Do you remember when you first discovered that you were your own person and you did not have to decorate like your parents? It was sort of like a time of re-birth, if you will.  Like, when it is time for a chick to venture out from it’s safe warm shell and fend for itself in the "real" world. Hence, the name Hatch: The Design Public Blog. A site dedicated to inspiring those ready to branch out on their own and make a statement about how they want to live. It is an awesome blog designed to teach those that want to "grow up" in how they decorate.
We chatted with Becky, from Hatch, and found her to be quite creative about how the best design requires thoughtfulness and a positive attitude……

1. Why is modern design a better way to live?

To me, "modern"
means a lot of different things.  At first it conjures up images of stark white
walls and minimalism, but I feel that now it encompasses so many styles, from
mid-century modern /Danish modern to the current trend of vintage modern and
eclectic.  I think modern design is more about thoughtfulness.  Thoughtfulness
about function and how it influences form, thoughtfulness about using only what
one truly needs and loves, thoughtfulness about responsibility for the
environment.  In this regard, I think it is a great way to live.

2. Why is this generation so gung ho on being different than
our parents when It comes to interiors?

One main factor is
accessibility – design is available at price points now that more people can
afford.  The media is saturated with design magazines, TV shows (entire
channels, in fact), etc.  Most of the adults in my life were really into design
- my parents and grandparents into American antiques, my aunt and uncle into
Scandanavian design and modern art, so I’m not so sure that’s true about our
generation.  It seems since the industrial revolution that design has been a
huge presence.  I especially think that is true when I look through issues of
design magazines and think about those baby boomer housewives working on their
homes.

3. What made you decide to start a blog about
design? 

My friend Drew and I were talking about when the company
decided to change its name from edgemodern to Design Public.  The reason Design
Public was chosen was because we wanted to create an online community, and a
blog is  a great place for the customers, designers, and people who work at the
company to "meet."  It actually sprung out of a monthly newsletter I used to do,
where we tried to feature customer profiles and interviews with the designers
whose work we carried.

4. How would you encourage
someone to change their décor at a reasonable cost?

It’s so easy
and cheap to change wall color and work from there.  I also find that changing
out my throw pillows and/or duvet cover can completely change a room.  From
there I just start rearranging things I already have around the house – perhaps
the big white crackled gourd lamp should make a move from the family room to my
bedroom because of the new duvet cover.  Right now one of my favorite chairs is
a free wingback (gained from my old neighbor)  – I won a black and white pop
floral vintage Vera tablecloth on eBay for something like $25 and threw it over
the chair.  it completely transformed the whole thing.

Also, I really
can’t get enough of Target and IKEA for things like throw pillows and
organizational items.  For example, I have a hard time committing to a throw rug
that’s $2000, but when I buy the $99 version at IKEA, I don’t feel guilty
knowing that I might spill coffee on it or  want to change it out in a year. 

5. I’ve always been a big believer in "pay more" "get
more" but this does not seem to be the case anymore with the great items from
stores like Target and IKEA. What is your recommendation for affordable yet
stylish furniture and accessories?

Hah!  I swear I did not read
this question before I answered the last one.  I totally agree with you!  I am
also a HUGE junk store shopper.  There is no bigger thrill than scoring that
60′s rattan  chair for $45 and then seeing it on a website for $500.  I think
thrifting and junky store shopping are where you pick up items with character,
the "anti-depressive living" type of pieces that will give your home
personality.  Rooms that look straight out of a Room and Board catalog page bore
me to death – they are a good base, but where’s the personality?  By the way, I
like their things a lot and they are reasonably priced!

6. What is the key to recognizing quality furniture?

I wish I knew. 
It’s kind of like porn – I can’t define it, but I know it when I see it.  Often
one does get what one pays for – I go for the cheap stuff when I don’t care that
the piece may only have a life span of about 5 years.

7. What is the most favorite furniture item you own and why?

This
question is really hard!  My favorite find were two patent leather ottomans with
wrought iron bases I found at Paris on Ponce.   Supposedly they came from some
estate in the Berkshires.

8. I’m not very creative, how
would you encourage someone like me to be creative with my interior design?

Ok, first of all, lose that attitude!  I think people worry that
it is rocket science and  get WAY too insecure about it!  It might sound cheesy,
but starting with one piece for inspiration can help a lot, whether it’s a rug,
a goofy ceramic animal you have, a throw pillow, whatever.  Always let your
personality shine through – don’t feel like everything needs to look like a page
out of the Pottery Barn catalog or some other set ideal in your head – let those
go!

9. What other blogs do you read for work and
pleasure?

I read decor8, apartment therapy and sfgirlbybay on a
daily basis.  Then there are a million different ones I check several times a
week.  I really enjoy My Marrakesh, Making it Lovely, Style Court, The Peak of
Chic, Jonathan Adler’s blog that was on Bravo.com during Top Design, Turquoise, It’s (k)not wood, gold
digger, 3191, bluelines, shakinstyle, dwell magazine blogs, desire to inspire,
go fug yourself, design milk, swissmiss, hulagirl70, oh I am forgetting  a
million of them!

10. How do you stay motivated when
dealing with other people’s lack of style?

I never really have
to do that!

11. What inspired you to get started in
this business?

First I saw William McDonough speak at a UVA
alumni fundraiser in the mid-90′s (little did I know I’d wind up hearing that
speech so many times I can practically recite it, oh well, it’s a good
speech!).   Then I attended the Harvard GSD summer program to see if
architecture grad school would be a good fit for me – I HIGHLY recommend this
program for anyone who is thinking about it.  There I saw Martha Schwartz speak
and I was completely hooked on Landscape Architecture (she’s a total rock
star).  I earned a Masters in that and had a hard time finding a job post 9.11
so somehow I got way into my own house and interior design.  Oh yes and I have a
degree in English so that’s where the writing/blogging part comes in!

12. When you take a break from working, what is your
favorite personal indulgence? (m&m’s, good book, travel, sitcoms
etc)

HBO shows like The Wire, Sopranos, Curb Your Enthusiasm and
Entourage.  Oh and Big Love.  Why is HBO so superior to every other network? 
NONE of my friends watch The Wire and thus I never have anyone to discuss it
with, so if any of you out there watch it, send me an email so we can chat after
next season!

13. Could you give our readers your opinion
on hot interior trends for the summer?

I’m not sure what’s
coming, but I’m totally into Hollywood Regency and a dash of hippie chic right
now.  Just remember when you are on vacations this summer to collect shells,
driftwood, beach stones, etc. so that you can enjoy them at home – the natural
look is really in and these make great accessories.

Also, make sure to
enjoy any outdoor rooms you have, whether it’s a tiny patio or balcony, or a
bigger yard.  I live on my screened in porch in the summer and I’ve made sure
it’s a comfy, colorful place.

14. What is new in wall
colors?

Right now, and I never thought I’d say this a few years
ago, it’s all about wallpaper.  There are so many

great designs out there, from
suburban toile to bugs, from oversized trellis prints to 3-D applications, from
pop florals to custom graphics ala Given Campbell.   Right now my favorites are
"Houses", "Blackbird" and "Fishnet"  over at walnutwallpaper.com,
"Serious Bokay" at Nama Rococo, and the Orla Kiely wallpapers at anthropologie. 
I’m having trouble commiting to just one at home – it’s tough to decide!

I love doing interviews because what you get is never what you’d expect. Becky sure is an example of that. I mean, who would have guessed that she likes HBO, patent leather ottomans and never needs help at staying motivated. Her blog is fantastic and getting to know her has been a cool trip. She’s got spunk, character and a flair for design I can only dream of having (I do have to watch my attitude). Thank you, Becky, it has been a great pleasure getting to know you!