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Born in Kansas, the designer and TV star Joanna Gaines balances her life between being a wife, a mother, and a businesswoman. Gaines is not only a star in the hit television show Fixer Upper but also the co-owner and co-founder of the design and real estate company Magnolia. 

Her interest in design emerged after she graduated from Baylor University with a degree in communications. She worked as an intern in New York and fell in love with the profession. Her expertise and knowledge of design will often give people the impression that she had intensive training in the area, however, when she started flipping houses with her husband she had zero interior design background. 

Magnolia, Gaines’ personal project, was founded in 2003 when she also opened her own shop, Magnolia Market. Gaines and her husband, Chip, put all their love for design into remodeling and flipping homes. She mentions on the company’s website how Magnolia Market’s business idea was born out of a dream that was imagined impossible. She explained how it came to life thanks to her husband’s support and encouragement. After having their two kids, the couple decided to close the Market to focus on family, while also putting all their efforts into Magnolia Homes, where they learned the construction side of the business. After starting with the television show, she made the decision to reopen Magnolia Market, which turned into a great store in downtown Waco and an extensive online store.

The exceptionally successful company landed Gaines in the post of one of the most successful designers and businesswomen in the country. In addition to her own company, the television show Fixer Upper transformed her into a design celebrity. Currently, with over eleven million followers, she is one of the designers with the highest number of followers on Instagram. 

Joanna’s style, inspired by her Texan roots, can be defined as classic, simple, and fresh. She has a great eye for seeing potential in old and antiquated things and turning them into new pieces. A room designed by Gaines will most likely include wooden floors, wooden furniture, a cozy fireplace, and a big plush bed. Interestingly, Gaines revealed that her favorite space to renovate and design in a house is the laundry room, since it is often underestimated, and can serve as a great inspiration and comfort space if designed right. 

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Most people know actress Blake Lively for starring in some of the most beloved films and TV shows, such as Gossip Girl and The Age of Adaline. But what most don’t know is that she is an interior design genius and lover. In 2014, the actress launched her own website, Preserve, as a space intended to connect users with artisans, having her first experience with decor. The following year she decided to shut down the website, but her design side hustle stayed with her.  

She enjoys the job so much that she offers to design her friend’s homes at no cost, and this is not just for fun. Lively puts real work and effort into these designs, using fabric swatches, pattern work, and mood boards. 

In an Instagram post, she explained where she gets her inspiration from. She mentioned in the caption that it comes from simple everyday items and encounters, such as her own bathroom loose tile, her daughter’s clothes, and she even thanked her mom “for the sleeping disorder” that results in many productive all-nighters. 

Blake Lively also revealed in an interview that decorating weddings is another dream of hers and that a wedding planner is on the top of her list of ideal jobs, coming right after acting and interior designing. 

Even though she does all this designing for free, it has always been a passion of hers, and she even dreams of starting her own interior decorating firm. 

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Interior design just got a whole lot better, The Expert is an innovative company that connects anyone with top interior designers. Designers from all over the world are connected with potential clients through video consultations via Zoom. The Expert eliminates barriers to interior design, such as the need for a high budget, a need for a full-service requirement to gain access to personalized advice, and guidance and support from an expert designer.

The Expert is designed for anyone in need of advice from top-tier interior design experts. Interior designers connected through the platform are also available for bigger, long-term projects.

“Whether you’re looking for an expert’s eye to help you conceptualize your space from scratch or seeking a second opinion to help guide your own efforts, our Experts are here to support you,” stated on The Expert website.

During the video consultations, interior designers will offer guidance, support, and advice. The consultations are designed to help those seeking advice, questions, and want to put the space together. Additionally, clients can determine and select a designer for a full-service project.

“We derive more value from getting the hard questions answered by a top Expert and then proceeding to execute that knowledge to achieve their design objectives,” stated on The Expert website.

The Experts are selected to showcase every style and need. The designers demonstrate high-end style, aesthetics, and leadership. Expert profiles with portfolios, rates, and offerings are on The Expert’s website.

People can cancel or reschedule their video consultation up to 72 hours before their appointment for a full refund.

To book a video consultation or for more information visit The Expert website.

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Tune into the Modernism America Awards Ceremony on November 11 to commemorate the documentation, preservation, and reuse of modern buildings, structures, and landscapes built in the United States. The Awards is tentatively virtual, but the date could change if able to be held in person.

“The Awards recognize those building owners, design teams, advocacy and preservation organizations that have made significant efforts to retain, restore, and advocate for the aesthetic and cultural value of such places,” stated the Modernism in America Awards website.

The deadline for early nominations is 5:00 p.m. eastern standard time on April 29. All nominations for the Awards must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. eastern standard time on June 2.

The ceremony consists of a jury that awards the design efforts. Marcel Quimby, FAIA, is the chairman of the Awards. Quimby is the principal of Quimby Preservation Studio, which is a preservation architecture and planning consulting firm. The jury includes Michael Chen, Gina Ford, Kelsey Keith, and John Reddick.

There are three award categories that the juries recognize: design, inventory, and advocacy. The Design Award is given to design efforts that “preserve, restore, or adapt a modern building, structure, or landscape of local, regional, or national significance, securing its presence for future generations.” The Design Award is divided into three subcategories: residential, commercial, and institutional.

The Inventory Award is given to design efforts that “document, inventory, and/or create a preservation plan for one or more modern buildings, structures, or landscapes of local, regional, or national significance.” Submitted nominations include a website, book, publication, or exhibition.

Presented by the Docomomo US Board of Directors, the Advocacy Award is given to design efforts that “preserve and advocate for threatened modern buildings, structures, or landscapes of local, regional, or national significance through advocacy efforts.” Advocacy and preservation organizations or groups are nominated for this award.

The Awards consists of a committee that manages nomination and eligibility guidelines, jury selection, submission guidance. This year’s committee is Theodore Prudon, Meredith Bzdak, Tonia Moy, and Gregory Ibañez.

For more information visit the Modernism in America Awards website or contact awards@docomomo-us.org.

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