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1. Lisa McGee whose blog NenaghGal includes a rundown on what’s happening in Munster 2. Outdoor fabrics designed by Irish-born Clodagh featured on the blog. 3. NenaghGal features gorgeous interiors and products as well as stories from around Munster 4. DesignHeaven blog 5. Melanie King blogger behind Design Heaven
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2 The word ‘blog’ is abbreviated from web log meaning a web diary but blogging is not just daily updates about a stranger’s life. It is a wonderful way to share ideas as well as giving your interest in interior design a focus. Interior design student Sheila O’Meara enjoys the interaction and feedback she receives from readers as well as the practical element of cataloguing her ideas and creating a Serial digital portfolio within her blog Folder of blogs Ideas. Naomi from inspire*inspire maintains that “finding material to write about can be the best part of blogging”. Ardent bloggers find material from interiors magazines, online shops, websites, other blogs, trade shows, design shows and exhibitions. They see a product they like and build a post around it. As you might expect, these blogs have beautiful photographs in almost every post. Interior design blogs can be grouped into various themes and every blogger finds their own speciality or niche. Some will concentrate on contemporary design, others on country chic or vintage style, others will be more craft-based. Jessica’s posts in How About Orange often include instructions for simple projects such as making newspaper flowers or cushion covers and she finds her readers appreciate the useful tips. I really enjoy writing my ‘Fix-it Friday Interior Design Solution’ posts where I provide suggestions for any decorating or interior design dilemmas that readers send me. Others have blogs affiliated to their website or online shop. I opened an online shop six months after I’d started my blog and discovered that readers enjoyed reading reviews of new fabric and wallpaper collections and new products to the shop. Blogging also adds a personal and friendly aspect to the business. What all the bloggers have in common is an enthusiasm and love for interiors that’s 6. Australian based blogger Sheila O’Meara 7. A diner discussed on the Folder of Ideas blog 8. This study is one of Sheilas favourite rooms. She shares what she likes about this room on her blog, 9. Sheilas blog is her digital folder of ideas
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blogger Lorna Sixsmith ponders the merits of interior design and checks out what’s happening in the blogging community
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10 How About Orange blog 11. Jessica profiles some of her own fabrics on her blog 12. Jessica Jones who writes the blog How About Orange 13. Connemara-based blogger Brid who writes the blog Pretty Far West. She discovers new blogs through checking out the recommendations on other arts or design blogs and is impressed by the courtesy and supportiveness of the design blog community in Ireland 14. Brid's pink and yellow kitchen in her house in Connemara, featured on her blog 15. Pretty Far West blog.
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infectious. Lisa McGee who blogs at NenaghGal says her passion for interiors and blogging is derived from helping people infuse personality and life into their homes. Many interior design bloggers write about decorating their own homes as well as any purchases they make, thereby giving readers a personal insight into their lives. A group of like-minded bloggers The word ‘blog’ is abbreviated from web log meaning a web diary can become an online community, so many blogging is not just daily updates about a stranger’s life. It is a wonderful bloggers get to know to share ideas as well as giving your interest in interior design a focus. each other quite well, even though they may live at opposite sides of the world. Australian based blogger, Sheila comments that “the global nature of the blogosphere and the fact that the pictures speak for themselves means that many interior design blogs I visit are not even in English but it doesn’t matter.” People seem to be divided into two camps: those who read blogs regularly and often write their own blog as well and those who are unsure what a blog is or how to go about finding one. The best place to start is to google ‘interior design blogs’ or look up some of the blogs listed here. When you find blogs you like, it is a good idea to check out the blog recommendations in their blogroll (often listed on the left or right side of the blog page). If you wish to start your own blog, it is easy and free. Simply register with one of the blog hosts such as Blogger, Typepad or WordPress, give your blog a name and choose a template, colours and photos. You will be led through the process step by step. If you wish to host your blog alongside your website,
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16 Naomi from inspire*inspire says that “finding material to write about can be the best part of blogging”17. Naomi was delighted to discover this little Moroccan style tray-table and tells her followers (readers) where to find it 18. inspire*inspire blog. 19. Garrendenny Lane Living Interiors blog 20. Lorna Sixsmith
16 specialist knowledge of HTML coding would be needed. As Mel from Designheaven says, “writing a blog really helps you find your likes and dislikes as well as making you more confident with your own design ideas and experimenting with different trends.” Interior design blogs are a wonderful source of inspiration, tips and information and offer a steady stream of beautiful interiors, wall coverings, fabrics and products to view. The speed with which the latest trends are published on blogs is one of their main advantages. An interior designer can blog from an exhibition or trade show which means new collections and new products can be viewed on blogs weeks before the print media is distributed. Bearing in mind some blog etiquette, remember to source your own images and ideas. Not only does this prevent plagiarism but your readers will appreciate it. Brid of Pretty Far West has discovered that “the design blog community is extremely courteous, supportive and friendly.”
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Interior design blogs are a wonderful source of inspiration, tips and information and offer a steady stream of beautiful interiors, wall coverings, fabrics and products to view.
19 Lorna Sixsmith blogs at www.garrendennylane.ie/blog - her blog is a mixture of gorgeous interiors, interior design solutions, information on the latest design trends as well as occasional posts based upon living in the countryside.
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http://inspireinspire.typepad.com Naomi wanted ‘stay in touch’ with the world of art and design while waiting to start a design course and enjoys writing, reading, participating in and reviewing various designers, artists and products. www.folderofideas.blogspot.com Australian based Sheila O’Meara’s blog is her digital folder of ideas - an inspiring collection of images depicting interior design and decoration, furniture, art and accessories. Well written, visual, interesting, inspiring and worth checking out. www.prettyfarwest.blogspot.com Bríd ní Fhlathúin’s blog contains details of decorating her house in the West of Ireland, her online ‘gorgeous finds’ and wonderful designers. http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com Jessica dedicates her blog to all things orange as much as possible as it’s such an energetic and optimistic colour. Lots of handy craft tips coupled with lovely images of interiors and her own fabrics from her Etsy shop. http://designheaven.wordpress.com Dublin based Melanie showcases fabulous products from online shops - a great source of inspiration for gift and home shopping. http://nenaghgal.blogspot.com Author of At Home in Nantucket, Lisa writes a lovely interiors and lifestyle blog. Gorgeous interiors and products are featured as well as a rundown on what’s happening in Munster.