About

My Family

The Inspired Room
is a happy mix of
realistic ideas for decorating,
simple homemaking,
& inspiration for authentic living.

My name is Melissa and I’m a design consultant, a mom of three and a pastor’s wife helping to launch a brand new church in Silverdale Washington called Voyage.

When I am not busy at home, you will find me writing my blog and for (in)courage and other online magazines, or speaking for such fabulous conferences as Blissdom, A Woman Inspired or Relevant. Or, gluing my hands to quarter round molding.

In the two and a half years since it first began, this blog has had one mission: to inspire women to create an authentic home they LOVE and for their home to inspire their life. That is what The Inspired Room is all about!

I like to open my eyes to new things to inspire me in living an authentic life — hopefully things that will inspire you too! I love to dream, find inspiration in all sorts of places, and then take what I find and apply it (on a budget and usually using what I already have!) to my own home and life. My life is crazy busy and I am no Martha Stewart, so this blog is about making the best of it all.

Along the way I hope to slow down enough to appreciate all the beauty around me every day. Life flies by too quickly and I don’t want to fail to notice the little things.

If you want to catch up on the BEST OF The Inspired Room posts, you can find them here!

Need help figuring out how to find things on this blog? Here is a brief introduction to my blog organization.

KIND RECOMMENDATIONS ON MY WRITING:

“I am very happy to find your blog as it is one of the best I’ve seen. You really are an excellent writer, and it is very enjoyable to read about what you are thinking and feeling. Clearly, I’m not the only one who realizes how good you are! Based on their comments, your audience really likes what you have to say, too.”

–Lauri Ward, best-selling author, founder & President of Use What You Have® Interiors and the Interior Refiners Network®

“Your ability to weave faith into an article is always brilliant and inspiring. In fact, this one left me in tears. Few people can write interesting content and match it with quality images the way that you do. That’s a rare combination! When can I buy your book?”

–Darlene Schacht, Founder and Editor, Christian Women Online Magazine, www.christianwomenonline.net

“From my perspective as a fellow blogger, Melissa is one of the sweetest and most genuine people out there. From my perspective as a writer, she has one of the freshest, most accessible, and authentically vibrant voices in the blogosphere. She takes on design, inspiration, and personal style at a level we all can relate to, no matter what kind of home we have.”

–Abby Kerr, Proprietor of  The Blissful, A French Inspired Boutique, Canton, Ohio

“Melissa Michaels’ decorating articles for Online Christian Women are authentically delightful! She has touched the ‘decorating psyche of the everyday family’ and given them both ideas and permission for creating a home that is a true reflection of their own family’s unique spirit—a home that is comfortable, attractive, and welcoming, but not necessarily perfect. How refreshing!”

–Kathryn Bechen, Professional Writer & Consultant for home and garden publications and entrepreneurs

I’ve Been Featured!

Voted as one of the top 100 Christian Women’s Blogs, 2008 & 2009

For the past two years The Inspired Room was voted in the top 10 Christian blogs in this “Learn-A-Latte” category. I am honored! Thank you!

Featured writer for HomeGoods (find my articles here)

Featured on Ladies Home Journal!

The Washington Post Blog Watch

The Seattle Times

The Dallas Morning News

Swank Lighting

Apartment Therapy

Radio interview: Click here to listen to my live interview on Blog Talk Radio: The “O” Myth!

NW Holiday Magazine, The Oregonian, December 2008 (see below)

Want to contact me or hire me for writing or a consultation ? Click here for my contact page.

The Inspired Room is a legally registered trademark. This means that you may not use The Inspired Room or any variation of that name that could easily be confused with me or my business.