Welcome to Tell Us Tuesday! Each week, I’ll have a guest artist answer a few questions and wow, I have a fantastic lineup for you! I hope that by hearing from such a diverse pool of creative people, we will take away interesting and different perspectives. This may help in your own endeavors, be it painting furniture for fun, working on your home and creating your own style, or starting a blog or business for profit. The questions range from the artistic to running a successful creative business.
I consider all of the participants to be my true friends. We may not have met face to face (yet) but I know that we all support and inspire each other.
This week we have the fabulous Marie from The Interior Frugalista. Marie is yet another creative Canadian blogger in this series! Her blog is full of wonderful DIY and home decor projects, including painted furniture and transforming thrift store finds. She includes many How-To tutorials in her posts and is a go-to if you are looking to decorate your home on a budget! You really need to check out her blog for inspiration!
Interspersed in the questions are pictures of Marie’s amazing work. Click on the picture for a link back to her original blog post on the piece. Links also at end of post.
Armchairs Get a Fresh New Look by The Interior Frugalista
A little about me…
My name is Marie and I am the gal behind the blog The Interior Frugalista. I have been married to Mr. Frugalista a.k.a. my furniture buyer, for 29 years. We have two grown children and became grandparents in 2015 with our adorable grandson. Our daughter’s wedding was on August 6th and we are just now recovering from the wedding preparations! I am the eldest of seven children and a Canadian Prairie girl.
Prior to starting my blog I was a certified Interior ReDesign and Home Staging Specialist, Colour Consultant, and Professional Organizer. These skills have paired well with my new career as a DIY blogger who breathes new life into furniture, home décor, and spaces.
When did you begin to paint furniture and/or create projects for the home?
In 2012, a year after closing my Interior Redesign business I was itching to do something creative again. I happened upon a furniture upcycling class and the instructor had me captivated within minutes. Like skies parting and hearing Angel’s sing kind of captivation. Never in a million years would I have thought that one day I would be breathing new life into furniture for a living and loving every single second of it.
As for creating projects for the home. I’ve been doing that my entire life, starting with my childhood bedroom. Our current home is a modest 1960’s bi-level and we have DIYed our way through the renovations one room at a time, on a budget.
When and how did you start your website/blog?
The same year, 2012. I had been toying around with the idea of starting a blog to share our DIY home renovation projects with family and friends. I knew absolutely nothing about blogging but the name Interior Frugalista came to me in a dream. When I woke up I went straight to my computer and searched how to start a blog and the rest is history. It was a hobby blog for two years before I got serious about turning it into an income generating business in late 2014.
What would you consider to be your unique style and what inspires you?
I don’t think I have a particularly unique style. I’m drawn to certain colors and pieces with interesting details and curvy legs like French Provincial and French Country. I also enjoy the process of transferring and hand painting graphics and typography onto my pieces. Recently I’ve been inspired and have a renewed appreciation for the clean lines of Mid-Century Modern.
How do you choose which type of paint or finish to use on a piece?
At the risk of sounding a little cuckoo, each piece speaks to me. I sit with a piece for minutes, hours and sometimes days until I get a vision. Once I have the vision I just let the creative process unfold. Sometimes the end result will be totally different from the vision I started with. For me, it’s about telling my mind to take a vacation while letting the creative process flow. The product and finish I use are determined by the direction the piece takes me.
Farmhouse Side Table by The Interior Frugalista
Do you consider both writing your blog and working on a project to each be a creative process? Which do you prefer?
Absolutely! It is the reason being a DIY blogger is so appealing because I can exercise my love of writing and keep the creative juices flowing with my furniture and home decor pieces. I love them both equally and if I am spending too much time on one or the other, I feel off balanced.
What is your favorite part of the creative process? The initial brainstorming/inspiration, working on the piece, the finishing touches (staging/photography) or writing and publishing the blog post?
Definitely working on the piece. I love the creative process and going into the zone while 70’s rock is blasting from my Bluetooth speakers in the workshop.
Least favorite?
Definitely staging/photography. I am always flustered by my lack of staging props and room in our small home to store them. The math of photography does not come easy for me. I’ve taken online and local photography courses and my brain still can’t wrap around the logistics of Aperture, ISO, and Shutter Speed. I do shoot in manual mode with my DSLR camera but most days it is hit and miss.
1970’s Coffee Table to Bench Makeover by The Interior Frugalista
What do you believe to be the reason for the success of your blog and business?
Hmmm, this was a tough question to answer. In all honesty, my gauge for blogging success has been defined by having a minimum of 100K pvm’s (page views per month) and blogging income of six figures. So by that definition, I am not there!
I love what I do and the success is looking back at how I started knowing absolutely nothing about blogging and through a lot of hard work, sleepless nights, and numerous courses/tutorials, teaching myself how to customize my blog and learn the ropes of social media. Who says you can’t teach old dogs new tricks!
It gives me great pleasure seeing the happy faces of clients when they purchase a piece I’ve poured my heart and soul into. It’s even better when I get to see those pieces in their new surroundings when delivering another piece to a repeat customer.
What advice do you give other creative people wishing to follow in your footsteps?
Get out of your head and follow your gut instincts, they will never steer you down the wrong path. The biggest zap of creativity and joy is comparing oneself to others. When someone says you can’t do whatever, do it anyways.
If you follow all the rules, you miss all the fun.
~ Katherine Hepburn
Mid-Century Record Cabinet by The Interior Frugalista
Up next week, Cassie from Primitive and Proper! I cannot wait share her work and hear her story. I am very honored that so many of my amazing blogging friends have agreed to take part in Tell Us Tuesday!
Another great read! Boy, oh boy, can I relate to Marie about the photography triangle! She does lovely work that I’ve long admired as I’ve seen her work pop up here and there. It’s great to finally meet her!
I really enjoy reading your blog and I’m loving this series. I look forward to Tuesday mornings, a cup of coffee and this series. Thanks Suzanne
Thank you so much, Shari! I’m so glad you are enjoying it!
I’ve been following Marie for a while and I love her DIY projects and tutorials. Those green upholstered chairs are one of my favourites. Enjoying this series.
Hi Mary – yes, they are a fabulous makeover! So glad you are enjoying this series 🙂 So many talented Canadians out there!!
I love Marie! I never knew she was the oldest of seven! That explains so much — She has always reminded me of my sister, Lynne, who is the oldest of eight. I was just on her blog this morning. She’s too modest — her photos are lovely. Take care, Marie. Suzanne, I’m enjoying your new series 😀
Hi Sizanne, I’m really enjoying this series! Hearing the stories of these creative and interesting women helps me believe that ‘I too can do this’! Thanks Again
You are very welcome! So glad it is giving you a bit of inspiration!
Love Marie’s work, tutorials, staging and photography! Beautiful restyles and great read! x
Thanks, Denise! Yes, I am a big fan of Marie’s work and am so happy she participated!
I really enjoy this series Suzanne. It’s so fun to meet your guests. I was happy to read Marie’s story. I’ve been following her blog for a while and find her projects wonderful. She doesn’t mention it her, but she is so encouraging to others as well which means a lot.
Yes, she is so encouraging and a wonderful friend in my blogging world! So glad you are enjoying the series!
I’m a big fan of Marie’s work so it was a thrill to to get to know her a little bit better. As I read this and since reading your blog for a long time the term “sisters in paint” popped into my head. I have noticed a common theme in everyone’s creativity, the furniture speaks to the soul and that is how unwanted pieces of furniture is transformed into a beauty.
I have noticed the same thread! Amazing how a creative mind works 🙂
Thank you so much Suzanne for inviting me to be a part of your much enjoyed series – I am honoured to say the least. Thank also to everyone who left such sweet comments. You have given me the push I need to get motivated after returning from a 3-week vacation.
I am so happy to have had you! Wonderful to hear your story and tips! Thanks so much, Marie!
I enjoyed the interview because I feel that I already “know” Marie! It is interesting to get her perspective & see how far she has come from knowing nothing in the beginning! That’s where many of us start from!