Moor Alive Interiors Blog

31 Tips to 'Create Your Space'

2012-02-21T18:39:00.003-08:00

We all want a home that says 'Welcome' to ourselves, to others and to the world. Homes have never been a place where you just dump off all your stuff (although we can be guilty of this).

In my workshop, I teach quick tips to 'create your space' with a lot of storytelling. Like our ancestors who sat around fires and shared generational stories, we need to realize our homes are the place where this ancient art form can happen in our daily lives.

1- Grab a piece of paper and list 3 reasons 'why' you deserve to do this

2- Find FREE inspiration online- there has never in history been more photos to love. Drag and Save.

3- Be prepared to say 'goodbye' as easily as you say 'hello' to your stuff

4- Ask a trusted friend to give you 3 adjectives describing how your home 'feels' to them. Is it what you hoped for?

5- Realize this is a positive investment towards your overall wellbeing

6- You will be putting sweat equity into this transformation. Physically + Financially.

7- Decide what is your number ONE priority: Sleep, Relaxation, Social Interaction, Status, Organization....keep coming back to this with EVERY decision

8- If your space could talk, what would it say to you?

9- There are a million solutions, one will be perfect for you

10- Design for who you are now with a hint of who you dream of being in the near future

11- Clutter is the devil

12- 'Grow where you are planted'- no matter what has happened, today is a new opportunity

13- Forget the trends (unless they are really you, then keep it)

14- In each room, have something from your past, your present and your future

15- The human eye can discern 6.5 million different shades of color- you only need to love ONE for that accent wall

16- Go Green and make your choice a WIN-WIN (Low VOC paints, earth friendly fabrics)

17- Become a student of Design 101: Know your design principles- Scale/ proportion, Emphasis/ Focal Point, Balance, Repetition, Harmony

18- Stop coveting and look in the mirror for answers

19- Plan on inviting one stranger, neighbor, co-worker to your home. Just book the date, then you'll REALLY have to get moving to create your space. Nothing like company coming over to light a fire under you.

20- You will know it's right when you feel its right

21- Bring that vacation home with you

22- You are transforming yourself as you transform your space. Be patient with both

23- Interior Design is a lot of fun (remember that when you are sitting in traffic returning all those accessories)

24- If you have 'finished' designing your space; two things will happen- 1) you'll want to move onto another house 2) you'll want to move the furniture you just positioned perfectly around the house. So, enjoy the journey.

25- Be true to your budget. It brings the best kind of peace

26- If you can't find the 'perfect' ' fill in the blank ', there is a reason. There are no coincidences

27- Be aware of how much energy it takes to care for all that stuff you've collected. If its taken you a long time to collect, it might take a while to let go

28- Always, always take 'before' photos

29- Hiring a professional is worth its weight in gold. Do your homework, be prepared for meetings (they are not mind readers)

30- You are spiritually connected to your belongings. But, have they served their purpose? If the answer is yes, you could bring another person that same joy, peace or happiness by passing it on

31- What you see around you is how you see yourself and the world

I hope to see you at my 'Create Your Space' 3 hr workshop and Expo on March 31 in Central FL

Click here and sign up to be in the room with other awesome others!

We sold over 45 tickets last week on Living Social! Great turn out- so now, its your chance.

Special Guest Speaker Sharon Hanby-Robie ASID, QVC Resident Designer will be there to talk & autograph her book 'Beautiful Places, Spiritual Spaces', plus very special home decor vendors.

March 31st (location will be decided first week of March depending on attendees).

Carolyn Moor featured on Interior Design Pros BLOG--> THANKS :)

2012-02-08T06:28:00.000-08:00

February 2012/ Interior Design Pro Features Carolyn Moor!!

Is there more to “home sweet home” than just four walls, a floor and a ceiling? According to Interior Designer, Carolyn Moor, the walls and floors merely allow you a means of existence – it’s the Interior Design that allows your surroundings to distinguish your life, influence your emotions, and provide you options of exploring life within those four walls to its fullest extent.

As a Florida Interior Designer, Carolyn puts a new spin on creating domestic bliss within your domain that is a direct result of her own personal story which involved tragedy and a heartfelt journey to rediscovery. It’s her unique and insightful perspective that brings about a nuance within your living space – leaving you with a new understanding and awareness of your interior surroundings and what it all means on an emotional level, as well as a physical one.

Spotlighted on Oprah, along with an episode of TLC’s “Shalom in the Home”, has brought Carolyn Moor’s story to the forefront, but it’s her passion for Interior Design and her ability to see beyond the physical aspect of home furnishings – that has kept her there. With in-depth research into color psychology, emotional attachment theories and interior alignment strategies, (among other designing elements), Carolyn empowers the home owner with designing ideas that may not have surfaced or been considered before.

Custom Condo Dining Room by Carolyn Moor

This unique method of designing a space to reflect the lives within, versus simply choosing a designing style in which to decorate around, is what makes Carolyn’s Orlando business; Moor Alive Interiors, flourish. However, it’s her own personal philosophy of “home is what catches you when you fall – and we all fall” which sums up her passionate approach to creating a living environment that consists of a unique method of designing a space to reflect the people that live there, versus simply choosing a designing style to decorate around.

Interior Cabin of a Yacht. Custom Design by Carolyn Moor

Choosing Carolyn as your Interior Designer not only provides the home owner with a design style that offers aesthetic comfort, but it also ensures that peace, harmony and happiness will be delivered to not only the living space, but to those living within.

Would you like more information on decorating or designing your own living spaces? Please visit our Interior Design Ideas Gallery, and then browse our Interior Designer Directory to find a designer in your area.

'Home Organizers have lowest complaints' says Angie's List

2012-02-03T06:40:00.000-08:00

According to Angie's List, (the most respected consumer review site), home organizers have topped the list of least complained services!!!

Along with us are piano tuners, graphic designers, hauling services, mailbox repair, dryer vent cleaning, ceiling fan installation, lighting services, screen repair and the reason is because we give very personalized service and we often develop long-lasting relationships with our clients.

Moor Alive Interiors recommends Home Organizer, Suzanna Kaye with 'A Space that Works Professional Organizing' in the Orlando Area. Call her today, I'm sure you won't complain and tell her hi for me.

I'd say Angie is spot on! For a year now, Moor Alive Interiors, has been striving for an A rating and has achieved it with giving excellent customer services and asking to be reviewed. (Clap, clap, clap.) I'm always thrilled when someone writes kind words and can see their lives change positively like their homes did as well.

It's interesting to see the highest complaint list.

Have you ever had a bad experience with any of these below? Because they are the TOP complaints according to Angie!

Home Warranty Companies

Banks/ Credit Unions

Internet Service Providers

Property Management Companies

Mobile and Landline Phone Companies

Wedding Service (Bridal Shops & Wedding Planners)

Auction Services

Boating Sales

Mattress Sales

Travel Agencies

With 5 of these being related to the building/ home/ construction industry, I think we could all do a better job. So give us a chance! From February 8-14, treat yourself to a personal Valentine's Day gift and pick up one of our Living Social specials 1) Design Consults or 2) Attend our 'Create Your Space' 3 hr. Workshop.

We are the FIRST decorator featured in Orlando for their 'At Home' division. Hoping to pick up some moor Angie's List reviews and make you a very happy client. We've never been moor affordable.

**Find Living Social Special posted on our HOME page come February 8, 2012.

A Better Life by Design

2012-01-09T19:45:00.000-08:00

In design school, I was never taught to have a conversation with a mom whose daughter just passed away from cancer and wanted to make a quilt out of old blue jeans.

I was never told that I'd be going thru boxes of old memories after a divorce and re-labeling them with a new name...

and I certainly was not taught about how to advise over the pain of what to do with 'granmama's' precious rocker when your new husband doesn't want to keep in your new Victorian Tudor. Guess it depends on WHO your granmama was!

Our belongings truly belong to our souls and express it without the need of words. Objects either have a strong emotional connection or they don't....just ask someone what they did with their first child's crib. It may be stored in the attic or they may have donated it to someone in need. Which, I always like to wonder which is really getting more 'life'?

Good designers should teach you how to design a better life. How to make sense of life when...life doesn't always make sense!

Enter dilemma.

These emotional conversations are so tightly woven into every interior element where conversations, arguments, dreams, concerns and laughing all co-mingle on a daily basis. The furniture upon which we sit, jump, make love on happens to be a backdrop canvas to what matters most in the end....the simple pleasure of sharing yourself with another.... and it matters.

In my house, I have a 'talking room'. It originally was the old dining room, but instead, I transformed it into a quaint, cozy place to read, where I pull a book off the shelf within reach and lower my feet onto a cushioned ottoman. It's where I have the best conversations with my daughters about the future, boys and next summer.

I created this space and never recognize it as the actual dining room....neither does anyone else. I love it. I gave a farewell to what I was taught you 'can't do' in school and gave in to what you 'can do' in life.

Since freeing myself, it seems it has allowed others to 'think out of box' and find their own 'can do' too.

A few weeks ago, I was involved in a wish child makeover. After purchasing a large white frame for over the desk, I was puzzled at what I'd actually place within this 'frame' and instead simply waited until something came to me...knowing it would when the time was right....(designers do this sort of 'you can't rush me' exercise often).

So the wish child was surprised, we all celebrated and I decided to simply place some colorful paper below the glass since I still had NOT figured out the 'perfect' idea to feature here.

When suddenly, someone arrived with a premie diaper from when Kayla (our wish child) was born. She was 1 1/2 lbs and I had NEVER seen such a freakin' tiny diaper.....I didn't even know they came THAT small. But wouldn't ya know, I opened up the diaper to see how wide it would span with the tabs outward, and low n behold, that diaper fit perfectly within that frame.

To say this felt like a magical moment is an understatement, it was truly worth the wait and patience. It was a 'moor alive' moment where the miracle of her life was clearly on display.

So now, when I walk into a clients house, I allow their life to hit me in the face, emotions and all, good or bad, happy or sad and I wait.

I know it will come to me what to do next, how to improve this room and in return improve a life story....I listen, I process, I speak truth.....and I always surprise myself...in a very good way.

www.mooraliveinteriors.com
'Improving life one room at a time'

Designer or Matchmaker?

2012-01-07T09:29:00.000-08:00

Improving your life, one room at a time!(If you don't believe me...hey--> lean in for a minute.....(whispering) 'just ask a few of my clients'. I don't list matchmaker on my list of talents, but... I'm pretty good at creating romance in homes. It starts with having an open convo.

A few years ago, I created this bedroom for a beautiful young woman...and when I say beautiful, I mean, mesmerizing. But, she had no mojo at all..why? because she experienced a very sudden break-up and a personal trauma all in the same month (life sucks sometimes). She only came home to pull the covers over her head.

She was 'stuck' so bad in her life that I had to convince her to let me help..I had to overlook and overcome (I'm really good at being Tuwandaaa). She needed inspiration + motivation, but most importantly, I hoped she'd get back up in the saddle of life.

I'm super happy to share that today she is an urban cowgirl.So....here's a quote dedicated to her:
"Someone helped put a mirror up in front of my face and I didn't like what I saw one bit, and you know what I did? I changed."-- Tuwanda in Fried Green Tomatoes

When we say moor alive, we mean it. Improving your life, one room at a time!
Kitchen + Bath Makeovers, Paint Consultation, One Day Makeovers, Space Planning, Generating a Home Sale To-Do List, Design Community Workshops, Wish Child Makeover, Life Transitions/Move + Inspiration + Motivation
www.mooraliveinteriors.com
Coming Soon Jan 2012--> Special Design Perk on:

Real Conversations with Clients

2012-01-06T05:40:00.000-08:00

While talking to a client----->

ME: Let's furnish your house so it doesn't feel so empty. It feels empty,
kinda like your life right now.
HER: Wow, you are right, but I'm a wallflower and not very social.
ME: This is about improving your life and sharing that. When I'm done, you will love opening your door and letting people in.
HER: Ok, here's a key.

2 months later.....
ME: Well, what do you think?
HER: Wow, I can't remember the last time I loved coming home.
ME: Let's share that feeling with others.

2 weeks later.....
HER: I invited my team over yesterday and my mom. They said I have 'swag'.
ME: Oh yeah, what about that guy who asked you out for dinner, is he next?
HER: I hope so.

We're not just adding furniture around here....we are improving YOUR life, one room at a time!

www.mooraliveinteriors.com

Glance @ Moor Alive Interiors 2011

2011-12-27T08:15:00.000-08:00

Free photo slideshow made with Smilebox

Merry Christmas (a day after)

2011-12-26T07:10:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from Moor Alive Interiors.

This month we spent time giving back into the community by doing a Room Makeover for Kayla, a Wish Child with New Hope for Kids / Wish Program.

As you can see, it's fresh, beautiful and uplifting. All I will say is this, it wasn't BEFORE! In 4 days, we brought in a team of amazing people and transformed her space.

Here is the BEFORE:

Again.....AFTER.

and BEFORE.

and.....AFTER,

BEFORE.

I think we made someone's Christmas this year. May God be the Glory.

Thank you Katie Hestla/ Artist

Thank you Dawn (Kayla's nurse) for submitting wish to New Hope for Kids. Thank you mom Kathryn. Thank you Jeff & Jessie Jones/ Contractor & overall Handymen (407-712-3970). Thank you UCF Cornerstone Students for raising the money.

Thank you Ryan Pugh with FineWood Studios ( 407-324-3700) for gifting Kayla's cool sign.

A Thanks and Giving Home

2011-11-20T07:10:00.000-08:00

Talking about homes, the warm and fuzzy ones and the ones that people loose (and are left to wonder where they will go next), all concern me. The good, the bad and the ugly: I take it all in.

Growing up, and what I know now, is our homes create an 'expectation' for what we did or did not experience in our childhood. For example, my sister and I love to eat at big tables where family sits around and passes dishes while talking away the evening...but in our childhood, we rarely ate at a dining table because we didn't eat in the dining room.

Our dining room was used more for doing craft projects or paperwork, if the truth be told. That might sound strange to some, but I wasn't aware of any other way of life. I mean, I see the lovely thanksgiving dinner table depictions on TV commercial land like everyone else, but I rarely sat and contemplated who actually did (or didn't) do that. Well, of course, now I know that you create this experience and many times it is a tradition passed down by our elders (that in my opinion needs to continue).

With families so spread out, travel and food expensive, many new traditions are born out of practicality. Last year, I attended the wedding of my dearest friend in Tallahassee and sat under a white tent outdoors after witnessing sacred vows that brought me to tears and made my heart smile....it was by far the most lovely and meaningful Thanksgiving dinner I have consumed.

I'd love to have Thanksgiving Dinner at my home someday, but to be honest, being a single mom without family nearby and a tight budget who cooks every night, I may go out to dinner with friends, since eating out is a special occasion for us. No clean up, no left overs to tempt me, just a moment, a memory. As long as I'm with my daughters, it will be wonderful, no matter what we do. Later, I could snuggle up and watch a movie together being thankful for the roof over my head and give of my time to listen to what they have to share about life.

We might even go into the dining room and work on crafts and do a little paper art. Kinda like I used to do growing up! No matter what, I will spend the day being thankful and giving and I guess we all get to define what that means for each of us. I don't think we can ask anything else from ourselves. Happy Thanksgiving 2011 everyone, I lift a glass of eggnog to you and yours!

Carolyn Moor
Moor Alive Interiors
'Grow Where You are Planted'

Home is a Story to Create

2011-09-27T06:14:00.000-07:00

The word HOME means something different to each of us. What story are you sharing with the world?

Growing up, I would watch classic TV Land type shows such as the Beverly Hillbillies, Gilligan's Island, The Brady Bunch, I Dream of Jeannie and Little House on the Prairie. It's no wonder that I became fascinated by the lives people lived out in their spaces.

Let's think about this.....the Clampetts came from a rickey old shack in the back woods and were pretty happy. Even after they made their millions and moved to Beverly Hills, they tried their best to make it livable like their old shack back home. With it's cement pond, kitchen contraptions and useless buttons, they didn't really need any of those things....they just needed each other and to share their life with purpose. They wanted to fit in but not at the risk of loosing who they truly were.

We can learn a lot from watching them stay true to who they are by asking;

Does my home represent who I am?

Next up is Gilligan's Island. Can you even imagine the Skipper & Gilligan in charge of anything in your life? Once stranded on the island, they were left to build shanty's for each person. It was interesting how each created a space just for their own personalities and were for the most part quite content...they were certainly free of any trappings from their past life. They were living for each day and made it through quite well. We can learn a lot about 'growing where we are planted' by asking;

If catastrophe hit my life, could I pick up the pieces and still be happy where I am?

Now, the Brady Bunch was a new concept for TV- a blended family. 3 girls, 3 boys and an architect dad. They were always showing us how to co-hab in a good way. Alice was the wild card and many times the reality card. She acted as the mast in the wind of a crazy blown off course family unit.

We can learn a lot about 'how to' blend families by asking;

If we are forced to live with others, what can we do to make it a better experience for everyone?

Ok, I Dream of Jeannie was in a whole other class of TV show....she lived in a genie bottle. How very cool was that? I mean, whenever she wanted, she would retreat to the bottle and disappear, not to bothered or sequestered there by her owner. It was her comfort zone. It was lovely, comfortable, private but it was too lonely. She longed to be with her Master out in the big world. It's great to create spaces that comfort us and nurture our souls. Share that part of yourself. We can learn a lot about 'sharing our homes and our lives with others by asking;

When was the last time I invited someone into my home to share my unique self?

Last but not least, Little House on the Prairie. The Ingall's from Walnut Grove lived an enduring existence in a home that was hand built and labored over by both Charles and Caroline. They exudes character developed from hardships within family, love, friendship and faith. They tackled subjects of adoption, alcoholism, racism and blindness with grace. You felt the love in those tight, lack of privacy quarters of open air and I believe that closeness is what we all hope for our families to be like. We have so much space now in our homes and in our relationships sometimes. We can learn a lot from creating friendship & loving kindness in our homes by asking;

Have our homes and lives become less loving, less sacred, less connected with more space?

Home is a story you create. It was relevant back then, and it's still relevant today. I care about the stories our lives are becoming. More living in our homes (and lives) is a good thing, let's get on with it. Feel free to email me and learn more on how Moor Alive Interiors can help create your home story. I love talking about this- carolyn@mooraliveinteriors.com

Live well, be well!

Find Carolyn @

Moor Alive Interiors

9/11 Memories: A Tribute

2011-09-10T06:03:00.000-07:00

These were the two words that kept looping in my mind.

Like everyone, that day will be remembered by where we were when the world stop turning as Alan Jackson so appropriately captured. I was newly widowed, only 16 months previously and the heartache of the day was like reliving my past. All I wanted if the world was coming to an end were my two daughters back in the safety of my own home.

Since then, HOME has comforted me as I spent hours on the chat rooms consoling widows from 9/11 and beyond. It was the only way I knew to cope but it didn't keep me from having a nervous breakdown. Their pain was all too fresh and familiar to me still living it out every day. Time can heal our wounds if we spend that time wisely. It's hard to believe its been 10 years.

In 10 years, I've used my God Box (Mac laptop) in many ways to reach out. Blogs, Facebook Pages, Emails, Skype all serve a great purpose but I will tell you, the biggest impact for me has been inviting others into my home and looking them in the eye and reaching out to hug them, especially my daughters and their friends. After 9/11, I longed for this, it was missing in my life. I made a concerted effort to become more loving in all ways and today I can easily say I feel loved. My friends tell me its that old saying 'what goes around comes around' and I agree. I'm in that sweet spot where the circle completes itself.

Looking back, they all feel like amazing years of growth. I learned to give love in ways I had blocked, and amazing things happened when I simply dared to love until it felt uncomfortable and unselfish. But on the other side of that discomfort, God delivered a Band-aid for my blessed wound that healed into a beautiful life.

So beautiful that I was blessed one day to see the actual paper in which Alan Jackson wrote his song onto 'When the world stop turning', the tear smears evident and the angst of emotion on scribbled paper. You never know how you fit into someone else's story. We are all apart of this 9/11 story.

I like to think of myself as someone who helps my clients create a place for these stories to play out. I certainly created the space you see above for our conversation to play out. Our homes are so important in this way and yet I feel like we spend more time thinking about their financial value rather than their emotional value.

I'm just saying that while we can spend time making sound decisions for our portfolio, lets not forget to create a home that we would invite others into if God forbid another tragedy happened. Let's not forget the peace we desired and the loving reverence we all felt for each other on this day. Because, I think it's the WHY to our question 'But why?'

Moor Alive Interiors invites you to our 'Creating Shalom in Your Home' Workshop Nov. 5th, Maitland Civic Center, 10-1p, where we talk about a new way to create your home with a wholehearted approach.

Pull up a seat!

Home Sweet Home!

2011-09-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

A smile.

That's what I look for when someone opens their door to let me in. A physical expression that is contagious and almost impossible not to reciprocate. I like smiles, they are like free happiness.

In a world where we have 1000+ facebook friends, its nice to see a warm body respond. Nothing replaces facial expressions, fidgeting in your seat over a topic of wonder. It got me to thinking, when was the last time I met a new 'friend' and invited them over to hang on my back porch for awhile?

Then I had a novel idea.....

Do that!

What I realized was this: I'd have to hide my clutter, rearrange some art, vacuum, hide legal papers not in the file they are supposed to be in, organize all the shoes by the door and take one of those lint brushes to the sofa. Whew. I'm just getting started.....

....or I could learn to keep up the pace of my life and learn to 'pick up' every night so the tasks like above didn't build up over time. I think if I did this, I'd be more open to inviting a friend or neighbor over for a spur of the moment beer or glass of wine. Bad habits die hard.

Over time, I learned to do this. Partly, because I have daughters I'm trying to train, but also my cleaning lady rarely comes anymore due to my bottom line budget. So I had to learn to do something inconceivable- I had to actually learn to manage and maintain what I have MYSELF. You know where I'm going with this, right? Yea, more stuff, more to manage...

For those of you out there who have been there done that, long ago- crossed this bridge, gone ahead and reduced your belongings (aka: invisible weight on your shoulders) can attest to the freedom that in indescribable when you have just want you need (and maybe a bit more), I'm not talking to you!! You can go back to Facebooking your 1001+ friends. Who I'm talking to is anyone who has quite a bit more over what they can manage......and maybe, maybe wished that 'Bewitched' lady would come over and twinkle her nose and make your place arrange itself. Well, I hate to burst your bubble...

Instead, I'll offer you a quick, easy idea you can do in the next 5 minutes. We are going to extract information from your brain onto a piece of paper and you will see what you need. Ready?

Pen + Paper + You = Finding out what you really need!

Ok- here we go ---------> ----------->
1. Pen and Paper in hand, go to ONE room in your home.
2. Look around that room.
3. On top of the paper, write down your most precious item that is in this room. It can be anything!! Art, books, grandma's photo, a vase you bought on vacay, letters from someone important...you get the picture.
4. List the second most precious item.
5. List the third most precious item.
6. You're getting the picture, right? (please, say YES)
7. When you get tired of writing, you have before you the items that mean the most to you. Keep those items.
8. Decide what you will do with the other items that are just fluff, filler. They are the metaphoric heavy sack you are carrying around everyday whether you realize it or not.
9. Be patient and loving to yourself, it took you a long time to acquire these items, it will take awhile to release them.
10. Choose just ONE thing to donate or gift and let someone else love it. You have everything you need to love.

You're one step closer to inviting that neighbor over and who knows, you might just like it! I think that's something worth smiling about.

Moor Alive Interiors offers a workshop that's way fun and helps you do little exercises like this and make a few new friends. It's called 'Creating Shalom in the Home'. I'll be there to greet you with a smile and a hug.

Happy trails my friend,
Carolyn Moor