The Blog Rabbit Trail...

I think one of the best things about blogging for me will be that I can look back and see where I have come from.  I am new to this, but am having fun with it!  I was thinking whatever got me started in the first place.

I really got the design bug in our last home.  (Actually, I have always been obsessed with it.  When other little girls in our neighborhood would play school, I was making my own magazines--my first one was called "Paisley Park"!  I totally remember it.  I also remember these lace-up floral boots I wore in 6th grade.  These stick out in my mind because they are my first memory of taking a bold design move.)  

Anyway, I knew I had this passion and I had a friend come help me, Anisa Darnell.  She is awesome.  I will post her house someday when she lets me.  Her home will be in a magazine (or two, or three) one day!

She helped me get out of my comfort zone and get a little bold!

The kitchen wasn't so bold--but these stripes were a bold move!  (I know I look tired in that picture.  Wyatt didn't sleep well til 20 months!)

Yet, even after we changed our home, Chris and I knew in our hearts that it was time to sell our home.  Bad market in Atlanta notwithstanding, we still listed it.  

It sold at the first showing.  I am not being boastful, it was God's will....just explaining that this gave me some confirmation for my passion for design.  I worked my hiney off to stage that home (Chris did, too)! I cleaned, got a storage unit, and learned a lot from Ms. Sabrina Soto.  They day of our first showing I bought $20 worth of white roses from Wal-Mart and sprinkled them throughout the home.  I loaded up two babies, the dog, and what I had left of my sanity.  I prayed that day, "God, I feel that it is your will for us to move.  If so, please let it be today.  I don't think I can do this again."

It went under contract!

We found this diamond-in-the-rough....so I needed some design help.

Then begins my first experience with design blogs.  While looking at Wisteria's website (sorry, don't know how to do embedded links yet), I looked at their "design community" link.  I saw this blog:

I loved it!  I began searching and learning.  Not only did I love Brooke's style, I loved her spirit.  I think one reason I never got into a career in design was my fear that all design lovers were superficial and materialistic.  My brief experience in the fashion world in my early '20s showed me that.

I was wrong.  I began learning that many design-obsessed (like myself), loved design for the art of it; like they were expressing their souls.  From her blog I found others like Erika from Urban Grace, Marianne at Haven and Home and Rachel at Nest Egg.  Not only were these women talented (and lovely), but I could tell from their posts that they did so to glorify God.

This gave me hope!

From there, I found Lauren's blog at Pure Style Home.  At first, I must admit, I was jealous.  Not only is she uber-talented, beautiful, and seemingly living an ideal family life, but she is ambitious!  

(I love this bedroom redo she did at a woman's shelter.  Style really doesn't have to cost a lot!)

I have learned that when I feel jealous it usually means that I need to get my butt up and do something.  

Now, I really just feel respect for her.

I loved how open she and revealing she was in her blog.  I also got some ideas from her!

I feel in love with this:

Her breakfast nook

So, I emailed her and she told me where to get this:

So sad, but it was discontinued!  So, I found this at Home Depot:

I absolutely love it!  (And the price fit our budget well).

From there, I found myself discovering more online design, like Sibella Court:

Whose style and fearlessness is so inspiring.  When you take risks, not everyone will like it.

I love that about designers.  

That makes me think about Lauren again.  She became a bonefide designer here:

You hang a globe up like a light fixture--then you've got design cahones!!

My favorite blogs also come from Sweden...I love images like these (credits unknown):

Wow...that was cheaper than therapy!  Take care, Julie