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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.

#RusticRoundUp - 6 of the Most Stunning Exterior Light Fixtures Ever!

I confess...I agonize over making decorative choices sometimes. There are just so many pretty options for everything from silverware to bed linen...it makes it tough to put a stake in the ground and say, YES, this is the one. But, alas, I do it all the time. After researching my options (sometimes exhaustively), I do end up making choices that I love with my whole, entire heart. Recently, I had to outfit our vacation rental with exterior lights. Wow, did I come across some be

Wintergreen Progress Update: All done! Introducing Haven's Ridge...

A year and four months we signed on the dotted line to purchase a rocky lot with a questionable view in the Wintergreen Resort, much to our delight we finally have a house! We were originally told that the process should take about 9 months. Due to weather and major foundation issues, the building process was extensively delayed. I really wanted to spend Christmas in the house, but we received the certificate of occupancy on the Friday before so it just wasn't feasible. We we

4 Ways to Modernize Interior Trim

The romance of a cabin in the woods has always had a certain allure to me…fresh, cool air, long range mountain views as far as the eye can see, the sunset in the colors of a subdued rainbow…the magic of it all has lured me again and again to visit cute little rustic retreats and mega mountain mansions in the sky. The idea of a place of serenity and refuge finally became so irresistible that I dove in head first to building my own little slice of mountain paradise. But there

#RusticRoundUp - 8 of the Most Amazing Catwalks and Bridges Ever!

I know, this #RusticRoundUp is probably my least relatable yet...BUT, we can all dream right?! Who doesn't want a suspended bridge walkway to their front door or an interior catwalk high above the main living area? It's ridiculously cool and adds a modern feel to any decor. When we decided to build a vacation rental in Wintergreen, VA we were looking for an interesting lot with good views (we did not have "great views" money). After looking at a bunch of lackluster lots and r

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

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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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