We Got Some Ink: International Herald Tribune & New York Times

Ask the Decorator and I were written about in an article yesterday that appeared in the International Herald Tribune. The article, How-to video: From Jane Fonda to the Net, was about the rise of How-to videos online. Thanks so much Miguel and the International Herald Tribune!

UPDATE: The article also appeared in the New York Times today: Making Money, the How-To Way

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Seasonal Decor, Not Just for Homes

As the start of Season Two gets closer, we've been updating the decor around the Web site. We wanted a fresh look for the new season.

So the video, article and checklist pages underwent a massive makeover to make viewing the videos and reading the articles a much more pleasant experience. I hope you like the changes.

But I'll be honest, I'm way more excited for the new videos. Luckily the wait won't be too much longer...

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Screw the Sound, All We Want is the View

That's right. After careful thought, we've decided to take the sound out of all of our future videos. It was a hard decision, but we realized that if we wanted Ask the Decorator videos to be the best around we'd have to ditch the sound.

Rather than focusing on my voice or the random music, you'll be able to concentrate all of your attention on the beautiful items featured - whether it's a stunning kitchen, gorgeous linens or beautiful furniture.

If you're interested in what is being said, you'll be able to read the closed captioning. In our beta tests, we found that only 9.1% of people were interested in the closed captioning. But now we want to hear from you.

Later today I'll post our first soundless video. Tell me what you think about it. Does it make the viewing experience more pleasant? Are you able to better focus you're attention on the decorative items?

I look forward to receiving your input. Oh and by the way, Happy April Fools!

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My Gift to You: Enjoy!

   At first, I thought about getting you a pair of really fuzzy slippers to say thanks for stopping by. I mean everyone could use a pair of fuzzy slippers. But the whole sending out thousands of slippers thing didn't seam like it would work out that well. So then I thought I should send each one of you a personal e-mail telling you how much I appreciate the time you spend here at Ask the Decorator. But then I figured I'd look like a stalker.
    So I went back and thought really hard about what to give you that would say, "Thanks for being my reader." I thought for a long time about what you would want, and then it hit me. I should give you a Web site where you feel welcome and at home - a Web site that is easy to navigate, easy to use and gives you information that makes your life easier.
    Now, I'll be honest, that's a hard gift to create. I didn't think I was going to be able to do it. But after months of hard work, it's time for me to give this Web site to you and say thanks. I appreciate every second you spend here on my Web site. I even put the Ask the Decorator logo on a gift tag so that every time you visit you'll remember that it was made especially for you.
    I really hope you like it and enjoy all of the little perks we've hidden on each page.

Meghan

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The Second Time Around: Welcome Back

My first attempt at a blog was pathetic, and after terminating it six months ago, I thought I would never have a blog again. The posts were useless. I didn't enjoy writing it. Other people didn't enjoy reading it. And three weeks ago I discovered why: my old blog lacked me.

I was a spectator. I wasn't present in my words. You couldn't hear my voice. It was as if I had checked out and let a robot do the work. There was no personality, no passion, no love. And the worst part, I thought I was doing the right thing. By taking myself out of the writing - by making the words completely objective, I was being as selfless as possible. I thought people didn't want or need to hear about the trials and tribulations of my life or my opinions.

But, you know, if that were true, reality television wouldn't be a hit.

Through this journey of being a writer I have come to learn that what turns people on is a real voice. We want honesty. We want a personal connection. We want to experience the emotion captured in the passionate beats and lyrics of our favorite songs. And the second you begin writing like a journalist you zap all potential of creating that bond with your readers.

Well, I won't make that mistake again.

This time around, my blog will aspire to attain an intimate connection with you. You'll get a full view into my life - my home, no matter how imperfect it may be. Together we'll discover what it means to own a house, create a home, decorate a space and perhaps what it's like to laugh or cry at a blog post written by someone you've never met.

It is my promise to you to let it all hang out and obliterate my objective journalistic tendencies. If those frigid, scholarly habits creep their way back in, let me know. I'll pound out those ideas of reporting substance and facts and bring back the truth of human existence: the masses want raw emotion.

So let's get this blog on the net and see what happens. That sounded much better in my head.

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