Heather Bourgeois of Create H Designs
Heather Bourgeois,design blogger, interior design student and Decorative Product Specialist at Sherwin-Williams, is the creative dynamo behind the attractive and visually engaging design blog, CreateH.
Tell us a little about yourself and your design blog, CreateH.
I’m Heather! (Hence the ‘H’ of CreateH). I’m a recent graduate of a small upstate NY private college. I graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in American Studies (but I mostly studied art history) and a double minor in English Literature and Philosophy. This fall I’m back to school for a second degree in Interior Design.
I’m currently employed as a Decorative Product Specialist (or Interior Decorator) for Sherwin-Williams. I spend my spare time working on my blog, reading, working out (tennis & jogging), decorating, reading shelter magazines and watching tv shows like The Office, Sex and the City, and HGTV.
I started the CreateH blog as a way to document my discoveries as a student of interior design and art school, and to list my loves, hates and wish lists, and all the things I learn along the way. I like to share interior design, furniture design and graphic design news, anything to do with art and anything to do with my work and life.
I’m honestly completely obsessed with Mid Century Modern design and Scandinavian design and all of the beautiful prints and patterns from Finland. I love being able to share the things I’m passionate about with my readers.
What inspired you to develop and launch CreateH ?
My blog, and interior design are two of the loves of my life. I’m in love with design, and all aspects of it. I can’t NOT be creative, in any parts of my life, from fashion, to my apartment. I love textures, and visual prints and patterns. I am completely enamored with what I do every day, playing with color and making paint, so it’s only natural that my life and work is surrounded by it.
Where do you find inspiration ?
I find inspiration on Twitter and other blogs, through all of the lovely women and bloggers out there that inspire me to continue to write a few times a week, and who love what I love, and what I do. When I first found an interior design blog, and their blog roll, it just seemed to catapult and suddenly I had hundreds of blogs and THEIR blog rolls and it was this amazing feeling that there were other designers out there who love what I love with design, willing to take risks and not just do ‘beige’ or the typical suburban cookie cutter home. I want to show the public and the trade that risks can be taken with paint, and otherwise.
Tell us about a favorite home decorating or remodeling project.
My bedroom in my apartment has been my biggest work in progress and the most of my personal style, but I recently worked on a project close to my heart, my cousin’s studio for her massage therapy office. Like me, she likes to help people and de-stress them, and a large part of my job involves helping the customer choose colors for their home and relieve even a small chunk of their stress, and I love that even my eye candy columns give readers that as well.
What’s your personal design style? Has it evolved over time?
I believe my personal style has evolved over time for sure, who’s hasn’t? Through my blog and studying interior design and art, and also getting through the horrible ‘dorm décor’ stage every twenty something goes through, I’ve been able to evolve my style to a much more modern and mature style. There is of course, hints of pink throughout my home (I’m girly, what can I say?), art I’ve picked up at markets, milk glass and flowers, everywhere. I love soft touches, like texture and candles, and lots of white. I love bold graphic prints, especially florals, like Marimekko, mixed with shelves and shelves of books and magazines. I like to mix the creative with the created.
Many of us have a product we bought for our home-that now makes us think-”what was I thinking” - do you have one?
I bought a clock once that I now think ‘What was I thinking’ that had flip flops on it. Makes sense now, since I was 16 at the time and I still love flip flops, only now I’m not living in a beach house or on a beach, and it doesn’t really fit with my décor.
If you could design your dream room-what décor, what style, and what color palette would you use?
Probably an all white room, with soft touches of the fabrics and textures I love. Of course, mid century modern furniture (Saarinen and Eames are a must), and fill it with art supplies, music, books and lots of light, with great art on the walls. I’d have to have a desk, with my Mac sitting atop, just waiting to blog and an incredible view.
What’s your favorite color or paint swatch ?
Obviously, my favorite paint swatch has to be a Sherwin Williams swatch, being that I work there. I love Westhighland White 7566. It’s the perfect luminous white, it has this amazing quality to bring out any color and give it contrast without looking stark. It’s bright and clean, and I love to coordinate it with our cool colors.
What are your favorite pieces of home décor from your home or elsewhere?
My five favorite pieces of home décor are: My bed set from Wal Mart for only $56.99, it’s a gorgeous shade of plum, with a graphic floral print and it’s organic. The liner is made of recycled plastic bottles. Next would be my white shag rug, which I got for a steal at Target $24.99, and my vanity that I inherited from my late Aunt Betty. She taught me how to wear make up at it, and everyday I get ready for my day sitting in front of it. I also love my collection of Mid Century furniture, including various dressers, chests and chairs and a few end tables. They are a never ending passion and collection that will not stop growing. Last would be the glass ball lamps I purchased at Marshalls and TJ MaXX for just $29.99 and $39.99 each. I’m a firm believer in great design at a post-grad friendly budget!
What’s your favorite room at home? Why is it your favorite?
I love my bedroom, it has all of my favorite pieces and lush, comfortable textures. From my white shag rug, to the many bed sets and fleece blankets and throws, or my furry white pillows, or the heavy chocolate brown floral curtains, I never have a loss of eye candy. The wall color is Halcyon Green by Sherwin Williams, and it’s the perfect, relaxing blue green.
Who’s your favorite designer?
My favorite designer would have to be Jonathan Adler. He encapsulates everything I believe about taking risks in design, stepping outside the box, even if that means taboo subjects, like his banana sculptures. And his talent in sculpting? Amazing. He has the ability to move over multiple kinds of design in this broad and completely new way. I have his book, and not only is it a great resource for eye candy, but a complete mood pick me up as well. His bold colors and strong lines scream and challenge you to be happy, and nothing else.
What are your favorite blogs or home design/improvement websites-and why?
- Pretty Lovely Things: Samantha recently redesigned her blog and it looks fantastic, frequently showcases beautiful photography and design and is an all around nice girl. I love to chat with her on Twitter and we continually support each other, and she inspires me!
- Design Her Momma: Emily is hilarious. Simply stated, I laugh my butt off every time I read her blog. She’s part designer, part mommy blogger and I realize, that if she can do it with two kids and another on the way (9 months pregnant!) and still blog a few times a week, she inspires me to keep up, and I enjoy how much she makes me laugh, and how normal she is.
- Holly Maus: This is the personal blog of Holly Becker, who writes for Decor8, one of the most popular blogs out there for interior design. I love that blog too, but hollymaus particularly catches my eye because it’s more personal. She documents her life in the way I wonder if blogs were originally intended, as a diary of her life as an ex pat. She posts beautiful photography of her life and what she does in Germany and gorgeous pictures of her apartment. Constant creative inspiration.
- Making it Lovely: Nicole is a great print maker and interior designer that I have been following for quite some time now, she loves mid century furniture as well, and I love that she is not afraid to mix décor. She often uses eclectic patterns from Ikea, Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters, and has great personal and decorative style.
- Apartment Therapy: This has got to be, hands down one of my most favorite websites for design. Constant flow of updated information, multiple times daily, and beautiful, high-resolution photography. Risk takers and creative designers, very artistic and fabulously designed homes. Great Eye candy.
What are your favorite design television shows, magazines, and/or books?
- Domino Guide to Design (Book)
- Lonny Magazine (Online)
- Elle Décor (Magazine)
- House Beautiful (Magazine)
- House Hunters on HGTV
Do you have a decorating, design or remodeling tip you’d like to share with thedecoratingdiva.com readers?
I think the most important thing I’ve taken away from working in the paint industry to know your paint. Really consider all aspects of the color and the factors that go into choosing the color. Consider lighting and furniture and how these things affect the color. Don’t just look at it in the paint store, under the intense florescent lighting, because that will skew the color. Take it home and put it on every wall, look at it, walk by it, stare at it. Ask for larger samples, especially sample paint. It’s worth the $5 to not make an $80 mistake.
Contact Information
- Blog: Create H Designs
- Twitter: Create H on Twitter
All images copyright of respective owners.
We’d like to thank Heather Bourgeois of Create H Designs for sharing her passion for design and all things beautiful with The Decorating Diva.com readers.
