Today I’m excited to share a Q&A interview I participated with Summer Thornton, a leading interior designer in Chicago. Summer is known for her bold and colorful interiors that have been featured in House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Modern Luxury, and Domino (just to name a few!). It’s a huge honor for me to be featured by Summer and talk a little about my personal style and design inspirations. Here’s a preview of the interview:
Q: First off, tell me a little about your style blog, Bright and Beautiful! What inspired you to start it?
A: I started my blog in 2013 as a creative outlet dedicated to personal style, beauty and home décor — and to celebrate the everyday things that inspire me along the way. Aside from the blogging world, my professional background is in Public Relations. Between my experience in PR and personal interest in writing, photography and style, creating a blog was a natural (and fun!) progression for me.
Q: What has been your favorite part of starting your own blog?
A: I love feeling creative and inspired to do something I’m excited about each day. Another favorite aspect is connecting with readers, and the opportunity to meet and work with wonderfully talented people and brands. I’ve also enjoyed challenging myself by learning new skills, like HTML and CSS, to really take ownership of my site. It’s empowering to push your own boundaries, continually learn, and put yourself out there.
Q: I love your personal style and style posts. How does your home reflect your personal style?
A: Thank you! I find the parallels between fashion and interiors so fascinating. My personal style and home definitely reflect my liking toward classic and traditional design. In my wardrobe, and at home, I like to mix both high and low pieces — saving for key investment pieces (like a quality sofa and dining table or a great signature handbag), but spending less on smaller or trendy items. I will say: I personally dress more “girly” in pinks and such, while my home feels more balanced and plays to masculine tastes, too.
Q: How long have you lived in your current home?
A: I currently live in Lakeview East and have been at my current home for nearly two years. Coincidentally, I now live on the same block as my first little vintage studio I rented when I first moved to Chicago five years ago! I love being close to Chicago’s beautiful lakefront, especially during the warm summer months.
Q: What’s the one home styling trick or tip you couldn’t live without?
A: My home (and personal style) tends to reflect classic and traditional elements, so I remind myself to take a risk once in awhile. Whether it’s incorporating a new color, interesting print or different texture, at least one piece of décor (or accessory) should not necessarily “match” the rest — to provide contrast and a statement to the overall look.
To read more, click over to the full interview with Summer Thornton Design. Thank you to Summer (and Maya) for this feature!
Images via
