Take Five Friday.

Today I'm thrilled to announce a new feature on Very Fine House. Each "Take Five Friday" I will interview and share five facts about a successful design blogger. So without further delay, my first blogger to be featured is...

Michelle, of Three Men and a Lady

Michelle is a busy mother of two who is passionate about interiors. She uses her own home to experiment with design.

Who is your favorite interior designer?
If I had to pick one, I'm really loving Jennifer Dyer right now. She has a great ability to use a lot of very unique pieces in a space and make it work. She also doesn't seem to subscribe to the "rules" of decorating. She'll make the living room the dining room and vice versa to give a feeling of grandeur. She's got great style.

(courtesy of jeneration interiors)

How do you draw inspiration for the rooms you design?

I find inspiration everywhere. Blogs, magazines, fashion, life. My design is very budget conscious. Most people don't have a lot of dough to spend on decor and neither do I. Even if I were a millionaire I would probably decorate the same way I do now. (Ask me that again when I strike it rich). Interior design is much like fashion. It goes out of style quickly. Plus, you also tire of things very quickly. I shop mostly sales, thrift stores and Craiglist. Then I can personalize those items to fit my style. When I'm ready to change it out I don't feel guilty because I didn't spend a fortune on it.

What is your favorite piece of furniture in your own home, and why?

I could get rid of everything in my home except my great grandma's piano for sentimental reasons, an old wing back chair that I found at an antique store and had re-upholstered in white faux leather, and a vintage iron table which I topped with a round white marble slab. I love things with history and a story. Mixed with modern items they can make a space unpredictable and interesting.

(michelle's master bedroom)

What has been your most successful DIY project?

The one project people seem to love and reproduce the most is my gray and white stripe entryway I did two years ago. I see white and gray stripes EVERYWHERE now.(michelle's entry)

Share some advice on building a successful design blog.

Design blogs come a dime a dozen these days. I don't need to see anymore beautiful rooms copied and pasted in to someone's blog. I want to see what real people are doing with their real vision and their real budgets. Also, unless you're giving a tutorial never underestimate the power of pictures. I think people feel the need to write a novel to accompany their photos. Remember, less is more.

Thank you Michelle for taking five out of your busy schedule to share your secrets of success with us! Head over to her blog Three Men and a Lady to see more of her amazing work.