Alright, you guys are the best! Thank you thank you for filling out my reader survey. It means so much to me that you took the time to do it so I’m taking the time to share the results and answer all your questions! Oh and if you’re wondering what the photo above is all about…one of you shared the fun fact about yourself that you can make a very convincing duck sound. It made my chuckle and I needed a fun photo to use for this post so there you go 😉 And all your responses were anonymous so if the duck sound person wants to take credit, you totally can ha.
Ok on to the results!
It’s so interesting to me to see the age range you guys are. The majority are 31-35 and a good chunk of you are 50+ which I love. It means that a wide range of ages can relate to me and my style even though I’m a youngin. I’m 29 in case you were wondering 😉
I’m glad to see that a lot of you are email subscribers. I feel like more and more people are only coming to blogs from social media, so it makes me happy to know that I’m still landing in some of your inboxes!
It’s no shocker really that DIY and Interior Design are your guys favorite posts. They’re mine too! And coming in third are my real life ramblings, yay! Glad you guys like to hear me blab on about my life and random happenings. I’ll definitely keep those coming. I think it’s an easy way to stay connected and personal without sharing tons of lifestyle posts.
So you guys want more interior design eh? Good thing we got a whole house to work on! And furniture makeovers…I was scared that might be the case. (More on that below). And less of baby, lifestyle and printables. Those are probably the 3 things I share the least so sounds like we’re right on track.
A few of you have tried one of my projects – I should have entered another follow up question if you responded no. I’d love to know why. I mean I hardly ever try other blogger’s projects so I guess I can relate. Maybe if we all had more time in the day right??
Ok so let’s touch on the furniture thing. It sounds like most of you want to see more of them and if you’ve been around for a while, you miss them. Which I totally understand. That’s all I was doing for the first almost 2 years of this blog. And I do miss them too! But so many things have changed. When I started blogging, we lived in a gross little apartment with hideous carpet and poop brown walls. Even with my small attempt at decorating, it wasn’t anywhere close to being shareworthy. I also struggled selling all the furniture I created. I’m pretty sure I left a couple pieces behind when we moved from Erie in different stores around town. It was a tough market and I could never really get what they were worth.
So once we moved into our second apartment in Erie, and I had a more neutral space to work with, I got interested and more excited about interior design. And now we have this huge house that is in desperate need of some TLC and it’s giving me the opportunity to fully renovate rooms which I never got to do before. I’ve never been more excited about it and the content it’s going to create for this blog and you guys.
Basically, I don’t have the time or energy to flip furniture right now just for the sake of selling it. I wish I did, trust me. But right now I’m going to focus on our house and making it feel like a home. So I hope you’re ok with that! And if a piece comes along that I love and want in our home, then I will definitely share it!
Totally don’t blame you guys for skimming…I do the same! But most of you read all the way through, so THANK YOU! I know we’re all busy and need to spend our time wisely each day so it means a lot that you actually read what I write and I’m not just writing to no one.
Pretty evenly split on kiddos and no kiddos…that was just something I was curious about!
Obviously if you’ve been following since the beginning you’ll know that my style has changed. Pretty drastically actually. When I started, since I was selling most of the furniture I flipped, I was taking a lot of chances and doing whatever I wanted. It wasn’t staying in our house (for the most part) so I could get creative without really trying to find my style. Then when I actually started decorating our spaces, I realized my taste was actually quite different. I honestly feel like I’m really starting to figure it out and it’s never felt more me so I really do hope that translates back to you guys.
Good to know you don’t want more baby stuff. There are a few of you who would like to see more, and if we ever have more kiddos then I’ll definitely sprinkle in some posts here and there but, don’t worry, this will never become a mommy blog 😉
I have to say, reading all the reasons that you guys keep coming back for more, put an enormous grin on my face. I didn’t ask that question just to boost my self esteem, I was genuinely curious what it is you like about me and this blog. Sometimes I question why I keep doing this, but at the end of the day it’s because of all of you. Just knowing that there are people out there who actually care and are excited to see what I do next is something really special to have. So thank you. Again. Sorry I keep saying that but I mean it!
Next up was things I could do to improve and most of you said nothing which I truly appreciate! There are always a million things running through my mind that I think I need to do to make this blog better but I’m glad most of you like it just the way it is. There were some more mentions of bringing back more furniture makeovers and a couple small design/technical things which I’m working on, so thanks for the feedback! Oh and I didn’t ask for names – so if you’re the person who has had trouble leaving comments, shoot me and email and I’ll try and figure it out!
Ok now the fun part! Answering all your questions! You guys had some good ones, so let’s get to it.
How do u keep motivated & look after your home
It’s hard! I definitely have my down time and days when I get nothing done and the house is a mess. That’s actually more often than not ha. I know most of the pictures I share look pretty and put together, but most of the time our house is a hot mess and things are all over the place. I try and just focus on what’s important that day and try not to get frustrated if things aren’t in order.
Ha I would gladly come help you! Can you magically create another month in the year? 😉
I don’t work outside the home anymore, but I still do a ton of freelance graphic design work. I have my etsy shop that brings in a decent amount of work, especially logos, and I have some ongoing clients I work with.
I’m not sure! Probably after baseball season…June? (for those of you who don’t know, Skaneateles is my hometown in NY).
I could definitely share a post on my gear! But here’s a quick breakdown. All instagram photos are usually shot with my iphone7. Blog photos I use a Nikon D5800 and I use these studio lights when I don’t have a lot of natural light to work with.
Ohh good one. Yes and no. There’s something about opening a new can of paint, sanding down a dirty old piece of furniture and bringing it back to life. But I’m so busy and occupied with so many other things right now, I don’t have time to miss it!
Ha, this one made me laugh. The days I actually put makeup on I wear L’oreal Voluminous.
For the most part it really does! Sometimes I’ll spray a clear coat over it if it’s in a high traffic area.
ha. I am farrrr from superwoman. I most definitely do not have all my sh*t together but I make it work. I try not to overdo things and let myself get too stressed out. If I don’t feel like doing something or need a break, I let myself relax for a bit. I think it helps balance things out and keeps me sane.
We’re about to start our master bedroom and en suite! Our en suite will be for the One Room Challenge that starts on April 6th.
Yep he’s still here and probably will be for a while. Which is totally fine. We have a built in babysitter and he’s super handy and helps with all our renos. See above question for next reno plans!
I don’t know who you are but I’m sorry if you didn’t win! I’m definitely going to make it a yearly thing so you’ll have another chance!
Veneer can be tricky. You have to really take your time with the prep work and be mindful of the type of products you use. Definitely make sure you’re sanding down pretty thoroughly, but even more important, I’d use a primer. It will give you a good base to paint on top of and allow the paint to stick and not chip. If you have more specific questions feel free to email me!
Love this idea! We did rent for quite a while so I have plenty of experience in decorating with limitations. I’ll make a note to share some tips!
It has it’s perks but can definitely be hard at times. He’s a very chill and basic guy and keeps out of our way but it’s also great having him around. As I mentioned above, he babysits Eloise a lot and helps out a ton with our renovations. Since it’s still technically his house, he sees the value in making all these updates which is a huge plus for us.
In terms of the most followers – that would be Instagram for me.
That’s a hard one. Like if you asked where I saw this blog in 5 years, I really don’t know. Most of the time I think this blog is a stepping stone to other opportunities, which it has already proven to be. Currently, I find myself wanting it to lead to an interior design business. But ultimately, I just want it to continue to be a place where I can share my inspiration and ideas with you guys. As long as I’m happy doing it, I’ll keep at it. I trust fully in God’s plan for my blog and know he’ll help me take it where it’s meant to go.I do have a goal for this year to get my laundry room published in a magazine.
Everywherrreee. But I’d say mainly Pinterest and Instagram and just every day life. If I’m stumped on something Pinterest is usually my first stop.
I don’t. Seriously, I’m the worst! I just have an ongoing to do list in a notebook and kind of prioritize in my head what I need to get done first. Eloise takes 2 naps still, so I try and work during that time and again after she goes to sleep.
Jenny!
I’d have to say the laundry room because it was the first space that I got to design from scratch and I couldn’t love it more!
Nope but my mom does and she’s amazing at it!
Oh this is a really good one. Probably food. I always wish I was a really good cook and I loooove food photography. I think a food blog would be so fun. But I’d probably also gain a ton of weight and be super unhealthy 😉 Or a travel blog!
Eloise is and always has been a really good sleeper. We got super lucky with that. Right now she still takes 2 naps a day. One around 10am for an hour/hour and a half and then one around 3 for another hour and a halfish/sometimes 2 hours. But there are days when we’re out and about and she only gets one nap and she’s fine, sometimes a little more sleepy. I’m going to keep the two naps going as long as I can! At night she sleeps from 7:30 to around 7:30ish most days. Occasionally she’ll wake up a little early and if we go in and put her binky back in she’ll go back to sleep 🙂
Right now most of my craft supplies are still in boxes in the basement. There’s a room down there that we’ve talked about turning into a room for me but it just hasn’t happened yet. The house is big enough that I can find room to work right now and things are too in the way. Currently I’m taking over the formal dining room.
Probably all the connections I’ve made and people I’ve met along the way!
Oaks turned 4 in October. We got him the winter before we were married when we was just a little pup! I convinced Dan that we should get a golden doodle, which I always wanted because of their curly hair and teddy bear looks…and then Oaks looked nothing like that ha. But we love him anyway 😉 We drove 4 hours and picked him up in Zainesville, OH. He was from a litter of about 11 or 12 and all of them turned out to be curly looking golden doodles except him and one other pup who look exactly the same. We picked him out when we was just born from pictures, when all the puppies looked the same so we had no idea he wouldn’t have curly hair like the rest of them. But we did want the red color, which we love. He’s so handsome and we get compliments on him all the time. And usually people think he’s an Irish Setter haha.
It’s funny to read this because I honestly feel like I still haven’t had mine! And I’m sorry if that’s not what you wanted to hear, because I hate when I see other bloggers (who are way more popular/bigger than me) act all “oh my gosh why would anyone recognize little old me in public?” or things like that. Sorry if that was mean ha. I will say my laundry room has brought me more traffic/new followers/exposure than any other project or post I’ve ever done. I guess I’m not really sure what will make me think I’ve had my big break. I think that looks different for everyone. But the laundry room has by far been my most successful project.
I was working as a full time graphic designer when we got married, and I created all of our invites/decor and made a lot of small DIY projects/crafts too. Once the wedding was over I really missed that creativity (even though I was working full time in a creative job, it was different). So I started a blog. I think I was just googling around and started seeing all these furniture blogs and saw that people were selling their pieces and thought it couldn’t be that hard so I decided to try it out!
Hmm let’s see. A lot! I really only get work done during nap times and after Eloise is asleep. But some days I have freelance design work I have to get done. I definitely spend a little time every day on my blog but it just depends what I have to get done and what’s due soon. I’d say at least 4 hours a day?
Oh this is tough. I really do love design and DIY. Does that count as one thing? Probably interior design.
I’ve always wanted to go to Bora Bora. And Greece is on my list too.
Oh hi! I’ve actually been to Dublin when I was younger on a family vacation. I loved Ireland and would love to go back. We also went to Spain one year as a family too. I studied abroad in Florence, Italy when I was in college and got to visit London during that trip as well. And when I was in 8th grade I played in a soccer tournament in Amsterdam and we traveled to Paris and Brussels too! There are a ton of places in Europe I still want to go so I’d love to get back there one day.
Marlene @ Idle Hands Awake
So jealous of all your European travels!! Thank you for sharing all of your responses, Bre! I am newly obsessed with surveys (as you know I recently did my first one). It’s so fascinating to hear more about your readers and learn more about what they and you like. I love your Oaks adoption story! And, I am the duck-noise-maker. When I saw your pic on Instagram I almost spit out my water laughing. LOL!
brepurposed
hehehe so glad you came forward and claimed your fame! 😉
Sophie
I love the graphics.
http://goldclutter.com
Amy
This was so fun to read!
Kristi
SUCH a fun read Bre! LOVED going through the Q & A at the end!
Michelle
Aaaah I’ve been waiting for this! Thanks for taking the time to answer all of our questions! This was actually a survey I loved to complete, and that is rare. I am impressed, though not at all surprised, that you spend four hours working on this site every day. It shows!
Michelle
By the way, I am the person who was having trouble leaving comments. Strangely, now that I filled in the field asking for a website it worked.