photo by Jessica Kettle Photography
I remember first hearing about blogs around 2007. The concept to me was incredible. I guess I assumed Martha Stewart was the only crafty and creative person out there. Suddenly I was introduced to ordinary woman, like myself, who were posting DIY tutorials, sharing their favorite products, giving parenting advice and sharing their stories with the world. The first few blogs I read religiously were, a Room Somewhere, Stephmodo and Black Eiffel. I was studying Interior Design at Mesa Community College and I felt like I had so many resources for design inspiration opened up to me because of blogs. I remember the first time I saw someone post a picture of a kitchen with white cabinets and I was floored. What! Something other than brown cabinets and granite countertops could be beautiful? Coming from Utah I assumed red was the only color you were allowed to decorate with and if your home wasn’t “Tuscan” or ” A Pottery Barn Look-a-like” then it was nothing. Fast forward 2 years and I had my first baby, Jett.
I suspected at the time that I was feeling a bit of the baby blues but I know now I had post-pardum depression. I never in a million years thought it would happen to me. But here I was with a brand new beautiful baby feeling so so so so sad. I was tired and anxious and stressed out to the max. I wanted more than anything to go back to the life I had before I had a baby. I missed my freedom and I missed my old life. I started to feel trapped in my sadness and loneliness and I didn’t know how I would ever get out of it. One night during one of those late night feedings I started blog hopping and something life-changing happened. I discovered Little Green Notebook. As I had mentioned before I had read a lot of design blogs but I had never really found a blog where someone blogged specifically about Interior Design and most importantly they blogged about what they were doing in their own home. I read Jenny’s entire blog back until I reached the beginning of it and I was hungry for more. I followed her links and found blogs like Making it Lovely, I Suwannee, Caitlin Creer, Bryn Alexandra and 4 men 1 lady. I started looking forward to waking up with Jett at 1 in the morning just so I could read my favorite blogs. Something wonderful started happening. I started to feel awake and alive for the first time since having Jett. I felt connected to these amazing women who were doing what they loved to do. I was inspired to follow my own dreams and be creative in my own way. So my blog was born.
Starting my blog is by far one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Readers didn’t come fast but they came. And with each new reader I felt more and more excited. I also felt less alone and more connected to other women out there. I had no idea so many people enjoyed design as much as I do! I also had no idea that things that I wrote about could ever inspire or touch any one else. But people started reading and commenting and it felt great! I wouldn’t say my blog alone pulled me out of my post-pardum but it helped.
As a mother sometimes it’s easy to feel lost in this world. We may feel looked over or a little less important. Blogging made me feel like I wasn’t alone and that I was important! Not only that but maybe I even had a talent I could share with other people. And it’s been so eye-opening to read blogs of other business owners and inspiring designers. Every time I read someone’s blog I am in awe of the creative and amazing women out there. I feel empowered and more confident in my own abilities. I remember reading Jenny’s blog and realizing that maybe I too could start my own design business. If people were responding well to what I was doing in my own home there was a chance they might hire me to help them with theirs. And sure enough it’s happened!
When I started taking on clients I was surprised and delighted each time someone asked me to help them with their home. It felt like such an honor and still does. There have been many many many ups and downs since starting my business and after I had Jane I felt burnt out. I had some rough clients that took a lot of the joy out of doing design work. I took a much needed client break from design work but I couldn’t stay away for long. One of my very best friends, Erin, and I started working together and suddenly I felt excited about designing again. There is something so fun about working with your best friend. It’s as if every tough situation doesn’t seem as tough and every happy and exciting moment seems a million times more happy and exciting because you have someone to share it with. It was definitely an adjustment to make room for another equal partner on projects but I started to see that working with someone else only made me better. What we have accomplished together could have never been accomplished if I was still on my own. House of Jade has become so much bigger than we could have ever imagined. With each new big step we take we feel nervous and excited at the same time. We are always overwhelmed with the amount of support we feel and are so grateful for the clients that hire us and keep our business going. I have felt more and more that the next natural step is to turn this blog over to House of Jade. I know, just like with everything else that we’ve done, that it will only make the blog better. We’ll have more time, together, to brainstorm fun ideas and think of ways to reinvent the content. I can tell that I won’t be able to keep it up on my own. It’s so much work and I want to have every spare second that I’m not working to be spent with my family.
When Erin and I discussed the decision I couldn’t help but cry. It sounds so silly but this blog is like another child. It has blessed my life so much. YOU all have blessed my life so much. When I had Jett and I thought my life was over I had no idea that it was just beginning. The greatest and most amazing journey of my life was starting to take shape as I focused on building my blog. People have come into my life that have changed it tremendously. I have received countless sweet and genuine emails from readers that I’ll save forever. It has allowed me to help support my family and build a business. It has taken me across the country to meet amazing people. It has been a place to share a piece of my heart. But it’s on to new adventures.
We have been working hard on the House of Jade blog and I guarantee it will be a new and improved version of 6th Street Design School. There will be more great content and we’ll continue to give insight, sources and sneak peeks into all of our design projects. We’ll have more time to focus on better posts. I will continue to oversee the blog and make sure that we are giving readers what they want. I hope and pray that all of you will continue reading and stay connected as we make this transition. Change is good but so so hard. But with each change comes so much growth and so many wonderful surprises!
photo by Lindsey Orton Photography
On board for transformative in-sights. I will continue to be a regular reader and look forward to your growth and peace of mind. Thank you for paying attention to your call.
Such a beautiful story, Kirsten! This is such a good change. I have followed both blogs and this will be an easy transition for your readers! You and your team are such an inspiration!!! xoxo
Great, honest post! I’m sad to see 6th Street go,but excited for the future of House of Jade. You’re amazing!
I’ve been a long time reader of your blog and I am so excited to see what you girls do next! Love all you do and so happy for you! You have inspired me! Thanks for sharing your talent!
Hey, very nice site. I came across this on Google, and I am stoked that I did. I will definitely be coming back here more often. Wish I could add to the conversation and bring a bit more to the table, but am just taking in as much info as I can at the moment. Thanks for sharing.
Lightweight Wheelchair
Keep Posting:)
I am so excited for you and all of your future adventures with House of Jade….you blog has helped me to not feel so trapped inside my home. My daughter was born with a severe brain injury and left me to become a stay at home Mom. Everyday I go through my list of blogs while I drink my morning coffee. I enjoy seeing the DIY’s and all the creative ways to fab up a home! You have inspired many areas in my home, so thank you!!!
Congratulations Kirsten! I’ve been a reader since your early days and have enjoyed watching your business and blog grow. I’m excited to see what you do next! xo
Congratulations! I’ve been following your work on Instagram and I think it’s beautiful!! I can relate a lot to your story. Excited about your new blog!!!:-)
I think I’ve read your blog since the beginning Kirsten and while I’m sad to see 6th Street Design School go, you have very much graduated from design school and are on to greater things! It has been wonderful to see your talents (and cute family) grow and develop and I’m eager to see this new direction. I’ll always be a reader.
Congrats to the House of Jade team! And I’m so happy for you Kirsten. It’s been so fun to watch this blog grow, and even get to see a little bit behind the scenes working with you a few years ago. Can’t wait to continue seeing such beautiful and inspiring spaces! xo
I’ve been reading for years and can not wait to see what comes next. Congratulations on all your success, both with your beautiful family, and with driving your career. You’re an inspiration. 🙂
Congrats! I’m in a similar place to where you started, and I look to YOU as an inspiration! Xx, Meg
As a long time follower of your blog I have to tell you that I haven’t always been. I remember thinking that you had a distinct look about all of your designs – curtains and small groupings. Many times I would think that I would delete your blog from my favorites, but somehow I never did. I would constantly check to see what was new and it was always something of interest. I guess what I’m saying is that I’ve watched you and your blog grow and I have enjoyed every minute of it. Your blog has become one of 3 favorite blogs that I follow and the reasons are immeasurable. You cover all of the bases from design to family, career, faith….and you are like a daily magazine that I can’t put down. You’re transparent and honest, you’re ideas are fresh, clean and fashionable and you are never boring! I like that you have design boards and decorate all types of houses with what appears to be all price points. You invite guests, you have parties, you share your family, you share your business, tutorials…
I know the blog is a lot of work, but I can tell you that I would pay to subscribe if it ever comes to that. Congratulations on your House of Jade. You seem to have put it together well. You are an inspiration to so many and I just want to thank you and wish you well!
I’ve been a long time reader of your blog and I will continue to be. This next chapter already has me looking forward!
I truly appreciate your talent and honesty as a designer! Your blog has been my respite, my spa, my time to unwind. I love your style and it is no surprise that your business is growing and evolving… Embrace it and enjoy the ride!
Thank you for your honest and real post. I am so excited for this transition, and will continue to support you through this change. Congratulations on all your success. House of Jade is a Dream Interior Design Team. 🙂
Hi, Really great effort. Everyone must read this article. Thanks for sharing.
I am so proud of you. That probably sounds weird, but I’ve followed your blog for a long time (with some breaks in between because life gets busy!) and I really relate to so much of what you have shared here—both about interior design and motherhood. I’ve seen your blog and business grow, and it is really exciting to me to see House of Jade take off for you. It inspires me to try for my dreams of pursuing a career in interior design. I have two young girls and have put my interests and blog on the backburner for a long time, but I am just now picking them back up.
A couple random things: I also have a little girl named Jane (SUCH a great name!) and you once included some of my photos in a post of yours: http://houseofjadeint.wpengine.com/2011/05/outdoor-fabric-in-action.html. I was SO excited when you did that. 🙂 But really, way to go. Your work is beautiful.
CONGRATS! I’ve followed your blog forever and you’ve always been such a positive force in the design community. I’ve loved watching your personal success and now House of Jade’s success. I wish you and your team so much success. You certainly deserve it.
This is such a lovely story – thanks for sharing and brightening my day with your designs too!
Such a great post – so honest – thanks for sharing! I check in with your blog as often as I can – I’ve been reading for many years. Thanks for the update – wishing you well in your new endeavors and can’t wait to keep reading and see what you are designing. It’s nice to have such a great design community online!
I’m a long time follower of 6th Street Design and for some reason I haven’t been by in a while… I just spent the last 30 minutes looking at all the new posts and finally came to this one. SO happy for you and the new blog, business, everything. I love your work. I’ve actually taken a couple of your atly classes! I appreciate that you share what you’ve learned and aren’t afraid to share some of your sources, etc. Thank you so much and keep up the great and inspirational work!!
Thanks so much for your kind words and support! It means a lot. 🙂