Recently, while attending the Blissdom Conference,   I had an amazing opportunity to not only chat with some of my favorite bloggers face to face, but also to spend time hearing about their hearts and passions for their families, their homes, their writing and the ways that they each express their own creativity (or not).

As if that wasn’t enough they kicked it up a notch and even  invited me to participate in an exciting new project they were planning.   It was like a scene out of high school when the popular girls invite you to their sleepover.  It was all I could do to not jump up and down like Tom Cruise on Oprah’s Sofa!

 

Have you ever looked at home decorating magazine or watched a design show on HGTV and wished you could make your own rooms look that good? Design is not always about expertise or even an unlimited budget (which no one truly has), but more about taking inspiration and making it work for your own space. That is the philosophy behind Ditto DiY.

Once a month, beginning in May, nine very different bloggers will attempt to recreate in their own homes a project or design element inspired by a haute couture design selected by the (uber talented) Darlene Weir of Fieldstone Hill Design.

My personal decorating style

I would describe my own decorating style as eclectic.  I love a mix of the old world, rustic, ethnic interiors and some modern.  As the Road Warrior and I have moved around the country and turned houses into homes there were no two that were exactly alike.  As my tastes evolve so has my decorating style.

My biggest challenge, for this series will be challenging myself to make it myself or restyle something that we already have.  I’m a very good shopper and so my instinct is generally to find what I am looking for, or order it custom made.   In my previous life I owned a store and worked as a decorator, so sourcing is something I’m VERY familiar with.

On the other hand, my biggest strength is personalizing trends or inspiration to fit my own needs or style. I rarely feel the need to copy something exactly as shown.

What I’m looking forward to

I’m really looking forward to pushing myself to get creative and not be afraid to try making something myself, instead of just sourcing it.

In addition to Darlene, the participating bloggers include:

Ruth @ Living Well Spending Less
Cindy @ Skip to My Lou
Jen @ Balancing Beauty & Bedlam
Edie @ Life in Grace
Rachel @ Surviving the Stores
Lauren @ I am THAT Lady
Kelly @ View Along The Way
Melissa @ The Inspired Room

 

When does it start?

Monday, May 6th, all nine of us will share our inspired DiY projects, while Darlene will provide expert design tips on incorporating the featured design element into your own space. She will then also present our inspiration photograph for the following month. The truly fun part will be seeing what different interpretations of the same photograph this incredibly eclectic group comes up with!

How you can participate:

After you’ve had a month to see what Ditto DiY is all about, we will be inviting you ALL to participate! Beginning in the first Monday in June (and every first Monday of the month after that), all you with blogs will be able to link up. (Non-bloggers can share your pictures on our Ditto DiY Facebook Page!)

This month’s Inspiration Photo

{ditto} DIY

This month’s Inspiration, selected by our interior designer:

A chic painted tray and vanity vignette, from the home of Nina Bergsten, photography by marcus lawett.

The {ditto} DIY Challenge:

Create your own painted tray and vanity vignette.

Designer Thoughts:

Study the image above, and be inspired by the sophistication and simplicity of this design.

The attention to each detail adds up to a beautiful vignette.