My Inquiring Mind Wants to Know

Before I dive headlong into the new year, babbling on about paint colors and upholstery, I have a question for you. For those of you who blog. I read something recently about blogging, design and decor blogging specifically—who's doing it and what motivates them—that stirred up this question I'm constantly asking myself :
Why am I doing this?

Bunny Williams, ahead of the trend, via House Beautiful.


Around and around in my head this question churns. Sometimes I can answer it easily, other times, not. My first answer is usually this: Because it's fun! I get to talk (well, write) about interior design and color and fabric and lighting and bedrooms to my heart's content knowing that there's a community of others out there who feel the same way I do. Except for the times I've been in school studying design or working closely with other creative people, it's an intense interest that I don't share in common with many in my immediate circle. I've found that blogging feels like taking a class that never ends—where it's perfectly acceptable, necessary even, to spend hours at a time looking at floor plans and room arrangements, talking about furnishings and window treatments, obsessing over the smallest details. Doing that with a group of like-minded people is more fun than I can explain to someone who doesn't share my enthusiasm for interior design.

Too-beautiful turquoise chandelier, via House Beautiful

My second answer to the question is interchangeable with the first because it is equally important to me. As a person who hopes to build a business helping others make their living spaces more beautiful and functional, I want this blog to be a place potential clients can visit to see what I'm about—to get a feel for who I am and how I approach decorating and design. True, there's not much of my own work yet on my blog. Largely because there hasn't been much work done outside my own home in the past year that's significant enough to document here. And I have shown only little bits of my own home because I don't want to give anyone the impression that what I do here within my own walls reflects the work I would do for them—not everyone likes so much color and pattern or the cottage/flea market/farmhouse/whatever-you-call-it that is my personal style. Besides, I have no intention of imposing my style on my clients. What makes me happiest is helping people realize their own style and the potential within their own homes.

A fun place to meet the Beatles, via Cottage Living

So, yes, I see my blog as a marketing tool as much as a creative outlet. That being said, I understand that it could use some tweaking and fine-tuning and requires regular maintenance like any other essential in my actual toolbox. Unlike a static website or portfolio, a blog is an interactive work in progress. That's what makes it so much fun. And so much work.

A pretty turquoise surprise via DIYideas.com


I've been reading decor blogs for a year plus a few months now and writing my own for only six months. Some of you have been at it much longer. Some, maybe less. I admire those of you who have found your own unique voice while I still feel a bit all over the place. When I really think about it, what I would like to present myself as is an advisor of sorts. Someone who has ideas and information to share. With visual aids and resources. That's what I want my clients to see me as. But because most of you reading this blog are just as tuned in to interiors as I am, some with levels of expertise that surpass mine by miles, it often feels like I'm preaching to the choir. Perhaps if my posts took on the form of "discussions" rather than "lessons", I'd feel less "preachy". You see what happens when I start thinking about it? The reasons and whys begin to swirl.


Undoubtedly, you've figured out by now that the question I ask myself is the same one I've come here to ask you:
Why are you doing this?

Architectural salvage at Marburger Farms, source unknown

Your answer, if you choose to give me one—and I hope that you do!—can be as short or long as you like; in the comments here or emailed to me privately. Respond anonymously if you don't want to be "found out" for asking the very same question of yourself. Anything and everything you have to say will be welcome and greatly appreciated. I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to know if you. . . blog to further your career as a designer?. . . seek fame and fortune in the world of blogs or magazines or home decor television?. . . simply love to share your own DIY projects? Or do you just like to chat about wool versus sisal as much as I do? I hope you don't mind that I've asked the question in such an "open forum" way. I considered asking all of the bloggers I admire individually, but there are just so many of you! Let me say too that what I'm looking for is not so much validation as direction and focus. Understanding why others do what I so enjoy doing will help me see whether I'm on the right track. Or not. Blogging is a lot of work. That feels more like frivolous fun. Maybe that's why I'm so conflicted.

Turquoise + Aqua + White&Bright = Happy via realsimple.com

So many nice things were said over the holidays about our "blogging community" by those who are a part of it. Before I joined it myself, I was skeptical that so much real, genuine niceness could be found in a virtual world. But it's true. It's really there. I experience and witness it every day. I've seen virtual camaraderie turn into real world friendships through actual meetings and exchanges away from the blogs. I hope in this new year to be involved in more of those myself. On the way to doing that though, could we get back to my question?

Why are you doing this?

I can't wait to see what you have to say.

UPDATED TO ADD: Thanks so much to every one of you who took the time to weigh in on this question, whether here in the comments or by email. I really appreciate and was so inspired by your thoughts and ideas. I'm sure others who read them were heartened as well to hear that not only do so many of us struggle with the same question— "why?"— but that the answer is fairly unanimously "the fantastic people". I could not agree more.

Top image is "Lost" by photographer Clark Little. Click on it to visit his gallery. All other images here were chosen from my photo files to represent my ideas for using a little or a lot of turquoise, the 2010 color of the year. How can we not look forward to a year filled with such a gorgeous, optimistic color?!