January 12th, 2011
Dream Home for Fat Mum Slim
I love working on blog designs more than I can say- from the opportunity to work one on one with a client, to hearing the dreams they have to make their online space reflect their interests is such an honour and exciting process for me. I approach each design like I’m trying to dream up a second home for each client- but one that reflects who they are from the heart first, since everything we all blog about comes from that place.
I’m excited to introduce you to Chantelle (and Lacey!) from Fat Mum Slim! Chantelle is infinitely likeable- on her blog she shares advice, mishaps, photos, and stories from her life. I’ve been following her for over three years, and Chantelle has always been a big inspiration to me. She constantly features warm, whimsical photography that makes you feel like you live just a few doors down from her in gorgeous Australia. She’s inspirational and encouraging, asks questions after posts because she’s genuinely curious about her readers, and is a wonderfully inviting and responsive community builder.
1. What do you love most about blogging? Has it changed or added to your life in a significant way since you started?
I love blogging, I really. What do I love most? I love the community. I love the sharing. And I truly love that it’s my creative outlet. When I first started blogging I had no grand plans, I just wanted to write. I was a new-mum, a nanny and a little bit bored. Two years later I’m now working as an Editor and a Social Media Editor, because of my blog. I still can’t quite believe it. Blogging has definitely changed my life, for the better.
2. Why did you feel like it was the right time to redesign your site? What were your biggest concerns and biggest hopes for the process?
I got bored with my design and I knew it was time for a change- I get the same feeling about every 12 months. This time I knew that I needed {and wanted} someone else to do it for me. When I saw that Freckled Nest had Kyla on board, I knew it was fate and that it was meant to be. I didn’t have any real concerns during the process. The planning process is really well thought out, and I knew from the information I submitted that Kyla would get it, and that I’d like my end product. I just knew it. And when the design came through I cried, because I loved it.
Each week I ask my readers and fellow bloggers to share photos from the weekend. I love seeing what everyone has seen through their viewfinder and what they’ve been up to. I love that I’m free to write about anything on my blog. Nothing is ever really out of place.
From working with Chantelle I knew that she wanted to warm up the design of her blog and move away from the white space emphasis she’d had before. I worked through the inspiration she provided to me and went through her blog posts to find a colour scheme that would work with the mood of the photos (and content!) she posts. I wanted to her design to have a feeling that was bright and clean, feminine and delicate, detailled and playful- and to help sort her sidebars so they would highlight her Point and Shoot series as well as her favourite posts.
Here’s what we dreamed up…
If you’d like information on design packages (here!) or my portfolio (here!) you can click through- or if you’d like to talk design, rates, and dreams please drop me a line at kyla [at] frecklednest [dot] com :)
Dude – great design! :) And thanks for pointing me toward her lovely blog, too – I spent some time reading her posts & fell in love with the way she writes! Yay, new discoveries! :)
She’s SUCH a sweetheart, and so approachable- I’m glad I introduced you to her :)
Great design! I am in love with the scrabble pieces!! Bravo!
I love what you did with the site! It looks great!! I haven’t been around in a while but I’m back now :) I loved the hair from last weekend ;) We need to see the brunette update!
i absolutely ADORE your work and will probably be coming to you one of these days!!! the scrabble pieces are too cute!!
Your blog designs are so cute! So cute! I may have to hire you soon because my blog needs a desperate pick me up! :)
Oh my gosh! I love it so much!! Question, does Freckled Nest also do professional website design? I need to make one in order to graduate and I’m looking for some good designers! (You’re one of the best!! :))
Hi Stephany, we absolutely do- send me an email and we can brainstorm together :)
I can’t begin to explain how much I LOVE my new look. Thanks so much Kyla, and thanks for this little feature today. x
love the scrabble tiles, kyla! the whole design is SO her. i love it.
Amazing work Kyla! Love it. You’re so talented :)
I love it! :)
Ohhh I love your blog designs. I’m putting away a little something whenever I can so I can have you design mine hopefully soon!
LOVE. It looks so chic, so classy. I love the fonts that you use too! You’re such a rockstar :)
I adore you and your blog designs.
Oh my gosh, I love this. You are so talented. I need to talk to you about a blog make over… Maybe we can set up a video chat session sometime to discuss!!
I like how you used the scrabble tiles. :)