Find me at the 2013 Central FL Home & Garden Show Stage March 22-24

Moor Alive Interiors will be a Stage Presenter at the 2013 Central FL Home + Garden Show- March 22-24 at the Orange County Convention Center

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.  

Color Brings Life

I recently ventured into the discount deal a day world of Living Social. A risk some would say wouldn't be worth it.

Yesterday, I walked into a space that my Living Social client worked diligently and methodically on for over 2 months after our first design consult to be pleasantly 'blown away'. She had saved her dollars for 5 yrs after grad school and purchasing her first 830 sq. ft condo, until the time was right to decide on decorating her space. I feel so blessed to receive a 100% thumbs up and 'I'd hire her again' from my Living Social clients.

Herstory: She first had a friend help, no luck and worried about the tension it could potentially cause. Then one day, she saw the Living Social ad pop up on her laptop....she leaned in and said 'This must be a sign'. Since Moor Alive Interiors was the first decorator/ designer in the Central FL area to be featured, it was something new, something more than what she expected.

So a few weeks later, I showed up and listened, looked and took in all the hopes and dreams she had for the space. I sketched a plan right away on paper. Another quirky thing I do is find her birth date in my Colorstrology book and read it to her. Her colors were a teal blue and accent of red......two colors she has always had an affinity for, but never really paid much attention to it or think of it for her color scheme at home.

I encouraged her to 'go for it'. In reality, I gave her permission to be her!

Two months passed by, many 'panic' emails later, a few more 'be brave' responses brought me squarely at her door yesterday morning. She confessed that she rushed around all weekend and morning pulling together the final touches- which is always a good challenge. As I walked towards her condo, she opened the door about 3 inches and said 'Are you ready?' with the zealous nature of a teenager about to meet Justin Bieber.

She was excited for this moment....and so was I.

I walked in and immediately smiled. The happiness was explosive in the room and it overtook our body language as we both erupted in excitement. It was a scene from those shows on HGTV. It was so much fun to see and hear the stories of making it all possible.

Before and afters are amazing to see, but the before and afters of my clients 'lives well lived' in their spaces is a process that is seen as invitations over for a book club, drinks, movie night. These are a sure indication that they are living in a 'moor alive' space.
                                                                         
                                                                            Before

After

My job is finished and onto creating more life elsewhere, but I leave excited for her, proud of all her hard work and impressed she knew to ask for help and follow her intuition about what she read about on my website. The ultimate compliment came when she told me how she chose me. Evidently, after reading my home page statement she leaned back in her chair and said 'I like her already' and that was the spark that lit this fire to finally create a space that she deserved.

                                                                            Before

After

If you want to live more alive, give me a ring at 407-894-6767. Just do it or at least google search me and see a woman you might want to know. I'm ready if you are are willing- ask my clients if it's worth it!

On a side note, come hear me speak at the 2012 Orlando Women's Conference on April 27 focused on leadership, entrepreneurship & philanthropy for women. Find out the back story of how Moor Alive Interiors was created and my experience a few years back on the Oprah Show. Lots of secrets to share.

Article feature in Women You Should Know

Carolyn Moor
Moor Alive Interiors

Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter

Pinterest, Tumblr, Angie's List

Living Social, Examiner.com

Eventbrite, Create Your Space

407.894.6767

'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:

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. 

Home Sweet Home!

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