latest posts
One Room Challenge: the big reveal
I know what you’re thinking… what?! It’s reveal day already?????!! Relax… I’m not there YET, but I am a bit of a tease.
No, this reveal is to let you know which room I decided to redo. And you might be shocked, since MOST of you wanted me to do this:
The dreaded blank wall…
Or is it more exciting to you? I’m with you — whichever option you choose — because it’s a little of both. Because isn’t a little fear a bit exciting? It wouldn’t be fun if it were easy!
But we’ve all been there — especially if you live in a pre-planned community like I do. When I was house shopping initially, every single home looked exactly the same. Let’s just say the folks in my neighborhood really like Lululemon, white BMWs and modern interiors. Black and white and grey, every single house blended together, including mine. But the moment I stepped into my house, I felt like it was a little bit different and special. Number one, it has the MOST spectacular giant pool. And number two, it had major potential — soaring ceilings, flowing-but-not-necessarily open floor plan.
Before I wax poetic about it, however, I have to really fess up. Decor-wise, the place was a snooze fest. Talk about blank walls, this was a blank house.
I am the “real estate agent’s nightmare”… and I’m proud of it
A few months ago I posted this:
And I got a whole range of comments. Mostly good, but some of them were a little outraged I would disrespect the real estate gods. Some went so far as to say I was the “real estate agent’s nightmare”.
At first, I was a little flummoxed. The thought of being someone’s nightmare was so NOT ME. I’m a little bit of a people pleaser. I still answer most of my instagram questions, even the really fucking stupid ones, and just try to be as “nice” and as “helpful” as possible. The customer is always right, right?! Wrong.
But then I really examined that sentiment. I am the real estate agent’s nightmare. Why? Because I refuse to live in a white box until I ultimately sell my house for a minor profit to the next buyer? And I live in California. If I buy in the right market at the right time, I could make an even higher profit and why would I risk warding off those future buyers with my characteristically loud designs? And then I won’t have enough money to buy my next white box. And then I won’t be able to retire, because I haven’t bought enough white boxes and made enough profit so I can live in comfort until I end up in that other box (in the ground).
my first one room challenge and I need help
Wow, I never thought I would do this but here I am! I am submitting for my first #OneRoomChallenge, and I have too many ideas and need your help. The submissions start April 1st, 2023 so that means I have to get cracking.
how to mix patterns like a pro
You’ve seen it. That drool-worthy Pinterest or Instagram photo of an interior dripping with pattern. We make it look so effortless, right? And your gut might be telling you that although we make it look effortless, it actually take a lot of effort… and I’m here to let you in on a little secret.
Mixing patterns is super easy, bro.
I sleep in a separate room from my partner and I’m happily married
If you’re here, then you probably read my stories or post on @instagram or you’ve subscribed. In which case, thank you for visiting me and welcome!
You’re also probably here because something possibly struck a chord with what I posted. I love social media because it really brings our social taboos to light, and this happens to be one of them. First, I posted a poll in stories that asked people if they slept in the same room as their partner. I was not surprised that 63% answered “Yes we are inseparable.”
How i pick out wallpaper (shhhhh....)
I have been wanting and NOT wanting to write this post for a very long time. And I lied a little in my last post, in case you have been following. I ran two different polls asking what you wanted to me to post about. So while most of you voted for "How to make my house look cool" on this blog, my Instagram followers wanted to know how to pick wallpaper.
put the “me” back in “home”
Well Helllllllllllooooooooo! Are you an OG MTD subscriber? Or are you new around these parts? You might have noticed my brand new look and I don’t know about you, but I’m HERE FOR IT. I didn’t know a website could be this beautiful or fun or magical. Did you see the Shop My Vintage link? Did you see the Shop My Projects link? You didn’t??? I’ll give you a minute — I can hold your purse. Go go. I’ll sit here and watch The Little Mermaid. Are you excited for the Disney remake? I kinda am…
so you want to buy a neon sign
Hello there and Happy Holidays!! In case you want to take a break from all the festivities, here is a little blog to distract you. And what a blog post it is!
the kitchen reveal
Hello! How are you today? I'm so excited to show off my new kitchen, but best part of any kitchen reveal is the "before" pictures:
how to build an art collection
I'm such a tease. No seriously, I've been teasing you on how to find and buy art and I haven't got to the good stuff yet. Because if you're reading this, you seriously want to know WHAT YOU SHOULD BUY!!!!!!!!!
no fail steps to make your house look cool
Hey there, all you cool cats! You asked for it and now I'm delivering. You want to make your house look cool. And I'm not talking about how to make your house look expensive, well-styled, or even well coordinated.
do's and don'ts on how to paint a dresser
Hello there! How was your Halloween? Did you dress up this year? I did not -- I have been so busy remodeling and coming up with new projects, I didn't have the energy to do the extra things like Halloween, which I regret. But also, I'm kind of proud of myself for not pushing myself beyond my capabilities. I posted this on the Saturday before Halloween:
is a cement counter top right for you?
I was asking myself this very thing not too long ago. With all the talk about marble and quartzite and quartz and everything in between, where does cement fit in? First of all, what are the benefits -- if any -- of a cement countertop? What are the drawbacks?
How to pick art: part 2
Hello! I've been putting off my blogging duties this weekend - I've been experiencing major migraines and just couldn't look at another screen. Plus, my keyboard is not working so typing has become even more difficult! But duties call and I can't leave you hanging on my next installment on how to pick art for your home. ICYMI, here is my first lesson:
https://www.melaniethomasdesign.com/post/how-to-pick-art-the-basics
My next lesson is in
how to pick art: the basics
Chances are that if you've landed here, I don't need to explain why picking out the perfect art piece is integral to your interior design. BUT if you really want me to spell it out --
ART IS THE SPARK THAT SETS OFF THE WHOLE PROJECT.
ahhhh... Ikea.
Today is a BIG day in the Thomas family household. It happens only once a year typically, and it usually happens on a whim. Today I make my trek to IKEA Burbank. If you live in Los Angeles, you probably have done this once or twice or twelve times before. The showrooms, the wonky carts, the big yellow plastic bags, the aisle traffic rules, the arguing couples, the MEATBALLS. You go in wanting a rolling cart, you come out with a whole kitchen dining set, a few lamps, a quirky objet d'art, and definitely some loganberry jam for those frozen meatballs you never ate from last time. Again with the meatballs... but I do love them and if you haven't tried their cafeteria, the trip is worth it alone.
how to thrift like a pro
Hello! How are you today???? I made the executive decision today NOT to go to the Long Beach Flea Market. Yes, there are some things I wanted to scope out, but I wanted to take it easy, use my poor forgotten pool and catch up on shows. Plus, I get to blog instead! And what better subject to blog about than thrifting?
Raise your hand if you've gone thrifting before. I'll wait.
If you raised your hand, you know the emotional roller coaster thrifting can bring that often goes a little like this: "I hate everything here, I'm not going to find anything." "Hm... that stone bust over there is really interesting and would look good in neon yellow." "There's not enough room in my car for all my stuff. I guess I need to get a Lugg." (Not sponsored by Lugg BTW).
how to become a maximalist (and not max out the credit card)
Happy Sunday! Thanks so much for tuning in. Every week, I have oodles of ideas to write about but alas, due to the slow moving glacier that is my home touch up, I have no new content myself.
it takes two (or more)
Good morning and happy Sunday! How are you doing out there? How are you liking the new AD this month? Loving the feature on Emmy Raver-Lamper and Daveed Diggs (I especially love the couple's embrace of color in lieu of the typical washed out California modern look) and also the article on JJ Martin's chic AND inspirational transformation of her Milan apartment (man, for a freshly divorced lady with no money and no time during a lockdown, she sure turned it out...). One thing that struck me about both stories and transformations was the sentiment that it couldn't have happened without help and partners. In fact, the AD article for Emmy and Daveed is titled "A Perfect Pair."