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Over the weekend one of my "good friends" gave me a jab in reference to my five steps of closet organizing that I posted about last week. I can't remember what we were talking about but the gist of what she said was this "...maybe you could do it in five steps and then blog about it." It was a good jab. And very funny! Although we are good friends, I totally get that she thinks I am a complete weirdo.

However, what she fails to realize is that there are, in fact, other "weirdos" like me out there. Something I have thankfully learned in my short blogging career. I know many people think blogs are totally lame and something that only losers with no friends do on a Friday night. Or maybe they are just a way for narcissists to publish their every thought. Or perhaps blogs serve as an outlet for experts to hold their wealth of knowledge over others.

I don't think I am a loser (although I have read other design blogs on a Friday night). And I don't think that I am a narcissist (I prefer to look myself as self-confident). Nor do I think I am an expert in interior design or organizing. Do I really think that anyone cares to read what my opinion is on say how many pillows should go on a bed? No. In fact, I am shocked when people tell me they even read my blog. Honestly, I love to write and I am very passionate about design so this blog is just another creative outlet for me. I would do it if no one ever read it! (ok, so maybe I am a loser!).

But that brings me to the point of this post which is that I think the real reason bloggers blog is to connect with other people out there that are just as "weird" as they are. As I discovered yet another great design blog over the weekend and spent WAY too much time reading her old posts...I decided to highlight some of my favorite blogs in the form of high school superlatives. I hope through this that you are able to connect with some fellow "weirdos" as well.

DESIGN BLOG SUPERLATIVES

Most Likely To Succeed (in Design)
Habitually Chic
Blogger and designer, Heather Clawson, is a stylish woman living in New York who has her hand on the pulse of the design industry providing cutting edge information for her numerous readers. She recently signed on as a featured designer with William Sonoma in their new Designer Series. I expect to see big things from her!

Best Personality
Jentrified
Blogger, Jen West, has a great eye for design but an even greater wit! Something that is very important when dealing with clients. Jen's blog features her fabulous finds, her current design projects as well as humorously illustrating the many highs and lows we all experience while trying to have a career as a designer. Check out her blog, I guarantee you will chuckle out loud!

Most Popular
Urban Grace Interiors
I swear blogger, Erika McPherson, can say "have a good weekend!" and get 167 comments! Her large following is in part due to her amazing design aesthetic and partly because readers genuinely care to know what she is up to! She recently had a beautiful baby girl and is nice enough to share her new found joys of motherhood with the blogging world.

Most Crafty/Creative
Little Green Notebook
Blogger, Jenny Komenda, of Pearl Street Interiors is the MacGyver of DIY projects! She does some amazing work and makes it look so simple while providing a step-by-step guide to her projects. Then you try it and realize how truly talented she really is!

Best Dressed
Element of Style
Blogger, Erin Gates, an interior, fashion and events stylists has great taste in all of the above! I love how she creates "virtual outfits" for us to drool over and especially like when she sources all of the great pieces for the rest of us to duplicate!

Most Likable
Chic Coles
A family of bloggers (mom Wendy and three daughters Cassandra, Melissa and Leslie) for starters, how do you not like that? These ladies are faithful bloggers with fabulous posts full of design images, information and inspiration. And they always leave the sweetest notes on my blog, so big thanks for that!

Most Photogenic
House of Turquoise
I keep thinking, how is she gonna find any more "blue" photos and she yet never disappoints! Blogger, Erin Olson, shares her passion for design and all things turquoise (or any shade of blue for that matter) on her delightful blog full of inspirational interior images!

Most Artistic
Style Court
Blogger, Courtney Barnes, showcases her background in art history with a well-written blog offering its readers a wealth of information on interior design, art, decorative books and more! She has already received accolades for her wonderful blog and as I suspect, there are many more to come!

Best Looking (Blog)
Two Ellie
Paula, has the most visual appealing blog filled with little bits of design, food, fashion, crafts, weddings and fantastic photos of her beautiful family. Although I only know her through the blogging world, she seems like such a genuine person who through her posts, reminds us all what a blessing life can be!

Most Likely to Skip Class to go Surfing
Beach Bungalow8
Bloggers, Megan Samuels is a California based stager and interior designer. Her blog hosts a unique design forum called "the skirted round table" (along with Joni Webb of Cote de Texas and Linda Merrill of ::surroundings::) where they discuss many industry related topics. But perhaps it is her weekly posts entitled "Peace Out" filled with whimsical images that sparked their superlative. Regardless, you will be entertained by this fun yet informative blog!

A while back I spoke at The Art Institute of Charleston to a Business Practices class. I had a pre-programmed talk prepared but when I started speaking, I realized that the things I wanted to talk about most (and what I thought would be most helpful to the students) were the things that you cannot learn in a book! So for all of the young bucks graduating and embarking on the world of interior design, I wanted to offer up some useful pieces of advice from someone who has actually worked in the field. I am by no means claiming to be an expert but I have learned a lot and I have made many mistakes that have taught me a lot! So I wanted to pass along some of these lil' tidbits...

-Never stop learning! Design is a great industry if you appreciate knowledge and especially if you get bored easily (like myself). Go to markets, read shelter mags/blogs, attend educational seminars at your local design center, join design associations, invite yourself to tour manufacturing plants...you get the idea!

-Ask questions! While working with a carpenter, ask how he is going to construct the custom bed he is building for your client. While attending a line showing, ask what the product is made of or where it is manufactured. While remodeling a home, ask the contractor to explain why you can't knock down that wall. As I mentioned before, design is a constant learning experience so learn!

-Always be prepared! Think that is the Boy Scout motto but it still applies. I have a bag (I like LL Bean Totes-I have one in each size) that I carry to appointments with a pad of graph paper, a measuring tape, a digital camera and several Sharpies. I also keep a plastic container in my trunk filled with paint decks, a measuring tape, pads and pens just in case!

-Invest in a good measuring tape! Stanley's FatMax's are the best because they are sturdy (won't flop around) and they won't break or split. And I would go ahead and get at least 40' (most rooms you will work on won't be that big but ya never know!)

-If going to a new construction site, park a few houses down. This is coming from someone who has gone through many tires! Once I had a nail in 3/4 tires. No joke.

-It is alright to say "I don't know" to a client. In fact, it is BETTER to say this than to lie or fake an answer. Just say "I am not sure but let me check with the manufacturer/contractor/whatever and get back to you." Then write it down and actually get back to them with a valid answer. I promise, they will respect you for this.

-Trust yourself! YOU are the professional that people are hiring based on your knowledge, training, experience and taste. So be confident and stand by your opinions, recommendations, etc.

-Work for as many designers as you can before starting on your own business. Learn from all of them! Both good and bad. You will discover ways you want to run your business and ways you DO NOT want to run your business. Both are equally helpful!

-Have fun! You have chosen a career that you are passionate about! If you maintain that passion, you will go far...

-But on the flip side of that...design isn't for everyone. You might like reading design magazines, watching HGTV and enjoy decorating your own home but designing for someone else and running a business is TOUGH work. There are many design related jobs you can get into like rep'ing a fabric line, working at a retail shop, teaching a design class, contributing to a design publication, etc. so don't fret if you find out this isn't the perfect fit for you.

GOOD LUCK!

If any other designers are reading, feel free to add some advice, tips, case-in-points in the comments section!

I often have people ask me "How do you find so much to talk about on your blog?" This question kinda makes me laugh because if you were in my head you would know that I could talk about this stuff ALL DAY LONG. Literally.

I mean clearly design is my profession so I spend 9-5 thinking about interior design. But if you are a designer you know that you also spend the other 16 hours of the day thinking about it too. And I do mean 16 because sometimes you don't sleep. You lie in bed wondering if you selected the right fabric for that ottoman or do I tile the entire wall or just the backsplash or should I do one large statement piece of art or an entire grouping over the sofa?

And if that wasn't enough! I have been known to spend many o' weekends hauled up in my house reading design blogs while catching up with my dvr. Seriously, some days I don't leave the house. It is addicting! [And probably sad to some of you.] Before blogs, I would sit down and go through a whole year's worth of magazines in a day...making sketches and notes and copies, basically getting inspired! When you are passionate about design (heck, about anything!) you just cannot get enough of it!

The other night I was talking with a friend who is a boat Captain and we were discussing the perils of having your passion also be your profession. Bottom line: you can't turn it off! I really worry about this. I worry that I will get burnt out. But I am a passionate person by nature and I know that if I don't love what I do, I won't excel at it. Nor will I be happy. And I am confident that design is what I was put on this Earth to do (how is that for dramatic!?!).

So how do I answer this question when someone asks me? [The short version, not the long version that I just gave you.] I simply say "When you love what you do, it comes naturally."

I have had this tole trashcan for years (think I got it at Marshall"s). I wanted to update it for my office so I could use it to hold blueprints and leftover wallpaper rolls but I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do with it exactly.

Before

So I started by spray painting it green.

Then I was going over to my friend Way Way's house of Blue Chickadee and realized she would be the perfect person to finish the job! So I handed this project over to her creative talents...

And look at what she did...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

Check out her post on the same project, she also mentioned a few other similar projects from other design blogs.

Interior designer and University of Georgia alum (holla!), Lindsey Coral Harper, left South Georgia for The Big Apple and has been kicking the design world's ass ever since. Her resume includes an internship with Ralph Lauren in London, eight years working under famed designer Richard Langham and freelance work for Dorothy Draper, Inc. just to name a few! Images of her New York apartment have been blowing up the design websites/blogs and she was set to be featured in Domino just as the magazine folded...wa wa wa. But don't feel too sorry for her, when you are as talented as she is, you are bound to recover.

Lindsey Harper's NY Apartment

Lindsey's sister and my sister-in-law are bff's so we have been hearing about each other for years but have yet to meet. I finally emailed her introducing myself and she was nice enough to take the time to answer some questions. So here goes...

After years of residing in NY (and abroad), do you think your southern roots have any influence in your designs? If so, in what ways?
ABSOLUTELY! I am Southern to the core, ask anyone who knows me...or ask me a question and you can hear it as I still have the accent. Or as my grandfather used to say, "we don't have an accent, the rest of the world does". One of the things I love about this city is that there is a huge southern contingency and we stick together. I actually have a large group of southern decorating friends and we refer to ourselves (and so do others) as the Southern Mafia. I do think being southern has had a huge influence on my life, the way I live and the way I design and decorate. I am big on comfort and I like most southerner's I love to entertain! I really try to get to know the client and figure out who they are and how they live so that I can make their house or apartment a welcoming and comfortable environment they really love to be in all the time. In the end it's really about lifestyle!

You have such talent for accessorizing and creating eye catching tablescapes. Any advice or rules of thumb you live by?
Why thank you! I do love my accessories. If anything I'm a maximalist not a minimalist. I love shopping, antiquing, flea markets, and junk stores. If an object catches my eye whether it's a great color or a wonderful shape, a bit odd or makes me laugh, I will usually buy it. A great accessory doesn't have to be expensive or "important". It just has to mean something to you. I also love to travel so I bring things home with me typically in my carry-on (I do not check my luggage) and then I have a little reminder of that place and that trip. Most of my accessories are really wonderful memories.

You clearly are not afraid of color! Where does your color inspiration come from? And are there any colors that you refuse to work with?
I certainly love color. Not sure why, but it just makes me happy. And if you think my apartment is colorful, you should see my closet!! Maybe because I'm a redhead, I had to deal with pairing colors and getting colors right from an early age. I also think my color confidence comes from working with RKL. He too admired color and wasn't afraid to use it. He trusted me to pick paint colors for him on several jobs in the beginning of my career there. A few years later I was specifying all the colors for all of my clients and big jobs, no questions asked. He was a huge risk taker and pushed me to think outside of the box. I also like to try new things and new colors!! There are so many great colors, textiles and color combinations out there...why do the same thing over and over?! The only color I'm really adverse to is white! I rarely do white walls. Unless you have a KILLER art collection, you are going to have to really beg me to give you white walls. If I do white walls look closely, they are probably a textured paper and will definitely be paired with an amazing hi-gloss colored ceiling! Don't you just love when a really well done hi-gloss ceiling looks like glass!

Some of Lindsey Harper's Design Projects

Palm Beach

New York

This busy designer is currently working on several projects from Vermont to New York to Palm Beach. Click here to see LCH Interiors full portfolio.

Lindsey also has an online shop, called Lamshop, with her bestie and business partner, Maggie Currey, which offers custom furniture, art and one-of-a-kind treasures. Lindsey said they are working on some new pieces incorporating fun elements like Shagreen, Tortoise, Malachite, and Faux Bois as well as some new jewel-inspired tables that are "very glam." I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!!!

It's very weird. Even though I wanted to write about something else, I feel compelled to blog about blogging (although I'm not the first one to do so, I'm sure, it is what I'm thinking about at the moment).

In real life, I am a very closed and quiet person. I am friendly and outgoing, but do not have many very close friends and tend to keep my inner life fenced off. My greatest joy is to spend long hours by myself, taking photos, writing, surfing the internet, or doing graphic design.

When I started this blog, it was out of an impetuous desire to get the many competing and vigorous thoughts in my head, out, in a form that others could read without knowing who I was. I find the discipline of writing in a public setting invigorating: you have to choose words carefully, be less emotionally entangled in what you write. You must be concise and compelling, engaging others in your thoughts without becoming too personal. You are writing in one sense for others and in another sense for yourself.

I find myself increasingly self-conscious as in recent days others have discovered my blog. Now I know someone is reading it besides myself! As rewarding as that is, it is also somewhat panic-inducing. I find myself faced with the temptation to retreat back into the cave, drawing the curtains closed to keep the outer world, out. I won't do that, because I know it is not healthy. Plus I started this for this reason.

However, one thing I didn't realize when I started blogging is that blogging is not only about writing (though it is that), but about community. Face it, the reason we write our innermost thoughts down for all the world to see is that we want others to view them and acknowledge. And, as with self-revelation in private life, this is designed to create relationship. Knowing and being known. Going deeper into another's soul and secret, inner world. Even if the person who you are reading and to whom you are commenting is totally anonymous, it still initiates relationship: if only briefly.

I feel as if when I was blogging for myself alone, I was skating along the ice of blogging. Now that a few people have discovered and started reading, I feel as if (to mix metaphors in an odd way, but it's the image in my head) I've been sucked under the surface into a little pod of community. The blogs I read and their friends have opened up a whole other world. And as scary as that is for me, and as much as I'd like to withdraw, I won't. Because, after all, we were created for community. We need to know and to be known. And it is good.

Peace to you all.