Design Inspirations Q&A: Irene Hoofs of Bloesem Blogs

It is my absolute pleasure to introduce you to Irene Hoofs of Bloesem and Bloesem Kids! She authors an amazing design blog and my very favorite kids blog. You can tell from her posts that she is passionate and loves what she does. Every entry is inspired and passes along excitement to her readers... mainly me! Irene was born in Amsterdam and is now living in Kuala Limpur, so I love the international flavor of both her blogs. Take a look at her blogs for yourself, but first... Meet Irene Hoofs...

Q.  What is your favorite design blog? You don’t have to name just one!

A.  Some of my favorites are based in different parts of the world, when I visit them all in one day it gives me a super international feel…Grijs, poppytalk, Kitka, Jane Foster, the design files, boligliv’s blog, Decor8, Pia Jane … and many more…

Q.  What is your favorite interior designer?

A.  I have to say my husband…sounds crazy perhaps, he is a lawyer by profession, but I just love his impeccable sense for style and detail… and my friends from Amsterdam, Xander and Leon aka XandL. Not sure whether they call themselves interior designers…I would call them interior artists. (They create the most beautiful gardens too!)

Q.  What is your favorite fashion designer?

A.  Dries van Nooten and Ann DeMeulemeester. 

Q.  What current design trend do you love right now?

A.  Bamboo and rattan furniture mixed with modern design pieces. 

Q.  Where do you look for inspiration? 

A.  The sun and bright skies always bring me in the right mood and then inspiration is everywhere…online, on the street, our garden and Books! 

Q. &nbrp;What music inspires you?

A.  Music to me is not so much about finding inspiration, but more to bring me in a relaxed mood. I’m the kind of person that can’t work with music on. But when driving or at night I love to listen to Mary J. Blige, Maxwell, Angie Stone, Roberta Flack and I have been a huge fan of Queen since I was 15, the earlier Queen songs that is.

Q.  What was your favorite splurge for your home?

A.  Still has to be made, the Tufty-time sofa by B&B Italia.

Q.  What was your best frugal find?

A.  A pile of Linen Fabric, I believe it was more than 55 yards. I have made many cushions, blankets out of them and it was only 15 dollars or something.

Q.  Do you have a design pet peeve? 

A.  ‘Sets of Two’… two identical vases in a window or two exactly the same candleholders on a table. Don’t get me wrong, I do like a group of beautiful pieces, but it shouldn’t be exactly the same pieces. 

Q.  What is your color of choice right now?

A.  Yellow…which in many countries represents luck I understand.

Q.  Where is your favorite place to read a good book or catch up on your blog reads?

A.  Outside in our garden around 5pm with a gin and tonic!

Q.  What is your favorite home furnishings shop?

A.  Haven’t found the right place yet here in Kuala Lumpur.

Q.  Describe your personal style. 

A.  White, spacious, with only a few iconic design pieces and other collectibles that have a special meaning to me. I like to keep the walls, ceilings and floor of my house white (coated floor) and then work with wood and mid-century Scandinavian design pieces to bring back the color… with a few exceptions: recently started experimenting with colored walls in my sons’ bedroom and my office, earth tones only.

Irene, thank you so much for sharing your inspirations! Friends, follow Bloesem and Bloesem Kids... you won't be disappointed! 

Design Inspirations Q&A: Megan Arquette of Beach Bungalow 8

The list of things that Megan does that inspires me is pretty long, but here are a just a few of the things... She authors an amazing design blog, Beach Bungalow 8, where I find design and lifestyle musings for casual and stylish beach living. Megan is the co-creator of The Skirted Round Table, which is a weekly radio show dedicated to blogging and design. Oh, and, she is the co-founder of the Blog Out Loud event! And, to top it off, she is really just the nicest person... So, I just had to find out what was behind this inspired blogger. Ladies and gents, meet Megan Arquette!

Q.  What is your favorite design blog? You don’t have to name just one! 

A.  I love the Australian design blogs right now. A few of my favorites are the diversion project and absolutely beautiful things, to name a few.

Q.  Who is your favorite interior designer?

A.  I love color and so some of my favorites are those who are masterful at using it.  Alberto Pinto, Miles Redd, Steven Gambrel and Jeffrey Bilhuber are all just brilliant in this area. 

Q.  Who is your favorite fashion designer?

A.  If I walked around in gowns everyday they would all be by Monique L'huillier. But for casual, beach living, I like Walter and Elizabeth James.

Q.  What current design trend do you love right now?

A.  I love that designers are telling the public that it's ok to mix high and low. Someone like designer Eddie Ross has been so influential in guiding people to look at something that might be considered junk, and using it in an innovative way. I see more and more people dumpster diving and giving old furniture a new look with fabric and paint. It's cost effective, creates a great look and is a wonderful way to recycle. 

Q.  Where do you look for inspiration? 

A.  Often my inspiration comes from going to a Flea Market or a fabric showroom. But also love a great shelter rag. I think Elle Decor and House Beautiful have both become such great reads and both always have something that inspires. 

Q.  What music inspires you?

A.  I'm always, always on the look out for new music. I like interesting voices and simple chords. Right now I'm listening to the XXs, Kid Cudi, Lykke Li, Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros, and one of my all time faves is Wilco.

Q.  What was your favorite splurge for your home?

A.  I have some really nice European antiques. I especially love my, French 1840s Gueridon table with the gray marble top. It just adds such an element of grace and beauty to any room I've used it in.

Q.  What was your best frugal find?

A.  A painting of a mum that I found on ebay for $35.00

Q.  Do you have a design pet peeve? 

A.  Matching bedroom furniture. 

Q.  What is your color of choice right now?

A.  I always gravitate toward greens and blues, but I do love the tonal grays that seem to be popping up everywhere. 

Q.  Where is your favorite place to read a good book or catch up on your blog reads?

A.  At the beach!

Q.  What is your favorite home furnishings shop?

A.  High end: Los Angeles based, Lee Stanton has exquisite antiques and is very fair in his pricing. He's also a wealth of knowledge and is so good at sharing his expertise in a way that's comfortable. 

Low end: Long Beach Flea Market. It's insanely fabulous. I get apoplectic when I'm there. It's just brimming with great finds.

Q.  Describe your personal style. 

A.  I'd say I have an Urban/ Beach vibe. I love beautiful things, no matter the price and I love mixing it all. I love really good textiles but they need to be durable for sandy feet and dogs.  My decorating style is the equivalent of wearing a top from Target with Shoes from Barney's. Hi - Lo all the way. 


Megan, thank you so much!! I'll be reading your blog religiously and crossing my fingers that Blog Out Loud comes to Dallas. Friends, follow Beach Bungalow 8, if you don't already. It's incredible!

Design Inspirations Q&A: Bryn of Bryn Alexandra Interiors

Bryn Dunn is a fabulous interior decorator and design blogger living in Charlotte, NC. On her design blog, Bryn shares everything from design inspiration, to her own home design, to bits of her personal life. She is constantly inspired and passes that on to her readers... and because of her passion for all things design, I wanted to know more about her! So, ladies and gents, meet Bryn Dunn!! 

Q.  What is your favorite design blog? You don’t have to name just one! 

A.  Oh, there are so many! Pretty much all the links on the sidebar of my blog are favorites, but to name a few - design*sponge, What I Wore (which is actually fashion related), Little Green Notebook, and High Street Market.

Q.  What is your favorite interior designer?

A.  Windsor Smith. Ginger Brewton and Vanessa de Vargas are two very talented young women that I also admire.

Q.  What is your favorite fashion designer?

A.  Although not a fashion designer, I love Jenna Lyons, creative director of J.Crew. She has impeccable style and makes it accessible to the every day woman.

Q.  What current design trend do you love right now?

A.  Wallpaper! I have to restrain myself to not suggest wallpaper in every project I do.

Q.  Where do you look for inspiration? 

A.  First and foremost, blogs. I love blogs! But also fashion and advertising - I am currently designing a room based off of a Kate Spade winter campaign.

Q.  What music inspires you?

A.  I'm either listening to girly musicians like Regina Spektor or 80's New Wave like Tears for Fears.

Q.  What was your favorite splurge for your home?
A.  At this point in time, the biggest splurge is our large flat panel TV. However, if you ask me in a few months I'm sure I'll have a different answer.. we just closed on a house that needs to be designed! I am a pretty frugal person though. What I would splurge on is art.

Q.  What was your best frugal find?

A.  At the Rose Bowl Flea Market (Southern Cal), I found an old steel dresser with casters. It was originally used in a hospital and has a small tag that reads "Property of San Deigo Co." I got it for around $100 and I love it. I considered it a major frugal find since "industrial chic" pieces are pretty pricey when you buy them retail. Right now it's painted silver, but someday I plan on having it stripped down to the original stainless steel finish.

Q.  Do you have a design pet peeve? 

A.  Rugs too small under a dining room table. If the rug is too small, it's better to just have no rug at all!

Q.  What is your color of choice right now?

A.  Green. I just moved to North Carolina where the trees are so lush and beautiful and green. I've noticed I have been using green a lot, and I think I'm subconsciously inspired by the gorgeous trees.

Q.  Where is your favorite place to read a good book or catch up on your blog reads?

A.  I love reading books snuggled up in bed. I usually am reading my blogs on my chaise lounge.

Q.  What is your favorite home furnishings shop?
A.  Although it's out of my price range, Jayson Home and Garden is my favorite. I've never been to the actual storefront but I love everything on the website.

Q.  Describe your personal style. 

A.  I love mixing things. New and old, mid century and traditional. I almost called my interior decorating business "urban cottage" - I think that describes it very well.

Bryn, Thanks so much for sharing a bit of yourself. Friends, visit Bryn's blog! You'll be hooked... Here's a quick peek of her work...

Design Inspirations Q&A: Ashlina of The Decorista

Meet the lovely Ashlina! She is the blogger and interior designer behind The Decorista Blog. In fact, she IS The Decorista! Ashlina is a native Texan, transported to California, so I couldn't resist finding out what inspires her since she and Nest Interior Design share a birthplace. The Decorista is a fun and feminine design blog that blends all of the best parts of interior design and fashion. She blogs with style and personality, which always makes a for a 'must-read' in my eyes. So, without further ado... Meet Ashlina!

Q. What is your favorite design blog? You don’t have to name just one!

A. apartmenttherapy.com hands down is my favorite design blog ever...

i enjoy reading EddieRoss.com and BrightBazaar.blogspot.com (boy design blogs are my newest  love) and thedecorista.com is my baby (how could it not be my fave).

Q. What is your favorite interior designer?

A. Why Kelly Wearstler, of course, she is an icon! I also have really fallen for the work of Jeff Andrews, he is rocking LA with his style.

Q. What is your favorite fashion designer?

A. I think everything done by Karl Lagerfeld is genius! 

Q. What current design trend do you love right now?

A. Honestly, I am loving wallpaper. I remember hating wallpaper forever, but when it made its resurgence I fell hard! I also am now obsessed with everything brass! It's so glam!

Q. Where do you look for inspiration? 

A. Honestly, fashion blogs are rocking my world right now. I love the styles, colors, fabrics, moods, personalities, all of it! I then relate it to interior design and think about the fashion mood I can create in a room. It makes design so much fun for me.

Q. What music inspires you?

A. I love ALL music. Right now...in my car are a Tribe Called Quest, Kings of Leon, Frank Sinatra, Marvin Gaye, and Sade. 

Q. What was your favorite splurge for your home?

A. My sheets, I am such a bed snob. I have to have a foam pad, feather bed, layers of soft sheets and pillows. To me, a great bed is the ultimate indulgence and luxury.

Q. What was your best frugal find?

A. I recently found a vintage piece of art, a huge old Vogue magazine print for nothing. However, I have found so many things on the streets of my neighborhood, my headboard, side tables, a dresser, bathroom cabinets, and a bar cart. ALL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD! With some paint and cleaning up, they have furnished my apartment perfectly! So i can spend more money on my sheets ;).

Q. Do you have a design pet peeve? 

A. I do. I hate to say this, but I literally can't stand when people buy everything out of a catalog and set up their home very generic. Give me some personality to see! I have tons of friends with this problem. I love helping them get some style!

Q. What is your color of choice right now?

A. Turquoise is the ultra hot color right now, which i have always loved but I am also really getting into the color gray. It's my new zen color, so calming and comforting. I have been so drawn to it lately.

Q. Where is your favorite place to read a good book or catch up on your blog reads?

A. Right now I am loving the warm weather and loving setting up a reading station on my patio, a book or my macbook, some tea and lots of fluffy pillows and my little baby chihuahua SOPHIE ROSE.

Q. What is your favorite home furnishings shop?

A. Z Gallerie. If I could decorate my apartment from one store, it would be Z Gallerie. Everything is so fun and stylish and inspiring. I also love going into ANTHROPOLOGIE for ideas and decorations...those stores are my bliss.

Q. Describe your personal style. 

A. This is a hard one...It's a mix. I'm a little bit feminine + glamorous, a little bit edgy and a dash of traditional. I am like a mixture of the things I love. It's kind of like my ethnicity...I'm a part hungarian, mexican and spanish. A little bit of everything!

Thanks so much, Ashlina!! And, my friends, stop by The Decorista and add her to your list of daily reads...

Design Inspirations Q&A: Heather Moore of Skinny Laminx

Meet Heather Moore! She's the Cape Town, South Africa designer and illustrator behind Skinny Laminx. If you don't know Skinny Laminx, visit their etsy site and check out their amazing collection at Heath Ceramics. I first became inspired by Heather on the Elle Decoration South Africa Blog and then I stumbled upon her Skinny Laminx Blog. Heather keeps me constantly inspired with her quirky and stylish finds, along with sharing a great line of home accessories. There is true talent behind this blogger and designer and it shows! Ladies and Gentleman, meet Heather Moore...

Q.  What is your favorite design blog? You don’t have to name just one!
A.  I've always enjoyed the eclectic coverage of design from Design*Sponge - it's lead me in such interesting directions. Also, I'm very grateful for all the amazing publicity I've received on that blog!

Q.  What is your favorite interior designer?
A.  I'm not sure I could live in one of his interiors, but I really do enjoy the fun and irreverent approach of Jonathan Adler.

Q.  What is your favorite fashion designer?
A.  My friend Alexandra Hojer. She's a Swedish gal living in Cape Town with amazing style and committment to using excellent fabrics.

Q.  What current design trend do you love right now?
A.  I'm enjoying the way people like Ilse Crawford are using beautiful materials and making furniture that is practical, useful and excellent. In fact, the current celebration of the artisanal way of making things is hopefully one that will be more than just a trend.

Q.  Where do you look for inspiration? 
A.  I am very inspired by people who do whatever they do with a definite focus and a commitment to excellence. That is how I would like to do the things I do.

Q.  What music inspires you?
A.  I love vocal harmonies, whether they're sung by Simon and Garfunkel, The Byrds, Gillian Walsh and David Rawlings, or in more formal music like JS Bach's The Messiah, or Arvo Part's glass shard vocal arrangements.

Q.  What was your favorite splurge for your home?
A.  It must be our Ercol sofa, which was such a lucky find after years and years of looking. I suspect it's probably a knockoff, even though it's beautifully made, as it has 6 legs instead of 4, but still, I adore that thing.

Q.  What was your best frugal find?
A.  Our Murano glass orange lampshade in the living room. We bought it years ago at a car boot sale for just R2.00 (about $0.30). I thought the guy said R200.00 at first, but it was R2.00. What a thrill.

Q.  Do you have a design pet peeve? 
A.  I can't stand tables designed especially for a computer. I'm working at one now and it's hideous. Takes up far too much space and really, all a computer needs is a desk.

Q.  What is your color of choice right now?
A.  I keep buying things in apple green.

Q.  Where is your favorite place to read a good book or catch up on your blog reads?
A.  Lying on the floor with big cushions. Bliss.

Thank you for sharing you inspirations with us, Heather!! Nest Interior Design is a huge fan!