Enough About Me, Today I Want To Hear From You!Today I would love to hear about you! I think I have a good idea who reads this blog, but then I started to wonder, do I? Have I asked? No. I have ongoing dialogs with many of you who comment, but what about the rest of the readers?
Can I ask you a question?
So today is the day! If you would be so sweet to share a few things about yourself, I would be happy, happy, happy...
(And yes, I did get this idea to ask you some questions from the funny blog Bower Power. Thanks Katie.)
Now to the questions:
1. Who are you? Get as specific as you like! (Where you live, age, career, single, married, kids, no kids, fond of dogs or a fish will do.)
2. What do you love? (Activities, hobbies, projects, interests: if you had a free day what would you do?)
3. If you could give me a week's worth of post topics, what would I be writing about on those days?
4. This question is up for grabs...write your own question and answer it as you like!
I am so curious and looking forward to hearing from you! And again, a huge thank you for spending a moment of your day to visit this blog.
Now start writing!
Janell
117 comments:
What a terrific idea! Yes, I read your inspiring blog, and LOVE your ideas ~~
Laura from Bright Bold and Beautiful
artist/blogger
Happy Weekend wishes to you!
xoxo
Paula from JC's Loft. 30 yr. old SAHM who resides in IL. My posts consist of my mad party planning skills : ) and DIY projects.
Love your blog! Have a great weekend,
paula
I love this idea and I love your blog! I've been blogging for almost a year; I live in Upstate New York and am married with a 10 year old daughter. My husband and I are expecting our first child together (daughter is from a previous relationship) and we're due in two months. If I could have a day to do whatever I'd like, I'd read, knit and decorate my home! I work full time and blog as often as I can but sometimes fall behind b/c of other demands in my life.
Thanks! Can't wait to read all the others!
1. I am a mom of 4 kids married to an Army Special Forces soldier. We just moved to TN but have lived in CA, Germany and NC through the Army. I am originally from Chicago and went to Purdue.
2. My hobbies, when I am able to indulge, is photography and helping friends decorate/design their homes. As a family travel on a moments notice. It is a little tricky with 4 kids but they are used to jumping in the truck and seeing new places. I wouldn't even know where to begin if I had a free day!
3. We are building a house for the first time. I am having so many dilemmas on color, lighting and kitchen design! I have one long room that is apx 16x 43. The kitchen on one end, living room at the other and a dining table in the middle. My style is eclectic? Mostly neutral with pops of color and character in art and furniture. I would love for you do do some blogs on open floor plans. Here are some specifics I am looking for.
1. My kitchen design is a u shaped with an island in the middle. It is white painted cabinets with white quartz countertops. There is going to be a stainless steel range hood in center of the kitchen, opposite end of the room will be the fireplace with a TV over it. I am having trouble deciding what kid of lighting fixtures to put up over my island (1 fixture) and my dinning table (2 fixtures). Lanterns? Drum shades? Chandeliers?
2. What are some great, go to, colors for a neutral home? I am looking for a color for my living room which has tons of South facing light. Also, I am in desperate need to pick a color for our entrance way that faces North and has a few widows. Bedroom, baths and kids rooms are also great to hear about too.
4. I am so overwhelmed right now I can't think of any questions to answer myself:)
I am so excited to read all the posts and see your answers!!! Thank you for having such a wonderful blog!
Joyce; single; grad student at Boston College; about to celebrate my 48th birthday; love to read; love to cook; have just begun watching Sy Fy and am starting to get into it...
Had a free day yesterday, actually, and made living room curtains out of a fabric remnant that cost me less than $8. I don't sew so I used fabric glue and they look phenomenal so far! I am waiting 24 hours to hang them so the glue cures.
I love what you're posting on already. I saw you on Nate Berkus over Christmas vacation and you have led me to the world of home decor blogs.
Amanda, 25 y/o in the Chicago burbs - My husband and I went ahead and bought our ideal family home even though it's just us and our dog for now! We have so much space to fill and plenty of time to plan for it all, so I especially love the posts on the DIY projects around your house. I identify with your style and wish I had time to tackle more of them!
"Houses" area hobby--we buy older homes, renovate them, then move on to the next project. I follow several interior decorating blogs to get ideas--love yours!
In 'real life' I am a humor writer and an educator/consultant in corporate training and development.
Keep up the good work!
What a great idea! I love your blog. I'm Marie, a wife and mother of the sweetest little 3 yr old around. Who's name just happens to be Isabella !! She is our life. I also enjoy blogging, decorating, baking & cooking and gardening too. We live in Atlanta, GA, where we are currently enjoying snow & ice!!
I am a 36 year old stay at home mom with 4 kids (3 boys-ages 9,7, and 4; one girl age 2)living in Fort Wayne, IN. I teach two english classes at a community college. My two great loves are fashion and design, although I have no training in either area. My greatest fashion weakness is JCrew and I feel like I am constantly taking on new DIY projects around the house. I stumbled upon your blog back in August and now have to have my fix every single day!! I love your posts on your projects and tutorials. I also sometimes just love to follow your links and view the rooms in your home...so lovely!! I do have a question for you...I live in a 20 year old home that had all stained wood doors, trim, cabinets, windows...you name it, it was stained (the previous owners had very country tendencies). Anyway, I've painted my kitchen cabs, fireplace, spindles and a few other areas with SW Casa Blanca and love it. I've hired a painter to paint the rest of the trim, windows, crown,etc. in the home but have now come to an impasse with my husband. He wants me to leave just the doors stained b/c he likes wood and he also thinks that the 4 kids will really do damage to the painted finish on them. At first I balked at the idea but then went through a model home last weekend and saw the exact same thing...painted windows, trim, molding, but stained wood doors and it was actually gorgeous. What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance!!! Lisa Groves
This is a fab idea :(). Well, I'm Marilyn of Love Affair With Color Blog, former insurance claims adjuster turned interior design student (currently a senior...yippee), 40 years old, mother and a wife.
I adore colorful things, photographing architecture, travel, meeting people and love the research part of a design project.
If I could give you one topic to blog about all week would be how to operate a sewing machine. I inherited two sewing machines when my mother passed and haven't a clue how to use them.
Love surveys! Okay, here goes:
You already know that I'm a fabulous blogger who writes the blog www.home23duncanboys.com, so lets find out some other things;-)
1. I'm Lakeitha. A SAHM to 3 boys (four if you count my husband!). I live in the subburbs just outside of Atlanta. I'm 27, but will be 28 in a few weeks! I've never had a dog personally unless you count all of the dogs my sister use to bring home and beg my mom to keep, but soon we will be the proud owners of a golden retriever and a yorkie! oh, my sister and I did have like over 20 hamsters at one time (long story!).
2. What do I love...hmm, that's a good question. I love design. No matter what design. It can be weddings, landscapes, fashion, hair, makeup, interiors. To me it's all an art and I just find it fascinating(sp?). I love a good romantic comedy...Somethings Gotta Give, The Ugly Truth, Sex and the City, you know. I also LOVE the Twilight saga!
If I had a free day I would'nt know what to do with myself:-)
3. If I could give you a weeks worth of posts to write about they would consist of everything you could cram into a week about what I can do to my house!!! But seriously, I just love reading your blog so you could talk about fish all day and I'd say I love it! Oh yeah, I do think fashion would be nice AT LEAST once a month sice you were a fashion designer. I mean COME ON Janell!!!
4. My own question: Where do I see myself in 5 years? As an interior decorator who specializes in kids spaces!
Hi, great idea.
1. I'm 45 and married with 3 children. Guy 15,Eva 12 and Tor 11 . I live in Sheffield UK,an industrial city but with many many green spaces. ( we like to keep this secret so not too many people move here!)My house was built in 1887 and is very edwardian in style.It overlooks a beautiful park. I studied Textile Design at University but am now a stay at home mum/wife.
Zoe
2: I have enough money to buy new but I just can't do it ! so I enjoy hunting out bargins. I also enjoy walking my dog,a rescue greyhound.
3: I most enjoy the blogs about transforming pieces of furniture with particular interest in how you do it. Not so interested in Giveaway posts unless you are interseted in shipping costs to the UK so I skip over these.
4; My question is " Why do you read so many blogs?" and my answer is that it fulfills my need for interior eye candy and dare I say its cheaper than magazines !
1. Who are you? Get as specific as you like!
I'm Erin. I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I'm a teacher - grade 8. It's an incredibly exciting, difficult, exhilirating job, and I absolutely love it.
2. What do you love? (Activities, hobbies, projects, interests: if you had a free day what would you do?)
I love to create! I love to make... stuff. Really, that's about as specific as I can get, because my creating doesn't really know any bounds. Right now I'm working on planning a baby shower for my best friend, and am hand-drawing bookmarks as favours since it's a children's book-themed shower.
3. If you could give me a week's worth of post topics, what would I be writing about on those days?
Your house! My favourite posts are about the decorating that you do in your own home.
4. This question is up for grabs...write your own question and answer it as you like!
Hmmm. For a creative thinker I am hyu wouldn't think I'd have a hard time coming up with a question!
What book are you reading right now?
I love to read, and right now I'm reading a fascinating book called March by Geraldine Brooks. It's about Mr. March, the absent father in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, and what he encounters when he goes to join the civil war.
I am Jen a 37 soon to be 38 stay at home mom. I have 2 great kids 10 and 7. I also take care of my 2 needy dogs and a crazed attack guinea pig. My husband and I have been married 16 years and wouldn't change a moment. I love to decorate, craft, cook and believe it or not...clean...LOL
I LOVE your blog and all your great decorating ideas...I would love to stencil a wall in my house. Got to get a HUGE ladder first...;)
Good Morning,
I'm a mom of 2 fun crazy girls 5 and 8, have been married for 10 yrs and I am 43 yrs old. I work p/t at a pottery studio and when my youngest goes to school full time I may grow up and get back into the accounting field. Benefits would be that I'll have more money to spend on my decorating addiction. I'll watch tv and notice the decor sometimes before I catch on to the storyline. I love Modern Family but enjoy the set just as much! We have a cat,dog and a fish named Gil-bert.
I adore my Mom and I think they truly are the glue of a family. My dad past suddenly 16 years ago and I believe her love and support helped all my siblings have the strong bond we have. I have just a small cirle of friends and they are wonderful.
I'd be interested in focal points and furniture placements, mixing up patterns. Combating kids clutter. How I like them to have their inner design come out..but do I reallY?? Yikes!
What is something about you that not many would think? My music tastes range from Andrew Lloyd Weber( Yeah..I've been known to sing "Phantom" songs around the house) to rap and hip hop.
Enjoy your day..I read your blog daily and so enjoy it!!
Maureen
Great idea Janell! Love your blog and always love to see what you come up with.
I am a designer, I live in Greenville, SC I am 38 weeks pregnant with our first baby, started blogging last year and haven't kept up with it very well (pregnancy and work have kept me away from it) but want to get better at it. We have 2 dogs who are mutts but they are wonderful! My husband is a builder and has a side BBQ business.
Would love to know how you balance work and being a mother- I think that is my biggest fear about having a baby. I don't want to stop working and lose my work identity but also don't want to neglect my baby.
I'm 37, married, no kids.
I love gardening and reading and decorating my house.
I read this blog nearly every day, but rarely comment. :)
I have a blog that is very random. I write about everything from designing my house to the visitors in my attic to the bad bras I recently bought.
I love all of your great ideas, but my confidence in myself to pull many of them off is lacking. :)
Nichole
http://40daysof.wordpress.com/2011/01/14/have-you-ever/
I'm from Madrid (Spain, Europe - the other side of the world!) and stumbled across your blog about a year ago and read it on a daily basis. I live in a rental apartment, so I can´t tackle most of the projects you do, but I love reading about them!
I also love that we are from different cultures and hate that I don't have those great thrift stores (an other home-stuff stores)around here...
I have nothing to do with design business, I just love it and love day-dreaming about what I would do if I had the time, space or the money...
Oh, and in case you follow the link...I started a blog last year (and used a photo from Max's Room), but didn't go ahead, 'cause I'm still deciding whether to write it in English or Spanish...
I'm a thirty-something wife to a great guy, mom to two little precious boys and a history teacher living in a small, rural town in Texas.
I love spending time with my family, traveling, gardening, shopping, blogging, and dreaming about building our forever home.
Dreaming about our forever home is what brought me to the blogosphere. I didn't know it existed until last year. Your blog is one of the first I ever started following.
I started following because I love your style and that you live in the Pacific Northwest. I lived there after college for six months and loved it!
I usually write about life, faith and family at my blog Imperfectly Wonderful World.
I'm a "northern girl" making it in the south! I'm 28, married, and the very proud mother of a one year old. I am a 2nd grade
teacher that jobshares so I get the best of both worlds! I love reading, documenting our ordinary life, and I recently started trying my hand at basic home improvements (like crown molding!).
If I had a day free, I know what I'd do in a heartbeat...a stencil wall! I've been planning and plotting this task since I saw it on your blog awhile ago! I LOVE reading your blog and would love for you to continue sharing your home projects, ideas, and tutorials (for those of us that are not naturally so creative and talented!). My husband and I built our home a few years ago so we're now just trying to put our personality into it. I've already added a "picture wall" in our space thanks to you!
Hi There!
Who am I?? I am a 45 year old mom of 2 girls (22 and 20) and just approaching my 25th wedding aniversary to my high school sweetheart. I live in Ontario, Canada and work in the medical field. We have three cats and a golden retriever that we love to bits.
I love to research projects for my home and see them come to life! I follow several blogs and just recently stumbled across yours (very glad indeed!), I have registered a blog name, but have not yet entered any content :( I plan to blog about decorating our tiny little (500 sq ft) home!
If I could give you a weeks worth of topics to blog about it would definitely, without question be ideas for small spaces!! Too many magazines, etc. talk about decorating small spaces only to find out they are 3 times the size of my tiny place :(
My questions for myself would be....If I could have one do over in life what would it be? Answer: gone to school to study interior design instead of jumping into a job right away (a field I am still employed in).
Hi!
1. I am am 56 yrs. old and married to a man in the Air Force. We met when I was a nurse in the Air Force. I am now retired. We have no human children, but 2 very spoiled pets, both rescued... a domestic short haired black cat and a fawn colored greyhound. We currently live in Ohio.
2. I love animals and participate in fund raising activites for a no kill shelter. I considered working in the shelter, but realized I could not resist those pets. Two is plenty. I also started taking tap classes a year ago. I had some experience as a kid so that was helpful, but I love this class and my husband pushes me out the door to go to it because I come home glowing. Exercise of some sort is a must for me, but I don't like doing it by myself. I love to cook, read, and travel. I dabble in drawing and sewing too.
3. What topics?
This is our third home. I have always gone for neutral colors because of the military thing and fear of moving. That being said I would love to try something different. I joke that when I step outside that box and paint a room say yellow (last sewing room) he gets orders and we move. I want the home to express us not a potential buyer. How do you balance that?
Also, we keep buying open floorplan homes, the last 2 have been center hall colonials. How do you make them look cohesive when painting/ decorating?
4. Our house is almost 10 yrs old. We want to update the kitchen. The countertops show alot of wear, but the cabinets (oak) look prisine inside and out. I would like white cabinets. I considered just replacing the countertops and had priced mostly laminate (Wilsonart and Formica). The previous owners put knobs on the cabinets and did not center them. A contractor pointed this out to me when painting our house. Now I cannot look at the cabinets without noticing this flaw. I am concerned that other people might notice too and that this could be an issue when it comes time to sell it. Would you replace the cabinets and get white or paint the current cabinets? I am considering having them professionally painted because of the reading I have done. It will be much less than new cabinets. My concern is filling that hole for the old knobs. Do you think that will be a detractor in selling?
Another question regarding window treatments...
Our family room has one large area of windows across the back of the house similar to Odi et Amo. They have Graber blinds on the lower part now and I want to leave these. I would also like to put up curtains. If I use a premade curtain I would need to extend the length or I could sew them myself. Either choice will be expensive even if the purchase is on sale. Any suggestions?
I love reading your blog and the DIY stuff is great! Thanks!
Pat
How fun, Janell! Okay, here goes: I'm a soon-to-be-40 mom in MA with three kids who are in school full time. After living in a couple of new, large houses over the years, we downsized, I sold my picture framing business and my current full time job is rehabing our outdated home top to bottom. I'm also a part time nursing student, but that's another story.
I love your sophisticated yet comfy looking and family-friendly home; the projects that you do tutorials on like your trays; your design style overall! I always look forward to coming over here to your blog and checking out your latest inspirations. You are so talented and your ideas are definitely helping me turn this house into a home!
I'm Laurel - I'm married and stay at home with my three kids - no dogs, cats, or pets of any kind! We live in Colorado. What I really love is my family, but I do have some interests. I love running and exercising. On a free day, I would start the day with a good work out, spend plenty of time playing with my family like at the park or at the pool or inside playing the Wii or something. I would spend time reading, and working on my home. I really love to do things myself and I love reading your blog - a real home, with real things that I can do! I have no idea if this is helpful - gotta go!
Wow, first I thought Janell dont have post today or be absent at blogland?!?!
Since your blog is my daily morning read while having my coffee..
Okey,I'm Maria Louisa, Lana for short just turned 42 yesterday =) got my U.S citizenship last friday=)
married to my soulmate =) Mom of 2 beautiful girls =)Originally from Phillipines had a degree of Dr. of Optometry back home practiced in Manila and Kuwait where I meet my hubby ( Texan). stop practicing since I became Mom and has something to do with the nature of my hubby's work military contract been moving from one place to another fr. Kwt. to Gemany I spoke 5 languages after 10 years of moving ( Tagalog, English, Persian, Arabic and German). Since my girls are little big now 11 and 6 and ufortunately I can't practice in the US ( requirements) I need to go back to school for 4 yrs, I told my hubby I want to go back to school anything that medical related and less credentials. He said why dont you go to like interior design you like to do that. HA! first thing comes to my mind was this is the effect of reading Janell's blog :). Told him Oh No, I learned this stuff from blog that I read everyday I dont have the talent :)
What keep me busy are reading books, cooking, voluntering at sch.and finishimg some DIY that learn from you. Hoping to go back to school is my main objective right now.
Wonderful idea! I'm Erin, and I'm a high school English teacher and a mom to a 5year old girl and a 1 year old boy. I am quitting my job this year to stay home with them, as well as starting my own decorating business. I love decorating, reading about decorating and design, and tweaking for myself and others. I would love to read posts on getting started in the business, as well as more about your awesome diy projects. I love your blog and gain so much inspiration from it!
1. Hi. My name is Alison and I'm a house enthusiast. :) I'm married to my best friend and our 'kids' are a mini Schnauzer, Maximus, and a giant Saint Bernard, Brewster. My day job is managing a team of data analysts and multiple risk management projects for an international bank. Sounds super interesting, huh? ;) I call a 1892 colonial in Maine home and after five years of DIY efforts I realize that we'll never really be 'done' here.
2. My hubby and I started blogging in May and it's been such a fun hobby to share. It's encouraged me to dig my camera out more often. I love DIY house projects, sewing, browsing house listings, reading, crafts, the ocean, concerts, comedy shows, board game parties, trying new foods, and exploring new places.
3. Hmm. Your favorite tips, must have items, what you wish you knew before...
4. My made up question: What are you doing this weekend? Hubby and I are going to Stowe, Vermont for a relaxing long weekend. It'll be capped off with a wonderful couples massage - can't wait! We'll also be touring the 2011 HGTV Dream Home and the Ben & Jerry's Factory while we're there.
Hope you have a fabulous weekend!
Alison
http://welcomesunshinehome.blogspot.com/
Hi I'm Christina. I live in Georgia and in am 26 yrs old. I'm married and have a little girl who's 2! I'm a RN and I work in the NICU, I love my job but of course my favorite job is being a mommy! I love dogs but don't have any, we have 2 fish that Baylie (my 2 yr. old)got for Christmas. The things I love are my family, my church, shopping, redoing things (furniture,chairs,ect.)and I love to laugh! I also love projects! I read your blog everyday and i have decided to try to make some drapes! I got a sewing machine for Christmas so I'm kind of teaching my self how to use it! I love reading all your tutorials. You have such great ideas that are easy and fun too. So I guess that would be the week worth of topics that i would choose! I did like your blog about Alaska though that was very interesting. Thanks for taking the time out to get to know all your readers. And thanks for all the wonderful blogs that I look forward to reading every day!!!!
Christina
1. I live in Birmingham, Ala., am 37 years old and have three sons (8, 6 and 2). I work outside the home as a project manager, write daily for my blog and am a contributor to our Fox affiliate's website.
2. I love TV, scrapbooking and reading, and if I had a free day I'd sleep really late and scrapbook the rest of the day!
3. I'd love to learn more about space planning and how to mix and match fabrics!
1. I'm Paige, 25 years old and living in the Chicago 'burbs with my husband. Instead of getting married and having a baby, I started a jewelry company. It's a girl. :-)
2. I love reading, writing, spicy food, finding a bargain, watching HGTV and Bravo, and hanging out with the aforementioned cute husband. We watch a lot of football together.
3. I like what you post about already! Maybe share some mistakes or things to avoid?
4. Are you a sports fan? The Bears are in the playoffs this year (not that they deserve to be, but whatever) but I'm secretly thinking I'll root for the Packers. Just to shake things up.
I LOVE your blog! So many great ideas and so inspiring! I live in Southeast Louisiana. I'm married with 2 boys. I stayed at home for 4 years with them and now am back at work 1 day a week as a Labor and Delivery nurse. I LOVE decorating, shopping, scrapbooking, spending time with my family, and hanging out with great friends. I still need serious help with organizing my house and keeping it calm and clutter free. I also need some ideas for how to create a beautiful space in my bonus room that needs to function multiple ways (guest room, office, extra storage, drum set, etc.) Thanks for your great idea and nice to meet you!! :)
1. I'm a YOUNG {twenty-something} interior designer who just passed the NCIDQ {!!!!} working for a commercial architecture firm that focuses mainly on PK-12th grade education. I live in West Texas where the hubby and I just bought our first house together {May 2009} and we've been renovating it ever since. We have gutted the original 1944 kitchen, doing all the work ourselves {minus electrical} and though it looks complete, I still feel like we're working on minor details. Our next renovation stop is the bathroom and then the laundry room after that! I am a Young Life leader at one of the local high schools and I love every minute of having an impact on young lives. I dapple a little here and there in graphic design mostly through blog designs and card designs, but my first love is and will always be interior design.
2. I love to shop and find a good deal, my husband, our four-legged child {the dog}, sewing, crafting, renovating, designing, photography {but my camera just got stolen :(}, lazy days, sleeping in, and most importantly - my God!
3. I LOVE to hear about great deals on anything to do with interiors as well as inspiring project ideas and fun DIYs.
4. I love this blog, I have been inspired so many times reading it {one you've already seen - the sunburst mirror I did using your tutorial} p.s. thanks for the shout out! I love to blog and share our life with friends, family, and whoever happens to stumble upon it.
Feel free to stop by my blog any time!
Hey Janell - Love reading yor blog, though this might be the first time I've ever commented.
1. I'm Shelley and I run a small graphic design studio in Cincinnati. We turn our designs into vinyl wall decals and I love doing it! For fun I am working hard on developing my mixed media, collage and painting skills. I'm 35 with 2 kids, a daughter 14 and a son 12 and a husband of 15 yrs. We have 2 rescued dogs who would be appalled that I just called them dogs. They're just part of the family.
2. I love art. In any form. I just love it. I see it everywhere and it drives pretty much everything I do. It is my passion. Just in the last few years have I decided to follow it and I'm just so excited everyday to make more art, see more art, and live a more artful life. We are starting a remodel in our home this weekend - floors, countertops, fireplace redo, and a a few other things and I am so excited to apply some of the new artsty things I've learned over the last few years. It's funny how much my husband and kids get into my projects now. They are awesome and work right alongside me! Even to the point of my little design studio now being our main full-time gig. We also do some real estate investing. That's always fun!
3. This one is so hard to answer. I love reading your blog becasue you pick topics to write about that never cross my mind. But since I am starting a remodel/decorating project I have a couple of questions I keep coming up against.
1 - what size rug should I put in my living room? Is there a general rule of thumb for the size of the rug vs the size of the room or furniture?
2 - I found some gorgeous mosaic glass tile for my backsplash which is serving as my inspiration for color and style...how do I work from that inspiration piece but still incorporate some unexpected elements that don't look totally out of place? It would get pretty boring if I pulled every color from those tiles and kept everything shiny and glassy.
4. Hey Janell do you have some old projects in your archives from 10 or 15 yrs ago that you would share with us to show how you as a designer and design in general have changed?? Yes, Shelley, that's a great idea, I'll pull out some old photos and sketches to share :)
Hey Janell - Love reading yor blog, though this might be the first time I've ever commented.
1. I'm Shelley and I run a small graphic design studio in Cincinnati. We turn our designs into vinyl wall decals and I love doing it! For fun I am working hard on developing my mixed media, collage and painting skills. I'm 35 with 2 kids, a daughter 14 and a son 12 and a husband of 15 yrs. We have 2 rescued dogs who would be appalled that I just called them dogs. They're just part of the family.
2. I love art. In any form. I just love it. I see it everywhere and it drives pretty much everything I do. It is my passion. Just in the last few years have I decided to follow it and I'm just so excited everyday to make more art, see more art, and live a more artful life. We are starting a remodel in our home this weekend - floors, countertops, fireplace redo, and a a few other things and I am so excited to apply some of the new artsty things I've learned over the last few years. It's funny how much my husband and kids get into my projects now. They are awesome and work right alongside me! Even to the point of my little design studio now being our main full-time gig. We also do some real estate investing. That's always fun!
3. This one is so hard to answer. I love reading your blog becasue you pick topics to write about that never cross my mind. But since I am starting a remodel/decorating project I have a couple of questions I keep coming up against.
1 - what size rug should I put in my living room? Is there a general rule of thumb for the size of the rug vs the size of the room or furniture?
2 - I found some gorgeous mosaic glass tile for my backsplash which is serving as my inspiration for color and style...how do I work from that inspiration piece but still incorporate some unexpected elements that don't look totally out of place? It would get pretty boring if I pulled every color from those tiles and kept everything shiny and glassy.
4. Hey Janell do you have some old projects in your archives from 10 or 15 yrs ago that you would share with us to show how you as a designer and design in general have changed?? Yes, Shelley, that's a great idea, I'll pull out some old photos and sketches to share :)
I'm a 30 year old married, no kids professional that works from home in the health and fitness industry. I have an obsession with home projects and home design. Your style totally resonates with me.
I would love to see your take on bathroom designs. I loved what you did to your bathroom in your prior house and what you've done to the bathroom in your current house. I feel so stuck on what to do with the bathrooms in my house. I would also love to know how you pick your colors for your home. I love all your wall colors! I also love your posts on how to personalize home decor (your lampshades, the console table, LOVE IT).
Great idea Janell! I love reading your blog and watching your design projects! Here goes...
1. I'm a thirty-something SAHM mom to two boys (1 and 3). I started blogging to connect with other moms who share my love of decorating. Last year I started nursing school which leaves me little time (and energy) to write posts. But I still enjoy reading all the fabulous decorating blogs!
2. I love Charleston, SC! Moving to the beaches of Charleston is the inspiration/motivation for going to nursing school. LOL...I also love to travel, decorate and garden.
3. Enough about me...Janell, you have a great eye for color and pattern! Could you share some of your favorite paint colors (white, gray, etc)? Also, what's your secret to mixing and matching patterns? Could you share your favorite decorating resources and sources of inspiration?
4. Okay, just a fun question. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
Thanks Janell for giving us the opportunity to share! I look forward to reading more of your great posts! Lisa
Oops silly me! I didn't read the last question thoroughly. So I'll answer my own question.
I would love to live on the east coast of Mexico (Merida, Progreso). There's alot of historic homes/properties that would be fun to fix up and call home. I'd also like to work in a local clinic specializing in women's health.
I am a 28 yr old, busy mother of five, and by five I mean my husband, two boys (2 & 5) and two dogs ;) We live in rural Amery, WI. I am new to your blog but am thrilled, thanks to The Nate Berkus Show, to have found it. Among the other sites he's talked about on his show, I visit your blog daily and am always excited and totally jealous of the beautiful rooms you post. I have always loved design and decorating thanks to my mother who spent our childhood rearranging and decorating practically monthly...there were mornings we'd wake up and run into furniture because the living room was completely different. I'm still evolving into my own personal style but am pretty happy with things so far. My husband is a contractor so I have hopes of building bigger someday at least a master bedroom/bath.
If I had a free day, without the kids and husband, I would visit Stillwater, MN and scour a few antique shops and grap and nice cup of Joe with my mom and sisters (I have 3)and just have fun relaxing and laughing.
A week's worth of post topics would probably include alot about cleaning- the past month I have set out to declutter and reorganize my house and my life. Several trips to the trash can and the Goodwill. Discoveries on how dirty some things can get to I forgot I even had that.
Projects I'm in the process of or at least thinking about include- finishing my stump end table currently half done in my garage, repainting, etc. my bathroom, and finding a great antique chair I can refinish and/or recover.
Thank you for your wonderful blog and great ideas.
LOVE this idea...found your blog via Thrifty Decor Chick. From my FB info:
I'm Susan-a SpEd teacher who recently moved to Oregon from TX
( but born and bred in NYc!)after meeting my wonderful
"chapter two" hubby online in a young widow's support group.
In Chinese astrology I am a
Fire-monkey-'nuff said.
Gemini otherwise. Voracious reader, struggling writer. Snarky. Romantic fool. Mark's happy wife ♥♥ Cool mom of 25 yr old twins
( one of each!) and four year old crazy dog, Boomer. Fearless picture straightener.
Constantly evolving, I stand forged by sisterhood, womanhood, motherhood, adulthood, widowhood and wifehood. It's quite a heady mix.
I started blogging in 2007 when I became a much-too-young widow
( Dear Dazzy.blogspot.com)
Happily remarried four years later, I now blog about how,
as M and I are rehabbing our house, we are also rehabbing our hearts (Sharingourpath.blogspot.com)
I like to read about how others tackle their rehab projects-big or small. I like art over crafts, and minimalist over victorian-ish. Clutter has no room in my life, and I follow Fung Shui on a resonable basis.
I can be a bit verbose, LOL as evidenced in this lengthy post-but thanks for asking!
PS-LOVE your padded headboard wall BTW...will be stealing that idea in the near future!
First off let me tell you that I love your blog. I stumbled across it just a few short weeks ago. ALong with my coffee it has become my morning habit. Thank you for that.
I live in Portland too, well actually Tigard. I am a SAHM to two kiddo's and my passion is home design, decorating, projects, anything of that nature. I have re-done every single room in my house. I have lived in my house for 10 years and I have done everything I can do. I'm just going to get silly now and start re-doing and replacing things that don't need to be done just to get my fix. So, we just purchased a new home so I can have a new project!
Thank you for making and taking the time to create such a divine blog!
Hi! My name is Elizabeth, I am 27 from NC. I have been married to my husband John for 15 months now and we have a dog and 2 cats. I write a blog called southern comfort (www.elizabeth-southerncomfort.blogspot.com) and it is everything from design to DIY to housekeeping with 3 pets. As a day job I work in Labor and Delivery at a local hospital.
I love your blog and your design ideas. I have a mental block with great design. I can see things in my head that I like, but I have problems implementing them into my house. I can't tell you how many projects I've started and been excited about and 1/2 way through been frustrated with how it's coming that I just throw anything together and end up not liking my room. Until I get more inspiration and the cycle continues. Grr.
Thank you for "asking" about your readers' opinions. You are such a doll and I enjoy each one of your posts.
How fun!
Erin, mom to 3 kids, from sunny, Mesa AZ.
Loves colors, making things pretty, READING, writing. With a free day I would spend it reading, cleaning, shopping, fixing up something in my house and then writing about it all...
A weeks worth of topics would be mostly about quick decor tricks, and more about yourself.
Hi! My name is Holli and I moved to Dallas about a year ago from Columbus, OH. I'm from California though... lived there 30 of my 36 years and since I turned 30 I've moved to Reno, NV to Columbus and now to Dallas thanks to my boyfriend's job. I have an 18 year old cat that may as well be a child and I love photography and going to the movies.
I think your blog is perfect... I love it!
Hi Janelle
Love. your. blog! My name is Paula I'm an interior designer in Ontario, Canada. I design homes for a builder and teach part time at our local college. My children live away at university and my husband and I work very hard to keep them there! haha!! I love everything design and my new hobby is keeping up with cool blogs like yours. I think your posts are inspiring and very interesting. Keep up the terrific work! I have no suggestions for you other than to keep on doing what you're doing, its obviously working out very well! Cheers! Paula.
1.I'm a married mom of 2 adult daughters.I live in South Jersey,I'm 55 years old, and have 2 dogs.(Bichon Frises). I used to work as a floral designer for many years,but had to stop for health reasons. 2.I love good design of all styles but my passion is the shabby and elegant combined with a little modern. I love going to flea markets and thrift stores. If I had a free day I'd probably spend it doing a DIY project.3.Decorating and creating vignettes,the link between fashion trends and decor trends,how to create a color scheme,how to avoid a matchy matchy look,how to accessorize without looking cluttered or sparse, how to choose wall art.4.Why did you start a blog? My love of design and being at home full time.Being at home is isolating I thought blogging would be a good way to interact with like minded people.(harder than I expected)
oooh, how fun!
1. I am a just turned 40 yr old mom of 3 {12 yr old boy, 15 and 16 yr old girls} Been married almost 20 years {that's right got married when I was 20!!}
I work on-call as an elementary school teacher and blog at night. I live just north of you in Canada, in a suburb of Vancouver.
Renting our home while we wait for the right one to come along. Have moved 9 times in our 19 year marriage. Last place lived was Washington DC suburbs of Virginia {LOVED IT}.
LOVE design and DIY, has always been my passion from a young age, loved re-arranging my room, painting furniture with my mom, sewing drapes and pillows with her as well.
I have pre-medicine and education degrees but took non-credit fashion design courses when pregnant with my first.
2. My hobbies: love re-designing my home and helping others with theirs, love to sew and paint. I also love to run and cycle on my road/mountain bike. My favourite place to go is the beach. We have so many beautiful beaches here in the Vancouver area.
3. It would be fun to see you answer reader's decorating dilemmas! I can give other people advice but sometimes have a hard time making decisions in my own home!
I'm a mom of two living in the Boston area. I enjoy your blog because I really like your design style and the colors you use. I like blog topics on paint color and styling the room. I always struggle with finding window treatments or how to arrange furniture.
I like when you paint or recycle pieces in your home. I love your use of chalkboard. I was wondering the other day, what if you don't want the chalkboard wall anymore? Can it be painted over with primer easily? Or would you need to sand it down?
I'm also in awe of your sewing skills, so I enjoy seeing your projects. Maybe as you finish this house more, you'll get more into decorating and staging, as well as the painting projects.
And as always, love to know resources and online shops for unique pieces. I'm already thinking of spring, so I'm trying to de-winterize my house.
1. Who are you? Get as specific as you like!
~I'm Carla, 29, homeschooling SAHM, and artist. I've been married to the love of my life (and high school sweetheart) Mark for 11 years. My lovely little sunshine, Eden, is 9 and my handsome, funny little stinkerman, Thomas, will be 5 next month. I love God, and I love my life~ I am thankful for each new day that I have to share with those I love.
2. What do you love? (Activities, hobbies, projects, interests: if you had a free day what would you do?)
~ I love drawing, painting, photography, and writing, (along with decorating and collecting vintage treasures and antiques). If I had a free day, I would simply paint all day while listening to Pandora, without a doubt!
3. If you could give me a week's worth of post topics, what would I be writing about on those days?
I love the chalkboard wall, all of the painting projects, etc., but my husband's job requires us to move every 3-4 years (he's in the Marine Corps) so I especially love projects that I can take with me when we move- like your painted furniture, lamps, etc. Those were great!
4. This question is up for grabs...write your own question and answer it as you like!
What book are you reading right now?
Art Books! Alla Prima: Everything I Know About Painting by Richard Schmid (for the fourth or fifth time). =)
Hi Janell! I do LOVE your blog. You have great style and know where to splurge on quality and where to DIY, all the while making it consistently classy. Anything you post regarding DIY and design ideas makes for a great read.
About me: I'm 30 years old, married 3 years, and we just bought our first home. I am a dental assistant part-time and do volunteer work full-time. I love to spend time with my family, travel, capture precious moments and beautiful sights with my camera, ballroom dance, decorate, cook, kayak, and anything having to do with the ocean.
My ideal day would be spent with my family and closest friends while enjoying a good meal, overlooking the ocean. We'd all go canoeing and kayaking together and then at night reminisce about the old days around the campfire, eating s'mores, while my husband plays guitar.
Thanks for continuing to inspire us all!
I'm Karlie, 50 yrs young newlywed! Originally from upstate New York but currently living in Calabash, NC. Have a 22 year old daughter, "September" and a 5 month old golden retriever, "Reece"; not sure there's too much difference between the two! lol
Used to be in graphic design/communication in NY but since moving down to NC, pretty much I stay at home managing our home, doing misc. graphic projects for my husband and am property manager for my husbands investment properties.
Love to decorate and design, am a little challenged in these areas when it comes to my home mainly because my hubby & I have totally different tastes & its challenging for me to meld them together! Love to read not only books, magazines (I subscribe to way to many of them) but blogs and get inspirations from them.
Happened to come across your blog & immediately became a follower! You have a fabulous blog which I truly enjoy!
So sweet of you to want to learn about your Readers!
1. Liz from BTB. I'm a newly married (10 months), 26 years old dog owner and home owner.
2. I'm sort of (ok, REALLY) obsessed with any sort of DIY decor or creative blogs. LIKE YOURS! I could read them all. day. long.
I usually find my self overly-inspired by things I see online. I love Ms. B's motto "Get Excited and Make Things" but when it comes down to it I usually don't have the funds to actually 'make things'.
3. A weeks worth of post topics... hmm I would LOVE to see posts about how to get MAJOR impact on a dime budget. Something that costs almost nothing but totally 'makes' the room.
PS: Congrats on the *almost* 2000 followers!
1. I'm a 35 year old mother of four living in New Hampshire. I write from maisymak.blogspot.com. I stay home with my kids and I love your blog b/c you actually do it yourself and you have a budget. Oh, and it looks so very amazing. Those budgets always seem to get in the way of my big design projects!
2. On a free day without the kiddies? I would write, write, write - something I am trying to do full-time once the kids are in school.
3. Big projects I need help with: Finishing an unfinished basement with no natural light, cutting a hole in the kitchen wall to install a big window, and the best neutral kitchen colors!
I love your blog and am amazed how much time you take to answer questions personally - I've been on the receiving end twice. Thanks for such great work!
1. I'm a homemaker with 3 kids living in northern VA.
2. I love home decorating, and I'm taking the Sheffield Interior Design course for fun (and for the education). I also love sewing and crafting.
3. I especially love your sewing tutorials. It's so outrageously expensive to have custom treatments done, so I love learning from your DIY projects. Your tutorials are wonderful - perfectly detailed and illustrated. You're the best, Janell!
I must say I am so happy to see all your detailed comments and am enjoying getting to know you better! I promise I will read through them all in detail and answer questions directly over the weekend!
THANKS!!! :) Janell
1. I'm Jamie, 32 year old stay at home mom of 2 (one of which is a newborn, just born two weeks ago. My older child is 3).
2. I love reading design blogs and design magazines, I love diy projects but rarely have the motivation or courage to try some of the things I'd like to diy. I enjoy scrapbooking, I enjoy baking and gardening, love going out to eat and doing fun activities with my family.
3. My favorite blog posts are tutorials... how to sew pretty much anything, stenciling on walls, refinishing furniture (ie. painting), reupholstering furniture, room before and afters. By the way, I used your tutorial for making drapery panels to sew the curtains in my son's nursery and they came out great! I'm very inexperienced at sewing, but your instructions were easy to follow. Thank you so much!
Hi I'm Natalie of Islands In the Stream. I started my blog when I moved to Seattle to date my boyfriend that I had only spent 10 total days with. We recently celebrated our one year anniversary by getting our puppy, Leroy. My blog is about my life... the good, the bad ,the ugly... Lately it's about us finally moving in together. We are buying furniture and making things with
our itty bitty budget.
I just started following your blog because I am across your DIY star burst mirror project. I have yet to make one, but plan on it very soon.
My weeks worth of topics would be
DIY projects of course. Your top favorite purchases for your home, I know it takes time and dedication and maybe some money, but how has your blog become so successful? I have been at mine for 9 months and still only have 18 followers. I feel like no one is reading it (except my friend Mary who's the only one that leaves comments).
I also just wanted to add that I will be painting some wood letters with the metallic paint! thanks for the great Ideas!! You are definitely my new favorite blog!!!
Natalie
Janell-
1. Who are you? Get as specific as you like! (Where you live, age, career, single, married, kids, no kids, fond of dogs or a fish will do.)
I am Denise. I am a mom to 3, grandmother to 3, wife, and I am only 44. I also look young. My co-workers always think I am a mom to little ones and found it hard to believe that I am a grandmother. As far as my ‘grandmother name’, it is meme. Am I bothered by being called a grandmother? No way! I loved being a mom and love being a grandmother even more. I am also ‘mom’ to Chanel, our min-pin. I have a blog over at: http://www.extremepersonalmeasures.com.
2. What do you love? (Activities, hobbies, projects, interests: if you had a free day what would you do?)
My two biggest loves are 1) my family and spending time with them. 2) Looking for ‘finds’ on Craigslist and Goodwill and making them ‘new’ again! On my free day I would be doing one of these things.
3. If you could give me a week's worth of post topics, what would I be writing about on those days?
Furniture finish tips, budget tips for home remodel, décor, etc tips.
4. This question is up for grabs...write your own question and answer it as you like!
If I had one wish, what would it be?
To win the lottery so that I could stay home and spend more time with my grandkids because I know all too well how fast it goes by. I would also be refinishing furniture and possibly open a shop.
1. I'm a relatively recently married 24 year old living in Utah. We have no kids yet and purchased our first home last year. I work in Information Technology and my husband is finishing school getting an MBA.
2. I love decorating our home, reading, computer stuff (blogs especially!), camping, rock climbing, sports, and more! If I had a free day I would almost definitely work on projects in my house. A day off to do that would be awesome!
3. My favorite posts are usually tutorials showing how you made something pretty easily. I have almost exactly copied your headboard and curtain tutorials, and I have plans of also using your tutorial to frame our mirror and a lot of other great things you do! I love seeing you make things and then putting it all together. Your style is definitely the same as mine!
Fun idea!
1) Let's see... I'm a South Floridian 29-year-old married gal with 3 children (4, 2, and 2 months) and no pets. I'm also a fairly new homeowner so I love the inspiration I get here and around blogland since I can now make changes to my home!
2) I love to travel andread and shop and dream about making my home lovely and tackling projects. Throw in some craftiness and sewing, and that probably about sums it up. If I had a free day, sans kids with a sky high budget I'd probably spend it shopping and working on pretty things for my home.
3) Topics... I really like how you mix it up now! I'd love to hear about some great sources for home furnishings.
4) Umm... I don't know!
1. Katie, Southwest Virginia, 26, married (3 years), no kids, one cat- Lloyd, administrative director for a non profit organization so... WAHW (work at home wife :)
2. sewing, working outdoors, projects for the house (currently a sofa slipcover to alter, chairs to slipcover, chairs to recover, painting to do, the list goes on and on), cooking (currently trying to use more natural and organic products), a few years ago I would have put travel at the top of the list but... times are tight and my money is not all mine now so... :)
3. Honestly? More of the same. A mixture of big and small projects with step by step instructions for all of us to follow.
4. What would you do if you knew you could not fail? First of all I would try a new recipe for supper, secondly I would begin recovering my wing chairs and thirdly I would venture into the business world with my sewing machine.
Thank you, Janell for your wonderful blog! Your projects have inspired me to start and more importantly to finish many of my own. And pictures of your house remind me why I like fresh, clean and uncluttered style above all!
looks like you are going to have a lot of reading to do, but this is so fun! i love talking about me! ;)
1. Who are you? Get as specific as you like! (Where you live, age, career, single, married, kids, no kids, fond of dogs or a fish will do.) I am a mommy to a 5 yr old boy, 4 yr old girl, and wife to a best friend. i am a daughter and sister, and i am a good friend... i love my friends like family and treat them as such. i am a group ex instructor, a furniture painter, a crafter, and a woman trying to make the most out fo every moment. we're not on this earth for a long time, and i want my time to count.
2. What do you love? (Activities, hobbies, projects, interests: if you had a free day what would you do?)
i love thrifting, and being creative with my thrifty finds. i love eating sushi, too and could probably do that all day.
3. If you could give me a week's worth of post topics, what would I be writing about on those days?
i would love to see each day have a different color featured and show what colors work well with it and see it in some rooms. i think that would be fun and inspirational.
4. This question is up for grabs...write your own question and answer it as you like!
Why do I follow you? Because you can put a room together so well and know how to use resources. You have great style, and sense, and more importantly, you are a wonderful mom while you do all that. Basically, I like you as a role model- we're all trying for balance, and you seem to do it well and tastefully so.
Since I'm one of your regular commenters and I know you read my blog, you probably know all you want to about me. :-) As far as feedback for you, I would say keep on doing what you've been doing. I love seeing how you'e transforming your home with projects that are doable for everyone, your tutorials are amazing, and I also like the posts you throw in now and then on your personal experiences, fashion, etc.
Have a great weekend!
WoW! You have a novel to read already, so I'll try to keep this short and sweet - I'll try :)
Answer to #1 and #4. I'm 32 and retired from the glamorous world of retail cosmetics (Clinique then Origins) to stay home with my 2 amazing kids ( a boy who's 6 and a girl who's 4 going on 21). While I love being their mom, I still consider Sephora to be my home away from home (or any cosmetics dept. for that matter.) I didn't care a single bit about decorating or design until my home became my "office", and then I started tinkering here and there trying to make our house a home. We're currently on house number 5 as we've moved around a lot for the hubs job. We think this one is "the one", and I even started a little blog about it (it's just a little baby blog).
# 2. I love to read and decorate (I'm now a Willow House Design Consultant).
# 3. I'd love for you to write some posts about jewelry- trends maybe or how to change a look from day to evening just by changing your accessories. Whatever you write I'll be here to read it - I love visiting :) Your home, your style, your projects are all simple stunning!
Oh, and I forgot to insert sarcasm in reference to the glamorous world of retail cosmetics (it's not glamorous. at. all.). Although it is really fun if you love girly things like moisturizer and lipstick ;)
Hey Janell,
I think I'm the first guy to comment on your blog...definitely a huge fan. I read you every day...sometimes several times a day. Love it!
I'm 32 and a former engineer for General Motors. I'm originally from a suburb of Detroit, however last year I left GM and am now teaching math, science, and science enrichment to 11-13 year olds underprivledged children in West Palm Beach, FL. I am uniquely challenged each and every day in ways I never thought possible! I'm not sure just yet if I will retire from teaching or reenter the corporate world at some point, but it has been a fantastic and eye-opening experience.
I am partnered...he is also an educator and a career opportunity for him is what brought us to Florida. We've been together for nearly 11 years now. (Slightly off topic, but that's like 100 in gay years!)
No children...we get our kid fix at school every day, but we have two dogs...a little, fluffy white Eskipoo named Shelby and a long-haired dachshund named Brasco.
Absolute favorite thing to do: Travel! While at GM, I worked overseas for a year. I was headquartered outside of Frankfurt, Germany, and took as many opportunities as I could to travel all throughout Europe. What an AMAZING, FANTASTIC experience! I also have a love for photography and all things interior design, but my decorating skills leave much to be desired. I have grand visions, but when they're executed, I'm never happy.
As far as blog topics, I seeing full room reveals. The rooms in your own home are fantastic, but I especially loved your Amazing Gray kitchen/great room redesign and your neighbor's bonus room reveal. Could I convince you to e-decorate my bedroom with the promise that I'll take fantastic pictures you can post on your blog?! LOL (Sorry, I know you're not taking on projects, but I can always hope!)
My own question...what's one thing I can't live without? Internet. I couldn't get my blog fix without it!
Hi Janell.
I am a 40 yr. old wife and mother of 3 little ones - Claire (5), Katherine (2 1/2 yrs.) and John (9 mo). I am enjoying life and finding my way as a SAHM, after a career in clinical research.
I love spending time with the family, traveling, cooking and entertaining. That said, if I had a free day, I would work-out and then begin and complete a project in the house.
I found my way to your fabulous blog while looking for design inspiration for our "new to us" 20 yr. old house. I look forward to your insights, consistent progress (how do you do it?) and tutorials every day. Sometimes I sit and ask myself, "WWJD - What would Janell do?" Here are some of the topics that come to mind:
Sewing 101 - Can you teach me to sew via your blog?
Ceiling color - What are your thoughts on ceiling colors? With crowning molding and without...
Buying fabric online - how to...
Tips for selecting, placing and hanging artwork
Thank you for sharing your talents with us! I look forward to your posts every day. You always deliver!
Cheers,
Amy
Love your blog!
1. I live in Nebraska, am married, and own a house, a dog, and a Jird (rodent). And a home improvement blog, too. :)
2. I love remodeling things, working on our house, painting, reading, writing, blogging, excercising, designing, etc, etc. I like to do lots of things. :)
3. I like following your home improvement projects and ideas! They totally inspire me!
4. Ummm... I've no idea on this one, haha!
~Chelsea
Hi Janell! I am a professional interior designer, a wife, a new empty nester, a new PNW transplant, and the owner of a beach house that I am renovating.
I love my family, design, and walking on the beach in the the winter.
I love the posts that you do on crafting, sewing, and painting projects for the home -- you are a marvelously gifted home stylist.
I am both creative and analytical, which is perfect in our field. My idea of a fun time, is spending hours and hours interviewing clients, drafting floor plans, digging into codes books, studying human anthropometric charts and work habits, then pulling it all together with drawings and finish selections.
Thanks for asking!
~Amanda
1. 27 year old Jamie from Nebraska. My husband and I have been married almost 3 years now and have lived in San Jose, STL, and back to Nebraska again for his work.
2. My new love is cooking for my husband, however, I am the pickiest eater and usually don't eat my creations. Also internet shopping, exercise and interior design.
3. DIY little quick fixes for the home. I love your posts about making a frame on the bathroom mirror, etc. How about shopping tips or your go-to resources for supplies and/or ideas.
4.. Favorite TV Show? Modern Family, for sure!
Thanks for your blog and for sharing your creativity with me each day!
I'm a 30 yr old SAHM to three young kiddos, who grew up in Portland (!) however lives in Henderson NV, misses the rain, and loves your style.
34, live in South Georgia originally from Orlando, FL. I have two boys (3 years old and 16 month). I am now a stay at home mom, but in my former life pre kids, I was an interior design major. I had to drop out due to husband's new job in a new state.
I constantly have new ideas for the house, but being a one income family, we have to live on a budget, so paint, upholstery, art, etc. frequently is pushed on the back burner. I try to figure out ways to copy what I see in the stores, to cut back on costs.
I'm going to go backwards in the list because I want to tell you that what I'd really love to see on your blog is a weekly design dilemma post. Maybe readers could put in submissions a week before, you could choose one, and post your answer the following week?
So many of us need help and could use your tasteful sense of style!
I'm a thirty something mom to toddler twin girls living in the Bay Area. I write a blog (I know, who doesn't?) about my vintage and antique finds. I'm also a contract floral designer, doing part-time work for several studio designers and floral shops in SF.
1. I fit your typical reader profile: married, kids, career, homeowner. Specifically, happily married for a lot of years, 3 kids growing up quickly, free lance work, and a home that is never quite "finished."
2. Gardening, biking, cooking, DIY home projects.
3. Monday: creating your own home decor accents. Tuesday: current trends for some room in my home. Wednesday: Tips on creating/finding/purchasing some fun thing for my home (like buying artwork from a gallery, not flooring or appliances). Thursday: Simple, yet elegant, seasonal decorating. Friday (whew! this is harder than I thought.) Answer reader questions?
4. Why do you read isabellaandmaxrooms blog? Because this is simply one of the best organized, beautifully presented, creative and educational home design blogs out there. Keep up the great work!
I love this! I'm in my late (cry) 30's and have 4 kids. I feel like in the past year I'm really into working on our home. Since I had my first child I feel like I've become much more creative than I was before. My friends and I are all in the same place, over the make-up and clothing stores, into the home stores. I love up-doing the pieces that would otherwise be looked over at Goodwill, estate sales, etc. Also, everything in my house has a story behind it because it was redone by me. I started reading blogs only about a year or so ago. I never really knew they existed, I thought they were all techy stuff. It has really opened my eyes to a new world. I recently started a blog so I could share all my home adventures and experiences. Maybe I can pass something on to others they way things have been passed to me as a reader. I enjoy reading your blog and thank you for giving readers this opportunity.
1. I am a blogger from Finland, who has been this inspiring blog for ½ year. 40+, career in textiles and fashion, but I also have a degree in interior design, married,no children, no animals.
2. Blogging, obviously (in English and Finnish), cooking, baking, photography, reading and travel (well over 30 countries). If I had a free day, I would travel (or sleep…), but today I actually will paint a wall in our bedroom.
3. Pls continue telling about the great DIY projects in your house.
4. Where will I travel next? To Paris, again. In four weeks I will head to my 32nd textile fair in Paris, log days at the fairs, but try to steal some moments for (window) shopping as well…
1. I am a blogger from Finland, who has been this inspiring blog for ½ year. 40+, career in textiles and fashion, but I also have a degree in interior design, married,no children, no animals.
2. Blogging, obviously (in English and Finnish), cooking, baking, photography, reading and travel (well over 30 countries). If I had a free day, I would travel (or sleep…), but today I actually will paint a wall in our bedroom.
3. Pls continue telling about the great DIY projects in your house.
4. Where will I travel next? To Paris, again. In four weeks I will head to my 32nd textile fair in Paris, log days at the fairs, but try to steal some moments for (window) shopping as well…
1: 33yr Female in Boston -I've been "stalking" your blog daily since I first stumbled upon it in September. I just purchased my first house and am design challenged!!! You have such creative ideas and inspiration.
2: I enjoy kitting, shopping, reading and surfing BLOGS!
3: More on how to design a room on a budget, how to talk a husband into liking/agreeing to new great ideas/makeovers!!!
36 yr old married SAHM of 3, live in northern NJ, right outside NYC, not an animal lover.
If I had a free day I would go to a bookstore, enjoy some home improvement magazines and a nice pastry, or work on a home decor project.
I like seeing all the projects you work on around your home.
What a fun idea!!
Laura, 27, married, mother of two doggies who I do baby like children. Working full-time but love to craft and create after hours.
I would love to see ideas and style tips you have for shelves and bookcases!! I'm always looking for new ideas and better ways to style mine.
Love your blog and love seeing what you're up to in your house. I constantly have a work in progress in my house - great to see yours as inspiration and motivation!
Hi Janell-I have read your blog EVERY day for the past year or so maybe longer. First time commenting. I love so much about your blog. Maybe it is your cute kids, your organization, or your step-by-step photo tutorials. I think that is the best part. Some blogs take blurry photos of tiny white quarter rounds from 20' away -not helpful. Well, I am a midwest (but from the warm south) sahm of 3 boys-last one went to kindergarten this year. They go to catholic school and it has been great for our family. I have learned a lot about my religion recently and really like being catholic. I am quite messy but I try to keep a clean house JUST LIKE YOURS when the spirit hits me. I would like to work but am quite apprehensive about the age thing- 42. We have a german shepherd, 3 ragdoll cats, and I am glad we gave away our guinea pig snorky years ago. Out of all our animals I think he was the hardest work for mom with the cage cleanings all the time. I love animals. I read "Dewey" the libaray cat recently. It was good reading. Thanks for being brave. The one thing I like about your blogs is that you are willing to go outside your comfort zone (such as "watch me build something" and let's glue the bedskirt to the boxspring ) and document it. And it looks good! Also the 2nd thing I like about your blog is your consistency. I can count on reading something just about every day which is exactly what I have been doing!! Also thanks for staying down-to-earth and liking Target. I always think professional designers might take it up a notch when the rest of us really need more accesible style.
We will be doing an addition to our house-new Master bath, Master BR, family room and basement under neath. I am apprehensive b/c I want to make it just right re-using as much as possible. Well-we shall see. I hope to comment more for you. Thanks for your blog!
1. I am married, two kids, two dogs, four fish, a public school administrator, a cub scout mom, a junior league volunteer.
2. I love to read blogs, but also love yoga, reading books, and decorating.
3. A "little details" focus on 7 different room, or 5 rooms, the porch and the yard or garden.
4. I love seeing my former kinder kids all grown up.
My name is Mandy. I live in Pennsylvania, have 7 kids, busy totally renovating an old Victorian farmhouse, homeschooling. I love to take old things and make them beautiful or useful again, especially if I can think of a new way to use it. I also like to sew, smock, embroider, paint (especially furniture). My priorities in life are to love God with my whole being, be a good respectful wife, and raise my children lovingly and patiently. I really enjoy reading your blog and am so thankful that you take the time to share it with us. You have some very lovely ideas and your house is beautiful. My favorite posts are when you share the things you create and how you did it.
Hi Janell -
I discovered your blog a couple months ago when I was looking for tutorials on the internet in my search for ideas to redecorate my home. Now I am your loyal follower :-) Love your ideas and projects! Anyway, here goes:
1.)My name is Julie, I am 41 years old, and a mother of two little boys, ages 4 and 18 months. I live in NW Montana near Glacier National Park on a beautiful little lake the color of turquoise (when it is not frozen over,that is). I moved to Montana eight years ago after growing up in Wisconsin and then living 10 years in Salem and Portland, OR. I still miss Portland and it feels like home when I return, but I also love living in the outdoor paradise here. I am a pediatric physical therapist but have been staying home with my boys since my second son was born.
2.) I love outdoor activities and sports. I downhill ski in the winter, boat and water ski in the summer, play tennis and do Taekwondo. I started training to test for my black belt later this year. I also love DIY projects and home decorating but am very much an amateur. I use every free moment tearing down the oh-so-beautiful 90's floral wallpaper and replacing the frilly polished brass fixtures in the lovely, yet very dated home we bought last year!
3.) I just love reading about all of your DIY projects and room re-do's. I am exhausted just thinking about everything you do! I look forward each day to see what you have dreamed up. You are just going to have to keep decorating your home forever, and if you ever finish, you will have to re-decorate it all or move to a new house so I can keep reading about it!!
4.) What is my decorating inspiration? Well, since I am a left-brained, concrete sequential, scientific procedure-type girl, I lack creativity, so I shamelessly steal ideas from all you lovely, creative bloggers out there. As far as translating the ideas to my own personal style, I use natural elements outside my door. Right now I am re-decorating my master bedroom using the colors of the lake, beach, sky, and mountains as my inspiration. I also let my home dictate my direction. I have a very traditional, somewhat formal home, so my style is heading that direction, while injecting some more contemporary elements. (Wow, I almost sound like I know what I am talking about!) So now that I have prattled on for too long, I will say thank you, Janell, for your inspiration, and for taking the time to get to know us!
Julie
Hi, I'm a 35 year old living in Texas - married with 2 kids - a 9 year old girl and 7 year old boy, and we have a beagle dog named Molly :) I work full time teaching 3-6 year olds in a Montessori school.
I love your blog, I found it in 2009 I guess soon after we'd moved to a new (to us) home. I painted our kitchen cabinets "softer tan" like you did in your kitchen.
I have a blog named "Kiwi in Texas" - I am originally from New Zealand but have been living in TX almost 12 years now. My blog is a combination of family scrapbook / decorating my home - mostly to keep my family and friends who I don't see all the time up to date.
I like your style of decorating and all your ideas don't have to cost a lot of money - eg. painting furniture and chalkboard paint etc, projects that are "do-able" for average people
Hi Janell! I LOVE your blog. I make sure I am always caught up on it. My name is Nissa. I am mostly a SAHM but I used to be a professional ballet dancer so 2 days a week I teach ballet. I am married and have a 3 year old little girl. On a free day I would read, do some DIY projects, go to a flea market and cook some yummy and healthy food for my family and friends. I would love a whole week of tutorials on budget friendly ways to achieve high end looks. Thank you so much for your blog and the inspiration it brings me every day. I truly look forward to reading it every day! Thank you!
Lisa Groves...great question. I think it is a great idea to leave the doors stained, particularly with younger kids. You can always paint them down the road if you decide to have them match the trim. I know your husband will be HAPPY to read this response!
Janell
Thanks everyone for leaving such detailed comments! I've responded to your questions directly if you have a response email set up. Such great feedback and you have given me a lot to think about and many great ideas of things you'd like to read more of in my posts! Thanks...Janell
Hi Janell! I've been obsessively following your blog for about 6 months now since I stumbled upon design blogland! I must say I could spend all day here. (If my kids would let me! hehehe!) I am a 31 yr old SAHM to two amazing kiddos, Maddy-5 and Jack-2 and I too live in the Portland area, East Gresham to be exact. I'm not a frequent commenter, but I have a couple times ( I once suggested looking into an air brush pen for stenciling, I love mine!.) I love working out and everything about design. We've been renovating our 1927 Tudor style home for the past 9 years with our own ideas, blood, sweat and tears and I have been hoping to start my own design blog if I can just get past the fear!!!I am very thrifty (maybe just cheap!) and love DIY. So naturally I love your DIY posts and tutorials. I recently sewed 4 drapery panels for my dining room. ( Sand faux silk on top and chocolate crepe on bottom, double width, lined, and pleated) Naturally, I was exhausted and HATED sewing when I finally finished. The panels look nice but don't hang like they should. I would love some tips on spacing between drapery pins and how to address the ends so they lay back nicely. Any other tips to help salvage my endless hours of sewing would be awesome!! I did learn from you that you must condition the folds. Great tip! Just one of many you offer! Thanks for your blog and keep up the good work!
1. South of Seattle Suburb married mommy of 2, working (etsy shop) SAHM. no pets (kiddos have bad allergies & I don't need 1 more to clean up after!)
2. Family, parties, entertaining, crafting, decorating, bargain shopping
3. I would love it if you give readers ideas/inspiration board. They send in a ohoto of the room & 1-3 items they like (favorite shirt, cute necklace, throw pillow, whatever they love!) & you work your creative magic!
Carli
My name is Katharine and I'm 49. I live in the suburbs of Los Angeles with my daughter, who's 13, her dad and 2 cats. I sell stuff online for a living on e-BAY.
Lately my favorite hobby is blogging. I love to read, read, read and do crafts, play the piano and go to the movies.
I usually write about my e-store "Kat's Purrfect Boutique". On Wednesdays I post a wordless post and on other days I post about crafts and what ever is going on in my life.
What do I want in the future? I want to make my fibromyalgia symptoms go into remission and be free of pain and other problems. I want to have more energy and be able to do more fun things with Natalie, my daughter. I want her to be happier and feel at peace with herself and her world. This would make me happier and at peace.
I'm Emily, 29, eye doc from Maryland, and expecting my first in March. (Ahem, although my schnauzer will always be my first child :) ) All of my free time is consumed by working on the 210 year old home my husband and I bought in 2009 (and/or blogging about it), and the current project is the nursery of course. I love reading about your projects and creative ideas. Thanks!
I guess I'm bringing up the rear. :)
I'm 40, married, three children, live in charming Annapolis, MD. I blog inconsistently.
I love tulips, gerber daises, chocolate, sparkling wine, the smell of a new book, white dishes, classic architecture, throaty rock singers, art, and design, to name slightly more than a few.
A week's worth of post topics for you: showing the finished console, a fresh tour of your beautiful kitchen, a photo of your entry door (I imagine it is classic and beautiful), a revisit to making (more) drapes, how you choose art, tips on adding impact in small spaces (like powder rooms) on small budgets, and which websites you always peruse for great sales.
And for my own ask and answer question - what do I want to be when I grow up? Still everything, and therein is the problem! :)
1. I'm Heather. 33 years old and my husband and I are coming up on our 3rd anniversary. We don't have any kids yet, but are currently TTC. We've had two beta fish for 5 years; they haven't always been the same fish. We moved from Massachusetts to Florida last April to be closer to family, and are building a house. Official closing date if February 17th, at which point we'll be inheriting my MIL border terrier (MIL passed away last February, and the dog has been living with my sister-in-law and crew). I've worked in the lighting industry for 11 years, but for a manufacturer. I keep telling myself I have enough background that I should study to become a lighting designer, but haven't taken the leap yet.
2. I enjoy decorating, although I'm not sure I'm all that great doing it (but I love reading about it!) I love, love, love, love watching hockey (did I mention I love hockey?) Also enjoy watching movies. Once we're officially in the house, I'm going to try my hand at a number of decorating projects I've been thinking about.
3. I mentioned I love hockey, but my husband is a sports fanatic. He has a lot of sports memorabilia (tickets to superbowls, framed artwork, signed hockey sticks, baseballs, etc.). When we lived in our condo, it was kind of stashed in the corner of our second bedroom. I'd like to do something to display these items (especially since a number of the events he attended with his mom, who passed away) but I don't want it to look like a bunch of crap threw up in a dorm room. Any ideas on how to display these items in a way that looks finished and grown up would be GREATLY appreciated!!!
1 & 2. My nickname is Yoli and I am 45yr SAHM who is returning back to the workforce after being at home for 7yrs with our little boy. Married, mother of one . . . avid scrapbooker . . . want to be photographer . . . adventurous travelers . . . lazy gardener . . . aspiring interior decorator and a want to be DYI gal! I think that covers everything. LOL
3. A wk's worth of post: how to peaceful cohabitate with a 7 yr old who has more toys that a retail store because DH is reliving his childhood! I have books, electronics, gadget and Lego (the worst offender) EVERYWHERE. So how do I make the rooms beautiful (for me) yet practical for the boys? I've forbidden family, friends and DH from buying anymore Lego but what do I do with what they already have?
Another question. My decor has been pretty traditional. I would like to infuse a few modern pieces into the room. How can these two styles live harmoniously in one space?
last question: choosing paint colors. My lvg room has dark colored walls & dark furniture and not enough natural light making it look like a cave. I've painted the room . . . I've paid someone to paint the room and yet it still looks like a cave. I love the wall color . . . like the furniture . . . but something has to go. Changing the paint color is the least expensive option. Now all I have to do is pick the right color. Help????
I would also like to see more dyi projects and ideas for merchandising our space . . . especially the fireplace mantel.
I think this is more than what you asked for but I appreciate you allowing us to give some feedback. Love your blog. Keep the inspiration coming!
Great idea! First off I love your blog!
My name is Gina. I am a wife and mom of three children. We live in New England, just north of Boston I love all things about homes. I love decorating, design, organization, gardening, and entertaining. I really enjoy creating things and attempting my own DIY projects. My career is as a Realtor, however my true passion is to work, hands on decorating and designing beautiful spaces.
I started my own blog (New England Home and Garden)a few months ago to document the progress of my own home projects, and a means for me to let out my creative side.
My question would be how do I take all of these thing that I love and make it more of a career than a just hobby?
Gina
Janell,
My name is Ingrid. I am a stay at home mom of two girls, one is 5 1/2 and the other is 8. I live in Seattle and love it. I have a passion for design and DIY projects. I have been following your blog for about six months and truly love it. You really inspire me to make my home more beautiful. I loved seeing your post on your visit to Seattle. I am glad your family had such a great visit. I am taking my older daughter to the Picasso exhibit next week, we are very excited! If I have a free day I try to finish my projects that have piled up on my to do list, so I fell like I have accomplished something. Like this weekend I am painting my girls room, painting their dressers, and going to try and make the pelmet boxes I saw on Little Green notebook. I am also going to add some fun trim to their roller shade. I will love when I look at it and see what I have accomplished and how beautiful it is, and it really wasn't that hard. You and the other design bloggers out their are the ones that inspire us to do all of this! Keep up the great work. I look forward to reading your blog everyday!
Hi Janell, I'm 40, a SAHM of three (two of whom are wrestling on my legs as I type, despite the fact that one is 7 and the other is 15!) I troll (usually) design blogs looking for ideas/inspiration/guidance/HELP as I plan our house that we are rebuilding after a fire. (This has been a great activity for avoiding doing the inventory for insurance too). I "met" your blog through houzz.com.
I would appreciate a post about how to organize oneself during a house build. I'm thinking samples, brochures, etc. Also, it would be great to see posts on kitchens that have used modest materials (laminate...can't think of other examples at the moment) with great style. Or maybe one about weighing where to splurge and where to economize in design. This is totally subjective, but just the discussion is helpful.
Thanks.
Well, first off, I love your blog and check it almost every day. I am married, mother of a little 21 month old boy - he is darling. But don't all mothers think that of their own! Truly, he is a joy. I work from home, which is often a challenge for I am neither a "stay at home mom" or a "mom that works". I am both without full time childcare and I can always see my laundry pile and dust! Ugh! Enjoy decorating, sewing, reading and baking. We live at the beach, so a fun day for us is playing and picnicing there!
Janell - could you maybe cover how to choose lighting for a room or identifying style. Sometimes I get something home hoping it works and it does not. I have been encouraged to only buy things I love, but most things I love are seriously out of our price range. My hubby calls it expensive taste!
What keeps me going? Time alone with God and His Word. I am amazed that such a relationship has amazing effects on my heart and happiness!
Thank you for the blog, Janell, and sharing your life!
1. I'm Jessi; from Minnesota. I work full time in HR and live with my loverly husband.
2. I love to stay active (running/sports) and my secret obsession is decorating our home. I have to simmer on projects for awhile before I take action them just to make sure I'm not jumping on a bad idea too quickly! If i had a free day I would start with coffee, stay in my jammies all day and curl up with a big book in front of the fireplace.
3. A weeks worth of posts would be the entire evolution of a room from start to finish. Your son's room was a great example! I love seeing people's very initial ideas translate into a great finished project. I know it would get tough to do this all the time but featuring others would be great too!
LOVE the blog!
I'm Kim. I work for a logistics company and live in Pittsburgh, where I share my apartment with two rabbits and a ferret(all adopted, as well as a two year old betta fish, a pair of hermit crabs, and a boyfriend who doesn't live here but visits a lot. When I have time off I love to read magazines, books, and my Google reader; do yoga; work on crafty projects; spend some time with the dogs at the Humane Society; catch up on TiVo; and in the warmer months I lead kayaking trips for an outdoor non-profit and like to cycle.
1. I'm Catherine, 28, live with my boyfriend of 5 years in a rental. I live in Melbourne, Australia, and I'm a Social Worker. No kids, no pets- one day though!
2. Shopping! Decorating my house, working on the garden, going out with friends, traveling.
3. Hmm... tips on decorating a rental ie. nothing too expensive or permanent. How to keep a laundry organised (this seems an elusive concept to me).
Skipping 4. due to lack of imagination!
I am Jenn, I live on Martha's Vineyard with my husband and 2 kids. I would love to spend more time on our 100 year old house, but I work part time and then run around with the kids the rest of the week!
My house challenge is how to add storage to an old house -- we have no cabinets in the bathrooms, only a couple in the kitchen, and strangely placed closets. It feels like all of our stuff is OUT all of the time! Any ideas along the lines of adding much needed storage and I will be your best friend. Honest!
I am Carolyn, the big 4-0, married to my college sweetheart, mom to 4 young boys. My only girl is our yellow lab, Sadie, who unfortunately is allergic to everything under the sun. I'm originally a Jersey girl, but have lived in the Midwest for many years.
I am a SAHM, but before kids I worked in PR for several non-profits and had my own event marketing business. I recently started a blog, Sweet Chaos, to document our master bathroom remodel and to start using my brain to do some creative writing :)
I love to sing, play piano, read, play tennis, refinish furniture, and hang out with my family.
I would love to read more from you about scale... how to determine appropriate size of rugs, accessories, etc, in a room. Mostly I figure mine by trial and error, but if you have some sort of formula you could share, I would appreciate that.
Thanks for all your wonderful posts, which I'm still reading as I'm fairly new to your blog :)
Hi - Katy a designer by trade but not working in the field that loves to see what others are doing in the design field.
I love posts of projects - crafty or home-y. Yes I just said "homey" oh my!
Love your blog and how you are so good at keeping it real! Loving the new look too!!
Love this idea!
1. I'm from California but am going to interior design school at Seattle Pacific University in Washington! Learning to adjust to the rain! I'm single, just waiting for prince charming (: And I have an adorable golden retriever back home in CA. (And my mom, dad and brother live there, too!)
2. I love the beach, swimming, getting my nails done, shopping, disneyland, drinking tea, anything girly and beautiful, design, painting, hiking, singing, going on vacations, going into open houses, and watching TLC and HGTV!
3. Hmm...I love anything you post on! I guess I'd like to see more of your home and learn more about you and your family...because I'm nosey (: I'd also love to know how you started the blog and got your name out there, as I'll be needing to do that soon after I graduate!
Lots of love to you, Janell!
I'm a 27 year old single gal finishing my BA before getting my teaching credential in Sacramento, Ca.
I love both reading and watching TV or movies. Watching TV or movies with the boyfriend is a great thing, definitely need to find another one of those who has similar tastes!
I love to see your tutorials! Anything that I could possibly recreate myself is fascinating!
I have no idea what else to include! I tend to over share, so I'll stick to specific questions asked!
Hi,I am 41 years old and live in Rome, Italy. I am married with a journalist and we have two boys (20 and 17 years old) I have also a puppy Labrador Retriver ( 5 months) called Belle. I write cultural items for www.noiroma.it. I love all good things: food, travel, books and also art, design ecoliving. I like DIY, sewing and interior design. I love your wonderful blog! One of my favorites. It is perfect! Thanks for sharing your talent with us!
Hi Janell,
This is Lynn, from the Houston, Tx area. I am a kindergarten teacher with 2 married children and a high school senior still at home. I love to read your blog for inspiration and to see paint colors on walls and furniture. I haven't done much with my home since beginning teaching 10 years ago and it needs some sprucing up. I began reading blogs this past summer.
1. I'm Angelina and live in MI (originally from Canada). I was married May of last year and we bought a little house that needed/needs to be gutted and redone. It's a process:)
2. I love helping my husband with his work, fixing the house, baking, cooking, organizing, sewing, scrap booking, blogging (http://angelinalynn.blogspot.com/)....
3. Projects:) Just to make life difficult!
4. Here's a question for you- what was/is your biggest life changer/motivator?
Again thanks for all your comments, sharing information about yourself and what you would like to see on this blog! I've answered many of you (who have the function to do so set up in your profile) and have yet to answer a couple more detailed questions, but I've read them all! As for the last comment, what has/is my biggest life changer/motivator? Having children, hands down. Before that I think I was pretty much just a big kid myself. Having children helped me grow up a little and be determined to live my best life, for myself, my family and as a model for them.
Janell
I am a mom of four expecting our 5th in June. I am very busy with my kids but I love to decorate my home and organize my home to accomodate our busy household needs. I love finding good deals especially on house stuff! I am currently stuggling to put together a room plan for my two oldest sons (teenagers) to make room for baby they will need to share a room. I would love ideas for teen rooms and shared room ideas! Love your blog and your easy to follow tutorials!
YAY! How fun!
1. I am Katie Bower. I live in the burbs outside Atlanta, Georgia. almost 30 (Gasp!) mom to Will, married to Jeremy...fond of dogs.
2. I love blogging, photography, DIY projects, throwing parties, and sleeping. I love me some good ole fashioned 14 hour sleep-fests.
3. ANYTHING! I love it all. Keep on keepin' on :)
4. Random fact about me is that I get hematomas very easily...and I fall alot...resulting in many days of bumps on my face that look like deformities.
1. I am Jessica I live in Jacksonville Florida with my husband and 3.5 month old son Micah - the reason it's taken me so long to comment! Im 25 and am a stay at home mom... with a small etsy business and blog to keep me busy. I love dogs but dont want one!
2. Crafting and decorating...I can't even fathom what I would do with a free day anymore!
3. I love what your doing already
I've been meaning to come back to this and post... finally made it back!
1. My name is Tara and I live in San Jose with my hubby Oliver. I am a social cognitive therapist - I teach students with high functioning autism, ADHD, Aspergers, etc. how to think socially and improve their social interactions. I *love* my job and look forward to going to work every day! No kids yet, but we LOVE kids. We have two chinchillas (one who is blind and deaf) and a horse :)
2. I love anything "creative" -- I tell people all the time "I don't have an artistic bone in my body, but I can be creative!". I have dabbled in almost everything -- clay, scrapbooking, card making, stamping, sewing, knitting, crochet. Always willing to try something new!
3. I'm so into making things for my new home right now. Especially with V-day coming around -- any decorations and such to build up the romance and fun of this holiday (I'm such a sucker for anything romantic!)
4. Three items always in my purse: Canon G9, BBW chap stick, BBW Shea Cashmere hand lotion -- I snap photos ALL the time and hate it when I only have my camera phone. I also have a huge fear of smelling paired with the need to be moisturized. So good smelling lotion and lipbalm is a must! :)
I love this idea! Thanks for thinking about us!
1. I'm Kimberly Moore from Seattle. I'm living in Provo, Utah with my sweet husband (of two months!). I'm an interior design student, he's an engineering student, both of us on the brink of graduation. Yay!
2. We LOVE traveling (e.g. honeymooned in Paris), photography, and making lists! I cannot get enough of design. It's just in my blood! I started my own blog Third Floor Design Studio and am hooked to the blogging world.
3. What tools every interior designer must have in her toolbox, what fabrics should be used where, glossy vs. matte finishes (paint), top resources for fabric, and color trends.
4. What is one goal I have for this year?
Make my blog a place that many people like to visit not only for inspiration but to learn how to become a designer themselves!
Who are you?
I am Maria, 34. I'm married, 2 girls, love dogs that belong to other people, and have worked for one of the best employers I've known for 14 years at USAA
(As a side note, I recently found out your husband John G is a contractor here. I haven't worked with him personally, but I work in the "project world" and my colleagues speak very highly of him. :)
I also am paralyzed when it comes to decorating. I know what I like but can't seem to make things "fit" together. So I subscribe to your wonderful blog as well as others to help "unparalyze" me.
2. What do you love? (Activities, hobbies, projects, interests: if you had a free day what would you do?)
Besides the obvious family, friends, etc. I love pretty things.
Also love rock climbing, traveling, water sports, and rock climbing and water sporting while traveling.
3. If you could give me a week's worth of post topics, what would I be writing about on those days?
I'd love a topic on "1 hour projects" or 2 hour projects. YOu know something that doesn't take to long. Also would love topics spray painting.
4. This question is up for grabs...write your own question and answer it as you like!
Can you come help me decorate, next time you're in San Antonio? I hope that's soon.
If this isn't an option, what are your thoughts on spray painting things. Things like furniture.
I am so curious and looking forward to hearing from you! And again, a huge thank you for spending a moment of your day to visit this blog.
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