A Measure of Success is a Q&A session with a successful blogger from a home-related field like real estate, interior design, and home improvement. Today on A Measure of Success, we’re pleased to have Lana Migliore.
Introduction
Hi! I am Lana from makingahouseahome.com! My husband Joey and I are business owners and compulsive DIYers! We spend our days writing music for movies, TV and commercials (Joey), managing our marketing group (Lana), and putting out hearts into our home.
What was the inspiration for starting your blog, “Making a House a Home”?
Two and a half years ago we had an out-of-country wedding and started a blog to help our guests out with information about flight deals, currency exchange, and tips for their trip to Negril. At the time we lived in a 1,000 square foot apartment in Brooklyn and after the wedding planned a long trip to Europe where we were going to drive from Nice to Milan and then down the west coast of Italy and document it in our blog to share with our family and friends. Little did we know that we were going to find the “castle” of our dreams just 15 miles north of Brooklyn. Long story short, our closing date was right in the middle of our honeymoon, so we skipped the trip and bought the house. Everyone had so many questions about it we continued writing in the wedding blog about the house. Next thing we knew people from all over the world were reading about our successes and failures in DIY. Just recently we switched from JoeyandLana.com to makingahouseahome.com.
What has been your formula for success in making your blog what it is today?
In all honesty we are still formulating! We are kind of on our own island, in our own world most of the time. We write what we know, and also share what we do wrong. We aren’t scared to show a picture of a messy room and say “this is what’s really happening right now, guys!”. I think we are super realistic about our projects and people seem to identify with managing a busy life while still dedicating time for “home”. I think the most important thing when you are a blogger is to ask for what you want. You may be surprised how many people are willing to collaborate.
What are some helpful tips you would give to someone attempting DIY projects for the first time?
If you have a solid vision, go for it! Don’t let worry paralyze you! There are so many resources online to show you how to do things, it’s worth seeing how others have done it and then adapting those techniques and making them your own. If we didn’t dive right in we would have spent thousands and thousands of dollars handing our kitchen remodel off to someone else. It’s worth saving the money and feeling the sense of pride once complete. And if it doesn’t turn out how you expected it to – do it again! It comes down to using the right tools, having a complete plan, and then believing in yourself. Through this thinking we discovered what a great furniture maker Joey is! Who would have thought?!
You are the creative director for “The Holiday Guide by Emily Henderson”. Which items from the guide are on your wish-list this year?
Oh jeez! There is so much I want in there. Anderson Soap Company makes the very best scents. They would be great stocking suffers. The Dwell Studio glasses are to die for. The Lizzie Fortunato iPad Bag is so beautiful. The pet bungalow is off the charts too!
What holiday themes or decor are you most excited to use in your home this season?
We are usually pretty traditional with pine and red everywhere. This year I am doing an all white Christmas. Lots of lambs wool and textures. It’s our last Christmas in New York, so a little over the top is OK.
About the Author
Brandon Mercury is a writer for InGoodMeasure.net. He grew up on the beaches of the Deep South before moving to the mountain tops of Salt Lake City. He focuses his writing on home improvement and interior design topics. Brandon is an avid football and basketball fan. You can find Brandon on Google+
