The Inside Scoop: Mandi from Interior Design Musings

Today’s inspiration comes from Mandi from Interior Design Musings. Mandi is an interior designer in Birmingham, AL.  I remember the first time I stumbled upon her blog, I was blown away and have loved it ever since, take it away Mandi….

How long have you been blogging? 

Three things I’ve learned from blogging?
Just three!  Wow.  That’s really hard!

No. 1 
People blog for different reasons.  You have to decide early on what your goal in blogging will be and keep your focus on that.  If growing your blog is the main focus, your daily efforts will be different.  For me, blogging is an extension of my interior design business.  It’s a way for potential clients to get a feel for my style and the various types of projects I work on for others.  All the while, hopefully, providing some creative ideas for my readers.

No. 2
There is still a lot of good in the world.  I have interacted with some of the nicest most generous people since creating my blog.  Most I will never meet in person; but it has renewed my believe that there are some wonderfully kind people in this world who are interested in encouraging and helping others.  The tips, conversations, friendships, and connections I’ve made have truly been life changing for me.

No. 3
You’ve Gotta Love it.  In order to be consistent at it, you MUST love blogging.  I can’t tell you how many people come up to me and say, “How do you have the time to blog so much?!”  I love doing it and you make time to do what you enjoy.  There is no one standing over you.  If you are not a self starter, it just won’t happen.

What inspires your designs?
More than ever, we have tons of interior design inspiration at our fingertips – blogs, interior design websites and online magazines.  I find there are times when I see a space for the first time, an image I’ve seen (at some point in time) pops into my head.  I think, this is the perfect space for that idea!  So, my inspiration comes from any and everything I see!

How would you describe your design style?
I really don’t have a specific design style.  I have a true appreciation for lots of different styles.  I like to take the pieces a client already has in the space and update their style with a few current ideas.  If I had to say one common denominator of my style it would be, I do not like clutter.  I prefer a clean, edited look in all the spaces I design and in my home.  Accessories can become clutter, if you have too many.  I like to pair it down and make you really notice each one as a special treasured object. 

What are your three best tips to achieving great design?


Tip One
Do your research and come up with a plan for your space.  If you don’t have a plan in place of where you want to take the space you will make purchases you will regret later.  And mistakes in furnishings can be very expensive.

Tip Two

Design is a lesson in balance.  If you have light colored shelves, dark accessories tend to stand out best.  If you have dark wood casement pieces in your space, you need to balance that with some metal and glass pieces.  If the sofa is in a linen fabric, you need to consider pillows with a different texture like velvet or a silk.  The contrast is what makes the space interesting. 

Vignette – nice color combination of the soft watery blue with the pop of orange. 

source

Tip Three