By Bethany Adams
Design blogger and author Melissa Michaels shares stylish design ideas for creating a home you love.
When Melissa Michaels started her home design blog, The Inspired Room, in 2007, blogging was still considered a hobby. “I was not a blog reader at all prior to starting my own, so I really didn’t even know what to expect,” she says. “No one really did.” But as blogging evolved from pastime to career path, The Inspired Room began to gain a following. Now, Melissa’s home tours and style advice inspire countless readers to create the home that they love.
Readers of The Inspired Room have followed Melissa through the renovations of both her previous house and her current one, which is located near the coast in Washington. The charm-filled home features what Melissa calls a “subtle coastal edge” and is saturated with cottage style. While Melissa says that the house wasn’t her style to begin with, she adds that she has enjoyed “incorporating a little more cottage personality.”
Melissa Michaels of The Inspired Room blog
Now, the house features a dreamy atmosphere, a cool color palette, and plenty of natural light. Shades of blue range from robin’s egg to navy, balancing the abundance of white and neutral tones found throughout the home. Pieces like the rattan daybed in the living area not only feature a combination of soft and bold hues but also offer cozy spots for curling up with Jack and Lily, the family’s goldendoodles.
Melissa’s recent kitchen renovation resulted in an airy space that balances beauty with function. “I love that we were able to incorporate so many drawers and a nice long expanse of countertop,” she says. “It’s not a very big room, but I knew it would be much more functional if we had plenty of counter space and storage.” The apron-front sink and shiplap-style walls and ceiling infuse the room with farmhouse style while the circular window over the sink adds a delightful focal point and draws attention to the view outside.
Because the dining area is visible from the kitchen, Melissa wanted to make sure that the designs flowed together seamlessly. The white dining table carries the clean look of the kitchen into the area, brightening the space by reflecting light from the window, and the striped bench offers a place to bask in the sun. When the woven shades are lowered, the beaded chandelier provides light as well as a note of contemporary style.
In the master bedroom, the darker tones that serve as accents in other areas of the house take center stage. Melissa chose a bold hue for the walls, softening the look with linen drapes and neutral bedding featuring a simple pattern. The guest room echoes the airy atmosphere in the rest of the home, with navy blues making an appearance in details like the tasseled drapes and throw blanket.
Although no inch of the house has gone untouched by Melissa’s style, she is far from finished. “We still have lots planned for the rest of the house,” she admits, noting it’s the details—like the Dutch doors she installed in the kitchen and entry—that really count. “I love a simple design, but details and charm points really matter to me.” Sharing the process of designing her own home on her blog, Melissa emphasizes the importance of loving the space you live in. “Our home should be our safe place, our haven,” she says. “It’s a place where we should be able to express our creativity and nurture our family.” She adds that it should be a place that provides peace, which is what she hopes to help her readers find in their own homes and lives.
