On the Back Porch with Kristen of Sophia's Decor

I love Kristen's look, since we both have a soft spot for French and Farmhouse style. She knows how to make over furniture so it looks like a million bucks, and although her style is very traditional, it's certainly not stuffy. Let's find out more about the woman behind Sophia's Decor.

Hi everyone!  I'm Kristen and I blog over at Sophia's Decor and I'm thrilled to be part of Anita's "On the Back Porch" series! Cedar Hill Ranch is one of my favorite blogs so it's quite an honor for me to be included here.  

1. Why did you start a blog?

Even though I've only been regularly blogging for a little over a year now, I actually created my blog back in 2009 as a way to keep in touch with customers and announce upcoming vintage sales and shows that I would be participating in.  I would load up all my painted furniture, vintage finds, handmade jewelry and sell my wares all around the Northwest.  It was a great way to get started as a small business and get to know many other women who shared similar passions and goals.  

Antique Shows and Booths

After moving across the country in late 2011 and having a hard time find that sort of "community" of furniture re-habbers -DIYer's, I turned back to my blog.  After years of my husband urging me to actually take "before and after" pictures of my furniture projects and of our previous home that we gutted, I started listening.  I had no idea that such a huge network of bloggers existed until someone invited me to join a link party!  Needless to say, I was hooked.  Blogging has provided me a platform to share creations, room decor, and most of all, connect with like-minded individuals.   

Living Room/Dining Room

2. What was the most exciting thing that has happened to you because of your blog?

As I mentioned, blogging has allowed me to meet many creative and supportive women that I never would have connected with otherwise.  After relocating 2,700 miles to a new community and feeling isolated and downright homesick, blogging became my buoy...  I'll never forget decorating for Christmas in our new home and people leaving such nice comments and I was thinking, "Wow, someone likes my stuff!"  Bloggers sure know how to make a girl feel special :)

Trick to a Larger-Looking Christmas Tree 2011

One of the most exciting things that I've had the opportunity to be a part of because of blogging was being on the planning committee for the Southern Blogger's Conference that several local NC bloggers organized last October.  It was a huge learning experience and I've formed some great friendships because of it!    

3. What is your dream gig?  (like being in a particular magazine, having your own cooking show, the sky's the limit)  

I'm pretty much a huge dreamer...  Like any girl, I would love to be mentioned in a magazine or be published someday, but my biggest dream is more on the retail side.  Back when I was beginning my creative journey in 2006-2007, I was lucky enough to have many great local venues in which I could set up a booth at a shop or weekend show and have sort of a "mini shop".  My family and I eventually started our own sales on her property.  It was a wonderful balance for a young stay-at-home that couldn't run a shop full-time, but needed to help support the family financially.  

I still have a little one at home so I still can't run a shop, but I'd love have a cute little farmhouse and a barn on some property where I can have barn sales, hold paint classes, and help out other creative women that want to turn their talents into a small business. Someday soon!

4. What are a few things that readers would be surprised to find out about you?

I'm a farm girl...always have been, always will be!  Although I currently live in a new home in suburbia, but my heart will always be in the country.  I grew up on a second-generation dairy farm in a tiny community in Northeast Washington State...

I'm a huge animal lover and my childhood days were spent roaming all over the farm "rescuing" animals.  I constantly had some orphaned animal that I smuggled into my room to take care of!  From cliff swallows to ducks to baby kittens, I've taken care of them all.  I was in 4-H and FFA through high school (and even a dairy princess) and always had a pet cow by my side.  Did you know that cows can be as tame as dogs and cats?

I milked cows, ear-tagged heifers, bucked bales, changed irrigation lines and many other farm duties until I was 18 and I had grand plans to keep farming with my dad (he passed away when I was 15).  To this day, I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and my history of manual labor helps out when it comes to hauling furniture all over the countryside!  Someday I'll get back to a farm...  

5. How would you describe your style? 

My style changes constantly!  There are so many styles that I like that as soon as I get a room completed, I almost want to change it at all up again!  I think it's the process of putting rooms together that I really enjoy...shopping, scouring for deals, and putting a personal mark on space...

Great Room

I like to blend traditional with rustic...

Blend flea-market finds with some glam...

Master Bedroom

and I like to keep decorating fun too..

I'm fairly sure cottage/french/traditional/farmhouse/rustic would pretty much cover it though!

5. What are your top 3 favorite posts?

This is a tough one...  I'd have to say one of my favorites is my craft room/office reveal...

I absolutely love having this room to work in and display my clock collection!  The only thing I'd change is to swap out the carpet for hardwood flooring, but I doubt the builders of our spec home had any idea that I'd be painting furniture in here!  By the way, this room rarely looks this clean... When the weather gets too cold to paint outside, this floor is covered in dropcloths and furniture projects.  Yes, I'm crazy!

Another favorite post (and one of my most popular) is my tutorial on how to make typewriter key jewelry.  I've been making typewriter key pendants and bracelets for years and wish I had someone to walk me through the steps when I first started.  Without any real guidance on how to make this anywhere online, I thought it was about time to share my knowledge.

It was also my first full-tutorial and I found that I really enjoy the tutorial-making process!

Lastly, I'd have to pick one of my favorite furniture projects...The Flower Ad Dresser.  For the first several years of painting furniture, I really stuck to simple, neutral paint colors and simple techniques because my children were much smaller and just didn't have the extra time between all the vintage sales to add any other decorative elements.  Now with my older two girls in school and just one at home, I find myself wanting to add a little extra "something" to each furniture re-hab.  

Thank you so very much Anita!  Again, I'm thrilled and honored to be included in your series!