with shiny new glass tops (a good tip for making things look more expensive).

Please tell us about your lovely blog! I’ve been addicted to reading blogs for a couple of years now but did not consider starting my own until quite recently (November 2009).   It gradually dawned on me that starting my own might be a good way of documenting my own projects and maybe inspiring others along the way.  The idea of offering free design advice to anyone who cares to email me is not as mad as it sounds.  I’m only happy when I have a design project on the go and I’m running out of friends who are willing to indulge me!

If money weren’t an issue, what’s the #1 thing you’d change about your home? I’d have the garden landscaped.  The BF and I will probably get round to it eventually but it is such a big messy job that I’d love to go away on holiday and come back to it already done.

In case anyone out there is listening, I’d like an entertaining area with a fire pit and low built in seating, a dining area with a barbeque near by, a modern water feature, and low maintenance planting.  I like symmetry particularly and oh yes, I want atmospheric lighting.   

What kind of home do you live in?  It’s a 1930’s semi-detached house.  Very suburban, with a front and back garden.

Whether you or rent your home… what about your home made you want to live there? (Was it the view? The hardwood floors? Small commute?) It was the garden really, its not massively overlooked considering it’s surrounded by other houses.  Also it had a separate dining room and that was important to me at the time (although now I would love it to be more open plan). 

My home style is… calm and uncluttered.
My fabric tastes… change constantly, which is why it takes me for ever to make up my mind and choose.
I’m fascinated by… photography.  Something I wish I had more time to explore.       
My favorite local shop is… Graham and Green.  Not exactly local but it is in London.
My favorite piece is… anything that I have brought back from my travels.
My most treasured possession is… my pc these days.  I spend so long on it each day!
My interior’s nightmare is… a single pendant light in the middle of the ceiling and no table lamps.
My biggest design pet peeve is… patterned carpets and coordinating anything.
My best tip is… only buy things because you absolutely love them not because they are practical.
My biggest source of inspiration is… interiors magazines, blogs and my travels.

If my house caught on fire, I would grab my pc on my way out the door.
I could not live without warmth and light in my home.

Thank you, Carole, for participating in my At Home series!  I’ve enjoyed getting to know you better and peeking into your home.  There are so many things I like about your home – from the green console in the hall to the stair landing… all the way to the reflection of wallpaper in the mirror on your dresser.

All the best!

Join me today as Leila, of In the Tweeds, takes us on a tour of her 1967 townhouse while sharing her current DIY home project, the designers she admires, and her favorite possession of all (it’s quite sweet!)  Leila is an awesome interior designer and student living out her design dreams with her husband through various house projects, a little DIY, and the design blogosphere.  Enjoy!

If you could give your personal style a name, what would it be? I think I’d call my style "traditional with a twist," if that makes sense.  I absolutely love antiques and pieces with a history and patina, but like to mix them with more contemporary items.  My style has definitely evolved A LOT over the past few years, and I’m beginning to figure out exactly what I like, even though my home doesn’t reflect that quite yet!!!

Do you have a favorite designer who you admire?  I am a huge fan of the accessible and classy design of Eddie Ross.  He coined the phrase "granny chic" to describe his style while on Top Design, and I really think that’s what my own style is evolving to be.  He makes it look so effortless, using flea market finds and interspersing them with high design for a major impact.  I love how he uses antiques to make spaces feel so warm and lived in.  And to top it all off, he is one of the most wonderful people in person too!

I also love Daryl Carter.  I first saw one of his projects in House Beautiful last year and was so amazed with his use of white, clean spaces contrasted with rustic and antique pieces.  I think that was a real "Aha!" moment for me where I realized white is an acceptable wall color and how to mix old and new just so. 

Both of these fellas were self-taught, so that gives hope to me as I take some foundational interior design courses and piece together my own style/look as I try to move into the design world!

Have you tackled any home/DIY projects recently?  I am in the middle of stripping the paint from a late 1800s fireplace mantle (which I plan to mount on my living room wall with the TV hung above).  The mantle is covered in about 15 layers of paint and has been a beast of a project so far…maybe a little more difficult than I had expected!  I’m on my second brand of paint stripper trying to get rid of the mint green paint, and not making a ton of progress!  But I will press on!  Once the old paint is stripped, I’ll see what the wood underneath is like, and then either stain or paint it.  I’ll probably have to do some work on the wood, but hope to have it all done by Thanksgiving.  It will become a fun architectural feature in my living room, and, most importantly, a place I can hang stockings at Christmas!  (My husband and neighbor friends think I’m kind of crazy for wanting to do this project, but I reallyreallyreally think it will turn out well!)

Please tell us about your blog! I started In the Tweeds about a year and a half ago after much prompting and prodding by my husband.  I am the queen of ideas and he felt like other design – and home-obsessed people on the ol’ intraweb might enjoy my design chatter more than he would!  Don’t get me wrong, he loves to hear my ideas and is so excited I am finding and pursuing my passion in life, but sometimes they scare him with how frequently my ideas change and the magnitude of potential projects.  So, instead, I share them with all of my lovely readers.      I write about my own home projects, help on friends’ homes, and any other design-related things that strike my fancy.  I feel like I’m still trying to "find my voice," but it’s been a lot of fun to document my projects and ideas through my blog.

What kind of home do you live in?  My husband and I bought our first home together two and a half years ago, a 2-level 1967 brick townhouse (with a basement).  We feel so very blessed to have our own home with so much space (compared to previous apartments!) and a postage stamp of grass in the DC area.  Although it’s an older home, the previous owners luckily did a decent amount of work, like totally re-doing the kitchen and (we think) exposing the original hardwoods from carpet, as well doing less exciting (but expensive) things like the roof, HVAC, water heater, etc.  We have since replaced the kitchen appliances with stainless steel, landscaped the overgrown front and back yard, painted pretty much every room, and turned the basement into a media room.  High on my list is gutting the blue 1960s master bath, yellow 1960s guest bath, putting crown moulding throughout, and replacing our teeny tiny deck with a bigger patio, but that won’t happen in the very near future!

My home style is… classic and comfortable.
My fabric tastes… is all over the place.  I love the geometric prints everywhere right now, but also love florals, stripes, and big patterns.  Texture is everything, so I especially love linens, velvets, and interesting weaves.
I’m fascinated by… the design process.  It truly amazes me how some people are able to just throw a room together and it looks so fantastic.  I hope to be able to truly do that some day!
My favorite local shop is… Valerianne on Historic Church St. in Vienna, VA.  It’s a luxury linen and home store near me and it is full of fantastic goodies.  I love stopping in to see what new things they have (always amazing!).  The gals who work there are the best and so talented!
My favorite piece is… my camelback Restoration Hardware sofa.  It’s a perfect napping couch for two, really comfy, and has great lines.  It’ll be a keeper for a looooong time, and I’m kind of getting excited to reupholster it one of these days.

My most treasured possession is… my box of letters my husband and I exchanged when we were camp pen-pals in middle/high school.  I love our history together and am still amazed to this day that we got married.
My interior’s nightmare is… lighting.  There are almost no overhead lights in living spaces, not enough windows, and lots of trees around our house, so it’s hard to make everything feel light and bright!
My biggest design pet peeve is… everything being matchy-matchy.  Not everything has to be from a set or the same store!  I love mixing things, styles, and textures.
My best tip is… go with what you love.  If you buy something just because you saw that a magazine or store said it was "in style" and not because you truly love it, it’ll be a waste of money and just won’t feel right!
My biggest source of inspiration is… other blogs! Blogs have quickly replaced some of my favorite magazines that have folded (the usual suspects – Cottage Living, Domino, Southern Accents), but even still, it’s not the same.   However, I am truly impressed with the caliber of design bloggers out there (like you, Kristin), and draw a huge amount of inspiration from them!

If my house caught on fire, I would grab my MacBook on my way out the door.  It houses all of my pictures since 2003 on and I couldn’t live without those memories!

Thanks again, Leila, for allowing me to pick your brain a little and tour your lovely home.  I just adore the vignette you created in the first image and your bedroom, too! (The blues and quatrefoil pattern in your rug keep catching my eye.)  And thank you, so much, for the kind words about my blog.  You’re too kind!

[All images from Leila of In the Tweeds]

Katie, of Re:Fresh Design, is a recent graduate of interior design who loves all things design.  On her blog, Katie invites you to follow her as she navigates the design world.  Join us today as Katie navigates us through her lovely, split-level home in Minnesota.

Thanks Kristin, for asking me to participate in your At Home Series!  I must admit I was a little nervous at first to share pictures of my home because there are so many changes and additions I would like to do before I consider my house “done”.  But, then I realized that there are many others out there who feel the same as I do because of lack of time and money, so I decided to just put it out there!  Here’s to being comfortable with where your home is at today!

If you could give your personal style a name, what would it be? Comfortable and casual with a few trends thrown in.

Do you have a favorite designer that you admire? Kelly Wearstler for her bold choices, Candice Olsen for her classic glamour, and Kishani Perera for her unique and interesting interiors.

What is your philosophy on design?  Good design can be accessible to everyone.  There are so many great retail stores out there now that make good design very achievable for every budget.  High and low end pieces can be mixed for a unique look.  If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask a designer!

Have you tackled any home/diy projects recently? If so, which one is your favorite and do you love the results?  I love doing DIY projects for a quick fix when you don’t have a huge budget to work with.  I recently painted and stained a couple of chairs that I found at Goodwill and stained my old, IKEA dining room table.  I love the results of both!

Please tell us about your blog!   I started my blog this summer after graduating from my interior design program.  I had been reading design blogs for a while and loved the inspiration from them.  I wanted to use my blog as a way to share some of the information I learned in school, things that inspire me, DIY tips and to launch my interior design business. I’m planning on adding e-design services to my blog shortly so stay tuned!

If money weren’t an issue, what’s the #1 thing you’d change about your home?  Oh boy, what wouldn’t I do?   I have lots of projects on my list.  Hardwood floors, white trim and crown molding, new kitchen cabinets and countertops, accessorizing everywhere.  Or maybe I’d just move…  : )

What kind of home do you live in? I live in a split-level townhouse with my husband.

My home style is… a mix of earthy, textural items with some glamour.  I love to mix old and new, modern and vintage.
My fabric tastes… modern & geometric prints or soft & romantic.
I’m fascinated by… designers that can mix patterns that you wouldn’t think would go together really well.   It creates such an interesting look and it’s something I want to get better at.
My most treasured possession is… my wedding ring.
My interior’s nightmare is… Grandma floral, lots of knickknacks, and old, dirty carpet.

My biggest design pet peeve is… orange stained oak, eighties floral and hunter green and mauve.
My best tip is… if it’s ugly, try painting it! 
My biggest source of inspiration is… shelter magazines and blogs.

If my house caught on fire, I would grab my laptop on my way out the
door.
I could not live without internet in my home.

Thank you Katie for shedding any fears about your home and participating!  It was a fun and interesting read.  (I love the result of both of your DIY projects; you’ve done a great job!)  I hope the snow in Minnesota lifts in time for Halloween – wearing winter coats over costumes is never fun! I remember doing the same when I lived near Boston as a kid.

Katie’s Blog: Re:Fresh Design

This week Claire, of High Gloss Blue, is letting us into her Atlanta apartment where she lives with her two dogs, Ella and Annabelle.  Claire recently completed a DIY cornice board project with matching panels for her living room because of this interview! So you should really check her blog out where you’ll find plenty of good humor and the tips to create your own cornice board. Enjoy!

If you could give your personal style a name, what would it be? Simple.

Do you have a favorite designer that you admire? One designer I admire, no way.  Loads – I guess they’re like a certain brand of potato chips.  Regardless, here’s a few that represent the principles of design that I value the most – Karim Rashid for wearing pink converse and making every day objects like vacuum cleaners glamorous.  Kelly Wearstler,  Jonathan Adler, and the infamous Frank Ghery for their bold sense of whimsy and willingness to buck rules.  Alvar Aalto, the Eames and Auburn University’s Rural Studio for acting on the belief that good, economical design can impact the world.  Tadao Ando, Renzo Piano and Eero Saarinen for their use of light.  Right now in Atlanta, I love what the guys at bldgs are doing with innovation, as well as Lee Bryan & Jeremy Jones – both designers at Lee Bryan Interior Design. 

What is your philosophy on design? I don’t know if I have a philosophy, as much as an anti-philosophy, maybe.  I don’t like design/decor "rules", they’re pretentious and don’t amount to anything on their own any way. I know if I think a set of elements CANNOT work successfully together, its just because my brain has not thought of a way, YET. I do believe that a skilled designer can make an environment beautiful and functional, regardless of budget.  I believe a skilled designer should take proactive steps to make a responsible (be that Universal or LEED) environment whenever she can.  Final design philosophy: dishes are going to get broken, white rugs are going to get dirty, kids and pets are going to jump on furniture-get over and spec accordingly.

Have you tackled any home/diy projects recently? If so, which one is your favorite and do you love the results?  Inspired by the idea of doing this interview, I just made an upholstered cornice board and matching panels for my living room!  I am thrilled with the results.  Thanks, Kristin. (It looks great Claire! Love the fabric!)

Please tell us about your blog! I just started my blog in May when I started to seriously consider not going to law school and opening my own interiors business, instead.  I have always like to write and a friend suggested blogging as a marketing tool.  A few months later – here I am with increasingly better content – I hope

If money weren’t an issue, what’s the #1 thing you’d change about your home? Oh man, if money were no issue I would call the guys who invented Central Vacs and see if they could create a system JUST for the elimination of dog hair.  You know, I could just flip a wall switch for a few short seconds every day and all the white hair from my pit-bull Annabelle would magnetically scurry to an out of sight abyss.  That and I want a new living room rug. 

What kind of home do you live in? I live in an apartment.  I dream of upgrading about every day, but I love my neighborhood and the price is right for right now.  So…yeah.

My home style is… peaceful, playful, edited.  I like clean strong lines and I love a story.  I pick things in m own home for their story more than their look.  I dream of one day having enough room for rows of big shelves on the wall to display a collection of furniture – my own little Cooper Hewitt.

My fabric tastes… I like classic menswear patterns & materials-pinstripes, flannel, herringbone, stripes, houndstooth for basics. Then I want to mix them with intensely feminine touches.  Love Donghia, Maharam. Always seem drawn to things graphic in nature.

I’m fascinated by… dogs, the blogosphere, furniture, history.  Oh and food.

My favorite local shop is… The Dekalb Farmers Market & Scotts

My favorite piece is… The Bubble Club chair, Mies’ Barcelona daybed, Daniel Michalik’s Cork Lounge and Wegner’s Windsor Chair.

My most treasured possession is… a necklace made with the stone from my parents’ engagement ring, that previously belong to my great grandparents.

My interior’s nightmare is… a perfectly coordinated mess of burgundy and hunter green-accented by inspirational quotes painted on the walls, but only in odd numbers…and figurines.

My biggest design pet peeve is… A preoccupation with rules.  

My best tip is… Finish it & make it intentional.  Finish it, even if its not perfect or its cheaper than you want- you can change it later.  I see a lot of homes where someone spent a lot of money on furniture, but then left out the details of the room- inevitably detracting value from room’s impact.   Not editing clutter, not filling picture frames, not adding a bed skirt – these inactions cheapen a room faster than any trip to IKEA.  Likewise, a room full of intentional decisions will always offer a lot of bang for the buck- even if you don’t have any bucks.

My biggest sources of inspiration are history, blogs, NY Magazine, no doubt.

If my house caught on fire, I would grab my 2 dogs, my laptop, and my favorite necklace on my way out the door.

I could not live without windows, good light, internet and diet coke in my home.

Thank you Claire for participating! I loved your answers and your home looks great – especially the new cornice board + panels in your living room!  Since you live in Atlanta and I visit frequently, we should grab some coffee and visit the Dekalb Farmers Market and Scott’s together.  I’ve never been to either of them!

I’m happy to share this week’s At Home because it’s with a super nice lady and fellow BYW classmate! Heather of Gathering Spriggs recently moved into her new home and is still getting settled in, but was kind of enough to participate now!  She’s done a lot of painting and refinishing some surfaces and her home looks great! I can’t wait to see pictures in the future.

If you could give your personal style a name, what would it be? Vintage inspired Modern Romance
Do you have a favorite designer that you admire? Carolyn Quartermaine and Atlanta Bartlett
What is your philosophy on design?  Use what you have and if you don’t like it, paint. Paint can solve almost all design dilemmas.

 
Have you tackled any home/diy projects recently? If so, which one is your favorite and do you love the results? Oh, yes. I just moved recently and am having fun decorating my new nest. Part of that included refinishing my mantle to camouflage the emerald green marble from the 90’s.
Please tell us about your blog! I started Gathering Spriggs in March 2008 after returning from the Country Living Women Entrepreneurs Conference in Chicago. I didn’t have much direction then but began doing design posts early 2009. But my greatest inspiration and the number 1 thing that led me to the place I am now, was Holly Becker’s Blogging Your Way e-course. (April 2009)

 
If money weren’t an issue, what’s the #1 thing you’d change about your home? Not much really. Just cosmetic things. Like flooring and fixtures–don’t tell my husband but I have dreamed of painting my wood floors white!
What kind of home do you live in? It is a two story vintage style home in the suburbs of Nashville,TN. 

My home style is… easy, comfortable, vintage and colorful
My fabric tastes… romantic, clean, airy- Designers Guild or Vintage Linens
I’m fascinated by… nature
My favorite local shop is… Local Honey for Vintage, Anthropologie (we just got one and I’m still giddy over it, and TN Flea Market)

My favorite piece is… my vintage moss green sofa.
My most treasured possession is… a painted white iron twin bed that my father bought as a matching set for my sister and me many years ago. We have each carried them with us wherever we go.
My interior’s nightmare is… I have to agree with Barb from Knack about Hunter Green and Burgandy and then add to that overly decorated rooms, which leave visitors feeling nervous upon entering.

My biggest design pet peeve is… watching home buying shows on HGTV and the homes they are viewing haven’t been picked up or sometimes even cleaned when they are on National Television. I mean come on! Make the bed up for HGTV!
My best tip is… to thine own self be true! You are your own best decorator –have confidence in your choices and always trust your natural instincts. (they are the best)
My biggest source of inspiration is… design blogs, nature, being around creative people, and traveling.

If my house caught on fire, I would grab my laptop, dog, my grandmothers vintage hats and my fathers Bible on my way out the
door.
I could not live without natural light in my home.

I’ve really enjoyed this sneak peak of your home, Heather!  Your style’s name “Vintage inspired modern romance” is very fitting.   I love all of the little touches you’ve put into your home so far (those peacock feathers are great) and the colors are really nice!  Thanks again for participating!

Barb is a super sweet lady from Greenville, SC who so willingly agreed to show off her (fabulous) home today on my blog!  If you visited my site back in January you may recall Barb participating in one of my Inspired Interviews!  Many of you have more than likely seen her home about the blogosphere (namely at Design*Sponge) and will agree that it is quite lovely.  Well, on top of sharing her photos, Barb is also answering a round of questions about her design tastes and what she simply can’t live without!  You know you’re curious – so check it out!

1. If you could give your personal style a name, what would it be? knackage modern ……knackage= recontextualized, found and fantastic mixed with ……modern = a. Of or relating to recent times or the present….b. Characteristic or expressive of recent times or the present; contemporary or up-to-date

2. Do you have a favorite designer that you admire? well, I have just recently read the book "easy elegance" and really connected with a lot of the design concepts in it. The designer behind the book is Atlanta Bartlett and I really like her style right now. But that being said ….I normally fly solo and do my own thing… coming up with what feels comfortable and looks good to me….. inspired by many different designs and designers both known and unknown.

3. What is your philosophy on design? I think you should live with, and be surrounded by the things you love, and when you do that, the look that can come together is warm, inviting, collected and a feast for the eyes and soul.

4. Have you tackled any home/diy projects recently? If so, which one is your favorite and do you love the results? We haven’t done anything big recently….we painted and added some new pieces to the den not too too long ago and we are very happy with the results…… it’s my favorite room in the house.

5. Please tell us about your blog!   I started my blog two years ago this november to have a way to document my work { kind of like an online portfolio} and to share it with family and friends. My parents and siblings all live far away from me and so it was partly to keep them up to date, and partly I was hoping that at some point it would draw some fresh attention to knack from outside Greenville by connecting with people all over the country/ world.

6. If money weren’t an issue, what’s the #1 thing you’d change about your home? In two seconds I would add a game/rec/media room where we could put all kinds of fun tricks and treats for the kid in all of us, and something that my soon to be teenagers would be proud to bring their peeps home to!

7. What kind of home do you live in? I live in a yellow, ranch style house that was built in the mid seventies

My home style is… relaxed, eclectic and modern

My fabric tastes… always some type of linen or burlap it seems!

I’m fascinated by… saws

My favorite local shop is… the salvation army

My favorite piece is… the orange hutch in my bedroom

My most treasured possession is… my family, and the two huge pictures of my beautiful kids in the den

My interior’s nightmare is… burgundy and hunter green…enough said!

My biggest design pet peeve is… burgundy and hunter green…oops…I mean……. everything perfectly in place and sterile design to the extent of not being able to relax in the environment.

My best tip is… don’t be afraid of color…embrace it… also if you love it …you’ll find a place for it! { husbands will hate me for this! }

My biggest source of inspiration is… colors all around me in nature ……and a few nights at the local Barnes and Noble scoping out the newest books and mags…..oh and did I mention the fabulous outfits that my ten year old comes out in?….that too!

If my house caught on fire, I would grab my kids….and the big pictures of them on my way out the door.

I could not live without color and original artwork from my kids and locals in my home.

Barb’s Site: Knack Studios                 Barb’s Blog: Knack

Thanks again for participating, Barb!  Everyone please feel free to leave comments or ask Barb questions in the field below!  And you should really check out this article on Barb as well – it’s wonderful!

This week, Daniella of Dress, Design, Decor is taking us on a mini-tour of her new loft.  Daniella recently moved into her place, and though she’s yet to fully decorate, her new abode is absolutely gorgeous.  I can’t wait to see what she does with the place!

Daniella answers questions regarding her personal style, inspirations, and her philosophy on design after the jump! Enjoy!

If you could give your personal style a name, what would it be?  I’d probably say simple and chic, modern with a bit of glamour.

Do you have a favorite designer that you admire? I tend to love certain pieces from all different designers, but I love J.Crew, Banana Republic, and JACOB. I also really like Louis Vuitton’s new fall line, Balmain’s glitzy garments, T by Alexander, Lanvin, Derek Lam, J.Mendel… As far as interior spaces, I don’t have a favourite designer, but a collection of spaces I love on file. I’m also obsessed with Mika78 right now.

What is your philosophy on design? I think all design needs a little style, and vice versa. Style, so it looks effortless together, and design to make it great. 

Have you tackled any home/diy projects recently? If so, which one is your favorite and do you love the results? The most I’ve tackled recently is moving! And what a job that was. As you can tell from the photos, my place is looking a little minimalist right now until I find the perfect pieces of furniture and decor!

Please tell us about your blog! I started my blog Dress, Design & Decor, in November of last year, when a couple of my friends had started blogging too. I had a huge collection of fashion and interior images that needed a home after sitting in a folder on my comp for so long! I used to cut up and collage all kinds of magazines in sketchbooks and blogging seemed like the perfect outlet. 

What kind of home do you live in? Right now I’m living in a loft, right across the street from work (best commute ever btw!). I really love the layout of the place, so I’d definitely splurge on furnishing and decorating. I’d like a glass table and console, modern white chairs for the living room, and gallery framed photos of the best VOGUE shoots. Although, if money weren’t an issue I’d probably knock out the units beside me and expand too!

My home style is… simple chic.

I’m fascinated by… french women and the style they seem born with.

My favorite local shop is… Write Impressions, it’s full of stationery and glamorous home decor!

My favorite piece is… my skinny jeans that fit perfectly (hard to find for the petite girl, lol.) 

My most treasured possession is… diamond studs from my lovely boyfriend.

My interior’s nightmare is… puffy leather couches and knick knack madness.

My biggest design pet peeve is… when characters aren’t kerned properly.

My biggest source of inspiration is… magazines, movies, Paris (the city), and blogs!

If my house caught on fire, I would grab my Miley my little siamese, photo albums and my Mac if I could carry it too (what? lol) on my way out the door.

I could not live without natural light in my home.

Thank you SO MUCH for participating Daniella! I’m simply in love with your new home.  Everyone, please feel free to visit Daniella’s blog and, as always, feel free to share any comments you may have!  In fact, I have a question for, you, Daniella – are those real wood floors? If so, I am SO jealous!

This week we’re taking a mini-tour at Ann’s colorful + modern home.  I met Ann in Holly Becker’s Blogging Your Way e-course and I just adore her as a person.  She’s a big sweetheart and has a great eye for design, too. I hope you enjoy meeting her and her lovely home!

1. If you could give your personal style a name, what would it be? Wow, I’ve never tried to assign a name to my personal style. It proved to be harder than I thought. So, here are three words that describe my style: modern, colorful, and fun.

2. Do you have a favorite designer that you admire? Jamie Drake.  If I could, I’d follow him around like a little puppy dog soaking up all the lessons I know he could teach me about design.

3. What is your philosophy on design? a) that it should be fun while doing it; b) that “rules” are really guidelines, and c) that the end result must make both designer and client happy!

4. Have you tackled any home/diy projects recently? If so, which one is your favorite and do you love the results? Ah, we have many projects around our house that we are trying to get done.  Thus far the one we are most happy with is the enclosure of an outdoor patio off of our master bedroom.  The space is now an extension of the room, adding much needed square footage.  We lived in our home for four years, never using the outdoor space.  When we finished the project, my husband turned to me and said “what took us so long to do this?” Such an improvement to the space.

5. Please tell us about your blog. Well, I started my original blog, That Girl Designs, in March of 08.  I had sold my retail store back in 07 and started back to school to earn another degree. I’m an online student, so my days are spent at home in front of a computer.  A year after selling the store, I started to feel isolated and missed my daily contact with the public.  Blogging seemed to be a way for me to leave the house, without actually leaving the house.  It proved to be just what I needed at the time.  Recently, I’ve launched a new site/blog under the name of my design business, Sky Designs + Interiors.  I’m still putting the finishing touches on the site, and have been posting to the blog less frequently this summer, but plan to jump back in on a more regular basis in September.

6. If money weren’t an issue, what’s the #1 thing you’d change about your home? Lots of things!  Add a great room, an additional bedroom/office, complete redesign of the master bath (we’re working on this one), new flooring throughout the downstairs, etc., etc.  The overall design of the house is good, but it needs some additions and updating.

7. What kind of home do you live in? Custom designed and built, two-story, house with modern “block” type architecture. And tons of windows!

1. My home style is… modern.
2. My fabric tastes… are varied.
3. I’m fascinated by… nature.
4. My favorite local shop is… Mercury.
5. My favorite piece is… my desk.
7. My interior’s nightmare is… dog slobber!
8. My biggest design pet peeve is… blank walls.
9. My best tip is… love it, or ditch it. Life is too short not to love your surroundings.
10. My biggest source of inspiration is… color.

1. If my house caught on fire, I would grab my husband, son and two dogs on my way out the door. Everything else is replaceable.
2. I could not live without _color_ in my home.

Isn’t Ann’s home fun?  I really love all the fun colors, framed art, and that pillow in the first picture is to be envied. (Ann did you make that pillow or purchase it? I really like it!) Thanks again for participating.

Don’t forget to check out Ann’s site, Sky Designs + Interiors. And as always, feel free to ask questions or share your comments!

 Do you have a favorite designer that you admire? 

• Designers and Decorators that I admire:  Thomas Pheasant, Victoria Hagan, Robert Stilin, Kelly Wearstler, Vicente Wolf, Mimmi O’Connell, and my aunt Meryl Toback
• Architectural Inspirations are: IM Pei, Tadao Ando, and Frank Gehry

What is your philosophy on design?  It depends what it is you are designing.  I think that for public spaces you always want to push the envelope.  You want to make people stop and think about the space that they are moving through.  So often buildings move in an out of our lives — quickly forgotten. You want to create a space that demands attention. For private spaces (the home) I think that it is all about personal preference. The home is your sanctuary.  It is really all about what makes you happy.

Please tell us about your blog. My blog is called Pretty Lovely.  I started it January of 2009 as part of my New Years Resolution.  My friend Jen Nedeau is a very talented writer and blogger and encouraged me to share my inspirations with others.  I was hoping to make my thoughts and ideas public – creating a digital sketchbook of sorts.  Pretty Lovely is basically just that. 

1. My home style is…  Currently I would call it Sophisticated Bohemian.
2. My fabric tastes…  Anything Rogers & Goffigon.
3. I’m fascinated by…  Olafur Eliasson, Wolfgang Tillmans, Ina Garten, Jorge Pardo, Tord Boontje, Mark Rothko, and of course – Martha Stewart. 
4. My favorite local shop is… Rckndy
5. My favorite candle is… Diptyque Figuier.
6. My most treasured possession is… Any jewelry from my Grandma.
7. My favorite color is… Cobalt Blue
8. My biggest design pet peeve is… Wall to wall carpeting and copies of Poul Henningsen’s Artichoke Light. 
9. I am currently listening to…  Nina Simone (The Blues)
10. My favorite flower is… Hydrangea

 If my house caught on fire, I would grab see #2 on my way out the door.
I could not live without Izzy in my home.

Thank you so much for participating, Sam! It truly was wonderful learning more about your design tastes and philosophy.  I couldn’t agree with you more!