Podcasts about colorful conversations

Send Katie a Text Message!! For art to not remain an afterthought with interior and commercial designs, we must incorporate art into the conversation early. As designers, we have a unique ability to propel up-and-coming artists forward while also inspiring more clients to bring incredible pieces of art into their spaces. But art isn't just an important cornerstone to design, it also greatly impacts our nervous systems. For this in-depth roundtable conversation, I have Mandy Theis and Dr. Stacey Denise joining me! You'll hear the artist's perspective, the designer's perspective, and a physician's perspective. And stay til the end for the Coaching Corner!In this episode, you will be able to:Discover the role of neuroaesthetics and psychology in art and design.Uncover strategic ways to connect with the best artists in your area.Learn the importance of bringing art into the design conversation early. Full Show Notes Here!

Send Katie a Text Message!! Whether your design firm is new or not, it's high time you learn how to make money and run a profitable business! No more free consultations. No more asking for permission to raise your rates. And certainly no more burying your head in the sand and not looking at your numbers. Award-winning designer and fellow podcaster, Laura Thornton joins me for this conversation! She's sharing about time tracking, money management, offer pricing, intuition, and SO much more in this episode. You're gonna need at least one notebook for this one. Be sure to stay for this week's Coaching Corner!In this episode, you will be able to:Discover how to make money and become profitable as an interior designer. Uncover the benefits of tracking your time each week.Learn what questions to answer so you start tracking your numbers efficiently.Full Show Notes Here!

Send Katie a Text Message!! It's Las Vegas Summer Market recap time! Our favorite visual merchandiser, Diana Rushton, is here to tell all. From textures and color palettes to furniture and lighting—we're talking all about what's trending. Is gray gone for good? How about Farmhouse style? And when it comes to choosing which market you go to for your design firm, how do you make the best decision? All that and more is heading your way when you press play! Oh, and don't miss this week's Coaching Corner where I reveal how I've found trends valuable.In this episode, you will be able to:Discover what differences Di saw from the High Point to Vegas summer market.Uncover what took Di by surprise at the summer 2024 Vegas market.Learn how to make the best decision about which market you go to and when. Full Show Notes Here!

Send Katie a Text Message!! Your design business will grow faster, go further, and be more successful when you embrace 2 things: collaborations and technology. You may not want to admit it, but AI is here to stay! It can even have a positive impact on your firm—if you let it. And that's just one collaboration you can engage in! There's also the opportunity to join professional organizations which can keep you inspired, get you out of creative burnout, or provide educational resources. If you're curious about how collaboration and technology can benefit your business, you will not want to miss this episode with Jenny Cano! Stick around for the Coaching Corner where I'm sharing my own insecurities around collaboration and competition. Enjoy the conversation!In this episode, you will be able to:Discover how a collaborative mindset is propelling designers to become 7-figure business owners.Uncover the best way to move past the fear of technology for the sake of your firm.Learn how to strategically use collaboration and technology tools to grow your business. Full Show Notes Here!

Send Katie a Text Message!! Welcome to Success by Design, Mastering the business of Interior Design. Learn from my mistakes, as this is your masterclass on getting where you want to be. Whether that is elevating in your current interior design firm, starting your own firm, or moving your existing firm up on the ladder of success and profitability, this podcast is your ultimate resource. 

Send Katie a Text Message!! Digital marketing strategies like SEO and social media are critical to the success of an interior design firm. But which platform should you be on, what metrics should you monitor, and how can you stand out in a crowded industry? As you'll hear in today's roundtable discussion with Aaron and Kari, people are longing for connection and your digital footprint allows you to provide that in a very meaningful and authentic way. And all of this effort equals conversions and clients—when done correctly! Grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and stay tuned to find out how much of your budget you should be spending on marketing in today's Colorful Question.In this episode, you will be able to:Discover what type of content interior designers should create to build trust and convert followers.Uncover how to balance being professional with being personable in your marketing.Learn if there's any value in paying to play in the digital marketing world (with ads).Full Show Notes Here!

Send Katie a Text Message!! Systems and processes are likely not the first things that come to mind when you think of scaling your design business growth. It's much more appealing to dream of luxurious Tuesday mornings spent sipping coffee and being creative. But—those “boring” systems and processes are the real movers and shakers that get you more time, more money, more happiness, and the business of your dreams! And that is exactly what Rebecca Hay is here to discuss with me today. Press play and get ready to hear everything from what business looks like without structure to the epic benefits of having those business systems and processes in place! And be sure to stick around for a key takeaway in today's Coaching Corner.In this episode, you will be able to:Discover how to easily take your design business from chaotic to coordinated.Uncover why it's not enough to be an amazing interior designer. Learn what intuition and boundaries have to do with scaling your design business.Full Show Notes Here!Links and Mentioned ResourcesThe StudioCoaching Strategy SessionKatie's appearance on Resilient by Design with Rebecca HayThese Parents Are Shelling Out to Have Someone Else Pack Their Kids for Camp (WSJ)Connect with Rebecca HayPodcastWebsiteInstagramPower of ProcessDesigner's Room

This conversation is one for the books! I'm joined by CEO and business coach Katie Decker who shares the most incredible, on-point thoughts on creating a sustainable business that works for you. Katie speaks about her career trajectory, why she left residential design, why she is so committed to her coaching business, and who her most important clients are. She talks about using intuition to tailor your business to fit your lifestyle and shares the advantages, mistakes, and lessons she's learned from her own career. She also discusses why hustle and having the right team are equally vital for success and the crucial step she takes before onboarding employees to ensure it is the right fit for all. She has the most terrific insights about listening and following our instincts as we think about tackling just that extra 5% that left me so inspired and motivated and I know listeners will be too.     If you enjoyed this conversation, listen to the next part on Katie's podcast Colorful Conversations: https://www.colorworks.coach/podcast-library/b/scale-interior-design-business-growth-with-systems-and-processes  You can connect with Katie at Colorworks: https://colorworks.design/   This episode is sponsored by Abacus Furniture.   Download our Free Resources ➡️ Pre-qualify your clients with my Discovery Call Script ➡️ Stay confident from beginning to end with my Consultation Checklist ➡️ Looking for a quick infusion of cash? Grab my 4 easy ways of increasing your revenue   Looking to elevate your business? Learn more about our courses ➡️ Want the complete blueprint to calculate your design fee with confidence and ease? Learn more about my Pricing with Confidence course ➡️ Want to be the first to know when Power of Process is returning? Click to learn more about the business blueprint for interior design firm owners. ➡️Want to be the first to know when the next episode drops? Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to the Resilient by Design Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts!

Today With Katie Decker-Erickson: Welcome to Window Treatments for Profit. Today we have a crossover episode with the amazing Katie Decker-Erickson. She invited me to her own podcast, "Colorful Conversations With Katie", and I had a blast! We talked about Networking Tips for Interior Designers and it was such a wonderful discussion that I wanted to bring it here to share it with you. More About Katie Decker-Erickson Katie began her career in commercial color consulting as a part-time passion project in 2007. Today, her company, Color Works has grown into a multi-million dollar commercial design company, currently operating in over 20 states nationwide, with a fully remote team of more than a dozen individuals. Katie is known for her business acumen (having grown her interior design firm 1500% in a single year). As well as her passion for teaching others (with 18 years teaching graduate & undergraduate courses), devotion to her two young daughters, and commitment to women's empowerment both personally and professionally. Connect with Katie Decker-Erickson Website Colorful Conversations with Katie Decker-Erickson Book Your Coaching Strategy Session with Katie! Business Coaching for Interior Designers Facebook Instagram YouTube Pinterest TikTok A Big THANK YOU to Today's Podcast Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Exciting Windows! What's new with LuAnn Nigara The Power Talk Friday Tour Watch the Docuseries! http://www.luannnigara.com/cob Get The Goodies! For checklists, resources, and extra goodies from A Well-Designed Business sign up for free here. To Get on LuAnn's Email List, text the word designbiz to 444999! Purchase LuAnn's Books Here: Book 1: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Audiobook: The Making of A Well – Designed Business: Turn Inspiration into Action Book 2: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Pre-Order Book 3: A Well-Designed Business – The Power Talk Friday Experts Volume 2 Connect with LuAnn Nigara LuAnn's Website LuAnn's Blog Power Talk Friday Like Us: Facebook | Tweet Us: Twitter | Follow Us: Instagram | Listen Here: Podcast Other Resources Mentioned: Mini Nel Colore - Color Trend Spring Summer 2025 Book: Nello Marelli X Color Works

Send Katie a Text Message!! We're here to tell you the next big interior design trend to look for in 2024! Our very own Diana Rushton recently visited the High Point Market and is here to tell all. From how to merge sustainability and trends to updating a space designed with a previous decor trend to all that's new in color, lighting, and textures—Di's got you covered! Make sure you stick around for the Coaching Corner where we discuss navigating trends with design clients. Get your pen and notebook and let's get this show started!In this episode, you will be able to:Uncover what's trending for interior design in 2024.Discover how to merge sustainability with interior design trends.Learn what dopamine design, aquaculture, & Western Gothic all have in common.Full Show Notes Here!

Send Katie a Text Message!! Networking as an interior designer can be intimidating—but it doesn't have to be. Not if you're armed with the perfect questions to ask, a plan of action, and all the rest of the advice LuAnn Nigara shares with us in this insightful and inspiring conversation! Hear from one of the most connected women in the industry just how to navigate in-person and virtual networking events so you get the most out of the experience and foster lifelong relationships. Be sure to stick around for the Coaching Corner. Alright, grab your notebook and press play!In this episode, you will be able to:Discover the #1 question to ask at a networking event to build connections.Uncover the mistakes interior designers make at networking events.Learn how to effectively use social media marketing as an interior designer.Full Show Notes Here!

Send Katie a Text Message!! One of the most critical aspects of business is the sale—and your body language could be killing your close rate. An interior designer's nonverbal communication to clients must exude calm and confidence from the very beginning. But how exactly can you do that? Nancy Ganzekaufer is a body language trainer who specializes in marketing and sales strategies specifically for interior designers! In today's episode, Nancy walks us through exactly what we should be saying and doing throughout the sales process. Don't miss today's Coaching Corner at the end of the show! Grab your pen and notebook and press play on this in-depth conversation about the who and how of sales!In this episode, you will be able to:Discover how boosting your body language knowledge can help you close more sales.Learn what the Desire Sales Formula is and how to use it to land more dreamy interior design clients.Uncover what your gaze, hand gestures, and tone of voice are impacting your close rate.Full Show Notes Here!

Your brand identity captures everything about your design firm. From the fonts and color palette you use to the intangible pieces like brand voice—it all works together to draw in your ideal clients. But where do you begin creating a brand identity? Do you need to hire a professional brand strategist? And how can you tell it's time for a rebrand? Get your Notes app out because Corey Fuller is back and ready to talk branding for interior designers! Be sure to stay for The Coaching Corner at the end of the conversation! Now, let's listen to the conversation.In this episode, you will:Discover what branding and brand identity are and how to approach yours.Learn what deliverables and investment you can expect when working with a strategist.Uncover ways to identify if your branding is working.Full Show Notes Here!

A business series wouldn't be complete without talking about pricing for interior designers. Pricing and project estimation can be such a touchy and intimidating topic, but it doesn't need to be! How can designers turn what they love into a profitable business quickly? How do you make the jump from hourly to value-based (or flat-fee) pricing? Michelle Lynne Pant is here to answer all these questions and more in one of our rawest conversations yet! You're going to want to take notes with this one—and make sure to stick around for The Coaching Corner at the end of the conversation!In this episode, you will:Learn how to easily go from an hourly rate to flat-fee pricing as a designer.Discover how to get ahead of clients shopping your services and products. Uncover the best way to manage client timelines, expectations, and budgets.Full Show Notes Here!

Welcome to “Colorful Conversations with Katie”! Join us for a vibrant podcast where we seamlessly blend the realms of design and business in a fun and professional setting. Available on YouTube or any of your favorite podcast platforms!

Join Dr. Shine and special guest Michele Bernhardt, author of Colorstrology as they explore the world of birthday colors, numerology, and self-awareness.    From the creative process behind a birthday color calendar to the magic of numbers, this podcast is a journey into consciousness. Discover how colors influence our lives and why self-awareness matters. Plus, learn about Michele's unique approach to astrology and numerology.    Listen in for a vibrant and insightful conversation that might just inspire your own creative expression.   Connect with House of Shine  Connect with Michele Bernhardt

Have you ever wanted your painter to have an artistic or creative touch? Someone who can give the interior of your home a different and personalized look? We found that guy! Whatever you can envision, he can make it happen. Catch this episode of the  Real Estate Roundtable.

Wondering how entrepreneurs and people who are self-employed are taxed? Does that just make you want to curl up in a ball for the rest of the year? The thing is, if you're paying money to the IRS, then you're making money. That's supposed to lessen the blow, but financial planning as a business owner can be a sensitive and overwhelming subject. Which is why I was so glad Kate Snelson agreed to share her public accounting knowledge with us. We tackled a lot in this episode! From W-9s and 1099s to LLCs, quarterly taxes, and planning for retirement. You'll walk away feeling much more prepared for Q4 and next tax season!In this episode, you will be able to:Learn how to make smart financial decisions as a business owner.Discover the tax implications for your business if you have kids.Learn how to avoid penalties and interest on estimated tax payments.Full Show Notes Here**This episode provides general tax information only and is not professional advice. Laws change and vary by location; always consult a tax professional. The host and guests' opinions are their own and not official guidance. We're not liable for any actions taken based on this content.**

When any chip happens in your life, where do you immediately turn? I bet it's a gal pal, a female friend! That's why today we're exploring what we need from female friendships at midlife and how to create and nurture them. The opportunity to create rich female friendships at this point in life is greater than ever, if we are willing to try.I've invited two of my previous guests back to have a conversation about the importance of female friendships in midlife. My first gal pal is Jill Baughan, host of the podcast called “Find Joy…No Matter What!” She describes it as doing joy shots with a friend. My second gal pal is Patti DeNucci. She's a speaker and author of “More Than Just Talk: The Essential Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Enjoy Better Conversations.” And, as we know, any good female friendship has ALOT of good conversations!In this episode, we talk about:The benefits of having female friends in midlifeTips for having richer conversationsHow to make time for important friendshipsFinding joy in female friendshipsHere's a glance:[6:57] Jill and Patti are both Naked Nelly's who are not afraid to be their authentic selves.[9:18] Jill and Patti share the importance of female friends in their lives and why.[14:33] Jill and Patti weigh in on must haves in a female friendship.[19:46] The struggles of making time for female friends when time is limited.[27:17] Tips and ideas for having deeper, richer conversations.[34:39] Guidance for introverted or socially shy females who want to start conversations.[37:56] The importance of being authentic in female friendships.[44:29] How Jill finds joy in her female friendships.[52:03] Patti's created nail color would be Colorful Conversations and Jill's would be Confetti.[1:01:38] In the Flip the Chip segment, Mary highlights the big, do-able takeaways Jill and Patti shared about creating and nurturing female friendships in midlife.Shareables:“We need all the encouragement, support, and joy that we can get from our friends especially in this time of life.” — Jill Baughan on @livelikeyournailcolor“Just like exercise, eating well, and getting to sleep, you have to make your friends a priority.” — Patti DeNucci on @livelikeyournailcolor“We all want to be known, understood, and accepted.” — Mary Foley on @livelikeyournailcolorDiscover more about Jill & Patti: JillBaughan.comFinding Joy…No Matter What PodcastListen to episode 29 with JillPattiDenucci.comMore than Just Talk: The Essential Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Enjoy Better ConversationsListen to episode 35 (Part 1) with PattiListen to episode 36 (Part 2) with PattiSweet Potato's Queen Book of LoveFor more inspiration and fun: Take the quiz and discover your nail color persona: mynailcolorpersona.comRate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts —“Mary and the Live Like Your Nail Color podcast is inspiring and fun!”

Can you believe it?   We started 3 Books back on March 31, 2018 with the goal of counting down the 1000 most formative books in the world. We said we would hang out on the exact minute of every single new moon and every single full moon for nearly 15 straight years until we collected all 1000 of them. We set the intention of making this show an ‘intrinsically-motivated journey' and pledged to doing it with no ads, no sponsors, no commercials, and no interruptions. To help guide ourselves we started collecting Values like no book shame, no book guilt, quit more to read more, and the books are the hero.   For the nearly four years we've been hanging out I have to say this journey has felt like a warm ray of sun in my life. I hope it's felt the same for you. My goal with this annual “Best Of” is simply to roll back through the year together and pick out moments that made us pause, ponder, and savor.   Thank you for being a 3 Booker and spending time with this incredible community of book lovers spread across the world. If you're reading this, I love you more than lots.   Let's stop to reflect and then keep enjoying the ride.   You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://www.3books.co/chapters/best-of-2021    Leave us a voicemail. Your message may be included in a future chapter: 1-833-READ-A-LOT.   Sign up to receive podcast updates here: https://www.3books.co/email-list    3 Books is a completely insane and totally epic 15-year-long quest to uncover and discuss the 1000 most formative books in the world. Each chapter discusses the 3 most formative books of one of the world's most inspiring people. Sample guests include: Brené Brown, David Sedaris, Malcolm Gladwell, Angie Thomas, Cheryl Strayed, Rich Roll, Soyoung the Variety Store Owner, Derek the Hype Man, Kevin the Bookseller, Vishwas the Uber Driver, Roxane Gay, David Mitchell, Vivek Murthy, Mark Manson, Seth Godin, Judy Blume and Quentin Tarantino. 3 Books is published on the lunar calendar with each of the 333 chapters dropped on the exact minute of every single new moon and every single full moon all the way up to 5:21 am on September 1, 2031. 3 Books is an Apple "Best Of" award-winning show and is 100% non-profit with no ads, no sponsors, no commercials, and no interruptions. 3 Books has 3 clubs including the End of the Podcast Club, the Cover to Cover Club, and the Secret Club, which operates entirely through the mail and is only accessible by calling 1-833-READ-A-LOT. Each chapter is hosted by Neil Pasricha, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Awesome, The Happiness Equation, Two-Minute Mornings, etc. For more info check out: https://www.3books.co

In this between-season episode we check back in with some of our favorite characters from season 1, and tie up some loose ends from Season Two! Or maybe we just unravel those loose ends a little bit more… And also, thanks for supporting our show at https://www.patreon.com/dubioushistories !

Get in Touch You can connect with Kara Monroe on Twitter @KNMTweets Reach out with show ideas, comments, or questions via Twitter or at our email address - ourcollegeyourvoices@ivytech.edu. Leave us a voice mail at 317-572-5049. Respond to the Call for Action, ask a question, give a shout-out to a colleague, or an episode suggestion. Check out show notes, listen to past episodes, and get instructions on how to access the podcast on our website at http://www.ivytech.edu/podcast.

Your space definitely affects your mood. Have you ever noticed how in some places you feel super relaxed and calm and others just seem to make your heart race with anxiety as soon as you set eyes on it?   In this episode, we are talking with Tasha Agruso, the founder of the popular DIY and home decor website Kaleidoscope Living, creator of Designer in a Binder and House to Home: A Journal for Homeowners, and host of the Colorful Conversations podcast. She helps you create a home you love, no matter your budget. Because if you don't love your home, you aren't living your best life! Resources We Shared: Happy Parent Checklist   Kaleidoscope Living   Designer In A Binder 25% off Discount Code NOGUILTMOM   @kaleidoscope_living on Instagram   Colorful Conversations Podcast   The UCLA Cortisol Level test study   Leave Us a Podcast Review (How to Video)   Download the Transcripts HERE The best mom is a happy mom. To better take care of you, download our No Guilt Mom mindset here .  These reminders will help you second guess less, and feel more confidence every day in your parenting.

On today's episode we are honored to have a very special guest,  Chairman Morgan Meyer.  He was nice enough to schedule a Zoom meeting with our entire class, and it was great!  Chairman Meyer is serving in his 4th term as a state representative.  He is the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee for the 87th legislature regular session. He authored many bills that focus on protecting children and support financing for education.  He is a graduate of SMU and lives in University Park, and he is a partner at Wick Phillips law firm. He loves representing district 108 because it is home.  We learned so much from this colorful conversation with Chairman Meyer, and think you will, too! To learn more about Chairman Morgan Meyer, click HERE.

This is a sweet episode because  my students had the honor of chatting with Ms. Eryn Bird.  Eryn is the amazing producer/audio engineer who edits every single episode of Colorful Conversations.  She does incredible work, she is always professional, and I have always gotten the edited episodes back in two days or less.  She is always happy to make any adjustments or revisions (which are rarely needed), and with every episode, her work becomes more and more intuitive.  If you are looking for a sound editor, please reach out to Eryn. She is an up and coming professional who has managed to birth what is now a thriving business during the pandemic, when there were not job opportunities in her field upon graduating from college.Beyond Eryn's professionalism, I am so moved by the personal attention she pays to my students.  Each time she returns an edited episode, she takes the time to write a personal note to my students telling them what she enjoyed about the episode.  They look forward to her notes each time!  When I told the class we were going to visit with Eryn and learn more about her, they were so excited.  This episode feels so sweet because it shows the beautiful power of connection we have all experienced through the process of creating this podcast.  I was quite emotional listening to my students reflect on what they've learned along the way! Eryn is such an inspiration. My students left this conversation with so many reminders of the things that matter most. We are so grateful to you, Eryn Bird, for finding common ground with us, for making our podcasts presentable, and for keeping it colorful.  If you need an amazing audio engineer or know someone who does, HERE is the link to Eryn's information. Thanks for tuning in!https://www.fiverr.com/share/GdPLq3

On this episode, Dr. Michael Horne,  CEO of the Parkland Foundation and Ms. Sandra Godina,  Director of Program and Organizing for Leadership for Educational Equity, discuss their common work for equity in the areas of healthcare and education.  In addition, they share wonderful leadership strategies and stories about the importance of family and friends.  Mia, Charlie, Liam and Ava do a wonderful job sparking this colorful and important conversation!  To learn more about the Parkland Foundation,  click HERE.  To find out more about Leadership for Educational Equity, click HERE. 

We have two very special guests on this episode of Colorful Conversations, Daron Babcock and Matthew “Trog” Trogdon.  Daron is the founder and CEO of a very special place called Bonton Farms, and Trog has been his right-hand man from the beginning.  Bonton Farms is a very special place that is so much more than just a farm.  It is a beacon of hope in South Dallas.  Daron and Trog like to say they are in the business of growing people.  They have sown seeds of hope in the community by providing jobs, access to healthy food, beautiful places where neighbors can gather in their café and coffee shop, and they are in the process of developing even more support for the community through a health clinic and more housing options.  Bonton Farms is transforming this impoverished neighborhood in south Dallas and inviting others to walk alongside our neighbors in Bonton by supporting these local businesses. There are many ways to partner with Bonton Farms, and I encourage you to explore their website HERE, and  better yet, take a trip down to the market and café one Saturday.  You'll be glad you did!  Listen in as Joshua, John Mark, and Jack (aka the J team) visit with Daron and Trog.  Here are the two farming videos Trog mentioned during the episode:https://www.backtoedenfilm.comhttps://www.biggestlittlefarmmovie.com/Go HERE if you'd like to watch the unedited video of this colorful conversation! You will see what a difference our wonderful editor, Eryn Bird makes!  Thank you, Eryn, for cleaning up our show for us every week! 

I first heard Michelle Kinder speak at the Changing the Odds Conference hosted by Momentous Institiute,  the non-profit for which she was the Executive Director at the time.  She was so inspiring and engaging ,  I began to follow everything she posted.  Michelle is a nationally recognized expert in the field of Social Emotional health. She is a speaker, leader, executive coach, and a writer. As a fellow of the Op-ed project, she has articles published in several national publications such as the Washington Post and TIME Magazine. She is also a poet, and she has co-authored a book with Rex Miller, Bill Latham, and Kevin Baird entitled Whole – What Teachers Need to Help Students Thrive.  Michelle is an eternal student. She is a curious and passionate lover of life who navigates through the world with mindfulness, and intention seeking balance in the hopes of creating a more equitable and just future for all. Truly she is one of those people that makes the world better simply by being here! I am so grateful she took the time to chat with some of my 4th graders!  To learn more about Michelle, you can find her website HERE. 

On this episode, our guest is Aelicia Watson, better known as Chocolate to her friends. Chocolate is the Founder and Executive Director of Redeemed Women, a non-profit she created in South Dallas  with a vision of transforming women to lead independent lives by building relationships and addressing their spiritual, physical and vocational needs. Chocolate is an incredibly wise and passionate community leader.  She is an elevator and a bridge builder, and our community is better because of her investment of heart, soul and resources.  Her spirit is infectious, and it is impossible not to love her as soon as you get to know her.  I know Lillian and Allie certainly agree with me!  Listen to their colorful conversations with Chocolate and you'll see.  If you'd like to learn more about Redeemed Women, go to https://www.redeemedwomen.org/. You can also follow Redeemed women on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @redeemedwomendallas. 

This is such a special episode!  My students and I were fortunate enough to have a colorful conversation with Jad Abumrad, creator and host of the incredibly popular WNYC podcast, Radiolab.  He graciously shared stories and pro-tips with us and gave us a glimpse into a day in his life as a musician,  peabody award winning journalist and all around wonderful human being. You can learn more about Jad HERE.  Check out his TED Talk HERE.  Listen to Radiolab HERE, and listen to his amazing 9 part series, Dolly Parton's America HERE.  I hope you listen to this inspiring episode and check out all things Jad!  You'll be glad you did!  Thanks to Angela Ross, Emily Hartmann, Jad and all who made this special moment happen for my 4th graders. I'm so grateful.     

James, Mills and Preston interview Rebecca Bruff, Author of Trouble the Water and Stars of Wonder.  They talk about life and writing and Robert Smalls, whose incredible story Mrs. Bruff told so beautifully in her first piece of historical fiction, Trouble the Water.  I hope this episode sparks your interest in Robert Smalls, a Civil War hero you may not have learned about in school, but certainly should have.Rebecca also has a new children's Christmas story coming out called Stars of Wonder.  It is a beautiful and timely story that would be perfect for all the children in your life!  Learn more about Rebecca and order her books HERE.Learn more about The Common Ground Experiment and support the Colorful Conversations Podcast HERE.

This show is dedicated to Devon. (1/6/1995-11/28/2017) *Please support our shows by going to www.patreon.com/thebarbershopgroup* Today Charles talks with former Spokane NAACP vice-president and president Phillip Tyler about cultural competency at universities across America and in the field of criminal justice. Phil made the difficult decision to move on from his post in corrections at a time when Black America was reeling over the Trayvon Martin tragedy. He was compelled to get involved with the NAACP and other groups to highlight and address racial disparities and traumas. As the father of two sons, he was dedicated to preserving the lives of his progeny as well as other men of color in the area and around the country. He continues to do so today. Unfortunately, though Phil was pressed to protect his young sons from America's historic sin, he faced one of the biggest tests of his life in 2017. You can follow Phillip Tyler on Instagram or Twitter. And be sure to check out Phil's vlog, COLORful Conversations with his wife Meg. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thebarbershopgroup/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/thebarbershopgroup/support

Topic: Racial Diversity: Candid and Colorful Conversations. Panel speakers; Lisa T Grimes, and Cynthia White. Revive Podcast is a place where you will hear inspiring testimonies and expert information to help you be Restored & Revived in the difficult areas of life. This is a place to renew strength anytime & anywhere. https://juliepearson.org/

My good friend Tasha Agruso is back again to talk about her business and why designing a home you love is more important than you think. Tasha is the host of the Colorful Conversations podcast and the owner of Kaleidoscope Living and Designer in a Binder. We have a wonderful conversation where we share life tips, business tips, and design inspiration.

Every room in your house may be different, but they all need two things in common! Find out what these important (and easy!) two things are on this episode of the Colorful Conversations. We go through the easiest ways to add them to your room and what a difference it makes once you have them. Aren't you dying to know what they are?!!? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Anyone that has a family understands the delicate balance of decor that is kid-friendly and stylish. Trying to design spaces that work for kids without sacrificing your design aesthetic can be so tricky! These kid-friendly decorating ideas will help you understand how to work with your kid’s stuff so everyone is happy in your home.If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text “DESIGNTIPS” to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!In this episode:00:45 - Today, we’re talking about stylish and kid-friendly decorating ideas! But first, what’s happening on the homefront? It’s summertime, which means swimming and camp for the kids (carpentry camp, to be exact, how cool is that?!). The girls are currently working away on crafting some birdhouses for the yard. 3:50 - This week’s Newlywed Game question is: what is the other person’s least favorite thing about summer? Tasha thinks Joe dislikes mowing the grass all the time at the beginning of summer, but Joe actually enjoys taking care of his lawn. Instead, Joe’s least favorite thing about summer is the heat, especially when tackling projects. Joe guesses that Tasha’s least favorite thing is also the heat (and humidity), which she wholeheartedly agrees with.8:40 - Before we get started, make sure you’re subscribed to Colorful Conversations wherever you get your podcasts, and please leave us a review! If we read your review or comment on an episode, we’ll send you some free swag. This week’s review is from Elizabeth, who enjoys the laughter, home improvement tips, and the dynamic viewpoints from Tasha, Joe, and Thea. Thanks so much for listening, Elizabeth! (If you hear your review or comment on the show, but don’t hear from us, it might be because we don’t have your contact info! In this case, please email us at podcast@colorfulconversations.com).10:30 - Tasha offers some opening comments on kid-friendly home decor. Many people seem to think that style and kid-friendly are mutually exclusive and you can’t have both. Because of this, so many people wait for their kids to get older to decorate their house. Please, don’t wait to decorate and enjoy your home! There are also huge benefits to teaching kids to respect their home (yes, it’s their home too) by not coloring on walls or cleaning up after themselves.16:42 - Here are some great, practical tips for how to have a kid-friendly home that still suits your style. Tip #1 (this may be Tasha’s biggest tip) is stylish storage. You gotta hide the ugly! Kids toys and playthings aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing, so cleverly storing it and keeping it organized can help balance having an intentional style while also making it a happy home for your kids. Store kids items in beautiful wicker baskets, a functional dresser with drawers, or an upholstered bench that gives a more grown-up and organized feeling. 24:27 - On to Tip #2: Once you’ve hidden the ugly (and if you’ve already done this, you’re winning), be smart and intentional about the fabrics that you choose for your space. There are so many fabric choices to suit all types of styles while also being super durable and easy to clean. For example, Tasha and Joe have vinyl barstools, but the fabric looks like a lovely cream leather. Microfiber, twill, even denim and velvet are great, versatile, and durable fabrics that can really bring out your style! Check out our own distressed velvet sofa, which was recommended for people with kids.34:05 - Before we move on to Tip #3, let’s first hear from this week’s sponsor! Today’s episode is brought to you by Designer in a Binder. Now, you can order a physical copy of Designer in a Binder, shipped straight to your door! This is not just a book, it’s really a shortcut - it’s a system to teach you how to think and design your home like an interior designer, but you get to do it yourself! Because you are creating your own interior design plan, it’s way more customized to your style and what you really love (and it costs less than a one-hour consultation with a licensed interior designer). To order your copy of Designer in a Binder, just visit designerinabinder.com.35:45 - Now for Tip #3, which is that you just have to carve out some space for your kids’ stuff, which can be accomplished even in the smallest of homes. If you’ve got a lot of space, maybe the kiddos can have a dedicated playroom. As Tasha and Joe’s girls have gotten older, they moved out of their playroom (now Tasha’s office) and have claimed a part of the family room for themselves. Organizational furniture pieces like IKEA’s Trofast storage series can help create a great, organized place for children within shared living spaces. Designated spaces make everybody’s life easier!49:03 - Tip #4 is about area rugs. Tasha feels that every room should have an area rug because it’s such an effective way to bring color, texture, and patterns into a room. These days, you can find great rugs that aren’t crazy expensive, but also think about indoor/outdoor rugs. These things are UH-MAZING. Indoor/outdoor rugs are super durable and easy to clean, so they are perfect for kids to play on, spill things, and get dirty. You can also try FLOR carpet tiles, which are adhesive, square tiles of carpet that can easily be replaced if they get stained, but also allow you to get creative with different patterns, colors, and layouts. Ruggable is another great option that offers affordable, machine-washable area rugs. Let us know if you’ve tried FLOR or Ruggable and what you think of them!54:07 - Moving on to Tip #5 is all about establishing basic house rules, which is especially important with kids. Kids are capable of a lot more than we think they are - don’t assume they’re going to ruin or break everything - but you still have to let them know what the expectations are (like, the paper is for drawing on, walls are not). 55:37 - Tip #6, which may be Joe’s favorite, is to purge the unused kids' stuff regularly and make sure that your kiddos are involved in that process. Involve them in the decision making of choosing what to get rid of, especially with things that aren’t as age-appropriate anymore. A useful tool is a one-in-one-out rule - kids should understand that when they want a new toy, an old one should go to make space for it. (P.S. This rule also applies to adults! A cluttered room will never be a beautiful room.)1:02:00 - We’re going to close out with some listener questions and comments. First, from Instagram, “I have a 3 year old boy and twin girls who will be 1 next month. I can’t quite merge their toys because of choking hazard issues, so what is the best way to organize their toys separately?” Tasha’s tip is to take advantage of the height and gender difference in your children. Store your boy’s toys higher up than the girls’ toys, and use different colored storage to show them which toys are for who. If your son has some smaller toys that could end up in a baby’s mouth, find some stackable storage bins with lids! Tasha and Joe have a couple storage bins with hinged lids that the 3-year old can access but would still protect your younger daughters.1.7.18 - Remember to subscribe to Colorful Conversations wherever you get your podcasts and email us with questions and comments at podcast@kaleidoscopeliving.com. Also, please share the projects and DIY home design that you’re tackling while you listen to Colorful Conversations! We’d love to see what you’re doing to create a home that you love (and let us know if you use any of our tips to help your DIY jobs)! If you tag us on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope, we’d love to share your post with our followers!Join the ConversationOur favorite part of recording a podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our social media and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.Get Social With UsInstagram @tasha.kaleidoscope Facebook Kaleidoscope LivingYoutube Tasha-Kaleidoscope LivingThis post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.As Mentioned in this EpisodeCoffee tableturquoise benchBar stoolsVelvet sofaMohawk fabric guard I love and how I use it.IKEA Trofast storage system (we used gel stain on ours!)girls art tableFlor rug tiles Ruggable washable rugsOur favorite affordable rugs and colorful rugs See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Once a huge renovation is finished, there are always lessons learned. Our massive kitchen remodel is no different! We wanted to share everything we learned and answer reader and listener questions about the choices we made, any regrets we have, and all the lessons we learned along the way.If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text “DESIGNTIPS” to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!In this episode:0:35 - Today, we’re talking about the big Agruso kitchen renovation! Joe and Tasha are going to share the lessons they learned and answer questions from social media.0:58 - Before we get started, let’s get an update from the homefront. It’s pool and swim practice season, but Tasha’s also getting the kids to exercise their creative side with an online Watercolor for Kids class by fellow blogger Emily of Jones Design Company!5:07 - It’s time for Thea’s favorite game, the test of how well Tasha and Joe know each other! Thea’s question for today is: What was your biggest compromise in the kitchen? Tasha guesses that Joe compromised on the overall amount of stuff in the space - if it were up to him, she thinks there would be more empty, clear space (and he agrees). Joe thinks that Tasha’s biggest compromise was that they didn’t open up the wall to the living room. However, Tasha feels her big compromise actually was not tiling the entire wall - that was a hard vision to let go of!9:25 - You know this is no ordinary, regular podcast. Make sure you’re following us on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope where we announce our upcoming topics and you can submit your questions for us to answer. We also love your reviews and feedback on iTunes, so leave us a 5-star review! If we pick your question or share your review, we’ll send you some great, free swag! (Keep listening to hear a sneak peak of what this sweet swag is!)13:05 - Today, we’re diving into the questions, challenges, and lessons of the Big Agruso Kitchen Reno. The first lesson is: be prepared, have a plan, and be organized at the beginning! Joe and Tasha had a great contractor with specialized knowledge of kitchens and bathrooms, and he really helped them create a solid plan to move forward with. 15:00 - Tasha and Joe had to live with and use their kitchen for over 6 years before the reno, which really helped inform them of the changes they wanted and needed to make. The lesson learned is: the longer you have to actually live in and use a space, and understand how your family uses it, the easier it is to plan for big changes that work best for you long-term.16:45 - Joe wants to change his answer to the NewlyWed Game! He thinks his biggest compromise was actually deciding to use a contractor for the renovation from the very beginning of the project. 20:55 - The next lesson learned along the way is to pay attention, which sounds super obvious, but when life gets busy and the room reno gets underway, it gets harder to remember to check-in daily and get progress updates. Tasha remembers the can-light situation, where a plan had been laid out for where the lights would go, but they were actually installed in the wrong place. It wasn’t a big deal to move them because they checked and caught it early!24:50 - Lesson #3: Never underestimate the power of the hunt! And by hunt, we mean the hunt for knowledge and research to make informed decisions. This is crucial in catching small details, like where a microwave door hinges and how that will impact the space where it is positioned. Do your research and you’ll find options that work for you (and always check out IKEA)!29 03 - One thing that Tasha and Joe have questioned is if they wish they had done an appliance garage to hide some of the kitchen gadgets? While an appliance garage is great at clearing some counter space, it can sometimes be a functional hinderance. 31:30 - Other mistakes can come with the stressful situation of appliance shopping. Tasha and Joe made the decision to stick with the same brand for their kitchen appliances to ensure consistency in quality and appearance - this works great for the kitchen and the overall look! However, while loading up the brand new fridge with food, Tasha noticed there was no meat & cheese drawer… something they didn’t even consider while shopping. Small details are still important when you’re making big decisions.36:35 - Joe talks about the dishwasher - their old dishwasher had a utensil basket right at the front, where they could just slip in their dirty utensils. Now, the new dishwasher (and most new dishwashers, it seems) have these utensil baskets on the side. Not a major issue, but another one of those weird inconveniences you don’t think about while shopping.37:30 - Sponsor break! Today’s episode is brought to you by Article. If you’ve seen pictures of our kitchen on the blog, you’ll know that one of our favorite things about it is the colorful seating nook we created - it’s perfect for us to have some time to connect over coffee or wine! Article helped us find the perfect, mid-century modern furniture to create a beautiful seating nook at a super reasonable price. Check out our navy blue velvet and walnut armchairs and round, leather ottoman, and grab some quality pieces for yourself! Ordering from Article.com is simple and easy, has reasonable shipping fees and even offers fast, free ground delivery for orders over $999, and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee to really see if a piece is the right fit for your home! Check out all they have to offer at kaleidoscopeliving.com/article.40:50 - It’s time for listener and reader questions! The first question is “Why did you get rid of the eat-in area in the kitchen?” Joe explains that there were just way too many sitting areas in the space, and Tasha points out that they now have four seats at the island, as well as open access to the dining room. The eat-in area just wasn’t necessary anymore!43:27 - Next question is “What is your favorite thing about the kitchen remodel?” Tasha says her favorite thing is the tile, which is surprising because she didn’t expect to love it so much! It was a bit of a struggle to make a decision about the tile and she didn’t feel super excited about it, but once it was installed, it felt like a big win! For Joe, his favorite thing is opening up the kitchen and dining room because they actually use the entire kitchen-seating-dining space. Additionally, Joe loves the garbage disposal (importantly, a batch-feeder disposal) from Build.com! It was a little bit of a mistake-turned-ideal purchase, and the way it works is super safe and efficient.49:00 - Next question: “How long did the renovation take?” It was a really quick renovation, only taking about 5 ½ weeks! The contractor wrapped up the build at that point, leaving Tasha and Joe to add some finishing touches to the floor, adding the quarter-round, the vent hood, and putting up some shelving.49:30 - “What DIY projects did you tackle?” The backsplash, the flooring (in the kitchen, dining room, and foyer), open shelving, and the custom vent hood were all done by Tasha and Joe!50:35 - Another interesting question is “Are you glad you didn’t use IKEA cabinets?” This, as Tasha says, is the great debate. The cabinets they chose to go with are very high quality, made with solid wood and dovetail joints, and just felt like the right choice for the renovation. However, IKEA cabinets are still a good go-to choice, have a great aesthetic and function, and Tasha and Joe do still have them in another spot in the house.53:55 - Some people want to know “What is the best thing about working with a contractor?” The greatest thing was being able to come home and, instead of putting in a couple of hours of reno work, just seeing the progress made every day. Things were also able to move a lot faster because the contractor and his staff dedicated full days to getting things done. Tasha feels especially lucky that she didn’t have to deal with the permits and licenses to green light the construction! Another perk is having access to sub-contractors who could come and address challenges quickly.56:52 - Last question! “What are your money-saving tips?” For Tasha, the best tip that comes to mind is really to hunt for the things you want. The most expensive things will be the easiest to find, but you can take your time to explore options to find something both beautiful and affordable. It took a long hunt for Tasha to find the kitchen backsplash tile, but it was so worth it! Also, don’t think you’re stuck with having only one or two options (like with a left-hinged microwave) - what you want is out there, you may just have to dig for it! Joe says they saved money by listening to their contractor and learning from his expertise. His honesty and transparency helped Tasha and Joe make solid decisions without breaking the bank. 58:37 - Make sure to like and subscribe to Colorful Conversations wherever you get your podcasts. Please leave us a review so we know what you love about the podcast! Remember, if we read your review, you can get some free swag! And don’t wait to get in contact with us! You can always find us on Instagram and Facebook. Join the ConversationOur favorite part of recording a podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our social media and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.Get Social With UsInstagram @tasha.kaleidoscope Facebook Kaleidoscope LivingYoutube Tasha-Kaleidoscope Living This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.As Mentioned in this EpisodeCoffee tableturquoise benchBar stoolsVelvet sofaMohawk fabric guard I love and how I use itIKEA Trofast storage systemgirls art tableFlor rug tiles Ruggable washable rugsOur favorite affordable rugsSee our custom vent hood tutorial here See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

People automatically assume that having a beautiful home is impossible on a budget. We are here to tell you that not only is it possible, it is not as hard as you think! With a few mindset shifts and some creativity, you can have the home you always wanted. If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text “DESIGNTIPS” to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!In this episode:0:37 - Today, we’re talking about affordable interior design (and if it’s even possible), but first, what’s happening on the home front? Joe and Tasha are tackling yard work in the crazy North Carolina heat - mowing the lawn, putting pine straw out, and having some sprinkler fun with the kids! Remember to check out Rachio, the smart wifi sprinkler system that Joe and Tasha use. 5:00 - Sidebar: Game of Thrones is over! Joe may have fallen asleep during the episode… What did you think of the ending? 6:33 - Back to business - it’s Joe and Tasha’s 17th wedding anniversary this week! That means we definitely have to play How-Well-Do-Tasha-and-Joe-Know-Each-Other (a.k.a. the “oldywed” game, according to Thea). This week’s question is what is the other person’s favorite thing to splurge on? Joe guesses that Tasha’s favorite splurge is on their vacations, while Tasha thinks Joe’s (rare) splurges may be more practical, like a new trash can or a couple more dollars in the retirement account. 11:52 - You know that this is no ordinary podcast. Make sure to follow us on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope where we announce our upcoming topics and you can submit your questions for us to answer. We also love reading your feedback on iTunes, so leave us a review! If we pick your question or review from social media to feature on the podcast, we’ll send you a free gift!12:21 - One of the things that Tasha hears most often is “I just don’t have the money to decorate my house.” But there are some great, affordable, and fun ways to decorate your home! Affordable interior design is 100% possible with some creative ideas. Some of the “roadside rescue” furniture pieces are Tasha and Joe’s favorites in their home. 18:25 - It’s tough love time. If you don’t love your home and you’re blaming it on a lack of budget, you may not be trying hard enough! Re-evaluate where you’re spending your money, see where you can save some pennies, and make conscious choices if you’re serious about making decorating a priority. 21:57 - Let’s take a quick break to hear from our sponsor! Today’s episode is brought to you by Designer In A Binder, a comprehensive, step-by-step workbook and e-book that teaches you how to design spaces with the intention to create a home that you love! The physical copy of Designer In A Binder includes a custom three-ring binder, custom tabbed pages and worksheets to design six different spaces in your house. To purchase Designer in a Binder, visit www.designerinabinder.com. 24:10 - It’s tip time! Tasha and Joe share their favorite, practical tips for affordable home decor and interior design. Joe’s first tip is a great one for listeners who love a $0 price tag; it’s to declutter and clean up your house! You can clean and freshen your home, simplify your possessions, and even sell what you no longer need or want! 26:37 - Tip #2 is you can do it yourself, which is literally how Joe and Tasha’s home reno adventures got started! Joe’s frugality paired with Tasha’s design desires pushed them to start DIY-ing to achieve a beautiful space on a thrifty budget. The internet and websites like Pinterest are great for finding DIY projects, but there are so many basic DIY projects to try out (like painting) if you’re just getting started.29:27 - Tasha and Joe have done a lot of the legwork already. Check out the links below for more insight and research on paint, find inventive ways to fill up empty wall space, and work your way up to bigger projects like the DIY Plank Wall!31:04 - Tip #3: Customize things yourself! Many of the things we see and covet on Pinterest and Instagram are custom items with hefty price tags. While custom home decor can be a worthwhile investment, it doesn’t mean you can’t get a custom look on a budget too. IKEA hacks were invented just for this - check out 10 of our favorite IKEA hacks, and then go see 10 more amazing custom hack ideas!35:00 - Tip #4 is all about creating a focal point (yes, on a budget!) A focal point really helps to ground a room and make it more inviting. Most people think of art pieces being a focal point (which can be pricey), but let us introduce you to the magic of digital art prints. Etsy.com is a great place to find affordable and unique digital artwork that you can download and get printed at an office supply store, or Tasha’s go-to website, printful.com. Don’t want to spend money on frames? Try hanging with some chic gold binder clips or fun washi tape!39:12 - Looking for some digital art to get started? Kaleidoscope Living email subscribers get free access to Tasha’s library of downloadable prints! Text “ARTLIBRARY” to 44222 and we’ll email you the link and password to access the free print library. 41:04 - The main takeaway? You can have a beautiful house on any budget! Use our tips to help you get started on creating a space that is uniquely yours. Join the ConversationOur favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our social media and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.Get Social With Us…Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscopeFacebook Kaleidoscope LivingYoutube Tasha-Kaleidoscope LivingAs Mentioned In This Episode...Dresser Restoration (Avery’s dresser)Modern Plank WallDIY Art Frames Hanging from PipeHow to Paint Kitchen Cabinets Without Sanding or PrimingDIY Painted and Stenciled Floors (kitchen)Painted Vinyl Floors (laundry room)DIY Painted Tile Backsplash (kitchen)DIY Semi-Handmade Curtains (Attley’s curtains)Painted Laminate FurnitureIKEA Hack Posts:10 More Amazing IKEA Hacks that will blow your mind!15 Ways to Customize Your IKEA BookshelvesIkea Billy Bookcase Hack For Loads of Storage and Style15+ IKEA Ideas That Will Blow Your MindIkea Lack Hack – A high-end look on a dime! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hear Tasha talk about why it matters so much for you to love your home. Tasha and Thea discuss key points about the relationship that exists between us and our house and why this plays such an important role in our quality of life!If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text “DESIGNTIPS” to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!In this episode:0:30 - Today, we’re talking about why you should love your home is so important and why it matters more than you may think. But first, updates from the home front! The kitchen renovation is still underway with the contractors, but Tasha and Joe are getting ready for their DIY piece of the project. Tasha is going to be working on tiling the kitchen backsplash and they both will be installing the new floors themselves.2:30 - It’s time for the newlywed game for Thea and Tasha! Today’s question is what do I love least about my house? Tasha guesses that Thea’s least favorite thing about her house is that she has one bathroom, and there are several things about that one bathroom that Thea doesn’t like. Thea agrees, but adds that she thinks her house is haunted and that is what she was thinking of! Thea guesses that Tasha’s least-lovable feature is her master bathroom, which she describes as “the most 80s explosion of tile you’ve ever seen.”7:40 - This is not your ordinary podcast because we announce our upcoming topics so you can submit your questions for us to answer! Make sure to follow our Instagram, @tasha.kaleidoscope so we can see what you’re asking. If we pick your question, we’ll send you a sweet free gift!11:00 - So, why do we believe it matters so much to truly love your home? Home is where we start and end our crazy busy days and home is usually a place where you spend a lot of time. You don’t need to have a magazine-style, perfect home to be happy, but your home should be a place that you love, that you’re proud of, and is beautiful to you.13:00 - Studies done by environmental psychologists recognize that for most people, their home is part of their self-definition - it helps define who you are! You’re in a relationship with your home, so you need to do a little work to make sure it’s a good relationship.14.20 - Click here for Designer in a Binder 16:35 - We have conscious and sometimes subconscious reactions to our space, and finding frustration in your home, whether it’s ugly tile or just untidiness, can cause unnecessary stress and negativity in our lives. Conversely, creating a space that you feel relaxed and happy in, those positive emotions affect the rest of our lives too.19:27 - Tasha feels strongly that when you really love your home, it gives you the energy to take care of your space. You may be tired, but you have more motivation to clear the dishes out of the sink or make your bed when those spaces make you feel joy. Remember, “home is a feeling, not a place.”25:50 - What Tasha and Joe are going through right now with the stress of their kitchen renovation is a perfect example of how loving your home matters for your mental health. Tasha even got a comment on Instagram from a woman who had gone through chemotherapy and a kitchen reno… guess which she claimed was harder? 29:15 - Tasha encourages people not to feel selfish or guilty for wanting to create a home that they really love, which she herself has experienced. When we feel at our best and feel good about our home base, we can do more for everyone else and help be a part of the solution for our larger world problems. Join the ConversationOur favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our social media and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.Get Social With Us...Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscopeFacebook Kaleidoscope LivingYoutube Tasha-Kaleidoscope LivingThis post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.As Mentioned in this Episode…Tasha and Joe's Completed Kitchen RemodelThe Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of DeCluttering by Marie Kondo See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode of Colorful Conversations, Thea and Tasha talk about how to find or create time to improve your home! Their goal is for you to learn something useful and have fun every time you listen.If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text “DESIGNTIPS” to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!In this episode:0:31 - Today is a little different - We’re without Joe, as he’s at work, but Thea and Tasha are leading the way with their discussion on how to find or create time to improve your home.1:00 - What’s happening on Tasha’s homefront? Tasha tells us about embarking on the demo & reno on the kitchen, hallway, foyer and dining room a few days ago - it’s honestly more like a first-floor renovation! The family is on their way to finally setting up their temporary kitchen.3:26 - Because we’re Joe-less today, Tasha and Thea are taking on the Newlywed Game to test each other’s knowledge of their friendship. The question is: what is the biggest time suck in the other person’s life? Tasha guesses that Thea’s biggest time suck is loading and unloading the dishwasher. Thea admits that she fully avoids that chore, and her actual time suck activity is spending time on social media. Thea guesses that Tasha’s biggest time suck is work because it’s what she spends the most time doing! Tasha agrees, saying work is a big time suck because it’s hard for her to turn her working brain off.5:50 - Just a reminder that this is not your ordinary podcast! Make sure to follow on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope where we announce our upcoming topics and you can submit your questions for us to answer. If we pick your question, we’ll send you some free swag!6:50 - The question that Tasha gets by far the most often is How do you have all this time to work on your house? (Thea has asked this as well!) Tasha and Joe both work full time, have twin girls, and enjoy their busy work schedules. They have to make time to work on their house!11:40 - Tasha shares her tips to find more time in your schedule or create the time needed to improve your home. Tip #1 is a big one: Do not begin until you have a solid plan! You need to think about what you want to change or keep, create a budget, pick color pallets and patterns, and actually plan for what you want to do before you buy any supplies.14:30 - Tip #2, which can be a tricky one for some people, is once you have your plan, you have to make it a priority. This can mean that you may have to say no to other things that take up your time and money. Set a deadline to complete your project by and don’t treat it as an optional task.17:00 - Tip # 3 is to shift your mindset. For Tasha and Joe, this meant that they reframed “house project time” as “fun relaxation time.” Taking on work at home has become an enjoyable way to spend quality family time together, while also making progress on their home projects. Make a great playlist to listen to while you paint (or listen to a great podcast, like this one)!21:55 - Designer In A Binder Pre-Sale! To purchase Designer in a Binder, visit designerinabinder.com. And as a big thank you for listening, you can enter the code PODCAST to receive 25% off either package.22:12 - Tip #4 is you need to set deadlines! You didn’t get through school without a deadline, and life works the same way. Give yourself realistic deadlines for your projects. It’s okay if you need to change it, but you have to work towards something.25:20 - Tip #5 is to ask for help, which is a big struggle for Tasha! Don’t be afraid to ask others for help picking up or taking care of your kids if you’re taking on a project, or ask for extra hands if you’re taking on something big. Setting deadlines can also really help you plan for when you need to have extra help.27:45 - Tip #6 is for anyone with kids--get your kids involved when you are working to improve your home! Parents often feel that big projects aren’t really kid-friendly, but there are ways to get them safely involved. Kids can help with yard work, help with smaller parts of the project, or simply be coloring in the same room, and it can be a great source of pride for children to feel like they contributed to their house. This can sometimes slow the pace down on a project, but Tasha feels that the benefits of involving the kids outweighs any inconvenience.30:55 - Tip #7 is to take breaks between big projects! These types of home projects are exhausting and can take a toll on the family. Time to mentally and physically recover between projects is important so you can rest and reset, but also so that you can really work on a cohesive plan for your next big project (remember Tip #1?).34:35 - Tasha is holding Thea’s feet to the fire and asks her to set a deadline for a home project, keeping in mind these tips. Thea has been meaning to paint her dining room table for a while (even bought paint) and agrees to get it done by the end of April!Join the ConversationOur favorite part of recording a podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on our social media and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.Get Social With Us...Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscopeFacebook Kaleidoscope LivingYoutube Tasha-Kaleidoscope LivingAs Mentioned in this Episode…This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.This Enneagram book is the one we used.Check out our dining room makeover here: Full Dining Room UpdateEntreLeadership is the book by Dave Ramsey that Tasha quoted.Details on our full kitchen remodel including before and after photos can be found here: Kitchen Remodel Reveal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode of Colorful Conversations, Thea, Tasha and Joe talk about how to live your best life by creating a home you love through DIY, home design, and life at home. Their goal is for you to learn something useful and have fun every time you listen. This time, we’re talking about love and renovation and how to survive renovation stress.If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “Design Vault.” Text “DESIGNVAULT” to 44222 and you will get the password to access the vault in your inbox!In this episode:0:30 - Today, we’re talking about Love and Renovation- How to Survive Renovation Stress. First, let’s find out what’s going on on the homefront. Joe and Tasha talk about their ongoing kitchen renovation, which is fully underway. Things have been ripped out, inspected, roughed in, and drywall is expected soon!2:30 - It’s time for Thea’s favorite game, testing how well Tasha and Joe know each other. Today’s question is: What is the most annoying thing about doing a renovation with each other? Tasha thinks Joe finds it annoying when she says “Oh, that’s good enough,” and “I can caulk that!” For perfectionist Joe, those aren’t always the phrases he wants to hear during renovation. Joe guesses that Tasha gets annoyed by his need to do everything perfectly, even if it means re-doing it. However, what really gets to Tasha during renovation is Joe’s need to over-secure things - nails, wood glue, screws, and more. Everything needs to be super secure because “safety has no holiday.”5:40 – This is not your ordinary podcast. Make sure to follow on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope where we announce our upcoming topics and you can submit your questions for us to answer. If Instagram isn’t your jam, you can also find us on Facebook to ask your burning DIY and home design questions. If we pick your question, we’ll send you some swag!6:20 - As always, Tasha has done some research for today’s topic of Love and Renovation. The article, How to Survive Home Renovation Without Killing Your Spouse, is funny but definitely has some truth thrown in! Renovation stress is real and can cause problems, but Tasha and Joe haven’t approached the danger zone yet.11:34 – So, what are the tips from the article for not killing your spouse? First, whichever parent has to stay at home during the renovation, either caring for kids or because they work from home, always wins the whose-day-was-worse argument. The stay-at-home parent has to deal with all the disruptions that come along with a renovation, while the other partner gets to escape the madness of the house!13:50 – Surprisingly, Tasha’s research uncovered that going through a home renovation is not one of the top ten most stressful life events. However, Thea, Tasha, and Joe all agree that home renovation should definitely be on the list.14:45 – Truman Sponsorship Spot17:50 – Tasha and Joe each share two tips each about how to survive a home renovation together. Joe’s first tip is to be ready to compromise. Even though you love your spouse, sometimes you have to pick and choose your battles throughout home renovation and design.21:40 – Joe’s second tip is if you’re talking about renovation, you must talk to your partner about money! Talk about your budget and where you want your spending limits to be going ahead of the renovation, so you can both be on the same page if unexpected things come up or if plans change. Leave yourself some budget leeway and keep communication open as you move through the renovation, because reno budgets are rarely less expensive than expected.23:40 – Now, for Tasha’s tips. Tip #1 is to keep an open mind, which can be difficult depending on personality types. Tasha is a very decisive person and it can be hard to change her mind, while Joe is more flexible depending on the situation and finances. Regardless of what your personality type is, it makes life easier if you are open (or force yourself to be open) to plans changing throughout your renovation.29:22 – Tasha’s second tip is to give your partner a little more space than usual. Home renovation means there are lots of people in your house, there is dust and dirt all over the place, and it can really be exhausting. Remember to communicate when you can, but also take a break from talking about decisions all the time. Being a little bit more thoughtful towards your partner during renovation stress can help a lot.33:25 – Now, time for a listener question! The question is: How do you manage or control the dust during a renovation? Renovations are so dusty, especially when installing drywall. Tasha and Joe’s tips for dust management are:If you can function without a room while going through renovation, seal it off with plastic and tape to protect it from the dust.For rooms that you need to access during reno, use a zippered door to keep as much of the reno dust from getting in as possible.Accept that, despite your best efforts, dust will still find a way to get everywhere.You can make touch-up cleaning up a fun, family event. A once-per-week cleaning can really help with dust accumulation.Make a rule that shoes stay out of non-renovation areas of the house, and use doormats to help get rid of dust as you transition from a reno-room to the other parts of your home.39:30 – Remember to subscribe on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts, and stay tuned for the next episode! Connect with us on Instagram or Facebook.39:50 – As a thank you for listening, we are offering a free, digital guide to help out with your decorating decisions! Tasha’s Design Vault has a bunch of free design tips like how to choose paint chips or how to create a space plan. Get the password to access the Design Vault by texting “DESIGNVAULT” to 44222 and we’ll email you the password to log in!Join the ConversationOur favorite part of recording a podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on social media and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.Get Social with Us...Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscopeFacebook Kaleidoscope LivingYoutube Tasha-Kaleidoscope LivingAs Mentioned in this Episode...Here is the Scary Mommy article we discussed: How To Survive Home Renovation Without Killing Your Spouse.Details on our full kitchen remodel including before and after photos can be found here: Kitchen Remodel Reveal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode of Colorful Conversations, Thea, Tasha, and Joe discuss open concept kitchens and how to decide if this design concept is right for you, what pros and cons to think about, and how to go about making it happen!If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text "DESIGNTIPS" to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!In this episode:0:33 – Today, we’re going to talk about open concept kitchens and how to decide if it works for your home and your life. But first, updates from the homefront. Tasha discusses her life-changing discovery of high waisted jeans and how great they make her look (very flattering) and feel (they’re super comfortable)! For Joe, he highlights their nightly reading of Harry Potter with their girls. Thea recommends buying the illustrated version of Harry Potter to make it more exciting for the kids.3:24 – On to the “Newlywed” style questions (even though Tasha and Joe are heading into their 17th anniversary). Thea asks Tasha what she thinks is Joe’s favorite room in the house. Tasha guesses that it’s the family room because it houses the “famous” recliner, they finally have everything situated how they want it, and he just loves it… and Joe agrees! Joe guesses that Tasha’s favorite room is the dining room because the renovation is finished, with new paint, bookshelves, and lighting, so everything looks great. Joe is spot on with his guess!5:27 - This is not an ordinary podcast. Make sure you’re following on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope because that’s where we announce our upcoming topics and where you can submit your questions for us to answer. If we pick your question to be on the podcast, we’ll send you a free gift! We got a lot of great questions for this episode’s topic, so be sure to keep that up! Also, if you want to see the video footage and behind-the-scenes from any of our episodes, be sure to catch up with us on our YouTube channel.6:15 - Okay, let’s get into everything about open concept kitchens. Joe starts with a definition of an open kitchen design: this idea mainly applies to kitchens with a lack of walls that divide the kitchen from the family room and/or dining room. It’s more commonly known today as “open concept” or an “open floor plan.” The main feature (or lack thereof) is the absence of walls between the kitchen and other living spaces. Open concept living spaces are all the rage right now on TV and social media.8:01 - Today, we want to talk about the practical considerations of having and living in an open concept space, and deciding if having an open concept kitchen actually works for you. Joe brings up that he found over 77,000 online advice discussions on the topic “open plan help.” In Tasha’s research for the episode, she found an article (linked in the show notes) titled “Is 2018 the Beginning of the End of the Open Concept Floor Plan,” and Tasha fully believes that walls will be making a comeback. The article notes that brokers, designers, and architects have noticed that an increasing number of buyers are looking for closed floor plans or hybrid floor plans, which provide at least some separation between rooms.9:41 - First, let’s take a quick break to hear a word from our sponsor… Do any of these words apply to how you feel about your house: uninspired, embarrassed, tired, boring, overwhelmed? If you’re looking for design advice to change those words, you need to check out Designer In A Binder! To purchase Designer in a Binder, visit www.designerinabinder.com. And as a big thank you for listening, you can enter the code PODCAST to receive 25% off either package.10:49 - We’re back and we’re going to discuss the pros and cons of open kitchen design. Tasha starts on the positive with a pro, explaining that open concept can be a great way to make a small space or small home feel much larger. Small spaces can feel closed in by walls, so removing them can visually open up the space and make it feel bigger. Joe jumps in with another pro, saying that opening the space brings the rooms together which in turn brings your family together, making you feel more connected to the people in the house.12:42 - Another pro from Tasha is that an open concept can help create a great space for easier socializing and entertaining. Having an open kitchen design means guests can enjoy themselves in the dining room or family room, while the host can prep food or dinner in the kitchen while still participating in the conversation. Joe’s pro point is the beautiful, open sightlines and how visually appealing an open concept space can look (with the proper staging and designing).14:03 - Tasha’s number one con for the open concept is the noise factor. Joe actually pointed this out to Tasha - he commented that it’s not super great listening to their kids’ cartoons on the TV while they’re preparing dinner or having a more adult conversation, and on the other hand, kitchen noises can be very loud and distracting if someone is trying to watch TV in the living room. Noise in an open space is a big consideration that many people don’t think about.16:30 - One of Joe’s cons about an open concept is the lack of privacy. If something is going on in the kitchen, like a conversation you want to be private or preparations that you’d rather do uninterrupted, having an open space can make that challenging. Tasha agrees, saying that her and Joe’s time cooking in the kitchen together is really their only one-on-one time to check in and chat with each other. This kind of separation and privacy may become even more important with older kids and teenagers in the house.18:37 - Tasha brings up another con. While open concept spaces look great on TV and in magazines, these spaces are super clean, staged well, and designed by professionals. In real life, people aren’t always tidy and clean and organized. If there are things not put away in the space, it can make an open concept space look really disorganized and dirty. An open concept kitchen design will make it so you can constantly see into your different living spaces, and real life is hard to keep clean 100% of the time.20:54 - Joe says if you’re thinking about renovating an existing house to make it an open concept floor plan, this means removing load-bearing walls and using the proper load-bearing beams, which are very expensive.21:22 - There can also be safety concerns with open concept spaces. Joe says that firefighters have found that fires spread faster in open concept homes due to the lack of walls. One fire safety survey found that 30 years ago, people had an average of 17 minutes to safely escape a house fire, because rooms were more compartmentalized and the fire could be contained easier. Today, people only have about 3 minutes to escape a house fire, largely due to how fast a fire can take over in an open concept house.22:32 - Tasha tackles a question submitted online from a follower. Dionne asks, “does the open concept kitchen enhance or deter from the family dinner conversation, given the available distractions like TV?” Tasha finds this to be a really interesting question that she hadn’t thought of this before. But it makes sense that distraction is possible from other rooms. Tasha explains that in their house, they and their kids have dinner together every night, and the children are expected to sit and participate until the meal is over. Dinner together is routine and “required family fun time.” For most people, Tasha thinks that there is potential that an open concept can take away from family time. However, you can implement a “no screens” rule at dinner, so no TV and no phones at dinner. It truly depends on your family, how you live together, and your house rules.27:55 - Joe talks about the path that they decided to take when it came to an open concept kitchen within their own house. Tasha says they initially were aiming for a much more open space, but after looking at some of the pros and cons, they decided to incorporate some walls and separation into their home’s floor plan. They decided to do a cased opening between the kitchen and dining room, allows for a 9 foot wide opening between the rooms.32:39 - Between the kitchen and the family room, Joe and Tasha have decided to open up the standard doorways to 6 feet wide. This way, they have the option of adding french doors if noise between the rooms becomes an issue. Joe says their dream door may be one of the sliding barn doors, but no decisions have been made yet.34:32 - Next time on Colorful Conversations, we’ll discuss love and renovations. Make sure to subscribe on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts, and connect with us on social media. You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. As a big thank you for listening to this podcast, we have an awesome free guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design a Room You Love” which is full of great tips for what you want to accomplish in a space. To get this guide, text DESIGNTIPS (all one word) to 44222 and you will get the guide delivered to your inbox.36:01 - You can also email us at podcast@kaleidoscopeliving.com! We’d love to hear from you and we’ll pull listener questions from our email too. Remember, if we use your question, we’ll send you some free swag!Join the ConversationOur favorite part of recording a podcast is participating in the great conversations that happen on social media and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.Get social with us...Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscopeFacebook Kaleidoscope LivingYoutube Tasha-Kaleidoscope LivingAs mentioned in this episode...This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.Joe’s Recliner The illustrated Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneTake a look at the new dining room makeover that Tasha is in love with!You can check out our big kitchen renovation plans in this post.“Is 2018 the beginning of the end of the open-concept floor plan?”- This is the article we referenced by Anna Oros on Philly.com.Take a tour of our house so you can visualize the floor plan here.Check out photos of what our kitchen looked like when we moved in and see how we gave it a cosmetic makeover for under $700 in these posts: Kitchen Remodel Reveal Part 1 Kitchen Remodel Reveal Part 2 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode of Colorful Conversations, Thea, Tasha and Joe give useful advice for how to find a trustworthy remodeling contractor for your next home renovation project.If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text "DESIGNTIPS" to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!0:32 - Today, we’re talking about how to find a good contractor. But first, updates from home! Joe talks about moving into spring, with more renovations planned after finishing up the renovations in the dining room. Tasha talks about packing up the kitchen to start the huge kitchen renovation. 1:55 - Test your love game--how well do Tasha and Joe know each other? On the topic of home improvement contractors, Thea asks about their least favorite renovations. Thea asks Joe what he thinks Tasha’s least favorite renovation project has been – his answer of the garage was correct, although she had blocked it from her memory!3:33 – Tasha answers the same question for what she thinks is Joe’s worst renovation project. Her guess--replacing all of the carpeting upstairs with laminate flooring. The upstairs is not small, the layout made it difficult, Tasha did not want thresholds, but the end result was totally worth the work. Joe agrees that this was his least favorite project.5:21 – This is not your ordinary podcast. Make sure to follow on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope where we announce our upcoming topics and you can submit your questions for us to answer. If we pick your question, we’ll send you some swag! 6:04 – Today’s Topic: Finding a good remodeling contractor. Tasha and Joe have just gone through this process, so they know how important it is. Of course, nobody ever intends to hire a bad contractor, but sometimes it just happens. It can be stressful and awful, and possibly ruin your home! Tasha did some research for this topic and found that complaints filed against home improvement contractors rank among the top 5 complaint categories year after year in New York City. From the most recent stats from 2017, there were over 1100 complaints filed against contractors and $1.5 million in fees were issued. So finding a trustworthy contractor is a very prevalent problem, especially because you typically pay something up front.8:00 – Tasha makes it personal by telling how and why she and Joe decided to hire a contractor for their kitchen renovation. They will walk listeners through their decision-making process and, in part two of the episode, there will be a checklist of questions and concrete tips that you can use if you ever decide to work with a remodeling contractor.8:33 – Joe talks about how it came to be that they ended up hiring a contractor. He speaks to their prior projects in their former house, where they did most of the renovation work themselves. For this kitchen project, however, Joe and Tasha are making major changes to the footprint of the room (like removing walls) and decided it was safer and more practical to hire someone. After talking to a contractor and reviewing their plans, the contractor pointed out several issues that wouldn’t work in their kitchen reno. The timing of DIY-ing both the dining room and kitchen at the same time would also create complications and strain on the family.16:40 – Joe will cover tips to help you find your own remodeling contractor.16:51 – First, let’s take a quick break to hear from our sponsor! Learn about Designer In A Binder, a comprehensive, step-by-step workbook and e-book that teaches you how to design spaces that you love! To purchase Designer in a Binder, visit www.designerinabinder.com. And as a big thank you for listening, you can enter the code PODCAST to receive 25% off either package.18:03 – Tasha and Joe share actionable tips on how to choose a good remodeling contractor. Joe walks us through each tip and Tasha elaborates. Tip 1: Understand what your area requires in terms of licensing. Different areas have different rules and regulations. For example, in North Carolina, a construction project that costs $30,000 or more requires a licensed contractor. Tasha tells us how their contractor is specifically licensed to do kitchen and bathroom construction projects, instead of being a general contractor. Vet the information about your contractor and don’t assume that they’re licensed!19:23 – Surprise Extra Tip: Make sure your contractor is knowledgeable about what they’re doing! You wouldn’t go to just anybody if you needed surgery… same goes for home renovation.20:02 – Tip 2: Have a general idea about what you want before you get estimates. Knowing what you want and what is a must-have for you helps you have much more productive and useful conversations as you plan for who to work with. Have a vision of what you want and you’ll get a more accurate estimate.22:58 – Tip 3: Do some research and ask around for recommendations. There are so many ways to do this. You can use internet sites like Angie’s List, Facebook Groups and the Nextdoor app. Joe prefers word-of-mouth recommendations because you know it’s coming from a trusted source. Tasha says you can make general observations as well. How long has your neighbor’s bathroom been under construction? Maybe don’t ask for their contractor’s business card if it’s taking six months.27:25 – Tip 4: Review your list of potential contractors. Check out the Better Business Bureau and do some research on the web to see if there are any red flags about anyone on your list. You can also check with your state’s Consumer Protection Agency to make sure they haven’t received any complaints too.28:31 – Tip 5: In addition to checking if a contractor is licensed, you’ll want to ask if they are bonded and insured. This is so important!29:04 – Ask your contractor for references. Get a first-hand account from previous customers about their experience and the results. It might be a red flag if your contractor doesn’t have any references that they will share with you.30:10 – A good contractor will give you detailed drawings of the renovation plans, a line item estimate, and an anticipated timeline for the renovation. A professional working on a big project like a kitchen renovation should have the capability and technology to provide these items to you. Always have good communication with your contractor, and always have things in writing.31:30 – When you get the estimate and scope of work, make sure the payment terms make sense and are not alarming. It is common practice with contractors to take advance payment or a deposit before the work starts, with a middle installment, and then a final installment at the completion of work. Ask for a final walk-through to review the work and make sure everything is done to your satisfaction. A key point in this is when you give any money to your contractor, make sure it’s going into an escrow account. This is because they are holding this money in trust for you and your project; it shouldn’t be going directly into their bank account!34:11 – Tip 6: Make sure that your contractor is paying the sub-contractors, and don’t be afraid to ask for proof of these payments. Even though it’s the contractor’s responsibility to do this, it’s ultimately your house, and unpaid sub-contractors can put a “mechanic’s lien” on your home for unpaid work.36:30 - Tasha and Joe recap these steps but encourage listeners to also use their intuition and trust their gut. If you don’t feel confident about who you’re working with, even if they check all the boxes, then trust that feeling.37:58 – Next time on Colorful Conversations, Joe and Tasha will talk about love and renovations.Join the ConversationOur favorite part of recording a live podcast each week is participating in the great conversations that happen on social media, and in our comments section. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel.Get social with us...Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscopeFacebook Kaleidoscope LivingYoutube Tasha-Kaleidoscope LivingAs Mentioned in this episode...You can check out our big kitchen renovation plans in this post.Check out the prior DIY improvements we've made to our kitchen in the posts below:How we painted our kitchen cabinets without priming or sandingDIY Budget Kitchen Makeover for Under $700 Part IDIY Budget Kitchen Makeover for Under $700 Part IICheck out the Better Business Bureau website here. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and on Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening, we have an awesome FREE guide called “5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love.” Text designtips to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!In this episode we discussed:2:10 - We start with our version of “The NewlyWed Game”, and this week Tasha and Joe answer a question about the Kitchen Renovation-- “What are you most excited about the renovation?” Joe nails it!5:35 - Today’s Topic is “How do you marry two different decorating styles?” Tasha finds a survey that was conducted by uGallery that found nearly 60% of the women who responded thought that managing different home decor styles was one of the biggest challenges for couples. Also, an 2013 Survey by Houzz, the home decor website, found that 12% of people who responded considered separating or divorcing during a home remodel. Joe’s tip: Do what your wife says!7:35 - Joe talk about the commonalities and differences in his and Tasha’s home decor styles. Joe says Tasha is a little more loud with choices of color and he is a bit more low key with a focus on comfort and organization.10:00 - Tasha and Joe discuss design compromises that they have reached. They talk about finding Joe the perfect leather recliner (after 17 years of wanting one!), the compromises made in the current kitchen renovation and Tasha’s cutlery selection process when they were getting married.17:55 - Sponsor Break! Learn about Designer In A Binder! To purchase Designer in a Binder, visit www.designerinabinder.com. And as a big thank you for listening, you can enter the code PODCAST to receive 25% off either package.19:30 - Tasha and Joe share concrete tips on how they have overcome different decorating styles. Joe walks us through each tip and Tasha elaborates. Tip One: First, open the lines of communication, talk about what you like about a room you want to renovate, and what you don’t like about it. Tip Two: Talk about the goals of the room, how will it will function for the family. The first two steps are about opening the lines of communication and finding common ground--no arguing or nitpicking! These two steps are so important and it is something Tasha addresses in detail in Designer in a Binder.24:15 - Step Three: Start talking about how you want the room to look. Tasha discusses how you can effectively use Pinterest during this stage to visually show each other your wants for the room you are renovating.29:00 - Step Four: Create a mood board. This is literally taking the individual elements you like and want to use in the room and putting them together in a way that you can determine what is working and what is not. It is a great way to really see the potential for the space and for each partner to enact their veto power!31:45 - Free Mood Board Guide: Text all one word “Moodboard” to 44222 and you will receive a free guide on how to make a mood board!37:00 - Tasha recaps the four steps to combining different decorating styles. 1)Talk about likes and dislikes of your current room. 2) Talk about your overall goals for the room. 3) Start to think and talk about how you want it to look and narrow down. 4) Start your MoodBoard!38:00 - Next episode, we will discuss how to hire a contractor.Let’s get social...Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscopeFacebook Kaleidoscope LivingYoutube Tasha-Kaleidoscope Living Explore these ResourcesAs promised, we have added links to our favorite projects, so you can get a sense of how much you can accomplish without spending a ton or having extraordinary skills Easy & affordable DIY home projects that make a big impact (and happen to be some of our favorites):DIY Painted Kitchen Cabinets Without Priming or Sanding- Over 5 years ago, we painted our kitchen cabinets without sanding or priming. YES, it is possible AND durable! Our painted cabinets still look amazing!DIY Herringbone Plank Wall- We created a statement wall in our kitchen for FREE using wood from an old fence we tore down.DIY Modern Plank Wall- For less than $100 and in just 2 days we created this modern plank wall in our foyer. It makes a huge impact.DIY Electric Fireplace- Did you know you can add an electric fireplace to any room? You can! We did it. It was an easy project and requires no special skills (just patience).DIY Concrete Fireplace- We created our dream concrete fireplace for under $100 (after contractors told us it couldn’t be done our would cost thousands of dollars)DIY IKEA Hack for a Built-in Look- We purchased some basic dressers and bookcases from IKEA about 8 years ago. I painted them and stacked them on top of each other for the vibe of built-in furniture on a tiny budget. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this episode, we discussed:If you are a new listener to Colorful Conversations, we would love to hear from you. You can find us 24/7 on Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscope and Facebook at Kaleidoscope Living. You can also check out our YouTube channel. As a thank you for listening we have an awesome FREE guide called 5 Easy Steps to Design A Room You Love. Text designtips to 44222 and you will get the guide in your inbox!1:00 Let’s get to know Tasha Agruso, the brainchild behind Kaleidoscope Living and the beginnings of her blogging journey.5:00 First blog post - “How we transformed our laundry room for $71 out of pocket”, and how Tasha did it all while Joe was working a double shift.7:00 Learn more about Joe, he explains what he brings to the DIY blog table as “his cheapness”. And learn how Joe’s career as a firefighter has lent time to their DIY projects.8:50 Learn more about Thea - currently she contributes to Kaleidoscope Living as the “Content Manager” her title has changed many times as she has journeyed with Tasha.10:10 Why Tasha decided Joe and Thea had to be on the podcast, and the perspectives they will bring to the podcast. Joe’s perspective is very helpful and Thea is a think tank professional #truthteller.12:40 Learn about Designer In A Binder! To purchase Designer in a Binder, visit designerinabinder.com. And as a big thank you for listening, you can enter the code PODCAST to receive 25% off either package.15:00 Tasha decided some changes needed to be made, starting with updating their bedroom furniture and they were shocked at the price, so Joe proclaimed “ I will build it”.16:15 Joe begins his journey from never building anything in his life and started his journey with a bottom of the line circular saw and palm sander. He began building his first piece of furniture starting with two end tables and a headboard.18:35 Tasha has an “aha” moment, realizing they can decorate on a budget -we can do this, create a home that is amazing. They don’t have to spend a fortune to do it and they don’t need super fancy tools to do it--it all evolved from there.19:35 mins: “Your home matters so much more than you think it does, and it really does set the tone for everything else. It affects your happiness as you walk out the door to go to your job for the day, when you come home at the end of a stressful day that is where you need to recharge your batteries. If you hate parts of your house, it will negatively impact you.”20:40 mins Tasha explains why the blog is called Kaleidoscope Living.22.25 Links to our favorite projects below.23:30 Free Guide: 5 steps to design a room you love. Text DesignTips all one word to 44222 and you will get the guide delivered to your inbox.Let's get social...Instagram @tasha.kaleidoscopeFacebook Kaleidoscope LivingYoutube Tasha-Kaleidoscope LivingAs mentioned in this episode...As promised, we have added links to our favorite projects, so you can get a sense of how much you can accomplish without spending a ton or having extraordinary skills.Easy & affordable DIY home projects that make a big impact (and happen to be some of our favorites):DIY Painted Kitchen Cabinets Without Priming or Sanding- Over 5 years ago, we painted our kitchen cabinets without sanding or priming. YES, it is possible AND durable! Our painted cabinets still look amazing!DIY Herringbone Plank Wall- We created a statement wall in our kitchen for FREE using wood from an old fence we tore down.DIY Modern Plank Wall- For less than $100 and in just 2 days we created this modern plank wall in our foyer. It makes a huge impact.DIY Electric Fireplace- Did you know you can add an electric fireplace to any room? You can! We did it. It was an easy project and requires no special skills (just patience).DIY Concrete Fireplace- We created our dream concrete fireplace for under $100 (after contractors told us it couldn’t be done our would cost thousands of dollars)DIY IKEA Hack for a Built-in Look- We purchased some basic dressers and bookcases from IKEA about 8 years ago. I painted them and stacked them on top of each other for the vibe of built-in furniture on a tiny budget. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nina Leggett Austin shares her story of surviving breast cancer for the second time.   In Episode 2, two time breast cancer survivor Nina Leggett Austin shares the second part of her journey when she was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. Some nuggets she shared were: Understand your options related to having reconstructive surgery How she dealt with body image issues How her health stands today after extensive surgeries and treatments   Also, who is my woman crush this week and why? #WCTW Be sure to like Colorful Conversations of Inspiration on Facebook to join the convo!

Episode 0 is an introduction to the Colorful Conversations of Inspiration Podcast.

In Episode 1, two time breast cancer survivor Nina Leggett Austin shares her journey when she was diagnosed the first time at a young age. Some nuggets she shared were: Why it is important to get a 2nd opinion Why you should have a patient advocate  Why you should NOT search the internet once you're diagnosed Be sure to like Colorful Conversations of Inspiration on Facebook to join the convo!  

Shek and Rank celebrate the big 1-5-0 with a visit from Mr. Fancy Pants, Marc Sessler, and a spirited discussion including the "Top 100 Players of 2013" reaction, the 2013 NFL Draft fallout, and the color best represented in food.  Black Tie gives a shout out, and the week of podcasting finishes with the Around The League’s Debate Club, featuring Sessler and Dan Hanzus on “Game of Thrones”, Hanzus' brush with fame, and maybe some pro football. Maybe.

Shek and Rank celebrate the big 1-5-0 with a visit from Mr. Fancy Pants, Marc Sessler, and a spirited discussion including the "Top 100 Players of 2013" reaction, the 2013 NFL Draft fallout, and the color best represented in food.  Black Tie gives a shout out, and the week of podcasting finishes with the Around The League’s Debate Club, featuring Sessler and Dan Hanzus on “Game of Thrones”, Hanzus' brush with fame, and maybe some pro football. Maybe.