Image and text by Gabrielle.
Hello, Friends! Do you have a minute? I’d love to talk 2014 with you. As I mentioned last week, there are some changes afoot here at Design Mom.
The first is a biggie. In 2012, I started working with a regular team of contributors. It was an experiment, with the original goal being to double the content on Design Mom to an average of 6 posts a day, and to eventually create a place where I could even step away for a few days, or even weeks, as an author — to create a place that was more about the team than me as an individual. And goodness, I LOVE working with these ladies. They bring so much talent and enthusiasm to the table and I know how much they treasure this community.
But friends, the experiment didn’t work! Turns out readers didn’t want 6 posts a day. It was too much content. And turns out, I don’t want to step away from Design Mom. I love this job. I love interacting with readers. I love reading and responding to comments. I love your emails, ideas and suggestions. And I love writing blog posts.
You may have noticed that contributors had less of a presence on the blog through December. And that’s going to continue. Over the next week, we’ll finish the transition, and for the remainder of the year there will no longer be contributor posts.
To be clear, I’ll still be working with lots of talented folks (and lots of the same talented folks we’ve all come to love), but they won’t have regular columns. Instead, all articles will be authored by me, and I’ll bring on help per article, as needed.
So if there won’t be regular contributors on Design Mom in 2014, what can you expect instead?
What you will see in 2014 on Design Mom:
– The Living With Kids home tours will continue every Tuesday. Yay!
– We’ll be doing exciting work on The Treehouse this year (some on The Cottage as well). So expect house-centric posts like this one about the floors.
– There will still be travel adventures this year, but instead of Norway and Venice and Amsterdam, we’ll concentrate on getting to know our new home and every cool place within driving distance — like Yosemite and Big Sur.
– You can expect even more essay-type posts on things like food, health, education, beauty, and parenting. Watch for more articles about schools in Oakland, our food habits from France, my oil-pulling attempt — I’ve even got a post about lice I’m working on. Hah! (I confess, I’m particularly looking forward to writing more of these types of posts, because I always love the discussions and comments they spur.)
– Because of the resounding “yes, please” response to the birth stories, I’ll be relaunching that column as well.
– I continue to be a big fan of fun DIY projects, so expect those to continue — clever ideas for the holidays, for gifts, for parties. That sort of thing.
– Video. Yes, we’ll continue sharing the Olive Us videos we’ve already shot, and yes, we want to create more as well!
– As some of you know, I’m one of the founders and owners of Alt Summit, which takes up a good portion of my time. So you’ll see updates and reports about our conferences and events from time to time.
There are also two big projects that I’ll be giving attention to in 2014:
– I’ve just hatched an idea for a series that I want to launch in the middle of the year about mothers and beauty and style and identity. I’m fairly obsessed with it at the moment. I hope that if I start now, I’ll be ready to share it in a few months.
– And I know I almost never mention it, but I am in the middle of writing a book! To catch you up: in January of 2012 Artisan books offered me a book deal and I announced it here. The reason I don’t write about it much, is it’s a total shame trigger for me — two years later and I’m not done yet! I am not good at writing books. It is so hard.
The story goes like this. To my great embarrassment, I sat on that book deal for over a year and never signed the contract. I had a really hard time wrapping my head around the “why” of writing a book. For those of you who are born writers, you may be shaking your head at me, but honestly, it was never a goal of mine to write a book. And obviously, it’s a major undertaking, so I didn’t want to approach it lightly.
After a year of looking at, then filing the contract, then looking at, then filing the contract, I finally found myself at a place where I really, really wanted a hard-copy, hold-in-your-hand representation of the work I do. I’m sure that sounds dumb to some people, but there it is. Every once in awhile I get the sensation of how ephemeral the digital world can be — even with backups of backups, it feels like something could shift, and suddenly, all the work I’ve done over the last 7 years could just disappear
So after a year+ of hard thinking, I found that I really, really wanted to write a book. And a good one! Not a repeat of the blog, but something wholly original. Something that I would be truly proud of. Artisan sent a fresh, updated contract, and I signed it last spring! Which means, though I haven’t mentioned it, I’ve been working hard on the book for the last 9 months. It’s slow going. The first outline I sent in — based loosely on the Living With Kids home tours — was nixed. Alas! So I regrouped. And the week before Thanksgiving, I sent in a rough manuscript of about 50% of the book. Progress! Once the manuscript is done, I’ll be focusing on images and photoshoots.
I mention this here, because I intend to write more updates about the book until it’s complete — getting your feedback and sharing highlights. Part of me wishes I was cool enough to pull a Beyoncé and boom! announce my finished book, ready to order. Hah! But really, I know I’ll want your input as I progress.
One last change:
Since 2006, I’ve averaged 3 posts a day on Design Mom. That’s over 5500 published posts so far! As you know, I’m always experimenting with this site, and this year, I’m toying with the idea of less posts per day, but beefing up my social media channels instead. So there might be one post on a given day — say, an essay about screen time + kids. Then, instead of additional posts, I’ll spend time on Instagram, or engage in an hour’s worth of Twitter conversation, or seeking out incredible pins.
This will require major habit changes on my end (I rarely have my cell-phone in hand, which means I’m not on social media channels as much as you might guess), so in the end, it may not happen. But in any case, I’d like to give it a try!
And that’s about wraps it up. I’d love to hear what you think. Do you have opinions on no more contributors? Did I mention anything that you are particularly looking forward to? Or did I miss something that you hope I’ll add? Thoughts on my book? Any interest interacting on social media? Chime in! I hope you know how much I value your feedback and the active role you play in this community.
P.S. — I’ve never created a survey about Design Mom for my readers, but I was thinking of doing one this week. I want to have a solid sense of what you as readers like best about this site, and what you can do with less of. Watch for it.
I absolutely love your blog. I have been coming to it since you lived in New York. I love the personal feel your blog has. My favorite parts are the toy recommendations, the birth stories, and all of your personal blogs about your family. I also loved the contributor pieces about lunch ideas. I felt your contributors were incredibly talented, but didn’t feel that personal connection to them, hence it made it easier to zip by them if their post wasn’t about something I have an interest in, whereas I always read yours whether inherently interested or not. I don’t know if I am excited about your greater presence on other social media sites (except pinterest! I love pinterest) as I do not twitter at all or instagram as much, but others may love it! Also not a huge fan of the sponsored posts, but you have to do what you have to do. Good luck with the book, that is incredibly exciting and I am excited for you. I have been coming to your blog since before I was a mother as inspiration for when I would become one! Now I am a mother and love it even more. Thank you for all of the hard work and sharing your life and family with us.
So excited for the year ahead here! I completely agree, 6 posts a day was just too much. I actually had to take the blog off of my feeder half way through the year because it was overwhelming. But I missed y’all too much and came back months ago, so I’m happy to hear of this change! I will miss some of the columns but I also enjoy the essay style posts the most, so I cannot wait to read more of those.
And hooray for Living With Kids continuing, my all time favorite column on any blog. Thanks for sharing!
And Happy New Year!
I loved reading about your plans for the year! I have to admit that I often skipped over the blog posts written by contributors, not because they weren’t good, but because I only have a small window of blog-reading time in the day. I limit myself to following about 4 blogs at a time and really try to make sure that what I’m reading is enjoyable/beneficial/relevant to me.
Exciting update about the book too- I’m so curious now!
I hope your contributors will not feel underappreciated by the comments above, however well-meaning they are!
It took me awhile to adjust to the contributors (initially I missed your voice!), but I have grown to love what someone described as the “magazine” feel – a ton of new content each day, so I could browse what interested me. I really enjoyed the different voices of your contributors, too. I will miss them a lot, but of course, will loving hearing your voice more.
Love the topic ideas going forward, and thank you for this explanatory post!
Excited for the changes. I found a lot of posts backing up in my feed that I just barely glanced at. Your contributors all seemed like smart, talented people in their own right, but it was (and is) your unique voice that keeps me coming back.
And as a native Californian, I look forward to seeing the Blairs’ take on & explore our beautiful state!
I am very fond of your blog. I like your ideas and the way you approach your life activities. I’m a grandma but still I get many new directions from your prompts. Design ideas, Olive Us, Living With Children are my favorites. Your contributors had much to offer. Carter gave great book choices. I always order her suggestions from the library. But, I’m with you as you change up your blog. Thanks for your work.
bless you for trimming down the posts. i honestly never read any other posts but yours as you are so delightful. i also loooove the friday links. basically everything you personally touch is great, so i’m very glad you’re sticking to more of that!!
Congrats on the book, Gabrielle! Your blog is one of my faves, looking forward to reading more of your writing again.
Phew – all of your contributors were lovely. And I never wanted to say anything about it because I was hoping it would give you family time but – oh so happy to just have you all to ourselves again.
Not a social media person, but happy to hear what you have to share in this little space.
Best!
I am actually really happy about the fewer posts. I find myself checking DesignMom throughout the day and looking to see who the author was. If it wasn’t you, I wouldn’t read. I feel bad about that bc I know your contributors worked hard and did have some great posts, but I like your writing and topics better. :) Looking forward to reading about your eating habits for sure!
Oh good! I was worried that I missed a survey. I’m so sad to hear that the contributers won’t have columns anymore. I really enjoyed their voices. I would be really sad to only see one Design Mom post per day. I just don’t get the same satisfaction from Tweets and Instagram photos. Your blog really pushes me to think deeply about life as a mom (and as a woman in general). Lastly, I had the sense that your following was a bit more “older” moms–those with school aged kiddos, so I thought the birth stories would be distracting…? I won’t read those simply because I find them too intimate. Just my 2 cents. I adore your blog. SO thrilled that you are making progress on your book!
Happy New Years from Sweden! (Ouch, my jet lag hurts! ) I could just pinch myself for having had the privilege to be one of your contributors. I whole heartedly welcome your assessments and can’t wait more more Gabrielle and for what will come!
I am loving your new plan for 2014. I came to this site because of you and am happy to have less… if it means more You…now I sound like a stalker.:)
This is the only blog I truly follow and adore my time spent here. I will miss the other contributors and am curious, why this change? I also really enjoy more than one post per day. But Friday’s always seem a treat.Boy, you DO have a lot (albeit positive) on your plate – I didn’t realize! Continued success to you in all endeavors…I am sure you are doing what is best ad feel right for you and your creation. I will continue to be a fan! ♥
Your other contributors have been so, so good, but I did find that I missed you and your voice. And honestly, when my reader fills up with a lot of content, I don’t get as much out of it as I do from fewer good posts throughout the day.
The book sounds exciting! Good for you! :)
Isn’t it wonderful to be flexible with your choices as a blogger? Truly looking forward to the motherhood style series, am so glad you’re bringing back the birth stories (I was pregnant with my first at the same time you were pregnant with June, so they really resonated), and relieved you’re keeping the living with kids series! Excited to see what 2014 holds!
I have so much respect for you and I love reading your blog daily. It’s been fun to get to know some other bloggers via your guest posts (I now visit some of their blogs with frequency) but I agree with everyone else, your posts are the most thought provoking and interesting. I appreciate your honesty and ability to keep things respectful and open in your thoughts and in moderating the comments.
The Living with Kids series is the best! And I’m so looking forward to hearing more from you. I’d love to hear more tidbits about teenagers and also about your growing up and what influenced you to be such a confident, caring person.
Great for you! I find it incredibly admirable of you to openly admit that something just didn’t work out. Not many people do that. I, too, think that your voice and your aesthetic are the best parts of this blog and they are what I come here for. I wish you all the best this year.
I’ll be honest, I used to check in daily to see what you had shared, but stopped doing so when you brought in the guest contributors. I enjoy reading personal blogs, and usually find group blogs tend to turn me off, and this was the case here. Too many voices :) I’m looking forward to more of your voice.
Despite my busy life I read some 5 blogs a week and I must say yours is in the top two, I’m actually sad that you will be reducing posts to under 3 because if I didn’t have time during the week I was always looking forward to reading a dozen in one go on a Thursday or Friday before dinner. I guess we will also need to change habits and move to other media. I like everyone but I’m very sad to see Carter go, she selects books so thoughtfully and writes such cute posts! Good luck, you do an amazing job, so much that I find you kind of super-woman’ish!
Your changes (shifts, really) sound good to me. Your voice is an oasis for me on a rare break at work and a rare break at home. I found myself nodding along with what you report other readers wanted more / less of, so I would say I agree! Your new series regarding beauty and how we present ourselves to the world sounds important. As a mother of 3 small children who works as an attorney full time and just began doing things for herself again after about 8+ years (including dancing, exercising, wearing makeup, wearing jewelry, oh, heck, even showering) I think there is more to the personal care / presentation / nurturing of self than we all want to say. It reflects what we reserve from our pool of energy and love for ourselves. It’s like the breathing masks on planes – we need to breath for ourselves before we can continue to help others breathe. Good luck and joy in 2014, and thank you.
I never, ever post comments but always enjoy reading them…especially on this blog where the different points of view are always well expressed and I learn something from every one.
My 2 cents. I’ve scanned these comments and haven’t seen what I was looking for: a heart-felt thank you to the contributors who put SO much work into crafting interesting posts every week. Some I read, some I skimmed, some I skipped but I can only imagine the amount of work that went into every one. So a heartfelt thank you to each of them.
My second contribution is to be the (lone, apparently) voice for the single mother. As in not everyone has a husband or partner. Some of us are doing this motherhood thing all on our own. The Mormon voice and values (everyone is married…of course everyone is married) on this site come through occasionally and make me feel very left out and very alone. Please don’t assume that everyone reading has a loving “DH” in the background, lifting the heavy things, hanging the Christmas lights, and sharing fully in the child-rearing responsibilities.
We single parents are out there, we love good design and appreciate thoughful posts on child-rearing and other parenting issues, too…I so appreciate, Gabrielle, how you never assume that children come into a family only biologically – I would love it if you could extend that same generous thinking to single parent families!
Hi Gaby, I also enjoyed the other voices on Designmom, but agree with so many, that the reason I come back everyday is for you!! I’ve loved your posts of late on bedwetting, teeth pulling, (trying it myself!!) your kids school, your house, gift giving, parenting, all things France!!!, etc!! I’ve also loved the guest posts on lunches and living well secrets!!
I am a make-up artist and have been seriously thinking about how I could reach more mom’s, around my age, who have kids a little older then toddlers and ready to spend more time concentrating on themselves. Women, who are stuck in the same make-up routine, and ready to learn some new tricks, update their make-up drawer and aren’t finding the info on the youth centric Youtube channels. I would love the chance to work with you on this, if you are open of course. I’m in LA and worked for 10 years as a freelance make-up artist for all sorts of celebs, including Pamela Anderson, Allison Janney, Khandi Alexander, Brooke Shields, etc. Then when I had my kids, I realized I couldn’t handle the crazy schedule of freelancers and motherhood, and changed my focus to brides. Now that my little one is in Kindergarten, I’m ready to step it up and reach more people. I’m thinking blog, and videos to start. Again, I have been a loyal reader and huge admirer of yours for years and would relish the chance to work with you on this. Thanks so much for all you do!!!
I’m a big fan and love reading *your* posts. Your outline of intentions for the blog is such an inspiration to getting other areas of my life in order and refocusing.
One suggestion: I was ecstatic when you moved to Oakland. Have you ever thought of holding a “meet-up” in the places that you live? Not only would it be great to meet you, but I would love to connect with others that I know I already have something in common with…you and your blog.
Wishing you and your family nothing but the best in 2014!
Oh I’m looking forward to 2014! Your ideas for the blog sound wonderful-like you read my mind. I love fewer posts that are beefier with info or spark great conversation. I also love the living with kids series and am glad to see it continue. I’m also excited to hear more about your book. I love that you didn’t just jump on the idea to make money but that you sat for awhile until something worth writing about came along. You always impress me!
I think a survey is a great idea!
You are so innovative, thanks for keeping things real with your readers.
I am REALLY looking forward to the birthing stories again, those are my favorite.
I did enjoy some of the guest posts, but still feel it is a right decision to make this blog your private space again.
I do not use FB at all for various reasons and don´t follow instagram either. Therefore I will be happy for every post I find here. I really like your blog and find it reaches much further and deeper than most others. I appreciate it that you share your thoughts.
I typed this up the other night and then it errored out! But, I am so excited about your plans for 2014 that I decided to come back and try again :)
I agree with so many others – while I enjoyed your guests’s posts, I found myself more often than not scanning for the author and if it wasn’t Gabrielle, feeling less inclined to read. Nothing against any of them, at all! – it was just that in a busy day, I always found that unless it was true “Design Mom” material, I didnt always have time to read.
I am thrilled that you’re bringing back the birth stories series – I am one of the people who truly loved it and can’t wait to see it come back. Also excited about a possible increase in the amount of “Design Mom’s family life” type posts – even the most mundane topics are exciting and intriguing when you write about them, Gabby!
This makes me so happy! Though your contributors are fantastic, it is your voice that makes me come back here. Something in your writing conveys thoughtfulness, kindness and sincerity. That’s why I come here and feel such a kinship with this blog. Looking forward to 2014!
One more topic that would be fun to see on design mom is finances, personal finance, budgeting, saving for college fund, etc.
xoxo
What a great post Gabby! I think that these are all smart and fresh changes. It also seems like these are great goals to strike a nice balance within the digital world. Often times it feels like the answer is always more, more, more! But I don’t necessarily think that’s the case. Thoughtful, well-edited content is my favorite to consume.
As someone who just finished writing their first book, I have to say that it’s hands down the most difficult work project I’ve ever taken on. It brought me to my knees on more than one occasion and I have a newfound respect for all authors! I’m so happy to hear that your book is in the works. Best of luck wrapping it up. I can’t wait to get a copy!
So excited about your changes! I agree with some of the other comments about having just your voice! I love your blog but when there were so many other posts I tended to skip them. I love your topics: kids, family, decor, community, school communities etc. Good luck with your book!
Thank goodness! Ive been skipping all of the other posts and only read yours.
best of luck!
Late with a comment here, but as a regular visitor, I’m excited to hear about your plans for DM in 2014! Looking forward to reading your voice more regularly here, even though I enjoyed your contributors. Wishing you the very best with your book — it is SO hard to write one! Hope it’s your best year yet, Gabrielle.
Gabby! So thrilled for these changes. With no offense to your collaborators, whom I often enjoyed on their own merits, when I go to DesignMom every day, it’s because of YOU! Your insight, your honesty, your interests, your stories. And fewer posts is fine with me; not enough time in the day anyway. Quality not quantity and LESS is MORE. Truly this is a great plan for you and I wish you the best, as always. Brrrrrrrrrrr from Minnesota :)
Hi, I just LOVE the home tours…..THANKS!
But, if I may add my 2 cents…….I really don’t enjoy the flashing advertising on the sides. I find them to be so off putting that I usually tape a piece of paper over that side of my screen or skim that portion of the page.
Thanks,
Caroline
I’m excited for the changes! I found you about a year ago on Instagram and honestly, didn’t read your blog too much because I did feel overwhelmed by all the posts! So I’m looking forward to coming back often just hearing from YOU! (No offense to the other contributors, but I just prefer my blogs to be by one person).
Love all your pics and stories! I’m in LA and I find it especially interesting to hear about Oakland in such a positive manner, too!
Yours was the first blog I ever read. I would say I have been reading your blog for 6 years. I love the changes you are making. I felt overwhelmed by all of the posts and have to say I only read yours after awhile. I also had a time where I read tons of blogs but now I am really just down to a very select few. I love your blog and thank you for it!!
Thank you for sharing your plans with us all! I always admire your vulnerability and transparency in talking about your life — and it always feels like you’re talking personally to me!
I do have to admit than in the last year I wasn’t able to keep up with all the content here. I look forward to all that 2014 brings, and as always, I’m in awe of your ability to get so much done!
P.S. I’ll be first in line to buy your book. :)
I’m excited about your 2014 plans for the blog! I confess, your posts were always my favorites. I’d read contributor posts if I got around to it, but I always tried to read Gabrielle posts. :)
I’m also excited about your book, and looking forward to hearing more about it.
So excited about all of the changes coming! Your posts are a (welcome, happy) place marker in my day! Congrats on the book deal!
I agree with what many have said – I love your original “Gabrielle” voice. So many of my favorite blogs have moved to contributors and gotten diluted, so glad to hear 2014 will be more of YOU!
I’m another reader who’s not a mom…not even married…just a single working girl who enjoys your content. I remodeled a house over the last 1.5 years and was thinking I should submit pictures for “Living with Kids” until I realized I don’t have any kids (unless you count my dog) so probably not the right place. Wishing you and your family a fabulous 2014…thank you for giving us a glimpse of your life!
Hi Gabrielle,
Im so glad that you are not leaving the blog ( i admit that thought was on my mind as I started to read today), and I agree with others that there was too much content to focus on for me. I really love the living with kids series, your home update posts and book of the week. I had also loved the app we love posts, but there were only a few of those, if you can possibly add kids apps/useful apps on your friday roundup that would be great.
I dont use twitter and tend to get overwhelmed on pinterest so this is my main contact point for reading your blog, my day doesnt feel complete without checking in here. Please keep on, I love the positivity in your voice here.
Cheers,
Shazia
Hi Gabrielle I started this year cleaning up my emails and unsubscribing from feeds that I felt were taking up too much space and taking me away from achieving my own creativity. Even before I read your news I had kept your daily link, just for your voice. You inspire, communicate, question and entertain all the while maintaining a warm and approachable energy. You feel real. Thanks so much for all that you share – I look forward to the less is more approach!
Petit commentaire d’une parisienne qui a découvert complètement par hasard ce blog il y a 2 ans. Il est tellement sympa que je viens régulièrement y faire un tour. J’en profite pour entretenir my english! J’avais adore vos remarques sur la France, les français et surtout… sur l’école française!
Great news ! It was a good experiment for sure with all the contributors. But…I love reading your texts with your opinion and your excitment about things. And the ‘I miss you already’ – it sounds so real. So nice to read that line : )
Exciting! But I must admit that I will miss Amy Hackworth’s posts!
I’m so excited to hear about your plans for this blog in 2014! While I’ve continued to enjoy your blog through various ideas you’ve tried out, everything you plan to keep doing are just the very things I held my breath while reading hoping that you wouldn’t change! I’m also excited about the new ideas you’re working on. More really can be less, and I look forward to hearing more of your voice here, even if there are less posts overall.
Also, I’m really glad to hear that you’re feeling better these days! Transitions are never easy (or simple), and I hope that this time for your and your family at the Treehouse just keeps getting better and better!
Love your 2014 ideas! I have to admit I’ve been reading for years and don’t check in everyday like I used to. Your other contributors are great…but I come here for your perspective.
Horray for bringing back the birth stories!!! I just read through your June story this week. I’m pregnant with babies 5 & 6 now. I adore reading about birth…makes me feel more prepared (ha!)
May 2014 bring you more peace and more love than any other year :)
So glad for your changes. I would scroll and read only your posts. The others were well written but I’m reading for your story and your voice. So thank you for making that change. One post a day is enough for me. I only get to pop in once in awhile so this will be a nice change.
Good luck!