I asked 31 bloggers the same 35 questions for my 31Days Series.
Here are their answers:
Ahhh Maria. She is one of the few on this series that I personally know. As in, I have stayed in this woman’s home and crushed bags of caramels….more than once.
I knew Maria’s husband from high school, him and my husband have stayed close since, still laughing so much they cry. I first met her at their insanely gorgeous plantation wedding and really got to know her soon after when we were all back together again (they live about 6 hours away).
Maria graduated from Texas Tech with a Bachelors degree in Interior Design with an emphasis in Architecture. She received her professional interior design license regulated by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners in 2006 and is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Design.
Maria is one of my main go-to’s for constant design inspiration, and she is a pretty good cook ;).
I heart Maria, and her little family, and know you will go head over heels when you meet her.
Interwebs, Meet M.E. Beck Design, Inc.
1. A bit about yourself, where did you grow up?
I grew up in Allen, Texas, which at the time was a small town suburb of Dallas. It’s huge now!
2. Main subject of your blog?
I use my blog as an extension of my interior design business, so I mostly blog about project reveals and things that inspire me. I also use it a little to document a bit of my personal life so that potential clients can go to it to learn a little about me as a person.
3. Was a design background something you were interested in when you were young?
Yes, I’ve loved design and anything home décor related since I was a young child. I would spend countless hours making things for my doll house and for my Barbies. As a young girl, I would move my mom’s furniture and decorations around in the house, which we laugh about now. I even took an interior design class in high school and then, of course, majored in it in college
4. Fall or spring?
Fall. I love fall in Texas especially. I love it right when the air turns crisp and you can have the windows open all day long. Everything about it…boots, sweaters, hot apple cider, fires in the fireplace, pumpkin anything…I’m definitely a fan of fall!
5. If you could have a different profession, would you?
No, I absolutely love my career and am passionate about it!
6. If so, what would that be?
I always say that I would’ve liked to study Psychology. I think that people, and the reasons behind their behavior, the way that they live and the little things that they do, are just fascinating! I get a little taste of it while I’m working with my clients because it is such a personal experience. You really get to know the people that you are working with. You are in their most private spaces and you really learn a lot about them, especially how they interact. Actually, I guess I already am kind of a therapist in many ways, haha!
7. What style do you usually post about?
I would say my personal style leans toward the ‘new traditional’, but I appreciate and love to look at and study all types of design.
8. What is a style that you are drawn to, but isn’t part of your normal material to talk about?
I’m drawn to a more raw aesthetic than what I typically design for my clients…dark, moody color palettes, unlacquered brass, a bit of whimsy and weird. I have little glimpses of it in my own home, but not much.
9. East Coast or West Coast?
East Coast all the way! We just went to Nantucket this summer for the first time and I am enamored! I think about it all of the time and follow several Nantucket Instagram feeds so that I can still get a daily dose of the East coast.
10. Main go-to colors?
Warm neutrals, grays, browns, creams
11. Color combo’s you have been dying to try?
I’ve always wanted to work with indigos and midnight blues and I’m actually getting to right now on a current project. It is so crisp and fresh.
12. Antiques or new pieces of furniture and decor?
Always both. When you mix these two you create a beautiful design tension. New with a little patina mixed in is just about perfect!
13. Avid DIY’er or would you rather buy it finished?
I only attempt DIY if it’s in my own home and you’re not going to be able to look too closely at it, haha. I always appreciate someone who takes pride in and has perfected their trade, and I will gladly pay them for it.
14. Favorite Music to work to?
I love bluegrass. It gives me energy!
15. Early Bird or Night Owl?
Night owl…it’s a problem really. Just can’t seem to shut it down at night, it’s when I get all my best ideas and have the most energy!
16. Eat in or Go Out?
I love to cook and eat in. I’m really loving being in a new phase of life where we stay at home more, have friends over and cook for the people that we love.
17. Coke or Pepsi?
Coke. Especially Mexican Cokes with pure cane sugar, yum!
18. Carpet or Hard Flooring?
Hard flooring, hands down, and beautiful area rugs. Good rugs rarely lose their value.
19. Country you want to visit?
I’ve already been to Italy but I’d like to return and see the Amalfi Coast. 10 year anniversary hubs?
20. What do you do to unwind?
Drink a beer or two, peruse the Interwebs, Pinterest, shelter mags, mindless reality tv
21. Who is your Design Icon?
Phoebe Howard. I love every single thing she does!
22. Outside or Inside?
I’m an indoorsy type of gal. I do like to be outside in the in-between seasons but like on a restaurant patio or something like that haha.
23. Piece of work that still makes you proud till this day?
My babies. Work wise…a 1920’s restoration project that I did in San Antonio. It was my first large scope project under my own company. The scope of the work was enormous and I’m so proud of the design and execution.
24. What is the movie that you can watch over and over and it never gets old?
I have a lot. My husband marvels at how I can watch the same movies over and over. Sometimes I’m watching the movie but mostly I’m studying the sets. So…Sabrina, The Thomas Crown Affair, The Game, The Family Stone, pretty much anything by Nancy Meyers…I have a lot.
25. Favorite Social Media Platform?
Instagram. I have an addiction to Insta
26. What movie character do you think you identity the most with?
Julia Ormond in Sabrina.
27. Cupcakes or Cake?
Cupcakes. Sidenote: If it is a miniature version of something I’m going to pick it.
28. Best gift you have ever received?
My children …aaaand some little robin’s egg blue boxes for uh, you know, having them ;-P
29. Best gift you have ever given?
My children
30. Would you rather talk to or text someone?
Text. I will most assuredly look at my phone when you call and not answer, sorry not sorry.
31. Coffee or Tea?
Tea. I drink hot tea almost every day.
32. One thing you cannot live without?
My family…and sadly my iphone
33. Favorite type of flower?
A white Phaleanopsis Orchid. They are like little sculptures.
34. Best thing about this year?
I had a sweet little baby boy this year!
35. What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming months?
The holidays…and getting more sleep once we get through the newborn-ish months, zzzzz.
Head over and check Maria out at M.E. Beck Design Inc., her blog Live Beautifully, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.