Friday Guest Blog Interview: Copy Cat Chic Dressing Your Home

June 16th, 2011 by Gabriel Hanslow

Friday Guest Blog Interview: Copy Cat Chic

Im letting you all in on one of the best kept design secrets on the web today a blog completely dedicated to finding style for less, and showcasing daily designer finds and their near comparison at a great discount!

Reichel of Copy Cat Chic is one of my favorite daily reads (I recommend subscribing ) and I always look forward to the latest steals. Ive searched the archives more than once to seek out a rug or chair for a room, and its a happy day when that House Beautiful desk you spotted can be found for a 1/3 of the price!

A few examples of daily posts: expensive version on the left, equally stylish but much more wallet-friendly option on the right.

In addition, shes a new mommy to adorable Arden whos just a few months behind Liv (love the weekly photos she posts of her little one in her latest outfits) and Reichel creates beautiful style boards for complete rooms that are full of inspiration (an example after the jump).

I was delighted Reichel wanted to share a few of her own design secrets and tips today, and I think youll like the well-thought out interview answers that follow.

{PDB Interview with Reichel of Copy Cat Chic}

What inspires your design style?

Im inspired by interiors that are completely personal. What strikes me is if I can see the person in a room. A room that looks put together is a total turn-off, Im all about spaces that come together over time with layers and layers of style. I love minimalistic spaces as well, which is a complete 180 from my first statement. They tend to battle each other, its always a fine balance. Ive learned that a room has to incorporate personal touches, but not too many only items that a person truly loves and wants to be surrounded by all the time. And that makes it so these particular pieces are the stars of the space and the space in turn, stands out from your usual catalog-like rooms.

What do you love most about what you do?

I love the freedom of working from home and for myself. If theres something I dont want to dowell, I just dont do it! I also love the fact that Im passionate about what I do. Who knew I could make a living doing what I love? Thats one of those statements everyone always tells you, but you never really believe I was never one of those kids that knew what they wanted to be when the grew up. Even when I was grown-up, I still had no idea. I never started blogging with the intention of making money and now that I am? I feel so lucky to have fallen into this niche that was just waiting to be filled! Who would have guessed that I would be a professional blogger?

A style board and the beautiful finished space from Reichels portfolio

What are your favorite design trends?

One of my favorite design trends right now is upcycling. Im loving the unique pieces that people find by garage-saling, thrift store shopping and flea market hunting, etc. By finding a vintage piece and updating it and making it your own by painting it, adding new hardware, repurposing itall for a steal compared to what youd find that piece for on sites like 1st Dibs or Anthropologie. The look of these pieces adds character to a space and retailers like Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn spend so much money recreating these vintage looks and selling them to the masses. Why not find your own original piece for less?

Bedroom of designer Kristan Cunningham and husband Scott Jarrell

What are three design suggestions that you would like to offer our readers?

{1} Well the first thing Id recommend to anyone designing a space in their homeis to not listen to anyone else (funny, right? Especially if youre listening to me right now!) If theres something you like but its not inline with current trendsignore those standards and be your own trendsetter. If you see something beautiful in a piece, others will find value in that. Besides, its your home what matters is that you love it, not what others think!

{2} Secondly make your space work for you. If you need a room to function a certain way then make that your priority and design the space around it. A room thats beautiful, but not functional will never be used.

A mudroom that is both functional and beautiful.

{3} Last but not least, remember that a space is never finished. Like I referenced abovethe best rooms have layers and layers of personality. The rooms in my house are ever changing and thats what makes it new and exciting. A finished room is stagnant and boring, dont fall into that trap.

A sneak peek of Ardens in-process peacock-themed nursery

Thank you, Reichel!

Dressing Your Home