Interview: My Best Friend Craig

Charmaine & Her Beautiful Family

Today I am so excited to be bringing to you an interview with one of my favorite bloggers Charmaine of My Best Friend Craig.  Every so often I come across a blog that really inspires me and wants me to be part of their journey and this is one of them. She has the most fabulous home, filled with stunning one of a kind vintage pieces. I am obsessed with Charmaines's blog because just about all of the pieces you see in her home were sourced from Craigslist in Milwaukee or second hand stores. She has superb taste, It is no secret that the value of her finds are well over what she has scored them for, I was throughly impressed and wanted to share with you her process and what inspires her when decorating the space she shares with her family (aren't her children adorable?). I hope you enjoy the interview, I am always interested to learn first hand how a stylish home is created, this is one of my favorite spaces filled with so much character and love! Thanks so much Charmaine, can't wait to see what treasures you bring home next!! xoxo

Laura: What are your most common searches on CL?  

Charmaine: Mostly chairs.  I am obsessed with them!  I also like mid century modern pieces.

Laura: To date what has been your greatest  "acquisition" and why?

Charmaine: This is tough.  I love all my craigslist finds but probably the tufted chrome chairs I got recently.  Teal, tufted, chrome and vintage.  What's not to like?!  They are pretty versatile too.  I can use them anywhere in the house.  Cost- wise,  it would have to be the $20 lucite floor lamp!

Laura: What was your inspiration when decorating your home? Is the style very different from previous spaces you have lived in?

Charmaine: As a blogger,  I have to say I am inspired by other blogs.  My style is still evolving but I like a good mix of vintage and new,  traditional and mid century modern.  I'm also drawn to colorful interiors. Our previous spaces were heavily asian influenced and more neutral.

Laura: Do the pieces you find shape your decorating style?

Charmaine: I guess so.  I buy what I love - mostly vintage, mid century modern and some asian pieces

Laura: Are there any pieces you are currently looking for, what are they?

Charmaine: I'm currently looking for some vintage brass desk accessories for my office and a couple of cool barstools for the basement.

Laura: Favorite DIY to date?  

Charmaine: I recently made a parson-style upholstered bench.  It was my first sewing project and I was thrilled with how it turned out.

Laura: Any regrets - wish you would have bought something but talked yourself out of it? "The one that got away?"  

Charmaine: To this day,  I still regret not buying a set of vintage Bertoia barstools.  The seller was only asking $75/stool.

Jamie Meares at home. See more here.

Laura: Favorite Interior Decorator?  

Charmaine: I like Jonathan Adler's chic humor,  Jamie Meares' use of color and patterns and Tamara Kaye-Honey's "new vintage" style.

Laura: Favorite Blogs/websites for inspiration?

Charmaine: A lot! Apartment Therapy, Lonny and Little Green Notebook to name a few.  

Laura: Do you mix and match price points?  

Charmaine: I do, although I prefer vintage over new!  

Laura: What did it feel like when you saw your blog on Apartment Therapy?  

Charmaine: The Apartment Therapy house tour experience was very surreal.  I've been a long time reader of AT and the house tours are my favorite posts.  It's fun to see how "real" people design their houses.  So when I got Carolyn Purnell's email about conducting a house tour,  I was floored and excited at the same time.   Also, I was overwhelmed by all the nice comments.  Carolyn did an amazing job.

I think Charmaine has proved to all of those sceptics out there that you can have the most sophisticated, eclectic, and gorgeous home style you wish to have by keeping an open mind when decorating your space! 

Laura Collins Design will provide you with insight and guidance on how you can turn your home or office into a stylish reflection of your unique personality. Please contact me if you are interested in discussing the different design services I offer.

Always Stay Graceful,

L.