This week our guest blogger is Barbara Karpf. Over the past twenty years, her design projects have delighted clients in New York City, the Hamptons and other metro New York locations. Barbara was honored as one of the “Great Designers of the World 2000” and has received wide visibility in decorator show houses as well as shelter magazines. Five years ago, Barbara founded DecoratorsBest.com, a highly successful online resource for decorative fabrics and wallpapers. We’re a fan of Barbara’s blog so we asked her to share a few of her favorite interior design blogs and websites with our readers.
Barbara Karpf
Thrilled by the invitation from Robert Allen's Blog Team to share my 10 favorite blogs, I thought this would be an easy assignment but quickly realized how difficult a task it was. Since I write my own blog on DecoratorsBest.com, I have a great appreciation for the challenges posed by a weekly blog post. The world is now at a lightening pace and vital information is just a click away so I look to a multitude of blogs to stay up to the minute in the interior design world. So, with this challenge at hand, I've narrowed my list to the following blogs that consistently delight and enlighten me.
Decor 8 - decor8blog.com/
As clever as its name, Decor8’s site is stimulating and fun. I feel connected to the writer, Holly Becker who is a freelance journalist and design consultant. She is very open with her thoughts and posts unusual opinions and great pictures to reenergize the creative process.
Design Milk - design-milk.com
Design Milk tries to nourish the artistic soul with a medley of innovative endeavors. Interior design, architecture, fashion and music are all represented with cutting edge projects and products. Architecturally driven, Design Milk presents unusual interior design photos. Primarily modern, the products and photos selected keep one up to the minute in the design world.
Design Sponge - designspongeonline.com
I’ve been a big fan of Design Sponge for several years. Their opinions and selections are tops and I always find something new. I enjoy their photos and particularly like their “Sneak Peak” section which keeps me up to date on the interior design world.
1st Dibs - 1stdibs.com
It’s hard to imagine the world without 1st Dibs. It’s saved me countless hours of hunting for the perfect antique or accessory. I know many of the NYC antique dealers listed and they are all first rate. Because of their respectability I felt that dealers in other areas of the US would be of an equal caliber. This gave me confidence to purchase many items from dealers around the country who have turned out to be incredibly professional and reputable. In addition to the antiques, the 1st Dibs articles are always insightful.
Apartment Therapy - apartmenttherapy.com
Apartment living is not always easy and Apartment Therapy shows how it can be done on a tight budget and in a tight space. I always marvel at the creative solutions for these teeny apartments. Most photos are submitted by readers, not always professionals and their ideas are always fresh and original.
Habitually Chic - habituallychic.blogspot.com
Heather Clawson has taste and style. Her photos of rooms, restaurants and art work are viewed from a designer’s eye and capture exciting and stylish elements. So many design ideas emanate from each picture and these ideas can easily be incorporated into interior design projects.
Freshome - freshome.com
Like its name, it’s a breath of fresh air! Light and airy pictures, bright young spaces and well designed, practical products are the hallmark of this site.
Home Design Find - homedesignfind.com
A designer’s design blog! Focused on true design there are a myriad of photos and ideas on this site that come from all parts of the globe. Recent posts were about projects in Spain, China, Bangladesh, Peru and the US.
Remodelista - remodelista.com
The direction of this charming blog is towards handmade and specialty products. I am always searching for THE piece to add warmth to a room and within seconds I often find a wide array of products and ideas.
Holistic Interior Designs - holistic-interior-designs.com/holistic-interior-design-blog.html
Holistic Interior Designs is devoted to green living. A multitude of resources are featured to enable one to build and design an eco friendly home and live a healthy life style. I particularly like the Portfolio section which shows a variety of attractive and green projects.
BARBARA KARPF BIO
DECORATORS BEST was founded by Barbara H. Karpf. For the past twenty years Barbara H. Karpf, NKBA Kitchen Designer, has worked in New York City, The Hamptons, and the entire Metropolitan area. She is in 'Who's Who in Interior Design' and was selected as one of the 'Great Designers of the World 2000.' Ms. Karpf has participated in many decorator showhouses and her work has been featured in numerous national publications. She has been a guest lecturer at The Architectural Digest Home Show in New York City. She is a graduate of The New York School of Interior Design and Brandeis University.