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Q. Monique Allen

Have you ever felt like there is something really special that brings you joy that you simply don't do enough of? I'm not sure what that might be for you, but for me, it's feeding my passion for interior design, furniture and the arts (all of them - visual, performing, culinary...). With a full time career in financial services in Washington, DC, a bustling family, a demanding schedule (and the list goes on), it's tough to find time for things that you love! But, I've committed to MORE. More inspiration...more hands on expression of my own creativity...and more beauty in my world. As I explore and expand my own space and fill it with chic "mountain modern" design, experiences, and ideas, I look forward to using this lifestyle and design blog to share them with you.

More Progress! Construction Update in Wintergreen

Last weekend, we made the 3 hour drive from DC to Wintergreen, VA to meet with our contractors and do our own low voltage electrical wiring. It was a really full weekend with more work than leisure but my daughter and I managed a girls-only dinner where we talked about boys and school and a movie on the lawn where we cuddled in a blanket on what ended up being a really chilly summer night in the mountains. It was one of the highlights of our trip and one of the reasons why I

4 Key Elements for an Awesome Digital Design Board

I wish we all had free access to the awesome software that Joanna Gaines uses in Fixer Upper. It would be amazing to see 3D images of a space before making any changes or buying furniture. But, that's just not an option for design enthusiasts like me. I'll bet it isn't for you either! I have loved design forever. I didn't want to choose it as a career but I've taken my fair share of classes. Many years ago, I moved into a hip, newly renovated condo in Atlanta on the famed Pea

3 Easy Design Solutions to Get Rid of Baby Clutter

You CAN tackle the baby clutter. You CAN tackle the baby clutter. You CAN tackle the baby clutter. Keep saying that over and over while spinning around in blazing fast circles with your SuperMommy cape on. It works. Trust me. Of course, I'm kidding! But, I'm not the first person willing to take to desperate measures to keep baby stuff at bay. I try to leave my house in good order each night. I wipe up the counters, pick up out of place items and (mostly) clear the sink of d

DIY Upholstered Bench

I wish every bedroom had a bench. A small space near the bed for pillows or a handbag or a suitcase for guests that is small enough NOT to attract piles of dirty clothes but big enough to add some additional function and decor to the room is perfect. For the vacation rental that we are building, I tried to squeeze a bench in every bedroom! (Check out our latest construction update post https://www.qmoniqueallen.com/single-post/2017/05/19/Progress-Wintergreen-Construction-Upda

#RusticRoundUp #3 9 Most Beautiful

When you see a house, one of the first things that you see is the front door! To maximize curb appeal and create an enticing entry, a grand front door is vital. If you've been following along, you know that my husband and I are building a vacation rental in Wintergreen, VA. Since the windows and doors had to be ordered pretty early on, we were asked to choose a front door as one of our early design decisions. We really wanted a 4 or 5 panel door with frosted glass encased in

Progress! Construction Update in Wintergreen

For those who have been following along, you will notice that we have made major progress on our custom vacation rental. I'm thrilled that the house has finally come out of the ground. The purpose of our visit was to walk through the interior of the house to show the builder our furniture layout so that he can accurately place the HVAC and electrical wiring/outlets. We thought this would take an hour or so but it took nearly 5 hours! The level of detail that we had to communi

Interview with Charleston International Floorcoverings

I recently had the great fortune to be featured as part of Floor Coverings International of Charleston's Designer Influencer Interview Series. It was such a delight to share my perspective on a wide variety of design related topics! I've taken a short excerpt from the interview here but you have to visit the site to read it for yourself! Tell us about yourself. From as far back as I can remember I have always had at least one creative outlet. I love to paint, draw, craft, de

#RusticRoundUp #2 Fireplaces

Nothing says rustic glam or mountain modern like a statement making fireplace. Anchoring the living room, recreation room or the master suite, fireplaces are essential for vacation homes in cold locales. It's a practical and beautiful addition to any mountain home. Right now, I am in the process of designing my own fireplace for our vacation rental. It's going to cover an entire wall in the main living area. So, it needs several key features like mixed materials, rustic but m

Top 5 Ways to Score Big at an Auction

Builders' auctions are great places to shop for windows, doors, appliances, tile, cabinets, bathtubs, flooring and more! While there are deals literally everywhere, you have to be savvy to get the best savings. Here are my top 5 recommendations for how to score big at an auction! #1 Attend the preview day Most auctions have a preview day where you can browse the selection. Go! This allows you to scope out what you want and do your research in advance. # 2 Get there early Some

#RusticRoundUp #1 - Kitchens

The 10 Most Beautiful Rustic Kitchens Ever New feature! On the blog each week, I am introducing a new feature #RusticRoundUp! I am also happy to introduce you to my new hashtag #IAmRusticChic. The new feature gathers the best 10ish examples of rustic decor in a given category Iike kitchens, baths, exteriors, etc. Those images will be featured in a collage and posted on the blog. I will include the photo, source if I have it, and one or two things that I love! So, let's go! Th

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Q. Monique Allen is a Washington, D.C. based residential interior design and lifestyle blog dedicated to capturing and chronicling my experience as a first time custom home builder, consultant on design projects, and consumer of all things "mountain modern" including furniture, fabric, accessories, lighting, and more.

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