Well, it’s back to reality after an incredible time at the beach and a crazy busy week of work and celebrating! Today, I’m beginning a new feature here at Decor & More: an Inspiring Blogger Interview! I figure y’all listen to my own ramblings often enough and in the interest of… well, interest– and expanding my little blog’s horizons, I thought I would begin sharing interviews with some of my favorite inspirational bloggers once a month.
What better way to kick off a new feature than interviewing my newest blog crush, Karianne of Thistlewood Farm! I can’t remember how I stumbled upon her blog, but I knew I’d found a kindred spirit in her. Maybe it was her post about her teenage sons’ stinky socks or her to-die-for Christmas decor, but I haven’t missed a post since! I sang her praises in my Favorite Things of February post and she graciously subjected her sweet and funny self to my questions… so here’s the scoop!
How did you get started blogging?
I live in a very rural area. Everyone likes to fish. No one really cares about old windows by the side of the road or yard sales or vintage spoons or burlap curtains. I do. I love burlap and linen and chippy dishes and bird’s nests. So I started blogging and I found a whole world of people who love the same things as I do. Now I have a place where I fit 🙂
Tell us a little bit about your incredible farm house and how you and “she” found each other.
It was a match made in heaven. We were about to start building a house. They were laying the drive-way. I was on the computer one day and I found her. And fell immediately in love. She needed a manicure, a pedicure, a facial and a conditioning treatment. She has always been beautiful, but now everyone else can see it.
How would you describe your home decor style?
I don’t really have one style. I just find things that I truly love. If I love them, they always find a home somewhere in my house. I love finding unique things and re–purposing for something other than what they were intended for. Like the giant chalkboard in my living room that used to be a window or the tool box on my kitchen table that holds paper flowers.
What inspires your style and projects around the home?
I have four children and cats and dogs and an occasional amphibian or two. So my house has to be breakable. There isn’t anything in my home that I consider more precious than my family, so I paint and furnish with things with “character.” That way….if something accidentally has some more character added to it, it fits right in.
Do you have a favorite DIY project?
I think my favorite project is my hutch in my kitchen. It was hidden in a garage with tools covering it. I saw it and fell in love immediately. I painted it first white, then grey and distressed it and we have been best friends ever since.
*Can’t we all see why??
A secret DIY weapon?
I think my secret DIY weapon would have to be Pinterest. When I start on a project, or I’m looking for something to fill an empty space, Pinterest is my go-to inspiration of choice. I don’t think there’s anything I might dream up that hasn’t already been pinned.
Any DIY “fails”? 🙂
I don’t think you have enough pages in your blog for all my fails. I am always working on projects that don’t turn out like I expected them to. Sometimes they turn out better and I am so happy. Sometimes I am surprised that something I thought was a failure turns out to be much better. Those are the best kind of surprises 🙂
Do you have a favorite shopping source for home decor?
One of my favorite rug sources is Home Decorator’s Collection. They have the best seagrass rugs and indoor/outdoor rugs.
What is your favorite space in your home?
I think my favorite space is my kitchen. It is the heart of our home. When the kids get home from school, they toss their backpacks and go straight to the kitchen. We laugh and talk about the day. I think it’s even better with a few smooshed Cheerios now and then.
*Try to keep yourself from drooling over this kitchen, y’all — I dare you!!
What is the one piece of advice you would share with those on the journey of making a house into a home?
I think you need to make your house into “your” home. It is so easy to get overwhelmed with all of the beautiful pictures in blogland. But so many of those pictures are snapshots…..single photos that tell nothing about the family that lives there. Your home tells the story of you and your family and needs to reflect who you are. If you like pink or purple or orange or any color of the rainbow, that is you. Don’t let others distract you. You are special and wonderful and definitely one-of-a-kind.
Be yourself and rejoice in who you are and your home will reflect that.
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Do you see what I mean?? Is she the best, or what? Always an encouraging word and beautiful style, too! I love that she’s always looking for new ways to connect to her readers and other bloggers. And here’s a little secret about Karianne: she and I love to use exclamation points!! And I mean ALOT of exclamation points!!! I’m thrilled that we’ll be meeting IRL at Haven this June — don’t you know it will be a fun time? Here are a few of my favorite spaces from her blog…
Her delicious dining room — and don’t get me started on those smocked burlap drapes!!
More dining room deliciousness. 🙂
And this unbelievable upstairs playroom space.
Okay, for more wonderful stuff from Karianne, you can view her house tour here, but I would spend some time reading her funny heartfelt posts, too. Pay her a visit and I guarantee you’ll be crushing on her, too! Just tell her I sent you.
Thanks, Karianne, for kicking off my newest feature and giving so generously of your time, photos, and inspiration! This little blogger is most appreciative!! {And can’t wait to play at Haven!}
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It’s not too late to enter my Willow House giveaway! Contest ends at 10pm EST on Friday, March 23rd and winner will be chosen by Random.org and posted on Saturday, March 24th.
Happy Friday!
i just love karianne! i think i only “met” her a couple months ago, too, but drooled over her house immediately! she is stylish, creative, funny sometimes, and just down to earth and sweet.
Ms. Thistle gives great advice about making a house *your* home and not someone elses, and that photos don’t necessarily tell the story of the family who lives there. Now I’m heading over to secretly glue cherrios on her kitchen floor with milk.
~Bliss~
Bliss—You don’t need to do that there is already plenty of Captain Crunch glued to the mantle….lol. Heidi. I think I love you as much as I love exclamation points. I am linking to this on my blog so everyone can find out I love smooshed Cheerios, too!
You have truly blessed me today 🙂
karianne
Hi Heidi! Karianne sent me your way, and boy am I glad she did!! I too love reading her posts! You have an awesome blog, and a new follower! 🙂
Karianne, is a lady to love. We have smooshed Cheerios at our house, but no Captain Crunch. Maybe I need to rethink our cereal selection.
Kari is an inspiration, a must-read, a ray of sunshine, a true friend … and the perfect blogger to kick off this series Heidi!
🙂
Linda
Heidi, I am your newest linky follower. Found you via Thistlewood, and we certainly have the blogger crush is common! She is amazing!
I am going to Haven too! Hope to meet you there. Your blog is fantastic!
Hope you have a great weekend!
xo-Lisa
Love me some Karianne. 🙂
I just found her too.
And I think she’s crazy.
(in a good way)
xo
~K
What a fab kick off to your new series. That was a wonderful post. Karianne was a super choice. Her home is just gorgeous, but she is so sweet, it doesn’t make me hate her =) lol
I found Thistlewood through you Heidi during your favorites post last month (now would be a good time to say thank you, so….thank you!). I love her style particulary what she said about having pieces with character that can withstand a little added ‘character’ that a bustle house can contribute. Most of my furniture is 2nd hand and repurposed. I always thought that it was ‘until’ I could afford new or didn’t have little ones, but that truth is, I’d never be as fond of new furniture the way I am of my salvaged, re-loved pieces. Can’t wait to meet new “friends” and inspiration on these monthly interviews! Great job!
Heidi…you picked a gem of a person when you featured KariAnne…she is a blessing in blogland…I was smitten the moment I read the first post. She is genuine, kind, and let’s not forget HYSTERICAL..I have to watch it when I read a new post of hers, say in the morning when I am reading and sipping my coffee…I read one post one morning and laughed so hard that coffee went up my nose and all over my desk!..Good thing I did not end up with Starbucks in my keys!…
I can tell you that KariAnne’s blog has been so very successful in these short months because she is speaking from the heart…not a word spoken that doesn’t hit you in the gut and makes you feel great…Can you tell that I love her blog?…She is definitely a “Dancer”…
Haven, I am going too!!…I am very excited to be able to meet everyone!…So see you at Haven too Heidi!!…and love your blog too!!!!!!!
Karianne is the sweetest ever and leaves such thoughtful (and fun) notes. I drool every time I look at her photos, her entire blog is such a joy! Thanks for helping us to get to know her better!
Heidi
I love all things Kari – she’s funny, friendly and encouraging. I love a smooched Cheerio, dust bunny and imperfection and much as she does!
Kelly
I am totally crushing on Karianne too…she had me at beautiful style and keeps me coming back with her amazing writing style and genuine positivity (apparently not a word). What a gem!
I have a crush on her too!!!!! I can’t wait to meet Karianne at Haven this summer-she is like a celebrity to me and I hope I get her autograph!
Debbie
Yep, every photo of her house looks like it belongs in a magazine. Totally drool-worthy. I loved reading this questions and answers. Great post, ladies!