A Look Behind the Curtains with Jill Hinson @ The Forever Cottage

Man, there are a LOT of blogs out there! Everyday I see or hear about new ones that I've never heard of or seen. It's fun to see what all is out there.
I'm sure plenty of you can agree there are many blogs out there that are good but they just don't click with you. You know what I mean right? Sort of like design, there are many designs and styles out there that I can appreciate, but I wouldn't do it in my own home sort of thing. The blogs that I choose to follow, speak to me in one way or another and they just click for me.
One in particular that really clicks for me is Forever Cottage, written by blogger and budding new interior designer Jill Hinson.  I believe we are around the same age, have girls the same ages, and maybe a little presumptuously of me but I believe if we lived in the same town we would be good friends. Jill is literally a true soccer mom, but with great style!
Anyway, Jill accepted to be apart of my Look Behind the Curtains series. To see my last two, please read here and here.
Without further ado, here we go.......

Where are you based?

J: The best city evah - Portland, Oregon!

How did you get into interior design? How long have you been doing it?

J: I have been designing spaces for as long as I can remember - I was that kid that repainted by own bedroom and re-arranged my mom's living room. I was that 80's girl that painted clouds on her light blue bedroom walls.

When and why did you start your blog?

J: I started my blog in 2009 after our family relocated to Minnesota and the winters were cold and long and I did not know a soul.

Do you have any interior design education/ degree?

J: Nope. I have a Bachelor of Science in Business/Marketing - went the practical route but am now following my passion.

How would you define your style?

J:  Collected, traditional with a bit unexpected.

What is your favorite room to design and why?

J; I thought long and hard about this question and I have to say I honestly like designing different rooms for different reasons. I love to do kitchens because I love to cook and I really believe it's a home's true gathering space but kids rooms are fun and living rooms offer so many opportunities!

What is your favorite paint color to use?

J: Oh, this changes - right now I am loving dark moody walls. Farrow & Ball's Down Pipe is a current fav.

What is your favorite local décor shop?

J: My favorite stores are antiques stores - Monticello and Stars are Portland favorites. I also like Manor Fine Wares in NW Portland- it's pricey but leaves me so inspired every time I visit.

What is your most go to online décor shop?

J: I love Etsy for throw pillows. One King's Land and Joss & Main have proven to be great sources for decor. Of course, I use West Elm, Pottery Barn and Ballard Design as well.

What room in your own house is your favorite and why?

J: I would say my formal living room/office. It's a room that everyone in my family loves too - and it doesn't have a television in it! My girls like it for a quiet place to read and my husband will leave his office and go there to take a business call. Everyone calls it "mommy's room" because it really reflect me and my personality and has so many thing I love in it - including the desk where I work from.

Who inspires you?

J: Anna Spiro, a designer from Australia - she mixes patterns brilliantly! Emily Henderson - she's from Portlandbut I love her use of flea market/thrift store finds in her spaces.

Looking back, have you ever had a big design disaster? Or thought, “what was I thinking?”

J: Just one? In my 20 years of marriage, my husband and I have owned and decorated 9 homes. I had someone wallpaper a dining room in a home we had purchased in New Jerseybefore we moved in. I knew immediately I hated it but lived with it for about 6 months. My husband left for a business trip and I started ripping that wallpaper off the wall. Let me just say, I think long and hard before I choose wallpaper these days!

Do you ever second guess your decisions?

J: All the time.

Best advice for someone starting an interior design career?

J: That would be me - if you hear any, can you send that advice my way?????

Best advice for new bloggers?

J: Stick with it! In the beginning you might question why you are doing it but keep going - an audience will find you. And also, be your self!

Best advice for someone decorating on their own?

J: Stay true to yourself! Don't be swayed by trends - they come and go - do what you LOVE and if that can be something classic, your spaces will never go out of style.


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This has been so fun doing this series! Thank you so much Jill for being apart of it.
I don't remember how I found Jill's blog but I think that super cute bench some how brought me to it. I don't think I could get sick of looking at the picture, super cute!
To see more of Jill's gorgeous home, hop on over and check it out. Tell her Hi from me! :)

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I'm Feeling Lucky..

I have to say I'm feeling a little lucky lately. In the last few months I've won 3 giveaways from other blogs.
I one a betwixt lumber size pillow cover in indigo that I had my eye on for a long time from Jill @ Forever Cottage and Spark Modern.

Doesn't it look good with my new bedding?

I also won a pink throw from Charmaine @ My Best Friend Craig and Land's End. I gave it to my youngest daughter, and by the way it is super cozy!

She's next in line for a bedroom makeover but the blanket will still work in the new scheme of things.

And just recently, I won a Sunday Set Up Plan (product of Kathy Kaehler) from Melanie @ My Sweet Savannah and Janette Mallory. I am SO excited to do this plan. It is an online club that gives you access to Kathy's plan of setting up, prepping and storing food for the week. Healthy meal recipes, shopping lists and fitness advice. Who couldn't use a little help getting meal ideas and learning how to prep for the week, so meals are easy to prepare and also healthy? I know I sure could. Thinking of what to make each night is sometimes a big downer.
As soon as I get access to this plan and give it a whirl, I will definitely post about it. If you'd like to check it out for yourself, you can go here.

Now, I don't want you to forget I'm doing a little giveaway myself. It's not the traditional giveaway, you do need to purchase something to be entered. But it's for a good cause. My middle daughter is going on an educational trip to China this summer and it's to raise money for the trip. To see my fundraiser and giveaway, please go here. You have one more week to enter, it closes February 14th.
Thanks so much and good luck!

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