SHIPPING CONTAINER HOME DESIGNS

I AM BACK.! I took a slight hiatus from blogging due to my school schedule and finishing up my last huge projects my senior year. All projects are completed and I had a great success at my portfolio show.

I meet a few professionals that gave wonderful advice and congratulated me on my next steps...since this milestone is completed now I can hit the blogging world again and share my favorite trends, colors, and designs by awesome designers.

San Jose, Costa Rica

The latest trend that I am fascinated by is shipping container homes. Once I saw one design and did my research I realized this new idea is not going anywhere no time soon.

Shipping container homes are modified or re-purposed used shipping containers used to stick them together to build a house. Why are these 20-40 ft. containers so popular? With proper planning, you can design and build a fabulous home for half the price of a "everyday" house.
I can give four reasons why this new home design is a sure head turner.

1. Easy to Construct
It is easy to design and construct a home design. All you need is a shipping container(DUH HUH.!), buying or renting it from a company, and the container being dropped in your backyard or empty lot. Containers can easily be incorporated into another container. You will definitely want to add those windows, doors, and maybe some stairs.

2. Go Wild.!
Let your imagination and creativity go free. With container homes, you can design any flair to your new home. Ceiling to floor windows, have a garden on the roof, or paint it an awesome Sherwin-Williams color(Rave Red perhaps? Ha.!). Have fun with it.

Curacavi, Chile

3. Environmentally Friendly
Most companies sell used or new containers. If you choose to reuse a ship container, you are saving the environment by reusing steel. Use solar panels. Build a home that supplies its own energy. Build a patio out front or up top next to the garden. Eating outside can help save energy and makes friends and family coming together worth wild.

Jim Poteet

4. Bringing Personal Style
Living in a shipping container will sure get attention anyways, so why not design a home with its own personal style. Let this architectural design speak on its own. Go modern or contemporary, select colors that are not the norm. This is an awesome design that will let anyone be creative.

Coromandel, New Zealand

WOOD INTERIORS

Have you seen the latest designs of "Wood Interiors"? This is where wood materials are present and makes a striking focal point. Wood can be used in all kinds of ways in a residential space and/or commercial.

Designers and homeowners are finding more ways to use the texture and beauty of wood. Wood is just not only for traditional style, designers can use wood to add texture to modern, eclectic, transitional, glam, and contemporary design. 

What's hot this year? I have two trends with wood design that's my favorite. 

• Statement Walls- These walls are making more than a statement. Paneling are big trendsetters. With the wood material as a paneled wall or ceiling, it will add beauty, character, and appeal to any room. Different type of wood finishes reflect different styles. As a designer, you can mix different woods and finishes on accent wall to add visual depth to a room. Be sure to mix wood with other materials and colors to make the room a winner. 

• Woods Natural Color and Texture- I believe every tree has a story. As you know every species of wood has a grain pattern and natural color. The different natural color of woods set the tone for a room. Be careful when selecting the wood. Woods with a darker color can give the look of formality or even masculinity. Lighter woods are more feminine, airy, and easy on the eyes. Let the grain pattern tell the story of the item. Grain patterns can give away the style of the space. Woods with more heavy grain pattern heads towards traditional or rustic and light patterns are contemporary. 

ROOMSTYLER CONTEST

Right now, Roomstyler has a contest "Wood Interior". Design a space where the use of wood as a material is clearly present. Enter to win credits on Roomstyler and practice those rendering skills.!!

Wood Interior Perspective done by me.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT

MEET ROBIN WILSON

I am such a fan of Robin Wilson.! Robin is an interior designer, author, and is an expert of designing a healthy home. Robin Wilson Home is located in New York City. Robin Wilson Home was founded in 2000 and works on certain projects throughout the United States. With a commitment to helping asthma and allergy suffers, that hit home for me because I have both asthma and bad allergies. I fell in love with Robin's ideas, commitment, and success to the design industry through her niche. I've meet Robin Wilson at the African American Top 20 event and she gave me the best advice as a student and future business woman. With her personal struggle with asthma and allergies, Robin has a passion for clean design that will help clients live a hypoallergenic lifestyle. Her healthy outstanding collection includes furniture, pillow, comforters, and bedding that's sold nationwide. As seen in many publications, Queen Boss on Centric TV, HGTV, and LX-TV Open House. WOW.! Robin Wilson is so great and I look up to her so much. 

Check out Robin Wilson Home website.!!

ARE YOU A "BROKE COLLEGE STUDENT?"

My boyfriend can not stand when I say "Yea, I'm a broke college student." His face cringes every time I utter those three words. Of course, I am not completely broke, my account does not have $1.17 in there LOL. When I say that I mean in terms I am not where I personally want to be financially.

I dream of going on luxury trips, carrying the latest Chanel bag, or getting my tress done every two weeks but in my reality I live on a budget. I am pretty sure I am not the only one. There are notions that college students only eat Ramen Noodles, buy generic brands, and use one-ply tissue haha but I am here to say I don't eat ramen noodles(very salty) I eat out-a little to often LOL, I can afford my Dove, Shea Moisture and other name brand products. One-ply who?? Only two-ply touches this bottom LOL.

If you are about to head off to college or trying to save every bit of that refund here are tips to help you stay afloat:

1. Employment: Get a real job. Pick up a part time position. Many companies and employers understand you're in school, they are willing to work with your school schedule. Try work studies, get a job on campus. This could be a position you work the rest of your college career.

2. Budget: Look at your school's event calendar, your college/university may have seminars on learning to budget. Learn how much money is coming in and going out. Pay for your needs, not your wants.

3. Save: Save that money. You joined the budget train, take a step further and save a percentage monthly. It could go towards paying off loans or emergencies.

4. Free and Discounts: I love free stuff.! Don't you? Get all the free stuff you can in college- school supplies, makeup samples, books, or hygiene products. Students receive discounts tons of places. Do research and ask questions to find them. 100+ Stores That Give Student Discounts

5. Be Creative: Think outside the box. When you are looking for a job be creative and use your resources. Do freelance work or join a temp agency. Taking those types of positions open you up to more experiences and items to put on your resume.

Do you have methods of staying financially afloat? Please share.!
Until next time.....

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT

It's Black History Month.!! The month of February is that special time of the year where we can celebrate the success of African-Americans. From our history of our people to the success of where we are now, this country has benefited a lot from African-Americans.

For the month of February, once a week I will spotlight African-American designers who are doing their thang LOL.! I look up to them and aim to be an inspiration like they have been to me.

MEET TIFFANY BROOKS

If you've watched HGTV, you would know this familiar face and would've fell in love with her designs. Tiffany Brooks Interiors, Inc  is located in Grayslake, IL.Starting out in high-end residential property management and staging.Tiffany has over ten years in the industry. Tiffany's designs are well thought out, colorful, stylish, and just GORGEOUS. Meeting Tiffany at The African American Top 20 event two years ago, she was humble and sweet. As seen in The Huffington Post, Best of Houzz, HGTV, Domino Magazine, and Pop Sugar, this design studio is a brand to follow. Tiffany Brooks Interiors, Inc. has made an aesthetic stamp in the design industry.

Check out Tiffany Brooks Interiors website.!!

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"A WELL-DESIGNED BUSINESS"-DESIGN STUDENT&BLOGGER

I am so EXCITED to post my interview with LuAnn Nigara of "A Well-Designed Business"
Check it out.!!

HOW TO WRITE THE PERFECT THANK YOU LETTER

In the world of technology- text messages, emails, Instagram, and all in between, we have cut down the interpersonal connection with another human. As you move up the career ladder there will be few people that will help you along the way, you should show appreciation and send a thoughtful "thank you." Phone calls and emails- both can get the job done. BUT a handwritten thank you note says a lot more.

Sending a thank you letter is like sending out good karma. When you meet designers, vendor reps, or business professionals you should thank them for their time and great advice. The point of a thank you letter is to show appreciation for help or a gift. Also, people will remember you, which will help for when you are looking for a job. Keep it short and sweet. Express why you are thanking the person and what they have done for you. Here are 5 tips on "How To Write The Perfect Thank You Letter":
                         

Kate Spade Thank You Card Set

1. Be Creative- Show the person you have style and importance. Invest in quality card stock with a beautiful design and fancy envelope. Who wouldn't feel special by receiving a beautiful envelope in the mail? 

2. Greetings- State who you are and how you know them. Ex. "Hi Ms.Smith, This is Ashleigh from Gwinnett Technical College, we spoke at our Career Day on Thursday."  

3. Give Details- Start with the two most important words: Thank You. If they gave you advice, tell them how much it meant to you and how it will change your life for the better. If you received a gift, tell them how much you love it and how you will use the gift. Ex. "Thank you so much for giving our class those USB drives, this will help me with my future class projects." 

4. Keep It Short- Short and sweet.! Don't lose your thoughtfulness by being wordy. Be concise and know exactly what you want to say. Write a rough draft of your thank you letter so you wont run-off and talk about unnecessary things. 

5. Time- Try to send your thank you letter ASAP. Don't wait two weeks to a month to say thank you. Give your self a week or less. 

Show sincerity, send a thank you letter with purpose. Show another human that you appreciate them for even the little things they do. You never know, you may be rewarded for that little gesture.