I was a Fashion Merchandising Major in college. I field studied in New York my senior year. However, I do nothing like that now. I hated living in New York. I could not get use to big city living. I longed for the slow speed of the Midwest. I love going in the yard and seeing ducks, deers, birds, trees, gardens, and openness. I know you can find those thing in New York, so I guess it boils down to the feel of small town living is what I need in my life. I recently visited New York for a week and I loved it, but I was glad to catch my plane home. Well, I said all that to say that I still love fashion. I watch the videos and projects that are featured on this site and enjoy them. I found another site about fashion http://www.coutorture.com/c/video?page=0
I wanted to share the site.
Jackie

So its crunch time and Im finally packing up my Austin apt. My post-Katrina displacement is coming to an end and I'm returning home to New Orleans to finish school. I will be living with my folks for a while in a rented house and am looking to make my new digs as "Me" as possible without going against the lease or emptying my extremely meagar budget. Its going to be a serious readjustment trying to turn a single room into a home vs. an entire apt. I am very excited about returning but not so much about the task at hand. been reading a few style blogs and coming up with a few ideas but i've come to realize that this is not as easy as it looks. Comfort level is key, I must stay focused and prioritze. Lots of stuff will be sent either to storage or given away. I've never gone away to college or stayed in a dorm but I imagine that this is what it must feel like. Im interested in so many styles, themes, colors, etc that its hard to choose. I really dont know where to start. but I believe I will start with my bed since thats where every day ends and begins. I know I'm probably over-thinking this...things were so much simpler when i liked clouds and rainbows.

I have this issue and I am reminded of it every day that I wake up. My ceiling is bare. It's not flat - I have this decorative trey ceiling complete with trim. But it is still fairly boring and it needs help.

All ceilings should have something interesting to look at. Whether it is an inspiring color or some detail that you like. I think that this is important, especially in hospitals - where there are so many people who stare at the ceilings all day. It could be a surface for inspiration. I mean - imagine if you could stare at the work of Chagall or Michelangelo? That might just make a few people feel better while they're stuck in a hospital bed.

Anyway - I think I've found a stencil company that I'll use. Visit them here: Modello Designs.
They have beautiful designs, and you can even design your own stencil from your own artwork. And that's all I needed to see to make my decision.

Of course there are other ways to create something interesting for your ceiling:

I personally love styles from India, Morocco, Japan, and Africa. Check out this site www.justmorocco.com. I love the things they have. Time to go shopping!!

I am scheduled to open my boutique just about 1 month from now. I would like my space to be totally creative and orignal. It seems that I've ran into a creative block this last week, perhaps anxiety has struck. I need pics of cute boutiques, not so upscale, but eclectic. I will sell fashion accessories, and home decor goods. If anyone sees ANY ideas, please let me know. I need INSPIRATION!

"One- I am conscious I am giving energy to the computer for the only way sometimes Is to use this vehicle to get to you on the other side of the planet." ~Booity

Plants

Plants aren't just a store bought item.

Studying plants give me messages of we are here. Plants have more of a purpose than we could ever imagine. From studying the vibes we get from plants, herbs, and trees, noticing the coldish vibrations from them, almost of a numbing sensation casted from the earth beings, give the "wait i can feel nature".

NASA did a study on plants and put four of the major chemicals in a room with a few plants. Formaldehyde, Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, and Trietholyne (mind the spellings), and from what the plants do is so basic!! They took the chemicals out of the air, turned them into their own food, and fluffed out Oxygen.

So, I wonder why we give plants as gifts?
Or why they are in out houses?
Or why we make a garden!

Its metaphysical, its magical, its nature and there is more to the picture

Those Four chemicals come from simply having carpet, stains on the wood, cigarette smokes, furniture plastics, plastics, and the list can go on.

Photo Credit: Laurey W. Glenn

Many of us think the colors of Africa are the earth tones - brown, black, beige..You'll be suprised to learn that there is an entire spectrum of colors used in Africa from Cape (town, south africa) to Cairo (egypt). I specialize in Zimbabwe (next door to South Africa) because it is where I am from. My anscestors color choices were somewhat limited to earth tones - even my grandmothers hut today is decorated in mud colors (beautifully too, I must say), however, as with all countries in the world, we have also been affected by migrations, colonizations and globalizations. This means that although we remain true to our cultural identity through our patterns, we have adopted all spectrums of the rainbow in our decor.

I am currently loving the designs of Thomas Paul. I think the colorful patterns of these designs are charming and the lamps could fit into a wide range of decorative styles. I love the mix of mustards with chocolate browns, and cremes...a nice combination for winter dont you think? You probably wouldn't find any bird rugs in our house, but they sure are pretty to look at! Get the ambiance of your home ready for winter..make it cozy, add some warmth, keep a few candles lit at night, & try bringing in some natural elements. After all, you will be spending more time inside as the weather turns cooler, so bringing in some warm comfort into your home will do wonders for the psyche/emotions!

Inside Designer Sheila Bridges' Harlem Apartment

Photo Credit: New York Social Diary

As an interior design blogger I have found that there are so few women of color with real visibility in the interior design world. I feel honored to bring my knowledge of design to the YMIB family and hope this blog will inspire you to look more deeply at your own surroundings and figure out how they can be more supportive of your personal style and sensibilities. I will cover topics such as different decorating styles, information on home décor designed by black artists, industry trends and feature up and coming designers.

Our homes are sacred places, giving us peace and respite from the world and allowing us to relax in a space that is uniquely our own. While interior design may seem like a luxury, achieving a peaceful, personalized home is completely within your capabilities and doesn’t have to cost a fortune.

I used to keep all of my arts & crafts supplies out in the open on a large work table, but then I got pregnant, and strolling through the toddler years with our little one(who is now 4) was not very fun when it came to keeping my creative space creative. Beads went missing, markers left out to “dry”, my glue globbed onto the tables, and I think he had the most fun with the textile dye he got a hold of which then got a hold of our carpet. So, I have learned that with kids, the saying “out of sight, out of mind” definitely works. With that said, I came up with an out of sight out of mind way to have my creative space without the toddler surprises...

I am very passionate about design & I'm in desperate need of a decor re-do! As the season is changing, so is my decorative tastes for our apartment. I remember as a teenager I would constantly move around furniture in our house. My parents never said anything, and I think that only aided in my creativity, needless to say, I still tend to move around our couch and tables at least every 3 months or so. I think it is important to change things up in your surroundings. To keep your spirit fresh an inspired! I have always loved Moroccan and East Indian decor, art, and architecture, so I think that these two regions will be my biggest inspiration four my little makeover. Here is a quick inspiration collage and my floor plan. I want to incorporate all of these elements in the new set up... don't you just love the mini punch lantern from Urban Outfitters! I also want to fit in a little table to grow some herbs like mint,sage, cilantro, etc. It's sure to be a slow process, but I will keep you posted on the outcome!