Inspirational Blogs We Love – Take 2

Back in January, we highlighted five blogs proliferating great design. But five only scratched the surface! Because there are so many well-done design blogs out there, we think a second edition is in order. If you’re looking for fresh ways to decorate a small space or that just-right product for your home, you’ll want to check these blogs out.

Apartment Therapy
Apartment Therapy has a simple mission: “to help people make their homes more beautiful, organized and healthy by connecting them to a wealth of resources, ideas and community online.” It aims to inspire and motivate homeowners to improve their personal environments without spending a ton of money or time. It doesn’t advocate acquiring more stuff – just surrounding yourself with right stuff.

Founded in 2004 by brothers Maxwell and Oliver Ryan, the site grew out of Maxwell’s weekly emails offering design tips and education. The content has expanded through the years, and now centers around home life categories of design, living and food.

Design*Sponge
With a resume that includes articles in Domino, House & Garden, New York Home, Food & Wine, In Style and Better Homes and Gardens, Grace Bonney has channeled her design and writing experience into Design*Sponge, a design and lifestyle blog she founded in 2004. Grace has gone on to become an author, radio host, women’s networking powerhouse, and frequent guest on national talk shows and design symposia.

As one of the most-read design blogs available, Design*Sponge features several writers (in addition to Bonney) who keep up the daily posts and regular columns covering interiors, travel, DIY, life and business, and food and drink. Here you can see all sorts of textures, patterns, colors, pillows, and other necessities for the perfect space.

Design-Milk
The line between blog and online magazine can get a little blurry sometimes, so now we’ll venture toward online magazine-types with Design-Milk. This kitschy lifestyle and design-focused site is long on fun and offers tons of content related to architecture, art, interiors and the like. Founded by designer Jaime Derringer, Design-Milk’s weekly and monthly columns run the gamut of design and lifestyle topics, including minimalist design (“Skim Milk”), outdoor living (“Get Out”), workplace design, art, design stores, etc. Who cannot love a site that boldly declares, “Always fresh + never sour, Design-Milk fills your thirsty cup to the brim with design finds from around the world. Drink up!”?

Style Files
We’re working a little international flare into our round-up with Style Files, a blog from Netherlands designer Danielle de Lange. Her daily posts feature “inspirational finds,” whether a product, a new idea, art, featured home or other lifestyle-related musings. The blog got its name from de Lange’s files of clippings amassed from her favorite magazines and personal travels through the years. The site showcases Danielle’s modern style and is bent toward using natural materials and personally meaningful design accents in home décor.

The Contemporist
Of course a blog called the Contemporist approaches the topics of architecture and design with a sleek presentation and big, beautiful photos. The dramatic images on this site draw you in – quite literally – to the featured homes, projects, hotels, rooms and products. Much of the content is submitted by architects and designers from near and far who, rightly so, seek recognition for their work in modern design. The site is less about color and fabric, and more about building design and products for contemporary homes and buildings. It’s worth checking out if you’re a fan of modern design and architecture.

There’s no shortage of design inspiration on the five sites above or countless others you can find with a quick Internet search. Take a few minutes (or hours!) and dive in. You’re sure to find ideas to freshen up your home and complement your Heat & Glo Fireplace.