A sneak peak at my home office

Today I am excited to reveal to you my desk. I did have to do a little straightening up before you came to "visit," but for the most part, this i how it looks.  Since I work from home as a freelance web designer, this is where I spend most of my days.

Some of you may remember the giveaway I held for a collection of cool office supplies from Sorting With Style.  Well, they were cool enough to surprise me with a collection of cool supplies for me to use in my own home office.

(You can click on each image for a larger view)
They sent me the following

Polka Dot Chic File Folders

Red Vintage Pen

Ace Mousepad

Crystal Pencils

Industrial Chic Pencil Holder

Red Snakeskin Measuring Tape

Red Snakeskin Business Card Holder

Black Petite Calculator

Cheer Up Red Polka Dot Notebook

You can see the supplies displayed on my desk.

My desk is from Ikea, and I LOVE IT.  I like to have a lot of surface space, and this desk allows me to tuck things under the glass top, make them accessible, but not taking up desk surface, just like you see the polka dot file folders I need to reference frequently.

Sorting with Style sent me this super chic business card holder.  I actually really needed one of these, because my business cards were always getting scuffed up just floating around loose in my bag or desk.  I'm a freelance web designer (alongside being the founder of Decorology). You can see some websites I've designed here.

They also sent me this industrial chic pen and pencil (the crystal pencils were also a gift), with a handy clip to hold post-it notes.

I call my agenda my brain.  I actually don't use a smart phone, and I like having a tactile book to make lists and track appointments.  You can also see the Cheer Up polka dot note book, petite calculator, and red snakeskin measuring tape, and red vintage pen from Sorting with Style.

Sorting With Style asked in return that I fill out the interview below.

What’s on your desk right now?
 Photos of my beloved pups, korres lip butter, gustav klimt mug my boyfriend gave me during our trip to Austria


What’s the one thing on your desk you can’t live without?
My blue Quo Vadis Textagenda

How does your desk look throughout your day? i.e. tornado, pristine, etc:
I like to keep my desk surface as free from clutter as possible, but depending on how busy I get, it can get messy from time to time.  I can't focus in a messy space, I end up cleaning it instead of working.


What is the one thing on your desk that inspires you?
Photos of my dogs.  On days when I feel isolated working from home, I remember that being a freelancer allows me the freedom to spend time with them whenever I want.


If you could be any office supply, what would it be and why?
My sorting with style Red Snakeskin Measuring Tape.  It goes everywhere with me so I can measure things to make sure they can fit in the space I have in mind for them.


Your favorite item from SortingwithStyle.com(and why):
The Black File Tote – how chic is that?  And functional!

If you like any of what you see, you can save 10% by entering OFFICESTYLE10 at checkout on Sortingwithstyle.com

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My interview with Apartment Therapy's Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan

I was so honored to have a chance to chat with Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan. He's the founder of Apartment Therapy, which was the first design blog I ever discovered and what ultimately inspired me to start blogging. We talk about "techorating," - successful decorating with technology that merges function and design. Below is the video of our interview, some still images, and even more tips from Maxwell on techorating.






Maxwell in his chic office at the Apartment Therapy headquarters.

The latest book from Apartment Therapy - "Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces," is packed with ideas for integrating technology into your decor beautifully


Apartment Therapy headquarters.

Techorating in action at Apartment Therapy. Cord management has become more attractive over the years with nifty helpers like these CableDrop cable clips.



One of my favorite ideas. I didn't even know these existed - a charging station that can charge up to four phones and only one cord. It's called the Duracell myGrid.


Instead of the outdated speakers you see above...Maxwell suggests looking into products like this ceramic Phoneofone III by Science and Sons. Your iPhone sits in the cradle at the opening and the sound is amplified. Read/see more info at Science and Sons. You'd expect this beauty to be almost $1,000, but it's actually $195 +SH.



He also mentions this Jambox from Jawbone. Completely wireless and small - but 120 DB. Cost is $199 and it comes in several colors.


Here are a few more resources from Maxwell.

An article on merging color and technology on Apartment Therapy. Click here to read.

A wiremold article for when you have to run cables/wires without drilling holes.


Click here to read.

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Interview with great designer Ashley Krogman

Do I have a great treat for you! Ever wonder how new decorators and stylists get their foot in the door? Where they get their inspiration? Where they find the great decor and furniture that grace the rooms and homes of their portfolios?

Well you're getting those answers straight from the source; up and coming interior decorator/stylist Ashley Krogman. I interviewed Ashley, asking some of the questions I've always wondered about, and she was gracious enough to answer them for us. She also gave me pictures and details from her latest styling assignment, which I think you'll really like. See it below the interview.

Interview with Ashley

1. How did you get started in the interior design and stylist field? Would you say you got a lucky break or “made” your luck by lots of reaching out, networking, doing some free jobs, etc?

I always knew that I was supposed to do interior design. It has been my passion basically my whole life. Growing up, I would go over to my grandmother’s house and re-arrange her whole basement, build little homes with sheets and chairs, and decorate the inside of each “area”.

I would say that I “made” my lucky break in the design field (I am still very new, but have been fortunate enough to have had little breaks along the way in a short time, I am looking forward to making more happen!). It is amazing how much you HAVE to put yourself and your work out there when you are first starting! You have to reach out almost anywhere (even if you don’t really feel like it!). You really have to push yourself! You also have to be willing to do some jobs for free, or for extremely low cost in the beginning, in order to build up your portfolio, and clientele. Another HUGE thing in getting that big break is being extremely creative and different; Offering a unique, signature style of your own.

2. What’s your favorite aspect of being an interior designer/stylist? What is your least favorite?

My favorite aspect of design is coming up with new ideas, and “looks”; creating a beautiful little world that takes your breath away, and being able to stand back and see the entire finished product.

My least favorite aspect of design are those jobs where you aren’t able to use as much creativity as you would like, for various reasons, but they pay the bills, and help develop you and your business in the design field.

3. What inspires you the most? Certain natural scenery? A certain store? A book?

A book that has been inspiring me for about a year and half now since I purchased it is, “Flea Market Style” by Emily Chalmers. There is so much beauty and creativity in those pages; I can never get enough no matter how many times I read it! I am also inspired by old movies, and old photographs.

4. When creating a set for a shoot, besides client’s products, where do you go or what resource do you use for the other props you use?

I go to a lot of thrift stores for props in a set. Thrift stores have the most unique, affordable accessories. If I cannot find what I am looking for at a thrift store, than I will go to stores like TJ Max, Marshalls, and Tuesday Morning. There are times when I need certain, very unique, items so then I will hit up Urban outfitters and Anthropologie (my two favorite stores for as long as I can remember)

5. I know I’ve often flirted with the idea of training to become an interior designer or stylist, as I’m sure a lot of my readers have. What tips and advice do you have for someone trying to break into the industry?

My tips and advice (based on what I have learned) would be to educate and inform yourself with the industry. For me, getting my A.A.S. in Interior Design was a huge thing! It gave me knowledge, credibility, confidence, and I was actually able to call myself a “designer”, rather than a “decorator”, and that felt great (especially after all that hard work!). Another big recommendation I would give to someone trying to break into the field would be to research!! One of the best ways to do that, is by following creative decorating blogs (such as decorology ;), and just filling yourself up with as much knowledge on trends, looks, what other designers are doing, etc as much as you can. My last piece of advice would be to develop your own signature style. Certain projects will be very different from each other, but there should be certain elements that stand out as your “style”, or projects that have your “touch”—the “golden” touch is how you should start thinking of it ;)

6. When getting started on a new project or assignment, what’s the first thing you do to get started? Sketch? Research for inspiration?

I research like crazy! My process is as follows: I see the client, find out what they like (style, interests, etc), then usually I will have some ideas pop into my head and a direction that I want to take the project, and then I follow up with lots of research to fully develop it!

7.What’s your favorite purchase for your home that you just couldn’t live without?

I would have to say my new sofa! It cost me $50 from a thrift store, and I totally love it. It is 7’ long, tufted, and a pale gold color with a faint damask/leafy pattern to it. It is definitely vintage, and Anthropolgie looking!

Thanks Ashley for taking the time to answer those questions - some great tips!

Now for some of her work! Here's a little background about her latest project:

Since Fall has approached, I had a lovely client ask me to come up with a set design for a shoot. I decided to do a Fall shoot, but with a twist! And that twist included touches of modern, a little bit of 'funky retro', and of course accents of feminine vintage! I enjoyed using touches of Fall jewel tones in the set, such as the deep red of the goblet and matching perfume bottle, the emerald green of the vintage glass bottle, and accents of black throughout. I usually find myself sticking to a more neutral palate of sparkly silvers, pale golds, creams and whites, but I was ready for a bit of a change, and Fall is the perfect time! It was so refreshing to add some rich colors and patterns, such as the pattern in the rug, and the rich tone of the roses, and the bright turquoise of the hand fan. It was also great to add a little funkiness to the set with items such as the white owl accessory. I was able to use elements that I love in design right now: my 1970's black leather desk chair, a fur throw for texture, lots of vintage bottles, tea cups, and a cute little tea pot I got for one dollar at a garage sale! It was great to still be able to incorporate vintage and retro elements, but it was so fun to pair those with a brick background, and feminine eyelet white lanterns, for a slightly different version. It was so fun to come up with this Fall set with a twist!









Gold and burgundy is big this fall/winter!



This one's possibly my favorite - the teacup with the pearls.


Thanks again Ashley - great work!

Follow Ashley's doings on her fab blog Ashley Krogman Designs

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Check out my article in Nesting Newbies Magazine

Nesting Newbies is a great new online magazine with useful features on cooking, entertaining, lifestyle, and home decorating - geared towards the new home owner or renter. I was flattered to be asked to compile a list regarding "If money were no object, what would you buy for your home right now"


Go to Nesting Newbies, Issue 3, and see the article on page 162.

Here's what I had to say:
If budget was no option, what would you buy for your home right now?

I like a look that blends a little rustic, a little feminine, and a little eclectic. I like mixing styles because it makes it so much easier to incorporate a new piece that you fall in love with, without having to worry whether or not it fits in with the rest of your decor. So, here are three things I'd love to have in my home right now:

A bed with classic good looks. A bed is a piece you should invest in, and you want something that isn't too trendy or you won't get tired of looking at in a year. I love the clean shape of Crate and Barrel's Colette bed paired with the subtle "toughness" added via pewter nail heads and a natural linen texture



I've been wanting a mirrored dresser for a long time, and I like Anthropologie's version which features a "dappled" look. The patina keeps it from looking too precious or overly glamorous


A pair of these chandeliers from my favorite San Francisco shop, Bae. I'd love to put these over a farm table or industrial style dining table from reclaimed wood.

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Thanks to these bloggers...

for being kind enough to mention MadeByGirl on their sites. Check their blogs out for a great weekend of reading! (Click on banners to go to the blogs) If you mention or post about Madebygirl on your blog, please email me & I'll include you in my next 'Thank You' post!

*Also, I was interviewed by these 3 blogs below- to read, visit each link:

Indie Fixx

Polozova Fashion

The Sassy Minx

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