Wall stenciling, decals, wallpaper... It's all good. Once viewed as passé or, "So 1980's", stenciling can be quite a neat DIY trick for those with a creative eye or who have a strict budget that doesn't include $180  a roll wallpaper. When most people think of stencils, they imagine rooster motifs as borders in kitchens, or pink roses on dressers. Let's change the mental picture. I want you to envision Wary Meyers in place of all that, okay? Think hip and now, not has been.

Images from Wary Meyers.

Wary Meyers is this super cool couple living between Brooklyn and coastal Maine who paint, design, DIY, and stencil their hearts out transforming mundane objects and spaces into swank pads. Yup, these hip New Yorkers stencil in style. Need proof?  Here are some custom stencils that they did for a few of their clients.

If you'd like to try your hand at a little faux-paper effect like the one above, here are some sources for stencils that I suggest. If you know of any others, please add to this list with your comments.

• Henry Donovan Motif
• Modello Desgin
• My Stencils
• Royal Design Studio
• Stencil 1
• Stencil Library
• Stencil Planet
• Victoria Larsen

Do you stencil? If not, would you consider it?

(image from wary meyers)

Design magazines may be inspiring, but I often turn to illustration for inspiration, too. From graffiti to prehistoric cave drawings and colorful Target gift cards, artists and illustrators are doing their part to influence how we see the world. I always look forward to viewing illustrations in magazines like Real Simple and particularly enjoy looking at book covers -- some are just gorgeous.

I find myself inspired by these creative souls so often, I refer to their work whenever I feel like I'm stuck in a creative rut. How?

Illustration by Linda Ketelhut represented by Lilla Rogers Studio.

Usually my creative rut centers around developing new color palettes as I often tend to lean on my favorite combinations whenever I decorate a room. Do you do this too? Currently, I'm decorating a small apartment and I'm looking to use color in a new way -- one that breaks me of my color comfort zone while still being uniquely 'me'. I turn to art and illustration to help me in this respect. I've been tearing illustrations from magazines like a mad woman lately and putting them together in a journal with notes so I know exactly what I like about the palette and the feelings that the colors evoke. It's a fun exercise that you may even want to try.

Illustration by Lisa DeJohn represented by Lilla Rogers Studio.

Book covers, greeting cards, posters, gift cards, wrapping paper, children's books, there are so many places to find beautiful illustrative work -- allow yourself to be inspired by it. You may even want to do a little doodling yourself, it's fun and releases a lot of emotions and ideas - experimenting with color in this way can unlock a new idea or two when it comes to decorating. Here are a few places I turn to for illustrative inspiration.

• Illustration Friday is a website started by illustrator Penelope Dullaghan that draws together artists of all skill levels and asks them to get involved and create together on a weekly basis around a theme, or if one prefers, simply observe the works as I do here on the IF blog.
• 3x3 is a magazine devoted to contemporary illustration that I really like.
• I love to visit Lilla Rogers who represents lots of illustrators and I adore browsing the online portfolios, amazing work.
• Scott Hull Associates - Another rep website with portfolios that I just love to browse, great colors!
• Illustration Mundo is a website with loads of creative eye candy.
• Drawn! is an illustration blog.
• Fecal Face - The user galleries are fun to browse.

Though I find satisfaction in viewing beautiful work, I often challenge myself when I look at pictures so that I'm not mindlessly scanning pretty pictures only for relaxation and pleasure. Though pleasure is part of it, I often study what I see -- I view how colors are combined, their strength, how they relate to the other colors in the drawing, how often they are repeated in the work, etc. I often remove the images I see in magazines and paste them into a journal and make notes. I ask myself Why? What? How? Why do I like it, What grabs my attention? How does it make me feel? I also list the colors used in the piece. I try to group images within a similar color palette in the same section of my journal so I can see how the same palette appears simply by altering how the colors are used (in one composition, pink may be strong but in another, the weakest color in the piece).

So whenever you see a drawing that you like in color, or anything else for that matter (fashion imagery, photography, whatever), start questioning Why? What? How? etc. and put together a little inspiration journal of your very own. Over time you'll start to see a trend in what you like, you'll discover your own style, and you may even find color combinations that you love that you would have never dreamed of putting together on your own -- which can equal inspiration for your next bedroom redesign. That's how I allow all the beautiful illustrative work I see to inspire my decorating choices.

(images from lilla rogers studio)

Last Friday we discussed Cutting Through Design Blog Smog and I promised that I'd reveal my daily reads to you today since you want to know. These are the design blogs that I don't miss at the end of each day when I've finished writing decor8 and have a moment to kick back and enjoy the voices of my bloggy friends. Of course, there are other blogs that I read via RSS feeds each week and others that I won't list because I consider them a bit more personal (blogs authored by family members and close personal friends, for example) but here is a grouping of reads that I refer to on a daily basis.

Delightful Blogs is a wonderful source for finding blogs organized by topic with an edited directory of 3,200+ blogs! Be sure to check it out to find blogs that you feel a connection to.

Here's some of my daily reads for design and a tad bit of fashion, too! Everyone has a different list of daily reads, so please share yours below.

• Creature Comforts - Founder and editor Ez out in Southern California gives me my daily dose of fashion and interiors inspiration, and I love the content and voice behind it. I also adore how well everything is laid out.

• Style Files - I met this blogger, Danielle, a few times already. We attended a design fair in Holland and another in Sweden a year later where we spent the weekend shopping, eating, and meeting readers who follow our blogs in Sweden -- exciting! I feel especially close to Danielle because she's more than a blogger to me, she's a friend now and I think that's pretty special. She also lives in Holland and is Dutch, so I really enjoy her perspective on design and her sense of style -- it's very clean and uncomplicated. Plus her blog is truly lovely.

• Making It Lovely - Nicole is a graphic designer and she loves to decorate, so I get my graphic design and DIY fix daily from this girl. She is a new homeowner and lives with her husband in Chicago in the cutest bungalow. It's fun to peek in on what she's up to next. Another thing I love about Nicole? She's humble. She asks her readers for decorating feedback.

• Emmas Designblogg - Another blogger that I met in person, Emma actually showed me around Stockholm last year that included cocktails and a beautiful organic buffet brunch. She has the typical Scandinavian style that I love and a genuine and sweet spirit about her. I like the products she finds because they're not typical to what I find here in American stores and magazines and because what she writes hasn't been all over blogland a thousand times already.

• SF Girl By Bay - Victoria is the big sister I never had but have always wanted. She's stylish, has a great sense of humor, and lives in San Francisco, a city that I would never live in (too expensive) but secretly wish I could. So everyday I live through Victoria instead. And I love how she decorates, it's Stockholm meets San Francisco with a dash of Sydney - fresh, white, jolts of energetic color, and vintage finds mixed in with modern pieces from affordable stores like Room & Board and IKEA -- so it's within reach. Plus Victoria has a good spirit, she's real and approachable. I really value her voice in the design blogging world so much.

• My Marrakesh - Who wouldn't love a blog authored by a savvy well-traveled American who is not only a mother and wife, but works as a specialist in human rights and democracy and is diligently working alongside her architect husband to build and soon open, a lovely hotel retreat in Marrakesh called the Peacock Pavillions. You can gaze in on her beautiful world via her blog and watch the progress she's making with the building project. I hope to visit Maryam in 2009 with my husband, too. We've become great friends through our blogs over the past few years.

• Absolutely Beautiful Things - Authored by Anna Spiro, would has exceptional style, this blog oozes with class and color. Anna lives in Australia and has impeccable taste, and she should, she's an Interior Designer and design shop owner. Love this lady!

• And Bloesem because Irene is just so lovely and down-to-earth and she blogs about some of the most beautiful handmade crafty things ever. She's a wife and mom and all around great lady.

The design blogs that we read reveals a lot about our personal style. When you look over the above list, it's clear that I love European life, am dying to visit Australia and Morocco, adore California (my favorite U.S. state), and love design that's a bit exotic and colorful, modern, lots of handmade tactile things, clean but with character, mostly neutral base with bright colors as accents, and enjoy being around laid back easy-going none over-achiever types. Not to say that these ladies aren't doing a lot in their life, they are, but they're balanced and live a life that I enjoy sharing with them daily through their blogs. They aren't just bloggers, they are mothers, business owners, wives, and extremely inspirational women that I've grown to adore. That's why these particular blogs click with me. Of course you are different, you may have your own list and by sharing mine I'm not stating these are the only blogs online worth reading. There are thousands.

If you'd like to find more lovely blogs, here's my own list of favorites right here: decor8 Links. Y

And a little note: these reads aren't the only blogs I'm looking at, I check out Apartment Therapy, Delicious Days, Dooce, Hatch, Hue Consulting, Turquoise, Unclutterer, Print and Pattern, and many others on a weekly basis -- lately the best time for that is on Friday afternoon after I've wrapped up everything for the week - my end of week reward. I find it a nice way to kick off the weekend too.

Who are you reading?

(image from delightful blogs)

So many blogs, so little time. How does one cut through the blog smog? As a blogger and a blog reader, you may be surprised to know that I read less than 10 blogs per day! In addition to Simply Stated of course. :) Sure, I scan a few others here and there, but that occurs less than once a week and takes me about an hour total.

A design blog article I wrote for a real estate journal back in 2006 pointing potential home buyers to some of my favorite reads on the web.

Why do I practice portion control when it comes to blog reading?

Mostly due to lack of time. Like so many of you, I have a life off-line that demands my attention in addition to my online responsibilities to my dear readers over on decor8 and here at Simply Stated. There are thousands of bloggers out there and more are joining the ranks each day, how could I ever keep up if I didn't exercise some self control? Plus I want to surround myself with people online who are making progress in their own life and through their blogs, they are not only sharing that progress but giving me encouragement and inspiration whether they realize it or not. And because anyone can start a blog also means that anyone will -- so you need to watch what your reading and make sure that the blogger isn't feeding you what they've either stolen off the web elsewhere and that they're walking the talk in their own life. Ask yourself:

• Does the blogger have their full name and complete bio readily visible, or at least their email address so you can ask them?
• If they are offering advice, do they have the credentials to do so? And when I say credentials, I don't mean they need to have some fancy background, I just want to know why they have a blog in the first place, what life experiences give them the 'right' to an audience so to speak.
• If they show photos on their blog, are they crediting their images giving the source full credit?
• Do they write well?
• Is their content consistent?
• Do they answer comments left on their blog?
• Are comments made by fellow readers constructive or are they snarky and bitter?

I think all of these points are very important things to consider because you want to make sure that what you're taking in is worth your precious time.

When I read a design blog I have to 'click' with the author. I need to like them.

If they are show-offs, snarky, rude to others, don't bother to reply to comments left, or lack a genuine warmth I don't bother tuning in regularly. My rule is that if I wouldn't consider having them as friends in my 'real' life, then I certainly don't want to associate with them online. Plus, it soaks up time that I could be spending on projects, exercising, or giving attention and care to my family -- my husband is precious and I never want him to take the back seat to over consumption when it comes to online recreation.

This is something I think everyone should consider. How much time are you spending reading blogs? Are they benefiting you in some way? Do you genuinely like the author? Is the message giving you feelings of hope or draining you? All valid things to consider.

I suggest making a list of your daily must-reads and sign up for their RSS feeds. That's what I do now and it really makes a difference in how I'm spending my time. Just as I wouldn't sit on the sofa for hours to watch television, reading blogs and surfing the net isn't something I do 24/7 either. There is such a thing as to much of a good thing. Whether it's cupcakes, sex, or blog reading, you can't do any of it constantly and not eventually tire out.

Of course, as my interests change, so does my list of must-read blogs for the day. I'll share my blog reading list with you on Monday.

If I didn't author a blog myself and write here for Simply Stated, I would read around 20+ blogs daily with no problem... But the 10 or less rule works for me and I'm quite happy with it. Everyone is different of course, you do what works for you.

I'm also not walking away over-stimulated and frustrated each day from over consumption. I believe that the time you spend on every activity should be as good as you can possibly make it. Even a mundane shower should be fun -- wash with your favorite soap and listen to a great CD and sing your little heart out. If you are consuming too much information daily, try to curb things a bit, reel yourself in, make an honest assessment about your blog intake, and then do something to shorten your list of reads so that you're spending more time enjoying the blogs you love, commenting on them, and showing the author that you appreciate their hard work so the good blogs stick around and continue to thrive.

If you have any blog reading tips to share, or if you'd like to tell us what blogs you read daily, please comment below!

(image: holly becker)

Here's a creative exercise for you, especially helpful if you're trying to decorate a room and you've narrowed down your color choices but cannot make a final decision, or if you have no clue what colors to even start with. Train your eye and develop a stronger color sense (and sharpen your direction) by using a digital camera. When you're out and about, take photos of color combinations that you like, for instance a pattern you see in a clothing store or a painting in the lobby of a hotel. Capture things you like without concentrating on what you're photographing -- that's not important. Color is what you're after here. Whether it's the top of a building or the carpet in a waiting room. You can even set up a home photo shoot and experiment using fabric, clothing, art, dishware, magazines, photographing current items in your home that you really love. A good start is your closet and accessories like jewelry and handbags. The only rule is to make sure that everything you're photographing has colors that you love. Now for the next step...

Example: A purple color folder where I quickly noticed a trend. I like purple when it's more of a pastel paired with soft green. I also like lilac paired with gray and silver.

Okay, so you're snapping photos like crazy, now what? You'll need to store them in a place where you can easily view them all together and create folders to organize your color groups. I highly suggest using a free photo management site like Flickr to upload them. In Flickr, you can arrange your photos into sets, or folders according to color. Title your sets accordingly, "purple", "white", "green", etc. Try this experiment for a few solid weeks so that you have enough photos to make a solid decision. Spot a trend? Maybe your green folder is nearly empty but your reds are overflowing. Now look at your reds. Do you see a trend there? Not all red is created equal, nor any color for that matter. Perhaps you'll see that you have a strong leaning towards a tone of red you currently aren't using in your home. It's time to change that because you should be living around color you love and are naturally drawn to, right? Makes sense to me.

Over time, you'll not only build a fantastic image collection, but again -- you'll start to see a pattern in what colors dazzle you the most AND what combinations of colors (color schemes) that you like.

Group images into folders on sites like Flickr, for instance.

Example: A green color folder. I learned from my study that I tend to lean towards either kelly green paired with crisp white and chartreuse.

Outside of learning more about yourself and what you like, building an online color portfolio is just plain fun because it's on the web so you can access it from anywhere and share it with others, including fellow Flickr users or the decorator that you're working with (decorators and designers will love you for this, trust me!). Of course, you can arrange things however you'd like in your folders, this is merely a suggestion based on my own experience, but I think it's a great way to boost your color confidence and make new discoveries.

One last bit: I've experimented with Flickr, Photobucket, and Shutterfly and Flickr always comes out on top for me. Do you have an online photo management and sharing application that you can suggest as an alternative in case someone reading is not keen on Flickr? Thank you!

images: holly becker for real simple.

Great decorating need not put you in debt. If your wallet is slim don't worry, I have a 10 step budget-friendly program that will make you feel better about your finances and your home. Here are some tips that come to mind the second I'm asked to help decorate on a budget, in no particular order...

A vintage dish from an antiques store for $1, a $7 vase on sale at Anthropologie, and an inexpensive photograph from Alicia Bock in a $10 Target frame is the perfect little budget ensemble in my bedroom. Fresh flowers and plants are great for those on a budget since they add texture, color, and often scent that fills the room with so much beauty.

1.) Paint: Ah, the power of a $20 can of paint. A new color can make such a dramatic difference.

• If you really want to save money, head to any home store (Lowe's, Home Depot, local paint shop), and ask where they keep cans of paint that customers didn't end up taking or returns due to incorrect color choices. You can often walk away with an entire gallon of $20-30 paint for under $5 and quarts for as low as $1! Just because it wasn't the exact color sage for someone else doesn't mean it won't be perfect for you.



• Try painting a dresser or something else in your home that needs freshening up (see Tip #3 for more on furniture). If you find the perfect bargain can of yellow paint for instance, paint your wooden curtain rods in a bright yellow or whatever color complements your space. Little bursts of a happy hue can work wonders if you don't feel up to painting an entire room. Which leads me to add...



• Who says you have to paint an entire room? Get creative. Paint one wall (behind your bed for instance) in rich chocolate or another bold look. Use a color you love that you aren't daring enough to use in an entire room. You can even go a step further and stencil your newly painted wall to mimic wallpaper. I have been stenciling for years and it's super easy to do. I don't mean rooster motifs either, I gravitate towards mostly modern designs like organic circles, geometrics, and florals. Try Lotta Jansdotter's new book, Lotta Prints: How to Print with Anything, from Potatoes to Linoleum for tips. It's only $14 and includes instructions and stencils that you can cut out and use for your next project.


 
• Need color help? I highly suggest reading this article, "Color Commentary: Consumers are looking to cyberspace to help them choose paint colors" that appeared recently in the Washington Post. You can directly access color experts on the web and often they will give you advice at no charge. One blogger who is not only a color maven but a great person (I've worked with her), is Rachel Perls of Hue Consulting.

2.) Wallpaper: A spare roll can be all you need to transform a single wall, place on the exterior of dresser doors using Mod Podge, line shelves, a bookcase, or line the interior of a glass cabinet. Paint the exterior of the cabinet in a fresh new color, and viola! you have a brand new piece of furniture. With an exacto knife you can cut out a headboard silhouette using your favorite paper and place it on the wall behind your mattress if you don't already have a headboard. Wall decals are another affordable option.

3.) Furniture: If you need new furniture, head over to Craigslist and search under furniture in the city nearest to you. So many people sell items there and I've not have a negative experience yet. Just last year, I sold several items that were valued at well over $2,000 for under $300 just because I wanted to get rid of them quickly with as little effort as possible. Having someone come to my home and pay me to take something away was far easier than going through the hassle of selling it on eBay or hauling it to a consignment store. Many others feel this way to, that's why Craigslist is such a gem for seller and buyer alike.

• Shop eBay, factory outlet stores, search online for your local furniture consignment shop, head to sites like Overstock.com, and attend flea markets, yard sales, and estate sales. It's amazing what you can find if you are patient.



• Try those unfinished furniture stores and pick up new pieces and just stain or sand them yourself.

• If a hotel, restaurant (tables, chairs, light fixtures), schools (card catalogs make great storage in the craft room), even a laundromat is going out of business, ask them if they have anything they'd like to get rid of. Some laundromats have the best mid century modern plastic seating ever! And hotels can yield lamps and writing desks in near new condition. I always pay attention to signs when I drive, get into this habit. Follow arrows that say "going out of business sale", "estate sale", "store closing" and check them out. Leave those credit and debit cards behind and bring cash so the next guy doesn't beat you to a good deal. Most of these sales do not accept credit cards.



• And of course, you can't forget IKEA because that is one big blue box of heaven whether you are on a budget or not.



• Remember, anything you find need only have good bones. Paint, new uphostery or different legs can often make all the difference. You can replace traditional coffee table legs with industrial wheels for instance. Get creative!

4.) Clearance Sales/Discounts:

• Let's say you love Anthropologie but there is no way you're going to pay $80 for a vase or $120 for a throw pillow. You don't have to. Either get a job there part-time (I'm kidding but some people do this just for the discount) or call the store and ask when their next sale will be on home items and arrive on that very day the moment doors open. They often have sales like 40% off already marked down merchandise and that is where you really score the good stuff. I picked up the yellow vase shown in the above photo for only $7. Make a list of all the stores you love and call them to find out when their next sale date will be. It's okay to ask, no shame in that -- they want to sell because it's less work for them to have less to box and ship back so they're happy to share this information with customers.



• Coupons. Okay so the United States Postal Service will hate me for this but whatever. Go to the post office and ask for a moving kit (often you don't have to ask, they are laying around). Grab one (they are free) and search the package for coupons. I once found a 30% off coupon for Homegoods and proceeded to score a new chair for a great price. It's also okay to ask a cashier in certain chain stores known for having regular coupons if they have any coupons hanging around that you can use. This is a regular habit of mine at certain stores, like Macy's, Michael's and A.C. Moore craft stores. I almost always get a percentage off when I ask. Ask nicely. Get in line where you see friendly cashiers and avoid grumpy ones.



• Email coupons. Yes, more mail for your inbox but it's all good when it could mean a potential savings. I'm on every email list imaginable -- if I shop at their store, I sign up for their updates. Also sign up for Daily Candy Deals.

5.) Window Treatments: Often you can alter curtains in ways that transform the entire room. Add a thick red or patterned border to creamy white drapes. Paint a wooden curtain rod bright yellow. Locate a single piece of bamboo (Pier One usually has them) and cut it to size to use as a curtain rod. You can leave it natural or lacquer it in bright red or turquoise for a shot of color. Swap boring vinyl shades or blinds with bamboo roman shades - a decorator's staple, you'll notice them in many homes in your favorite shelter magazines. Target has some great sales on curtains and shades, I frequent their store to see what's been marked down or I call them directly. That's where I always find the best bamboo roman shades on sale.

6.) New Fixtures, Hardware: A new pendant light for the dining room, a new faucet in the kitchen, lighting over the sink, if you know how to install it yourself you can easily make a positive change on the cheap. You can find lighting in almost all the stores listed above (see tip #3). If your bathroom is dated, replace your faucet, towel rack, and other small fixtures with new ones, swap your hardware out for something more modern, paint the walls, and remove the medicine cabinet and add a new one or a simple framed mirror which can be found anywhere these days for under $50. You can also swap out hardware on furniture and cabinetry in the kitchen to update on a budget. New hardware can really alter a piece more than you realize.

7.) Fabric: You can shop online for it or head to your local fabric store during sale time to score major deals. Fabric can be transformed into so many things, from trim for the towels to framing as art or stapling over a canvas and using as a focal point on the wall. You can even use Mod Podge and stick it to surfaces like doors to give the interior of your closet a new look. You can never go wrong with a new table runner, placemats, or a simple cafe curtain. Most of these projects aren't that complicated and depending on the fabric you purchase, can be a great budget option. Even better if you can use fabric you already have or repurpose a sweater into a throw pillow. If you can't sew, go to the craft store and pick up some no-sew fusible tape to make a simple pillow cover or rod pocket curtain. Although I sort of cringe as I type that because I think having a sewing machine and knowing how to use it is actually the wisest choice you can make on a budget because you can save so much money if you know how to do basic hems and such. For instance, you can transform flat sheets into roman blinds or shower curtains so easily if you just know how to sew. Which leads me to #8....

8.) Tools. Always make sure you have some of the most basic tools on hand because when you're living on a budget, you'll obviously need to do some things for yourself to save cash. Buy a staple gun, staples, hammer, nails in at least 3 sizes, tape measure, leveling device if you can afford one, power drill (worth saving up for), screwdriver (flat head and phillips head), sand paper, paint brushes, rollers, paint stick (those are usually free at the paint store), and a jar of Mod Podge.

9.) Design Blogs. Read 'em regularly for inspiration, to train your eye, view trends, DIY ideas, connect with others by leaving comments, and search your favorite blogs using search terms like DIY and BUDGET. What else can blog reading do for you?

• Free advice. Send your photos to Apartment Therapy for instance and they will post your photo and dozens of readers will chime in with their most honest advice (sometimes painfully honest) on how you can solve this or that dilemma. The beauty of the web is that you can remain somewhat anonymous so who cares if a few jump in calling your living room a horror show. You can then reply, "I know, got some decorating advice for me?" and for no charge, you can have an entire decorating session all in your honor.



• Some blogs, like mine (decor8.blogspot.com) posts discounts for readers from time to time, especially between November - January for usually 20% off at a favorite store.



• Look for blogs sponsoring contests because you just may win a great prize! decor8 will team up with Amy Butler Design in May to give away Amy's books, fabric, and her handmade bags in her latest fabric to select readers. Entering is fun and free.



• Refer to our blogroll in the right column here at Simply Stated to get you started.

10.) Art. I'm such a fan of art and places like Dawanda, Trunkt, Andyland, BlueFlip Art, Tiny Showcase, Etsy, even sites like Art.com have some nice prints that are affordable (at Art.com opt to frame a print yourself for a huge savings). You can find inexpensive frames in most of the stores listed in tip #3. You can also make your own art, get creative and have some fun. Visit your public library and check out some Art How To books and give it a whirl.

And don't forget, if you're on a budget then why not earn a little extra cash by selling some of the things you currently own but no longer need. Recycle by hosting a yard sale or by selling things online. And of course, the best things in life are sometimes free so before you embark on decorating, give your home a thorough cleaning (move furniture, clean window screens, etc.) and organize closets and tame that clutter. Decide what your budget is and make a list with two columns - wants and needs. When you are shopping, purchase all of your needs first and use whatever money you have left for wants.

You can design on a dollar - so go get 'em decorators!

(image from holly becker)

Do you Flickr? More than being one of the top online photo management and sharing applications with users worldwide, Flickr is where I go to find inspiration on a daily basis. It's a fantastic place to roam about and see the world without leaving your desk. You're often stepping into someone else's home, seeing their freshly baked batch of cookies, watching their progress as they stitch a quilt or decorate their living room -- and I find this all extremely exciting and motivating.

A few of my favorite photos found on Flickr. Click on this link and then click on the image you like for photo details and the photographer name.

If you don't know much about Flickr I encourage you to simply open a basic account at no charge and start navigating the site to get a feel for how it works. Create a profile and upload a few photos*. Read as much as you can here, you should find the answers to most questions that you'll have as you dip your toe in. 

Along with uploading photos, Flickr offers way more features that include organizing your photos into sets and, along with their growing number of amazing partners, you have the option of altering images or even transforming them into posters, books, cards, frames, photo shirts and more.

If you aren't interested in all that razzle dazzle and you just want to look at and/or share photos, you can upload your pics, join groups, and comment on the photos of others because it's the quickest way to get out there and network. You can even take it a step further and reach out to someone by adding them as a friend (found on their profile page top right) or you can contact them privately via Flickrmail, this option is also under the user profile, click on Send Flickrmail below their user name. I've made lots of new friends this way -- I currently have 760 contacts from as far away as Australia!

I tend to gravitate towards other members like me, creative types, design addicts, animal lovers, and travel nuts and find refreshment watching what they're up to. So many love to share their process or final results through images. I also love a gorgeous photo, especially fashion photography, exotic locales, animals, and urban landscapes. The more I see, the more I'm inspired and motivated to take on new and exciting projects, sew, travel, paint, play around with photo editing software, become a better photographer... You name it. It's an extremely positive experience for me.

Photo from Nina van de Goor of her living room.

Once you learn the basics and get going on Flickr, you may enjoy a few of my personal contacts listed below. You can even add me as a friend.

• Maria (known as Mav) lives in Portland, Maine and photographs her life in a way that feels so intimate and calming, I love her work.


• Lori is an Interior Designer in Canada known as the 10 Cent Designer and she shares her home and recent design projects (tour her home here).


• Jonathan Lo (Happy Mundane) shows of his shiny happy life in sunny southern California, his photos make me want to pack my bags and leave New England far behind. This guy has an amazing eye for style and design. Tour his home here.


• Nina van de Goor shows beautiful images of her home in the Netherlands, bravo Nina!


• Jen Altman is Fieryeyed and a master at capturing light and the beauty of  the everyday' in ways that will amaze you and make you look at your own life with more of a creative eye.
  


• Jen, aka Simply Photo, is a Brooklyn-based photographer that I've been following for awhile now, another great photographer.


• Stephanie Barnes is Little Birds, a creative lady living in Portland, OR with photos that teach you to appreciate the beauty behind some of the most normal routines we follow in a single day -- sipping tea, enjoying the sun, enjoying a warm bowl of oatmeal.


• And talent runs in the family as Barnes' sister is San Francisco-based artist Lisa Congdon known as Bird in the Hand and photographs pieces of her life from being an artist and shop owner to new dog mommy. I enjoy her journey, she's such a positive force.


• Creature Comforts is Ez from southern California who trained as a fashion designer and has a thing for Photoshop and faded photography. Another one with an amazing eye for style.


• Australian photographer Natalie Jeffcott goes under the name Arthur's Circus and she adores vintage finds and lots of primary colors in her home.


• Chrissie White may be young (14!), but as a photographer her photos exhibit maturity way beyond her years.


• ...And finally (for now) another fabulous Californian, Danske. Her work is laid back and dreamy.

Also, I should mention a few groups that I belong to where many come together to share photos according to theme: Corners of My Home, Mid Century Modern Interiors, Creative Collections (a group I formed out of my love of collections last year), and Organization is for Squares.

Do you have a Flickr favorites view to share? Any groups or people that you really love there that you'd like to share? Don't be shy - post your suggestions in the comments space below.

*With anything that you post online, it's important to note a rule of thumb I stand firmly behind: Make sure that what you share isn't anything that you wouldn't mind seeing on a billboard alongside the highway. My professor drilled this simple but often overlooked truth into us once in a communications class and I never ever forgot it. In other words, if you question sharing something (from how you look in a bikini to photos of your children) then simply don't share it! Only post photos that you want others, potentially thousands of strangers included, to view that won't come back to haunt you later.