DESIGN SCHOOL: Kevin O’Gara of Thou Swell
DESIGN SCHOOL: INTERVIEW WITH KEVIN O’GARA Kevin O’Gara of Thou Swell blog and Kevin Francis Design hails from Atlanta but is…
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Color Therapy: We’ve Got a Crush on Powder Blue
We have seen pastels popping up in fashion and interiors in a big way over the last five years. Different shades…
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Chicago Design Alliance + St. Jude Fundraiser
Chicago Design Alliance + St. Jude Walk/Run 2018 Fundraiser This is a personal post, but also a post topic that impacts…
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Window Treatments: Roman Shades & Drapery Panels
One of my very favorite ways to transform a room is window treatments. When I started the blog back in 2015,…
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DESIGN SCHOOL: Summer Thornton Design
There’s no better time than the first day of SUMMER to share my interview with Chicago designer Summer Thornton. I’m really thrilled…
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Color Therapy: Decorating with Yellow!
Decorating with Yellow: Chances are you have a specific opinion on yellow, you like it or you don’t. There are so…
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High Point Market Spring 2018: Tres Chic Cocktail Tables
It’s my last post in the High Point Market series! I participated in a wonderful sponsored blogger trip to High Point,…
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The No Makeup Home Tour
I will be the first to admit that I’m a perfectionist and that my Instagram feed is curated and planned. The…
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DESIGN SCHOOL: Lynn K. Leonidas
I first came across Lynn K. Leonidas through Sunset Magazine. Lynn’s firm was hired for a complete gut renovation for the Editor-in-Chief…
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Powder Room Makeover with Ferguson Showrooms
I’m so excited to be revealing our Powder Room Makeover Challenge with Ferguson Showrooms today. This little room has gone from…
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Color Trends at High Point Market 2018
One of my favorite parts of visiting High Point Market is looking for color trends 2018 or validating what seems to…
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Spring Home Tours Update!
If you’ve been reading the blog for a little while you might remember my HOME TOUR last year. I partnered with…
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Insider’s Guide to High Point Market
An Insider’s Guide to High Point Market: My first visit to High Point Market was quite the trip! I attended a…
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Color Therapy: The Evolution of Blush
It’s no secret that pink has been huge for the past several years. It surfaced as Blush and was then coined…
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Modern Luxury Interiors Feature
I am thrilled to announce our most recent press feature and cover line (!) in Modern Luxury Interiors Chicago. The spring…
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Design Bloggers Conference: High Point Tour Announcement
I’m excited to announce that I’ll be participating in the DESIGN BLOGGERS CONFERENCE – HIGHT POINT MARKET TOUR, this coming weekend!…
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Bar Styling Inspiration
Centered by Design worked on quite a few home bars in the last year. I wanted to update this old post…
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DESIGN SCHOOL: Katie Hackworth
I don’t know Katie Hackworth personally but I’m certain she is one badass lady. You can tell from the absolutely stellar…
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Color Therapy: Lagoon
If you look up the most popular interior colors after neutrals, blues and greens are consistently at the top of the…
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PROJECT REVEAL: Bright & Airy Open Concept
This bright airy kitchen makes me so happy! Today’s project reveal is the entire first floor — open concept living, dining,…
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The Warwick Reno: Spring Home Tour #2 – FULL REVEAL
I am SO EXCITED to finally be writing this post! Our upstairs remodel has been in the works a long time….
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Color Therapy: Vermilion
Whether you know a name for every shade or call a spade a spade, color has a huge impact on us…
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Kitchen Design Trends 2018
Before we get too far into the year, I want to share a few predictions for kitchen design trends 2018. I…
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Modern Bulletin Board DIY
It’s hard to find a classy looking bulletin board! And it can be even more difficult to find a nice big…
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How To Pitch & Get Press For Your Interior Design Business
Interior design inspiration and education are my main focuses here on the blog (with some personal updates sprinkled in of course)….
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The Warwick Reno: Nursery Reveal
With only 10 days until baby girl’s due date, I’m excited to finally be revealing the before and after of our…
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DESIGN SCHOOL: Natasha Habermann Studio
Hello there! We are back with a new edition of DESIGN SCHOOL, this time with a designer who comes from a…
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Year in Review: 2017 Highlights
As I write this post at more than 8 months pregnant, I can no longer balance my laptop on my stomach…
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The Best of High Point Market Fall 2017
I was not able to make it out to North Carolina for High Point Market this year, but luckily for all…
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The Warwick Reno: Baby Girl’s Nursery
I can’t believe I’m finally writing this post. Designing the nursery has honestly been tough! I think it’s a lot of…
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Chicago Design Studio Reveal!
We are SO DANG EXCITED to announce the opening of our design studio and cabinetry showroom in the Lakeview neighborhood of…
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Studio Grand Opening + Powder Room Giveaway!
What started as a small sub-lease on little storefront this spring has now become an official INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO! I am…
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The Warwick Reno: Master Bedroom Design Plan
It’s time for an update on #thewarwickreno and I’m very excited about how far we’ve come upstairs! We are nearing the…
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Design School: Lindsay Speace
A Cape Cod native now based in Raleigh, North Carolina Interior Designer Lindsay Speace’s work originally caught my eye due to…
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CBD on Million Dollar Decorating Podcast
The interior design podcast community is growing (see my list of favorites below) and we’re honored to be featured this month…
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Before + After: Using Neutrals with Style
If you are consistently drawn to decorating with neutrals and bright or bold colors are just not your thing, fear not,…
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My Favorite DARK Paint Colors
DARK paint colors scare a lot of people. Typical concerns you get from clients sound something like: “Will dark paint colors…
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Home Tour with Room for Tuesday Blogger Sarah Gibson
Last winter, while traveling to an influencer event in Minneapolis I had the good fortune of meeting Sarah Gibson of Room…
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Design School: Logan Killen Interiors
Thanks for tuning back in for our second Design School interview! I’m thrilled to have the New Orleans duo, Katie Logan…
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Ch-h-hanges! A New Baby & A New Design Studio
I’m sharing a little secret we’ve been keeping for about 20 weeks – we’re pregnant with our first child! While it’s…
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Find Your Personal Sanctuary
We’ve got a VIDEO! Scroll down to watch and here’s a little backstory: You may not realize that Centered by Design…
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Design School: Studio LIFE.STYLE.
Welcome to the launch of DESIGN SCHOOL. This monthly interview series is chance to get inside the minds of our favorite…
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Color and Pattern for a Family Home
Excited to share a recent project that involved a lot of my favorite – color and pattern! I get extra excited…
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The Warwick Reno: Master Bathroom Planning
Last month I shared our plans for the new bathroom upstairs, including some before photos and the fabulous rendering Deckor helped…
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10 Best Apps for Your Interior Design Business
Everyone has a different path to walk when opening their interior design business and beginning the journey of entrepreneurship. We all…
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Lake Forest Showhouse 2017: Before and After
A big heartfelt THANK YOU to all those who came out to visit The Lake Forest Showhouse 2017. It was an…
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10K Giveaway – Join the Instagram Party
It was a milestone moment for CBD this month when we reached 10 thousand followers on Instagram !! If you follow along…
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Outfit to Room: May Edition
It’s always fun to see what our resident stylist, Alyssa of Cochic Styling, comes up with when she creates “the outfit” to match…
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Spring Home Tours Week Five: Meredith Rodday
Today I’m excited to introduce you to Meredith Rodday of View From My Heels. Meredith’s home is just outside Boston and…
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Women Who MAKE: Zoe Pawlak
Centered By Design: Women Who MAKE Interview – Artist Zoë Pawlak This month, I’m thrilled to introduce you to Canadian artist…
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The Warwick Reno: Spring Home Tour – FULL REVEAL!
It’s week four of the #SpringIntoHome series – and the home tour of our Chicago bungalow renovation is up this week!…
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Spring Home Tours Week Three: Farmer’s Daughter Interiors
Alrighty! By now you know the drill, it’s Friday and that means it’s #SpringIntoHome home tour time. This week it’s my…
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Outfit to Room: April Edition
With wedding season in the Midwest quickly approaching I thought that this month’s Outfit to Room post could stand to go…
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CBD Interviewed on our first PODCAST!
Hello there friends, Excited to have made it through my very first podcast interview!! I was recently interviewed by LuAnn Nigara…
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Spring Home Tours Week Two: Bria Hammel Interiors
It’s week two of #SpringIntoHome and this week’s home tour is courtesy of Bria Hammel Interiors. Bria and I were first…
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The Warwick Reno Featured in The Chicago Tribune
It was an exciting week at the Staszak household. Our little renovation story made it into the Chicago Tribune, and on…
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Spring Home Tour Week One: Doreen Corrigan
Today is the first of the Friday home tours this spring! It’s always thought provoking and inspiring to see how someone…
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Spring Home Tours Announcement
To welcome springtime this year and share our love of interior design, I’ve collaborated with fellow blogger gal pals (many of…
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Women Who MAKE: Angela Chrusciaki Blehm
The wide world of Instagram led me to the work and home of artist Angela Chrusciaki Blehm. Her profile read, “Obsessed…
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Outfit to Room: March Edition
Spring has officially sprung! At least at Chicago’s Garfield Park Conservatory it has. I took a visit there yesterday and it…
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Highlights from the Design Bloggers Conference
Thank you, thank you, thank you! You guys I cannot believe it, but this little blog WON BIG at the Design…
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The Mood Board: How to Create A Feeling
For some, creating a mood board comes naturally. You save bits and pieces of your life; a card from a friend,…
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MyDomaine Features New Work
I am very excited to share some new work with you today! A project that began last July and finished just…
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Outfit to Room: February Edition
It’s time for a monthly does of fashion with guest contributor, Alyssa Doorhy, of CoChic Styling. Alyssa and I both love…
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Design Blogger Conference Awards 2017
Hi friends and readers! I need your help and votes : ) I’m super stoked to be nominated in two categories…
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The Warwick Reno: KITCHEN REVEAL
Woohoo!! The big moment has finally arrived. It’s our classic black and white kitchen reveal! Remember the before photos and the DESIGN…
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Fashion and Interiors with CoChic Styling
Hey there, I’m excited to share a new monthly post concept and my latest collaborator! Alyssa Doorhy is a Chicago-based stylist…
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Save the Date: Lake Forest Show House 2017
I’m thrilled to be participating in the Lake Forest Show House 2017, along side Relativity Textiles! We are co-designing the back…
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Before & After: Family Room Remodel + White Washed Fireplace
This dated family room got a big update! I’m excited to show you the before and after. I think there are…
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2016 Review: Popular Posts, Inspiration & What’s Your Mantra?
Happy New Year friends! I’m not one for resolutions per say, but my yearly tradition seems to center around the notion…
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New Work: Portfolio Update
Holy moly, it’s almost the end of the year!! Web site updates usually take a back seat around here, as just…
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The Warwick Reno: Living Room Reveal
Sit back, relax and get ready for a long post folks! We are going back to the beginning at The Warwick…
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Living Room Sneak Peek & Black Friday SALE
One of the best parts of being a designer is sharing the “reveal” photos. There is so much creative energy, planning,…
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The Warwick Reno: Kitchen Sneak Peek
Ahh! I am so excited to share a few little peeks at our black and white kitchen renovation with you. Carolina…
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One Room Challenge, Weeks Five and Six: The Big Reveal
I finished my first One Room Challenge (and only a day late!). I jumped on this train very last minute, so…
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Shopping Vintage like a Pro
I’m excited to be featured on my friend Erin’s blog today! Erin is DIY maven behind Francois et Moi, and it’s…
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Women Who MAKE: Hapi Art and Pattern
Today, I’m so excited to bring you into the bold and colorful world of Kristi Kohut of Hapi Art and Pattern….
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The Warwick Reno: Entryway Reveal
With the One Room Challenge in full swing, I’ve gotten a little distracted with my other posts. I realized I never…
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One Room Challenge: Week Two, Painting & The Plan
Hiya! If you’re following along with The Warwick Reno, you know my husband Luke and I are slowly renovating our 1932-built…
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Women Who MAKE: Rehabitat Interiors
Have you ever had a design crush? For me, it’s a situation where I look at the work of said designer/s…
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One Room Challenge: Week One, Home Office Makeover
I’m ten seasons late, but I’m joining in the One Room Challenge for the first time! Have you heard of this…
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The Warwick Reno: Blue Bedroom Reveal
The very first room in the new house #thewarwickreno is DONE! I’m so happy to report that it’s the blue bedroom…
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The Warwick Reno: Mudroom Planning
I am loving how recently it seems mudrooms and laundry rooms are taking on a design life of their own. They…
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Before and After: A Charming Bedroom Makeover
Hiya! Quick post today with a great before and after WOW factor. I was thrilled when the stylish and sweet Maya…
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The Warwick Reno: A Chic Entryway
One of my favorite spots to decorate in a home is the entryway. This often overlooked space has tons of potential,…
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Blue Bedroom Design Dreams
Blue is most definitely my favorite color. But I’ve been slightly distressed, because as I solidified designs for the main rooms…
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Easy Bathroom Updates
We are currently living with some super vintage bathrooms (yet to be seen here on the blog), and I’ve been thinking…
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Looking For the Perfect Settee
My middle name as been settee this week! I’ve been looking for a streamlined settee or bench for my own living…
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Design Advice for a Kitchen Renovation
It’s been everything KITCHEN these past two weeks as we gear up for demolition! Luke and I have had a lot…
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Behind the Photo Shoot with Unison Home
Hello friends, sorry for the delay in posting! Summer has really picked up with client projects, the house renovations are underway,…
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The Warwick Renovation: Modern Romantic Design in the Living Room
I’m most definitely a romantic. Actually, I think there is almost nothing I like better than LOVE, but when it comes…
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The Warwick Renovation: Wallpaper Panels in the Dining Room
I’m crazy about wallpaper! But wall-to-wall wallpapering can be a long-time style commitment (not to mention financial commitment). Often you will…
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The Warwick Renovation: Picking Greige Paint & Planning
It’s been almost two months since move-in day, and for the most part the house looks totally the same. I keep…
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The Warwick Renovation: Hollywood Regency Style Dining Room
Let’s start from the beginning. If you’re new to the blog or this series, welcome (if you’re not, thanks for reading…
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Favorite Thrift & Vintage Shops in Minneapolis and Chicago
You guys! I’m excited about this post for so many reasons, but primarily because it means summer road trip season is…
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CBD on Style Me Pretty Living: Gray Living Room Decor
It’s always exciting to see your designs shared online, and my favorite part is reading the article titles and headlines the…
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Our Home Tour: BEFORE PHOTOS
Hello Friends! For those of you who have been following along on Instagram or sign-up for the monthly newsletter, you might…
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Rue Magazine Feature with Relativity Textiles
You may remember textile artist and wallpaper designer, Erin Chlaghmo, from my Women Who MAKE interview series, when I featured her…
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Damn Good Design Articles: Edition 3
It’s a holiday weekend, and hopefully you’ve got a little extra time with friends, family or to check up on your…
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Design*Sponge Interiors Feature: Project Coach House
It is always a thrill to have your work shown on the web, and I’m very honored that one of my…
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Shopping for Vintage with South Loop Loft
Alright friends, if there is one topic I geek out over it’s vintage clothing and furniture. A few of you may…
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Creating A Home Office You’ll Love
*This post first appeared as a guest post on Wandeleur.com where I occasionally write interiors focused articles for their Nest column. When…
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Damn Good Design Articles: Edition 2
Two articles for price the price of one today friends! For this second edition of Damn Good Design Articles, I’ve paired…
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Damn Good Design Articles: Edition 1
Today I’m starting a new kind of post, my first “round-up” of sorts! I’m always scouring the web for all things…
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DIY Wall Art Projects with Wallpaper
There is no denying that wallpaper is back in vogue big time. This month on #WomenWhoMake, I featured artisan textile and…
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Women Who MAKE: Relativity Textiles
I’m really excited for you all to meet Erin. This woman is making it HAPPEN with her own two hands! She’s juggling…
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A Quick Look Back on 2015
It’s been quite the eventful year and my top nine posts on Instagram sums it up pretty well – design, design,…
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Decorating Inspiration: A Bohemian Hideaway
Hi Friends! It’s been over a week since my last post, so sorry! I’ve been busy with a few projects, and…
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Bohemian Style Studio Makeover
I’m excited to share a project with you today that has been in the works for several months. I teamed up…
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Create a Personal Sanctuary that Keeps your Travel Memories Alive
Using the written word to tell a compelling story is a definite art. Gifted writers seem to always find eloquent words…
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Affordable Nursery Design with Target and buybuy Baby
Alrighty! Today I’ve got a short and sweet post all about decorating an affordable nursery. I find that lots of people…
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The Ross House is featured on Design Sponge!
Today I’m really excited to share that a project I was a large part of, The Ross House, has been featured…
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Apartment Therapy Feature
Last week our apartment tour went live on Apartment Therapy! I was really impressed with how well our AT editor seemed…
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High-End Design on a Budget
This post first appeared on Wandeleur.com. A lovely and inspiring lifestyle site based in Chicago, where I occasionally contribute design focused…
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The Art of Layering Rugs
Layering rugs isn’t exactly a new trend, but with the recent explosion of bohemian decorating options for the masses, my pinterest…
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Centered By Design is featured in Germany!
I was pleasantly surprised to get an email from German design blogger Maria Spassov a few weeks ago. Through the wonders…
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Flea Market Fabulous
Summer flea market season officially opens this weekend! Here in Chicago, it’s marked by the Randolph Street Market taking their festivities…
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My Favorite Art Resources
There comes a moment in most 20 or 30 somethings lives when you realize that you need art, you need art…
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Photoshop Tutorial: Create Your Own Color Palette
I’ve been slowing building my Photoshop skills. Digital design skills are very important for interior design work today and there are…
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Bedroom Design: Splurge or Steal?
I am always a fan when fashion magazines do the splurge vs. steal page layout for an outfit. It’s not always…
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Colorful Exteriors & Wanderlust
Lately I’ve been dreaming about two things, 1. My client’s homes (there are many days I wake up debating paint colors)…
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Wallpaper Resources and Trends
Wallpaper is making a huge comeback, and I mean HUGE! You can’t look at any interiors focused site today without an…
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Tips & Resources: Great Interior Design Books
I am definitely a book lover. These days with my Kindle, Iphone and Amazon it’s rare that I actually get to…
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Design Ideas for a Stylish Entryway
The entryway to our homes can often get overlooked. Like a sturdy handshake or friendly smile upon meeting someone, your entry…
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Centered By Design is featured on The Everygirl
For those of you who may not be familiar with The Everygirl, here’s a little introduction. The site is run by…
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Best of Houzz 2015 Award
I’m excited to share that Centered By Design received a Best of Houzz 2015 badge in the SERVICE category for our…
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Colorful & Modern Kitchen Decor Update
I’m working with a client who has recently moved into their first single family home and it’s three times the size…
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Perfect Palette: Color Inspiration
Hello there, I hope everyone had a lovely holiday celebration, and got a special gift you love! I have been inspired…
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Oak Park Living Room Transformation
Woohoo! I have my first before and after project to share, and this room was a dream to decorate. This living…
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How to Refurbish a Vintage Clock
DIY Project – Repurposing a George Nelson inspired clock in six easy steps. I originally wrote this post for KRRB.com they are…
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