I've been thinking for quite some time that I'd love for there to be away to bring more personality into this blog in a casual way. We could share and chat about what we're reading or wearing or seeing or something we bought our kids that I just HAVE to tell someone about. Weekend plans. Funny quips from the week. And then I realized "Maybe that's why people do Friday links?" Truthfully I don't know why other bloggers do, but it makes sense to me. That sometimes I have little things or thoughts I want to share with you, that perhaps don't justify a whole post. So, I thought here on Fridays would be a fun way to share those thoughts in a concise and casual way with all of you. Sound good?? Onto the links!
• The One Room Challenge started this week! Are you following along? I'm really anxious to see how Gwen's basement progresses. It's nice to see another basement renovation in the blogosphere and I have no doubt hers will be amazing. I haven't followed the ORC for very long, can someone explain the bloggers that have hired designers? I feel like my eyes crossed a little when I read a few of those. I sincerely need enlightened.
• This skirt is so effortless and casual. I ordered it to wear in a big photoshoot we have in two weeks. (I'm not allowed to go into details until it goes to print later this year (worst!), but we're very very excited)
• Have you been following this Modern Mountain Home being revealed this week? That staircase stopped me in my tracks.
• And finally, all 30 of our Minted winners! (We announced the Schlage winner, too!):
@eskimomama @grittb @sixtyfifthavenue @lemonboyce @impatientgardener @missssleah @glpaints @courtneyseo @sarahschultz710 @domesticaited @jennywalt @kfullms @mamareaux @kirsten_weis @dianaschneider @rwagner @alyssahaws @chippasunshine @currie.12 @lizlemonwood @ladyluchia241 @elysekemper @megsdaly @nicholnaranjo @nikkikingslayer @birdsofberwick @alycat_27 @ericastubblefield @baileyaad @emilyjpotter
Have a great weekend! (It's supposedly freezing in Long Island, but we're smiling the whole way there. #adrenaline)
SOURCES FROM LIVING ROOM PHOTO:
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WE'RE CHRIS + JULIA
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I really look forward to the One Room Challenge, it’s one of the most fun blogging events for people who love interior design. I really enjoy watching designers create rooms and I also love the participants who just love design link up and give it a go too, in fact some of those were my actual favorites last time. The ORC progressively has gotten bigger each year and we’re now talking some nice products that come along with it so personally it does rub me the wrong way that some of the popular bloggers who actually are very good designers already on their own are asking for help from other designers. I guess I just looked at it as more of a challenge without outside help showcasing their talents if that makes sense. If that person is a featured designer I guess I just figured they should be the one doing the design.
New reader here -- happy birthday and love the dollhouse!
I'm another person who's confused and disappointed by supposed design bloggers using designers in the ORC. I also don't understand some bloggers who are participating in a six-week challenge who announce in the first week that their project was already 80 percent done before starting : ( . With a limited number of design bloggers participating, I'd like all the projects to be "meaty" ones.
It's great to see Linda here, too! I don't know about other readers, but while at the end of each project there are certain rooms I prefer because of style, the best thing about the ORC is following along with the process for the first five weeks, when style doesn't really come into it for me.
LOVE Squints and the whole Sandlot crew, it's my son's all time favorite movie and we watch it often. One of my favorite recent summer memories, while having an outdoor family movie night is hearing my son and all of his 9 year old buddies quote along (scream in unison) with the movie "YOU PLAY BASEBALL LIKE A GIRL!"
*kudos, not kiddos;)
Hi! I'm a big fan of your blog! I'm participating in the one room challenge for a second time and again collaborating with a designer whose work I admire and respect. I originally contacted Sita for the first challenge just to bounce ideas off of and we ended up making a great team. I had a vision for the room originally, including adding built-ins that I designed and contracted out, but I felt like I could use help with scale and the tight timeline. Sita was wonderful to work with and I'm comfortable saying we had a true partnership in completing the room. She sourced some things, I sourced others. She was available to talk through things and I really appreciated her input. Also, as a fan of Sita's work, I was happy to have her on board so I could promote her and help give her some exposure. That the nursery was so well received and got recognition was great and I'm happy to share the kiddos with Sita! I'm proud to have worked with her and sing her praises! Because my first experience with her in the ORC was so positive, I figured it was only natural to work together again on my office makeover. I know other participants in the ORC have used designers in the past, so I didn't realize there was any faux pas in that (especially if you're up front about it and give appropriate credit). I'm super excited about the challenge this time, it's starting to come together! Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts here!
I hadn't thought about your point about bloggers hiring designers for the ORC, but I totally get it. Doesn't that defeat the purpose? I wonder if the blogger is paying the designer for their services, or if they're doing it pro bono as part of the ORC, for more exposure, marketing, etc.? That makes a difference to me. If they're paying, NO, if they're helping on behalf of the ORC, then okay.
I love that skirt! Does it seem to wrinkle easily? Thinking of summer travel plans! =)
I really like the idea of Friday chat. I can count on one hand the blogs I follow now, and you are one of them. So the more of you guys, the better!! I think getting designers to help is crazytown. Doesn't make sense to me.
That link with the face swap was hilarious! So good!
Hi! I'm new here, and I love your site. Your family is adorable...and I want your dog. Thanks for mentioning the ORC! I'm finding all the comments interesting to read. I guess I always saw it like 'Hillary' and thought design is a process, and everyone has a different one. Within week 1 or 2 of the challenge, readers gravitate toward the rooms that most align with their interest/style/taste. You have given me something to think about. This is why I love blogging. Thanks for the chat.
The face swap tho - bwahahahhahahahahahaha!!!
There appears to be strong feelings on ORC but as a reader who derives inspiration from blogs, magazines, professionals and makers alike I think it is refreshing to see someone honestly present their strengths and weaknesses. While some bloggers are incredibly talented at design others have different blog focuses and are attempting to cover more territory than just their specialty niche in the best way for themselves and dare I say their followers. Besides, I've lost count of the number of design bloggers who either started out doing a combo of personal design and blogging or still sell their design services to their readers. How can you look down on another blogger for needing design assistance but not your own customers? Does EVERYTHING have to be DIY? Are those who partner with designers and makers now somehow not needed?
With all due respect to Hillary's opinion on the matter, I totally understand the disappointment by others that these bloggers aren't designing and DIYing their own rooms for this specific challenge series.. It's called a challenge for a reason and what is the point of seeing how a designer did something that comes easily to them? And being paid to do so? It seems not the right forum. The challenge states specifically this: "I challenge twenty designers to transform a room in their home, or the home of a client, and document their process over six weekly posts." I take that to mean, the designer, aka blogger, transforms their room. Or if you are a designer that offers services, and also has a blog, you can submit something you did for a client. Not the blogger hiring a designer and then gaining readership, bragging rights and followers off of it. Because that's basically what's happening.
Love these kind of Friday round-ups! And had never heard of ORC -- obviously going to be following along now. :)
I love the Friday link ups. It's one of my favorite parts of the morning, sitting with my smoothing and reading through the links. Kind of like a casual chat with a friend.
Yes I totally don't understand the hiring of a decorator for ORC. I usually love it but this go round I'm only interested in 2 of the bloggers. Love that you kept your little ones bday low key!
I'm only a blog reader (no blogger here!) but I'm very disappointed in the bloggers using designers...I love Honey We're Home but she's actually bragging about how her last room was ranked in the top 10 ORC rooms of all time...but she used a designer so to me it's not really "her" room. Is that too harsh to say?
Ps- I'm happy to hear other peeps are just as conflicted about using designers as I am :-)
I love when people just share casual chat on their blogs! I am on my 4th time participating in the link up round of the ORC and love it. This time won't be as exciting but in the fall we have plans for the mudroom which will be awesome! And I am kind of bummed that people are hiring designers for this and it feels to me like it defeats the purpose but that's just my 2 cents.