Top 25 Home Design #11 & 12

Oct 31, 2011 - Article Views: 501

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It's a biological fact that decorating goes hand in hand with motherhood. Even after the initial urge to nest subsides (in which you transform a neglected nook in your home into an adorable nursery using only spackle, sweat, and a hand-me-down crib), your children's constant growth dictates periodic re-dos of the space you share as a family.

Out goes the crib, in comes a twin bed...no more room for the home office that was hiding in the nursery...cleverly recreate it in a hallway closet...add twins to the family, get a bigger kitchen table...ready to get rid of the kids' play table...refinish it as a new end table for the porch…

And so on, all the way up to the day your no-longer little one leaves home, and you finally get that nook back and transform it into something else entirely: a craft room maybe?

Even if you've never experienced design fever, you may well start to after looking at our list of the top 25 design blogs, as shared and ranked by Circle of Moms members.

These resourceful writers brighten our days with eye candy from the worlds of decor, architecture, design, food, and everything that falls under those umbrellas, including thrifting for vintage finds, inspiring before & after transformations, and "get the look" how-to's for projects on a budget. Read on, and just see if (as the husband of blogger #5, Emily Clark, shared on her blog) you don't find yourself "intently staring at a blank wall" and mentally canceling all plans for the weekend.

11Simplified Bee by Cristin Priest

Simplified Bee

What inspired you to start blogging?
As a busy mother and interior design student, I saw a need for "functional" interior design and knew homes could be orderly without sacrificing beauty. My belief is that surrounding yourself in beautiful, organized spaces reduces stress, makes you happier and inspires healthier living. Thus I combined my passion and expertise in home organization & design and launched Simplified Bee.

Not long after, my first client encouraged me to get a “web presence.” Because I didn’t have any marketing money for a website she suggested blogging. I thought “I’m not a blogger; I don’t even read blogs.” But, after a few months I decided to start a blog under the company name, Simplified Bee. It was intended to be a placeholder for a website down the road, but here I am still blogging almost 2 years later! Blogging became an amazing outlet for me both creatively and educationally. And to my surprise and delight, a world opened up that has brought wonderful friendships across the US and abroad.

What are 3 adjectives that describe your blog?

Enlightening
Fresh
Motivating

12Hello, Splendor by Beth Dotolo

Hello, Splendor

What inspired you to start blogging?

As a new and working mother, I found that was giving so much of myself to my family and my business. I loved every moment of it, but I wanted something that was just mine. Something that would allow me to share my new experiences and offer me a way to connect... So, Hello, Splendor began.

What are 3 distinctive features of your blog:

Community! Hello, Splendor involves readers & other bloggers to create a conversation.
Balance! It blends interiors, fashion, & pop culture trends, along with bits and pieces of my family & life as a professional interior designer for Pulp Design Studios.
Growth! Each season I take on a new set of challenges to inspire happiness & I share my experiences on the blog, encouraging others to follow along.

See the full Top 25 list >