07 Oct Why I Didn’t Want to Start a Blog… But Did Anyway

Up until recently, I thought that starting a blog was a total waste of time.  I really only interacted with blogs when I’d click on a photo of a meal on Pinterest and try to find the recipe, only to discover that I had to scroll about 80 times to get down to the recipe at the very end.  Who takes the time to read all of that?!  Then I hired Amanda of Faith Maxwell to help me with my marketing.  I’m still not an enthusiast, but now I at least get it…enough to start one myself, apparently!

It turns out that I like writing blog posts better than I like reading them.  What a shock – I’m the talker of the family.  So I can just talk about whatever I want to talk about and maybe someone will read it, maybe not?  Good enough for me! 

Joking aside, I actually feel like us interior designers could demystify the industry a bit for our clients and proponents alike.  Why is it that when most people find out what I do for a living they end up making some comment about how much help they need at their house but they’d be so embarrassed for me to see it?  Why do we have so much shame in our homes?  And why don’t we think our homes are good enough?  I blame it partially on our “more is more” culture that is propelled by mass consumerism and the focus on buying quantity over quality.  We are always seeing adds and influencers talking about the next new product or clothing item or home décor trend that we really don’t want to miss!  So what would happen if we missed it?  Maybe our lives would be somehow less?  Ok, I’m getting a little too existential, let’s get back on topic.

 My recent attic cleanout – I own waayyyyy too much stuff!

Another reason I think we are nervous to show our home to other people (like designers, but really anyone), is that our home is oftentimes an exterior reflection of ourselves.  What do we find beautiful?  What do we value?  Letting someone into your home for the first time is almost like letting them see another facet of yourself.  And then of course, if you don’t feel like your home reflects you (kid-stained sofa anyone?  Hand-me-down table lamp that’s ugly but not in your budget to replace right now?), there’s the anxiety of being judged by those things that you feel don’t represent who you are.  Is what I’m saying resonating with anyone?

So basically, I would like to be a voice out there for those of you who want to learn more about interior design and décor without making you feel like you are somehow lesser or in some way judged by what makes you happy in life.  I think the people with the most attractive homes are those people who are proud of who they are and what they enjoy in life.  And a little help styling those items and channeling that look in a cohesive way doesn’t hurt either (which is why you hire me!) ;-).  If you’re just concerned about keeping up with the latest trend or impressing other people, your home will probably just end up looking like a Pottery Barn add – looking generic and lacking personality.  That’s not to say I’ve never bought things from Pottery Barn, either!  I’m just saying that is doesn’t have to be your end all be all or gold standard for design.  And that applies to any other large home décor store or online shop!

Attractive to look at? Yes.  But can you explain the personality of the person who lives here? Image from http://www.potterybarn.com

Before I dig myself an even deeper hole, I should probably just wrap this up by saying that good interior design doesn’t have to be intimidating, unobtainable, or restricted.  You actually possess all of the elements within you that makes interior design so special – individuality, personality, and history.  (Ok, and yes, money doesn’t hurt in our society either, but I’ve seen a lot of money make some pretty ugly, boring homes!)  And as your interior designer, I’m just here to give you the tools to put them all together and highlight the beauty in all of those elements.  Can you tell that I previously worked in social services?  I always tell people that I see myself as a social worker of interior design.

A room with personality gives us some insight about the person who lives here.

So congratulations if you made it to the end of this blog post!  Maybe you just found one of these photos on Pinterest, wanted to find out where it led, and ended up scrolling about 80 times to see if I had anything worth looking at.  Or maybe you’re doing some googling 2 years from now and found this.  Or maybe you’re my sister and are my biggest fan and would read it even if it was an essay on dog poop.  Maybe you’re my husband and have been forced to proof-read it.  Or maybe I’ve hired you for marketing and I pay you to read it.  It’s all good!  I’m here if you ever decide to find me 😊