Create Your Space & Book Signing Event with ASID Designer/ Author Leah Richardson at Angela Neel Interiors in Winter Park Village

We were honored to be involved with Leah Richardson, author of 'Interior Wisdom' as she spoke and created and graced us with a book signing.

Great crowd and afternoon discussing how design can change your life.  

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

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

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

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?

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

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

Free photo slideshow made with Smilebox

Merry Christmas (a day after)

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

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

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