Happy Friday! Can you believe this week? Such a fast week. Yesterday felt like Tuesday and tomorrow should not be Saturday – but alas it is Friday and I’m more than a little happy about that.
Every once in a while I invite a blogger, artist or writer to stop by the blog and share their thoughts about design with readers. I’ve come to call this my ‘Friday Guest Blog Interview’ and while I don’t host every Friday, I took a little count yesterday and this is the 52nd interview to date. I’m no interior designer so I might look forward to these interviews most, but if you’re interested in some serious tips and tricks from some of the best out there, check out the archive here. A few of my favorites? Centsational Girl, Young House Love, Viva Full House, Isabella & Max Rooms, Hostess with the Mostess, Bower Power, Decor8, Made by Girl, Ruffles and Stuff, Style Me Pretty, M Loves M — too many to name. I really have enjoyed each one of those 52. I keep the same four questions each time and I love to hear the variations and commonalities in the answers!
Today I have the honor of introducing Jan Parr, long time editor of Chicago Home + Garden and recent author of Chicago Spaces: Inspiring Interiors. If you’re a collector of awesome coffee table books, I must admit that this is a great addition to the collection. I have sprinkled my favorite photos from the book throughout the interview!
Everything about both of the above images is awesome. More after the jump.
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{PDB Interview with Jan of Chicago Spaces: Inspiring Interiors}
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What inspires your design style?
I’m inspired by everything ! Beautiful rooms I see on blogs, in other magazines, in catalogues (a long time ago I redid a bathroom to look like one I saw in a Pottery Barn catalog). I’ve been inspired by tiles I’ve seen in Italy, colors I’ve seen in Mexico, hotel rooms I’ve stayed in Inspiration is everywhere if you’re open to looking for it.
What do you love most about what you do?
The variety! My job involves scouting out the Chicago area’s most gorgeous homes, meeting the talented designers and homeowners who make them happen, and pairing them with talented writers to tell their stories. I also love breaking news about new stores, trends, and happenings in the Chicago area on our blog,chicagohomemag.com/designdose, and on Twitter @janparr.
What are your favorite design trends?
What are three design suggestions that you would like to offer our readers?
{1.} See the question above.
{2.} Get an outside opinion. If you can’t afford a designer, enlist a friend with good taste to come over and help you “see” your rooms.
{3.} Take everything out of a room, then put things back one by one. You’ll be amazed by what doesn’t make it back in.
Thank you, Jan!
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If you loved this interview, check out more great spotlights {and tips & tricks!} from fantastic bloggers.
Reprinted with permission from Chicago Spaces: Inspiring Interiors, by Jan Parr and the Editors of Chicago Home + Garden, Agate Surrey, October 2011. Chicago Interiors surprised me with my very own coffee table book but the ideas and stories shared in this post are entirely my own (with the exception of the interview, of course!).
