Tracie Stoll is a design blogger, sharing her latest creations on her site Cleverly Inspired, since 2010. Tracie uses her blog as a platform to inspire her readers to be clever and creative. She constantly shares decorating tips, upcycling projects and new cooking recipes. Her blog has now grown into something so much more than she could ever of hoped for. Tracie also holds a Communications and Visual Arts degree from the University of Dayton. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Tracie Stoll.
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
I would say my style would be considered modern farm house. I am in love with all things old but have a modern take on them. I enjoy having older things displayed but I love for them to also have a purpose.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
When I am designing for myself I like to start with one feature object and draw my colors and space out from there. Whether it be a gorgeous fabric a pretty plate or a piece of art... Something that will dictate the feel of the room. A nice starting point.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
I haven't worked with her but I have a huge respect for Joanna Gaines and Sarah Richardson. I think that my style lines up with theirs. They both have a knack for infusing a comfortable personality into their rooms that immediately just makes you want to sit down and stay.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
I'm kind of old schools because I still like to page through magazines for inspiration (pre pinterest inspiration!!) . I like to look at catalogs and see the rooms that they put together. I think also sometimes just a long hot shower or a walk in some quiet park can draw out some of my most creative moments. I keep my smart phone handy with a notepad app to dictate when my creative juices start to flow. I refer back on those notes when I feel I need some inspiration.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
I started blogging in 2010 as a way to share with some of my friends some of the projects that I did by myself in my house. I would have girls over and they would say oh my gosh how did you do that? And that is how my blog was born. I have always been a doer and I am always trying to figure out how I can create something rather than go and buy it. I think that you have to take a real long hard look at what your passions are. There are definitely days that go by where I say to myself what will I share next week? But then I get inspired and I create and that snowballs into other things to share. I think blogging especially has to be an organic process or else you will seem contrite to your readers. Blogging has evolved even in my time in the past 5 years. There are opportunities that come constantly and I turn down about 65% of the offers that come my way. If I cannot identify with a product then I do not expect my readers to try to identify with it. I firmly believe that nobody should work for free including bloggers. It's basically like running a small magazine on your own. A constant editing of pictures writing copy and sharing social media....for all we do we are grossly underpaid so any good opportunity with a good sponsor is something I invite whole heartedly! My advice would be to follow your passion and if that ends up being sharing ideas then by all means blog blog blog. The world is never full enough of too many inspiring ideas.
