"QC Exclusive!"

Several weeks ago I received an email from QC Exclusive magazine.  They were interested in featuring my business in an upcoming issue and wondered what projects I was currently working on that they might be able to include.

Excited about the opportunity, I began running through my mental Rolodex of potential projects and remembered that I'd recently completed a fun One Day Design Plus project that had yet to be photographed. 

After reaching out to the client, we got to work pulling together a few extra touches and scheduled the shoot for just a few days later.  You'd never believe how much work goes on behind the scenes to pull off a photo shoot. 

It looks all glamorous in a magazine, but it's mostly ironing, moving heavy stuff and lots of sweating involved.

Honestly, sometimes there's even some stealing from your own home.  : )

(Hey, sometimes you've gotta do what you've gotta do.)

A little preliminary work on the day before the shoot and a return visit several hours before the photographer was set to arrive, and we were ready. 

It was an exhausting day, but it came together quite nicely.

I'm included in the Folio (Foundations) segment of the March/April 2016 issue.  It took me a while to hunt it down but when I finally did, I was extremely pleased with the outcome. 

 They ended up incorporating a few photos from some recent projects as well.  If you're local, be sure to pick up copy at the locations listed HERE.

If you're not, you can read the feature and the entire issue HERE. 

I'm humbled and honored to have been included.  These past four years are still hard for me to comprehend.  Who would've thought when I hit that "publish" button on January 1, 2012 to post my first blog, we'd be here four years later.  Wow!  Pinch me. 

Special thanks to QC Exclusive magazine, Cam Richards Photography and Monique Floyd Photography. 

"Major Milestone"

To say that today was a BIG day in the life of Dwell by Cheryl Interiors would be a gross understatement, but I’ll say it anyway.  Today was a BIG day! 

When I began this journey nearly four and a half years ago, I never really imagined that it could become what it has so quickly.  I got a glimpse however, after being contacted several years ago by a magazine that was interested in featuring my master bedroom in an upcoming issue.  Imagine my excitement.  I told almost everyone I knew.  I submitted the photos and answered a few questions and waited patiently…..until the magazine was released and..... I wasn’t included in it.  You can read about my devastation HERE.   You know, they say hindsight is 20/20 and they’re right.  Now I know that the disappointment I experienced was just a prelude to what was to come. 

 

 

Today I walked in a Books a Million, made a bee line for the magazines and found an issue of Southern Home that featured my home in it!  I still have to pinch myself to believe it. My home is included with the work of design greats like Jan Showers.  Seriously? 

 

 

I’ve been dying to tell you guys all about it, ever since late April when the photographer showed up at my house.  Yeah, remember that whole 4-week master bedroom project? It was for this!  (Funny enough it's the one space that wasn't included. Go figure!)

 

 

Needless to say, I may have staged a photo shoot in the magazine section at the store.

 

Yeah, you can say I was a bit excited.  Thankfully a stranger came along and agreed to take photos for me.  As luck God would have it, she actually needed a home stager to help sell her home and asked for my card and has already connected with me.  An impromptu photographer and a potential client? Seriously?! 

The article is entitled Opulence in Reach and I couldn't have written it better myself. There's a six page spread and I have to admit, it's surreal reading about yourself in a shelter magazine and seeing each and every thrifted find you've acquired highlighted in the BEST light.  I still can't believe it.  I've literally been carrying about an issue for a week and a half now. 

 

This is a major milestone in the life of my business and I can't even imagine what else God has in store but I'm pretty sure the best is yet to come....

 

 

 

 

If you're interested in having your own copy, check out Mag Finder for locations near you. Just search for HOFFMAN GEN INT #3 SIP (Warning: It's $14.99, so you need to really like me. ; )

"Today's Charlotte Woman Feature"

Several weeks ago I was contacted out of the blue by the Editor of Today's Charlotte Woman.  She informed me that they were putting together an article for their April issue that would highlight several local interior designers. She then informed me that they'd like for me to be one of them.  "Say what?" Yep, me.  She went on to say that it would be a pretty quick turnaround and that they'd love to get a photo of me in a space I designed for the feature. 

Needless to say I was thrilled and after the initial excitement wore off, I immediately started going through my mental Rolodex of projects trying to think of the perfect space.

I knew my last client project would be perfect.  So I contacted the clients and they were game.  I pulled together a few props from my home and the Dwell by Cheryl inventory and set up a time to do the photo shoot. 

Thanks to a great photographer and a little help from my intern Kia, it all went off without a hitch. 

I was finally able to get my hands on a paper copy last week and I couldn't be happier with the result.

What an amazing opportunity. I am so very thankful for all of the blessings God is providing.  It truly has been an amazing ride, and this is just the beginning.

You can see the full article HERE- (http://issuu.com/tcwmagazine/docs/todays_charlotte_woman_apr_2015?e=5554085/12093385)

See page 21. 



"Top 3 of 300!"

You're not going to believe this because I had a hard time believing it myself, but today's post is my 300th Dwell by Cheryl blog post!  Wow!  Seriously, it seems like just yesterday that I wrote my 200th post.  I guess time really does fly when you're having fun. 

 

 

I thought I'd take this milestone opportunity to take a look at some of my favorte blog entries since this adventure began.  Let's call it....

 

  

As I looked back over some of my past posts to determine what was my favorite DIY project to date, I discovered that it's actually one of my more recent projects.

 

 "Open Kitchen Cabinet Reveal"

I think I liked this project so much because it was something I thought about for so long and finally went for.  I still smile every day when I grab my mug and canisters for my morning cup of Joe.  Can't beat that!



 

 

"...All Thing Work Together..."

This post was my most revealing to date.  It was very personal, but I'm so glad I decided to share it.  I hope perhaps it even served as encouragement for someone else.  If this blog is indeed intended to be a chronicle of my design story, then that means sharing not only the highs, but also the lows.  This was one.

 

 

"Nursery Reveal"

Needless to say, this is my most popular project to date.  With nearly 4,000 ideabook additions on Houzz, this project earned me the coveted Best of Houzz award.  It's also special because the client was my BFF and the room's occupants are her twins that are so darn cute you could just eat 'em up.  Wouldn't you know, the project that I was asked to help with due to a set of unfortunate circumstances turns out to be my best.  Go figure.

So, did your favorite Dwell by Cheryl post make the list?  If not, leave me a comment, there's a chance I've completely forgotten about a few. 

I'd say after 300 blog posts, I deserve a break and that's exactly what I'm taking.  Have a fabulous weekend!

Here's to 300 more....

"...All Things Work Together..."

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 NIV

There's a popular gospel song by Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers that says, "Sometimes you have to encourage yourself" and today (Wednesday) was definitely one of those days.  I actually thought long and hard about sharing this with you guys, but I realized that the only thing that would keep me from doing so is pride and I certainly don't want to be that person. 

Back in September I received an email from the Editor at Large of Bedrooms and Baths magazine, a bi-annual special interest publication of Romantic Homes.   It read....


Dear Cheryl,

We are currently producing a story on Current Trends to feature in our 2013 issue of Beckett Media's Bedrooms & Baths. I adore your work and would be interested to feature it in this article. This would entail an interview of questions and securing high resolution images. Does this interest you?

I look forward to hearing back from you. Thank you for your assistance!

Best

 

 

Honestly, I couldn't believe what I was reading.  I actually goggled the editor's name to make sure it was legit.  How exciting, I was going to be in a magazine!  That's a BIG deal for a new interior decorator.  Needless to say, I gave a resounding "YES!"  She outlined the needs and asked if I could please give 4 to 7 decorating tips on how I created this particular look  (A Soft Color Palette) in the room above.  She also informed me that her deadline was in two days. I scurried to pull it all together and sent it off.  She said it was perfect and we were all set.  All that was left to do was wait for the Spring 2013 issue. 

 

As you can imagine the waiting was excruciating.  Month after month went by and all I could think about was that Spring 2013 issue.  I almost shared the big news here earlier, but I decided to hold off just in case something fell through.

 

You may be surprised to find out that I have MAJOR insecurities about my design work.  I know, I know, it's crazy but it's true.  Just so you know, I am NOT an insecure person AT ALL so this is a very new feeling for me.  Not sure if it's my lack of formal training or if it's that I'm still honing my skill or if I just can't resist the temptation to compare my work to others.  Whatever the case, I'm not very confident in it. 

 

All month, I've been anticipating the release of the magazine, figuring that a Spring issue would come out this month.  I'd check the website everyday, then the app, but nothing.  So today I decided to just go and check at the store to see if it was there.  Lo and behold, it was.  And guess who WASN'T in it.  Yep.
 

 

Needless to say I was devastated.  I literally could've sat on the floor in Wal-Mart and pouted.  What a  bummer!  I was all set to make a big announcement on the blog, on Facebook, on Twitter, etc. 

  

via

 

After I collected myself, as I drove back to work I thought, "Wait a minute!":

 

• I don't do this to be in magazines.  I do this because it's what I love to do.  If I NEVER get in a magazine I will love it no less. 
• According to my followers, I inspire them to make the spaces they live in better-little by little and that's what matters.
• I've only been doing this for 12 months.  Rome wasn't built in a day.  I have lots to learn and  lots of other opportunities will come along-maybe even better ones.
• If I know I have a God-given gift to do this, why am I looking for the world's validation of that gift?

 

See, Donald was right, sometimes you have to encourage yourself.  Quite frankly, sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees.  I'm better now.  Still bummed, but better.  Really, I'm just honored that an Editor at Large contacted me anyway, even if I did get left on the cutting room floor.  Lol! 

Lastly, I figure if they're not going to use my content then I should so expect to see my (would've been) magazine article here soon.
 

Thanks for listening, have a GREAT weekend!