Getting Organzied - All about Lists

As many of you know, I love making lists and staying organized. That is something that I take pride in when I do a client project or makeover project. It’s all about remembering the details.

This morning was one of those mornings where I realized I needed to create a new list for the various things that I have going on. This can cover client project lists, production details for the show list, family schedule list, house to-do list, etc. I find that doing the lists gets it all out of mind and helps me feel productive and focused.

I love Post-its and Sharpies as I have said many times on the show. I like them because I can stick them up and when the item is accomplished - I can throw them away.

I am also a typed up list guy. I like the list because it can help me see what needs to be done and also what is already done. I highlight the ones that are checked off but I can see what was done.

Today, I decided to do the list for the next week. I find that I do not like using my calander on my phone or computer because I like the “hands on” approach to my lists. Sort of the old-fashioned way of doing things.

How do you organize? What’s your go-to method for staying on top of things?

You can check out an episode of The Driven by Design Studio that featured the Executive Producer of the hit Hulu Series ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING and she talked at length about how she stays on top of her production schedule and tricks that she has learned! I love that kind of stuff.

Back to the lists now…

Have a great day!

NYC recent renovation project

This is a recent project I designed for a client commercial office space in NYC.

As you can see from the before space, its drop ceiling, cubicle workstations and overall dated vibe were less than appealing as a workplace.

The goal was to give the client an open concept, creative work environment with an industrial vibe that could be inspiring, uplifting and creatively motivating.

The end result was all that and more.

One of your favorite Guests from my show...

I have long been a fan of this all around creative person Miss Mustard Seed aka Marian Parsons.

She does it all - she’s a blogger, designer, photographer, author, DIY expert, artist, wife and mom!

She is one of those people that motivates other creative people and homeowners because she leads by example.

Marian Parsons

When I started my show - I knew I wanted her on as a guest.

As I’ve said, I like when I can talk to people that are doing work that they love. She is one of those people! I wanted to know more about what inspires and motivates her. As someone that wears many creaitve hats - I also wanted to know how she simply stays focused and produces all that she does.

Fans of her work know that what she produces is inspiring and beautiful. She takes us along for the creative journey in all that shes does and we feel that we are motivated to be creative like her!

I hope that you will take listen to the full creative conversation on the show link: THE DRIVEN BY DESIGN STUDIO. Check out the sneak peak audio above.

Also be sure to visit her website and order her beautiful book FEELS LIKE HOME!

Interview with Actress and Director Melanie Mayron

I was thrilled to interview actress and director Melanie Mayron on The Driven by Design Studio.

I love talking to creative people doing something they love and are passionate about their careers.

For me, I think we can all learn from people that are doing something they love because that is inspiring and that is what I am trying to integrate into my show. As a creative person, I like to hear what motivates and inspires other creative people. Everyone has a different way of working and method that keeps them focused and motivated. I love learning from others like that because can help us follow our own dreams.

I am all about changing our environments to make our lives better - well what do we do once the stage is set to pursue our creative endeavors - we need examples and role models that can help motivate and inspire us!

This apparently resonates with many of you out there too because this was one of the top shows from 2023 that I did.

Melanie Mayron

Melanie is best known for her work on the hit show THIRTYSOMETHING. She continues to act - in fact she was Off Broadway when we sat down for our interview. However, in recent years, she has also become a highly-successful television and film director.

I loved talking to Melanie because we were able to talk about her creative work and the ups and downs of a creative career. At the same time, we talked about our shared love of film and the old days of Hollywood. We also got to chat about her most-recent work directing the series JULIA about Julia Child in France. Lastly, we talked about her family-owned skin care line that she started with her dad.

Of course, I also got to ask her about her favorite film homes - which I love always love to hear about.

Did you know that there is a campaign to bring the show Thirtysomething back to television again!? I hope that happens - we need some great drama shows on television!

In the end, a great conversation with a creative person that is doing it all - actor, director, business owner, mom and someone that shares my love of design and renovation!

Check out the interview from THE DRIVEN BY DESIGN STUDIO to listen in.

Also, check out Melanie’s company: MAYRONS GOODS & SUPPLIES

The Science Behind Home Design

This episode of The Driven by Design Studio resonated with many of you. I heard from so many people after the release of this show.

As many of you know, I feel that changing things up in our home environments can affect us on so many levels - in ways we see and ways we do not see. This episode talked about the science behind changes and how it does impact our brains!

Simply - the science and research proves that changing up our home environments can truly change our mood, our attitude and our motivation.

Hence, CHANGE IS GOOD!

I know, because I have seen it in all my years of doing home design for real people - that change is hard, change is scary and change is stressful for many of you. I get it. However, I have seen how powerful and uplifting it can be for change to have taken place in a home space and how it can re-energize you in powerful ways!

I am glad this show made an impact on many of you. I heard from so many people telling me that they had put off making change happen (for years in some cases!) and they finally took the steps to set the changes in motion. Even little steps or small changes are good - you are doing things differently and that is how you begin! I love that!

In the end, I am happy to hear that the show is helping you and inspiring you.The Driven by Design Studio

Check it out if you have not heard the show yet: The Driven by Design Studio

So it begins.... →

Now that spring has sprung - I have been wanting to start up my blog again.

Since my creative focus over these past several months has been on the show THE DRIVEN BY DESIGN STUDIO - I have been putting off just sitting down and starting the blog. You know how life can be! Time flies and then you find that you have not done what you are getting the urge to do. However, since I am all about promoting the fact that we sometimes just have to just do it - to get things in motion and change up the energy - I am taking my own advice to just get started….and so I figured today was the day to simply start the blog! Here and now. Not about it being perfect - but just in motion and out there!

The show has been something that I am very excited about. When the concept for the show came to me last summer - I felt compelled to bring it to life.

I wanted to take all my years of design experience and my passion for the fact that I have seen how powerful it can be to change environments and how that can affect people’s lives in such profound ways - I knew I had to set the wheels in motion. So I dove into production of it last fall.

Now, we find ourselves with a growing audience and an expanding list of guests.

I am thrilled because the grassroots effort of our audience simply spreading the word about the show is what is making this passion project expand. We are now heard in many cities and countries around the world. That means a lot to me and was not something I expected.

I love home, I love design and I love how we can truly make our lives better through the power of making our homes be the best they can be. I guess you guys agree with that! I am so grateful for that shared connection with all of you.

The Driven by Design Studio

So as I begin this blog - it will be a combination of design projects, behind-the-scenes of the show as we expand into more video content and we continue to speak to amazingly inspiring people to talking up products or places that I come across - simply taking you along for the creative journey I’m on.

I look forward to sharing more with you coming up!

Here we go!