FEATURES IN HOUZZ IDEABOOKS

As with many, when I first got the courage to start posting photos of my restyles & makeovers, I started on HGTV.COM's Rate My Space - back in late 2007. At the time, it was the only place I knew of to post photos, get feedback, view other interiors, share ideas - as well as collide with a few unpleasant encounters. Although they now have a 'favorites' button, they don't quite have the capability to organize ideas you find along the way.

My first post on HGTV.COM's - Rate My Space 2007

One of my initial posts to HOUZZ.COM six months ago -

added to a featured ideabook -

How to make a bed fit your lifestyle

But behold HOUZZ.COM for coming up with that lovely feature! A friend of mine (Adrianna), from high school - whom I've reconnected with through facebook - turned me on to this site - and I LOVE IT!! It's been a terrific source for ideas as well as a place to share personal creations. Weekly, their staff of contributors pull together ideabooks featured on their front page. You can also subscribe to have the newest ideabooks - with commentaries - sent to your email. I just started posting some of my photos to their site about six months ago, and I'm honored to have been added to some of their featured houzz ideabooks:

Creating Wall Groupings That Wow

ideabook by: designaholic & blogger

Layla of the Lettered Cottage

Incorporating Bold Patterns

ideabook by: design consultant

Margaret Everton of bonbonliving.com

The Power of Accent Walls

ideabook by: writer & blogger Kathry Nvercillo

Good Old Gray: A Perfect Neutral for the Home

ideabook by: designer Jennifer of

Niche Interiors - San Fransisco

Have you ever been to houzz.com? These ideabooks mentioned here are only a few of the many featured on houzz. So if you're getting in the mood to update your home, you aren't seeing much in magazines that strikes your fancy, and you enjoy browsing at decor-porn - checkout houzz.com. It's so incredibly organized, you can even sort through photos by styles and by popular locations, sort between home-owners or professionals, and make a few style books of your own or even share your own creations.

I still can't get over how this one photo has been added to

over 542 ideabooks on their site!!

Ava Living is another site to check-out home interiors and read feature postings. I think I started posting on there in April this year. Flickr also has SEVERAL interior decor groups where people post photos of their styling or design work: Decor8's Interior Styling, Michelle Lee West's Design Notebook Gallery, and Nathy's Fine Design - are just to name a few.

Do you have any favorite online sources for inspiration?

Apply yourself and surprise yourself!