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An Inspired Crowd

by | Feb 4, 2009 | Decorating Inspiration, Details

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An Inspired Crowd

Please welcome my guest today : Tim, The Remodeling Guy

I Feel Like I Already Know You

I hear that when presenting oneself to a new audience, be it in person or in writing, that it’s wise to know the audience. Sounds easy enough in theory I suppose.

An Inspired Crowd

And it wasn’t too terribly difficult to at least get something of an idea of who I’m writing for today. All that was required was a little bit of time.

Some time reading way back through Melissa’s posts gave me a pretty good idea of what keeps you coming back for more. She’s got some great stuff here!

Then I went and clicked through to the blogs of some frequent commenters, and I checked out some of the “Inspired Links”. I’m glad I did that!

You Guys Rock!

I use the term “you guys” in a general sense of course. But seriously, wow! In Melissa’s posts and in all of your blogs I realize that I’m writing for a group that possesses some serious style!

I could have stayed for hours reading your posts and looking at amazing pictures. I even saw a plate on a wall that I liked! That is really saying something, because I generally prefer my plates on the table! Full!

I love the way you all use your blogs to not only express your own sense of style, but also to share it with others. I was able to use that to get to know you a little better. I think I should use the same method to let you get to know me. Some pictures of what I love and a few words about why I love it!

I’m a Color Nut

An Inspired Crowd

This is my dream kitchen! That ought to tell you a whole lot right there! My family and I live almost as far South as you can get and we like to pretend that we’re actually in the tropics!

Of course, as a construction guy, I see a whole lot more than color in this picture. Did you notice:

  • The inset cabinet doors (doors and frames flush)..great detail!
  • The white top half of the room and the way it calms the colors!
  • The 4-light windows and 4-light door… I like it!
  • The way the small paintings above the sink bring it all together!
  • The ceiling and the exterior dormer I know is there!

So I love color, that’s me, but I know it doesn’t work for everybody! I bet many of you wouldn’t live with this kitchen for longer than it takes to go grab a can of paint! But that’s what I loved about all of your blogs…diversity .

One thing that was clear to me is that you all understand a couple of my most preached principles.

Know Thyself

I encourage anyone who will listen to open their eyes a little bit and look around. Pay attention to what makes you feel good, even if it’s not exactly the thing you’re looking for. Take a look at this shot for example:

An Inspired Crowd

People generally know if they like the look of a picture or not. The question that seems harder is, why? In order to do anything involving a need for design, and remodeling certainly involves design , you really need to know why!

When I look at this picture, I like it. But I don’t love everything about it.

I like:

  • The colors, of course! I like the two tones of blue green and the contrast on the floor and celings.
  • I like the way the window goes all the way to the ceiling. Cool.

Not so much:

  • The clear tables.
  • The lack of trimwork.

I bet each one of you knows exactly what you think about the photo, too. I think this knowledge comes from exactly what you’re doing right now, going to places that you know inspire you and exploring. You go out and see what you can find that makes you go “wow” and by doing that you get a real intrinsic understanding of what you love in a design.

And with that knowledge, you can understand and implement my second widely harped-on principle:

Create an Environment

To me, a house is more than just four walls and a roof. No matter how large or small your home is, no matter if your budget for remodeling is $500.00, $50,000.00, or $500,000.00 the goal is the same, and it is attainable.

The goal is to use whatever resources we have at our disposal, and we all have resources, be it time, money, materials, talent, creativity, or sheer determination. Use those resources in our homes to create an environment.

I like the word environment better than design or decor. To me, it says something different. It includes everything: structure, finishes, furnishings, lighting, even the smells, and sounds, and air flow. All of that is environment.

I could go on and on, and I do over at my blog. But I should give Melissa her audience back. I’ll leave you with a picture that says environment to me. If I’m the remodeling expert I claim to be, then sooner or later my new (75 years new!) house should look something like this:

An Inspired Crowd

How can you not love that!?? I sure do. (I’m a ‘maybe’ on the purple)

Thanks to Melissa for the honor of a guest post at The Inspired Room! She’s also enlisted me to write a regular column on “remodel-ey” things at Blissful Home on Blissfully Domestic. So I hope to see you there, where I will actually talk about construction!

In the meantime I can be found at www.RemodelingGuy.net

35 Comments

  1. Rosie's Whimsy

    Great post! I will be checking you out! I mean that in the most innocent of terms, you know…..your blog….your projects :-) LOL

    I am so with you on keeping your space personal. Every time I stray from what I like to what every one else is doing I live to regret it. If I see something that really strikes an inner cord, then I know I am on the right track.

    Thanks for your words of wisdom!

    Reply
  2. Kristen

    I love color too, but I can easily get overwhelmed. I like seeing how to balance it and pull a room together with it in that kitchen. Thanks for guest posting today!

    Kristens inspiring blog post..A Balancing Act

    Reply
  3. Amara

    Love that lime and red kitchen! I’m really regretting all my BROWN stuff. Sometimes I go with neutrals because it seems more “grown-up”, but then it doesn’t seem like “me”! thanks for a great post.

    Amaras inspiring blog post..Kids Clutter Control!.

    Reply
  4. Becky K.

    I totally enjoyed this post!

    I also like plates fully loaded on the table…but an arrangement or two
    on the wall surely grab attention. I haven’t gone there yet…but when I run out of room in the cupboards…look out!

    Have a great day Melissa and Tim.

    Becky K.s inspiring blog post..Orchids and More at Longwood Gardens

    Reply
  5. Jennifer

    Great ideas! I love color too…just afraid to be that bold sometimes. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Jennifers inspiring blog post..M.I.A. Valentine Decor

    Reply
  6. dawn

    Where did you find this guy…Awesome post! I will surely be a regular visiting his blog.

    dawns inspiring blog post..Quilt time!

    Reply
  7. Jen

    Good grief Tim…one month into the blogging world and you have hit it big again. It’s certainly not because we all love you, but more because of connections, right. :)
    Honestly, we are privileged to have you join this group of ladies (for the most part). You fit right in with us girls in the most manly, man complement sort of way that I can give.
    Are you sure you don’t want to be the rose among gems this w-end and meet us all at Blissdom? hee hee
    Tell your wife, thanks for loaning out your expertise for all of us struggling with this remodeling thing.

    I’ll see you tomorrow, Melissa…..squeal (and I am so not a squealer).

    Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlams inspiring blog post..Bulk Baking- 2nd Edition (Best ever cookie)

    Reply
  8. JanMarie

    Great inspiration :) When we bought our first home it was so exciting to be able to paint anything I wanted any color I wanted! After living in military housing……blah beige:(…..it was especially fun. Your home should be a beautiful portrait of those that live in it.
    JanMarie
    p.s. Melissa, I love your blog and thanks for letting Tim guest today!

    JanMaries inspiring blog post..Sunny Skies In Erice

    Reply
  9. Susan J Smith

    Howdy Tim…always great to read your posts, and glad you’re going to be in more places (is that magic?).

    Susan

    Susan J Smiths inspiring blog post..Surviving Staged Bathrooms

    Reply
  10. Hope

    Welcome Tim to this wonderful spot on the web. I love what you said about creating your environment. Many years ago someone once told me, when they walk into my home they felt like they had been hugged.

    Hope @ Monkey Giggless inspiring blog post..Book Review

    Reply
  11. Amanda

    i would never guess how much i would love that kitchen. but i love the combo of colors and the light and airy feeling. it’s so unique. what a dream.

    Amandas inspiring blog post..kitchen love

    Reply
  12. teresa

    Welcome- how fun to read your post- I will be checking out your site- we are always in some state of remodeling and I could use some help.
    I love color too- when wanting to paint our library red- our contradictor tried to talk to out of it- he had no vision-
    Thanks- great post.

    teresas inspiring blog post..Spring Asparagus and Fresh Strawberries

    Reply
  13. Shawn/Lifeatbuttercupfarm

    Welcome Tim! Love the picture of that kitchen. There is something amazing about windows to peer out of when you are at a kitchen sink. I also love white in a bright sun-lit kitchen…So glad you posted!

    Reply
  14. Stacey

    Great post!! I also think creating a home has to do with the environment as a whole, not just the decorating. Although that is a really fun and important part!! :) I love the airy yet colorful tropical cottage look of the pictures you shared. You’ll have to share pics of your home when you get projects completed!

    Stacey @ The Blessed Nests inspiring blog post..Yummiest Chocolate Cake EVER!!!

    Reply
  15. Sandy

    the kitchen rocks! we’re in the process of thinking remodel, just got plans drawn up!

    great to have Tim as a guest!

    Sandys inspiring blog post..Tasty Truffles LOVE! (& 4RE Exciting News!)

    Reply
  16. Mrs. Q

    Remodeling Guy,
    Great post! You gave me a lot to think about in regards to my sad, sad, uninspired bedroom :) But I took your advice that you handed out on your website about getting the magazines together and finding things that make your heart sing. Only I took the low budget approach and went to HGTV Rate My Space…which is free :) And that is a price that works for us right now. Anyway, I found some great sources of inspiration and slowly but surely I think I can turn my space into a calm, soothing environment for my husband and me.

    Blessings!

    Mrs. Qs inspiring blog post..Craving Contrast….

    Reply
  17. Rana

    Thanks for sharing your insights. I just checked out your site. Very nice I just subscribed I’m looking forward to reading your old submissions.

    Reply
  18. Robin Rane' ~ All Things Home

    That kitchen is wonderful! I like the idea of looking at the pictures and deciding exactly what I like and exactly what doesn’t work!
    Great post! Looking forward to more:)

    Robin Rane’ ~ All Things Homes inspiring blog post..Antiquing Again!

    Reply
  19. Pat Layton

    Great Post Remodeling Guy! You really are wonderful, talented, clever, creative, visionary, and a brilliant writer!!
    Keep up the good work,
    MOM
    :0)

    Reply
  20. Shannan

    What a great guest host! And I love being reminded that there are men out there who love interior design as much as us women-folk. Thanks!

    Shannans inspiring blog post..Not leaving on a jet plane.

    Reply
  21. Lazy Mom Amanda

    Love your blog! Just found it. But, even more, I love that kitchen. I am in desperate need of a kitchen overhaul, but not in this economy!

    Lazy Mom Amandas inspiring blog post..Italian Beef Sandwiches

    Reply
  22. Michelle

    That kitchen is the best ever! Loved your post!

    Michelles inspiring blog post..14!

    Reply
  23. Deidra

    Oh how I wish I could conjure up the nerve to paint my kitchen cabinets! I’ll paint a wall in a NY nano-second. But there’s a block when it comes to those kitchen cabinets hanging there glaring at me from above my kitchen counters. What’s up with that?

    Reply
  24. Rita Finn

    Thank you for such a thought-provoking post! The ‘Know Thyself’ picture … I learned the French have a term for artfully combining different shades of the same color; camayeaux (cam-eye-u). This layering of colors has been raised to an art form which i personally have yet to perfect, but seeing it always inspires me. Thank you!

    Rita Finns inspiring blog post..kuler – A Digital Box of Crayons

    Reply
  25. Lori

    Of everything presented above, I more than anything else want to get myself an alligator rug for my kitchen. That’s just the coolest.

    Reply
  26. Remodeling Guy

    Thank you all for such wonderful comments and thanks again to Melissa for letting me in the front door!

    Tim @ Remodeling Guy

    Remodeling Guys inspiring blog post..I’m Feeling Inspired!

    Reply
  27. Elaine

    That’s one cool kitchen, Tim!! I love the mixed up colors and did not notice the little dormer window but saw the other details…. Nice to have you play Melissa today! ;-)

    Reply

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