Pepper Design Blog

Friday Guest Interview: Michelle of Lonny Magazine

A couple of my favorite magazines (the ones I still subscribe to and love to devour in Kevin’s big leather smoking chair – don’t worry, it’s called that by name only in this casa) include favorites like House Beautiful, Better Homes & Gardens and Martha Stewart.

One that I absolutely adore in the virtual format because it reminds me in bits and pieces of Domino (sigh) and other favorite shelter magazines that have gone the way of the dinosaur, is Lonny. Oh what a wonderful read it is! And what a void these very talented, soon-to-be-mentioned editors have filled! When the little Lonny icon pops up in my email inbox on a monthly basis, I flag it, wait for a quiet morning moment with a cup of coffee and a proverbial smoking chair (okay, my office chair) and ‘flip’ through it page by page. While I can’t dog ear my favorite living room or rip out a great recipe, I can pin, save a favorite pillow find (a quick click away) and easily track down an image or entire article that inspires me. It’s a nice trade off.

It’s no surprise then that I am totally over the moon to feature Michelle Adams, cofounder and editor-in-chief of Lonny, and her answers to PDB’s four usual Friday Guest Interview questions today! And with a holiday spin.

I am particularly fond of women who mean business – and Michelle’s accomplishments and goals (more in question 2), not to mention the magazine that she has built from the ground up, are inspiring.

Michelle and her photographer partner Patrick Cline launched the online magazine in October of 2009 and I still recall that very first issue! It has since moved on to a monthly virtual publication with a regular line up of all star authors and designers. A textile designer at heart, Michelle is also the brainchild behind Rubie Green, a fabric company that I actually featured here back in 2010 without realizing the wonderful connection at the time.

Let’s talk about Lonny for a moment, because this is a gem that offers quite a few resources that are helpful in the home design department. Their blog features fun articles like this one on Interior Design Rules You Should Break and their photos tab brings you to all archived magazine photos that have been included in previous issues. Talk about a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon, perusing by style or room and trying not to get lost in the dreamy inspiration! Be sure to check out the ideas section, too.

Alright, on to the interview. Follow the jump to learn more about Michelle, her favorite trends, holiday decor tips and where all of this crazy inspiration stems from. Read more »

Friday Guest Blog Interview: The Novogratz Family

Today I am honored to invite the Novogratz Family (yes the Design by Nine team!) to PDB to participate in our Friday Guest Blog Interview series. I absolutely adore their organic, eclectic and family-oriented style, and I’m pinching myself that they’ve agreed to take a few moments to answer our four usual questions on personal design, and to share their newest collection over at CB2!

The above is one of my favorite rooms.

Robert and Cortney Novogratz (along with their seven children) have made stylish family design and functionality hip, eccentric and homey. The couple have designed a variety of hotels, homes, NYC apartments, have created their very own line through CB2 (check out the ‘family’ lightbox after the jump), are seasoned authors (more in question 2) and reality TV show stars over at HGTV. Their signature design style is wonderful, creating striking, memorable spaces around the globe. Spaces that make you go – I want to copy that now!

What a lucky bunch! I stole this image from a while back, their kids are a wee bit older now. Follow the jump for the full interview!

Read more »

Friday Guest Blog Interview: Janet of Living in a Nutshell & SPACEStv YouTube Channel

Happy Friday! I’m back with another awesome Friday Guest Blog Interview. It’s actually a two in one, because we’re featuring SPACEStv (that awesome new home and design YouTube channel that was just released) and Janet of Living in a Nutshell, a super stylish blogger with a fantastic little episode on SPACES, a new book and a lovely blog.

Have you heard of SPACEtv? A new YouTube channel that serves up home decorating ideas of all sizes – and it’s instantly available in cute little 5-15 minute chunks of delicious decorating morsels. I’m really loving discovering all of the various series! And if you’re like me and live sans cable, then this is an excellent HGTV alternative (plus, you can skip all of those pesky ads). A few of my favorites have been this inspirational Brooklyn loft crash, this roof deck on Urban Gardener, and of course, Janet’s eclectic How to Decorate a Small Apartment episode. So much goodness.

Janet is taking a few moments to answer our usual 4 design questions about her favorite trends, tips and design ideas. Janet is the voice behind Living in a Nutshell and her new book of the same title. How brilliant is that mix of color in the cover photo?

I was immediately intrigued to learn more about Janet’s style after watching her SPACES episode and checking out stills of her pint-sized NY apartment (including that above living room). Jump on out to the interview for a closer look. Read more »