BEST OF HOUZZ 2015

I NEVER WIN ANYTHING. Raffles, giveaways, games at parties, (like the guess how many gumballs in the jar game), and definitely not awards. So when I saw a message in my inbox from "The Houzz Team" that said, "You won..." I was super excited! It could have said, "You won a free subscription" and I would have been thrilled. But this was even better - I actually won Best of Houzz 2015 in the Design category. And they gave me a badge for my website and a certificate to display!

my badge and certificate for my award!

The little kid in me is really excited about this. It just felt good to win something and get a BADGE! I mean, when was the last time someone gave you a badge? Even if it is for my website and blog. I am wearing it proudly.

And this was the room that helped me win this prestigious award...

Yes, it's my master bedroom that was so well captured by the talented Emily Brown. And it's funny, because this room is probably my least expensively decorated room. With nightstands and a rug from Ikea, bedspread and skirt from Target, and $30 art from a consignment store. The only expensive item is the headboard, which is custom and was the big splurge of the bedroom coming in at $1200. 

I do love this room today as much as I did four years ago when we moved into our new home. The best part about it is that I don't feel like I need to redecorate it because it feels really timeless to me, but not boring. (a win-win) Thanks Houzz community for sending the love my way and giving me this award!

And in honor of this award I'm going to post my newest project that I posted to Houzz, next week. It's one of my all time favorites, and I can't wait to share. Look for it on Monday and have a great weekend!

DO YOU USE HOUZZ?

Many of you are familiar with the website, Houzz.com, but if you're not, it's the best photo library of all things related to your home, on the web. Interiors, exteriors, landscapes, and even products for your home. I LOVE this website and used to use it often, but then switched to Pinterest for my inspiration and forgot how amazing Houzz is.
(even though it might sound like it, this post is NOT sponsored)

I recently set up my professional profile on Houzz and am thinking about advertising with Houzz, but before I do I am curious to hear from you whether you use this website/app and what you think about it.

I will tell you why I am going to be using Houzz a lot more from now on:

The search engine on Houzz is better than Pinterest for finding what you want - no repeats of photos, and photos of exactly what you want.

versus Pinterest (not sure how the first photo even relates to my search for a pool house?!)

I love the "LOCAL PROS" feature - great for finding contractors, architects, landscape architects, and yes, even designers! (and I like how there are reviews of the contractors as well)

I like how the photos have price tag icons that tell you where they purchased the items in the room.

 

I love how easy it is to find products for your home on this website and how it is separate from the other photos (unlike Pinterest). I found this fantastic bookshelf from Room + Board that I never noticed before - LOVE!

And I of course love the ideabooks (like Pinterest folders) that I can create. I also like looking at other ideabooks other designers create.

 Ideabooks with a theme created by another designer:

 

So now that I've given you a little tour of Houzz, what do you think? What is your favorite thing about Houzz? Do you use it? How often? I would LOVE to hear what you think!!