Lifestyle

Which Blogging Method do YOU Prefer?

January 18, 2013

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

Portfolio

Projects

Design

We're Chris + Julia

read more

What we're                   right now

Loving

browse the shop

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here. 

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen. 

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.

browse all

browse all

browse all

02

01

03

Popular Posts

1.

2.

3.

Top Categories

Next week is going to be jam-packed with projects to share with you.  Which means our weekend is already filled to the brim.  And you know, we’re excited to get our hands dirty after our health has been restored and our supplies have arrived (I’m talking to you, grasscloth).  We expect to have a completed room to share with you at the end of all this.  And that kind of got me thinking.  I read a lot of blogs and everyone has their own style.  But, I’ve noticed some blogs finish a room and then show you and then break down all the projects.  And we, maybe painstakingly (??) take you through every detail as it happens and then, perhaps, the reveal isn’t as big of a deal.  Just wondering, which do you prefer? Do you like seeing the process or the finished product first?

P.S. Image found here.  And it is absolutely dreamy to me.  Cozy and cool. Some Fridays you just need a gorgeous room to look at and be inspired by, right? Happy Weekend.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

What do you think?

  1. Real time. I like the build up to the big reveal… I’ve noticed that when blogs do a big reveal, and then want you to check back for the project breakdown, I lose interest. I really like the way you guys walk through it and think that we get more detail that way because you blog it as you do it (so nothing gets lost, you know?). Loving the way the room is shaping up… it’s gonna be GORG!!!!

  2. Tanja says:

    I love real time updates.

    1. I am way too impatient to wait until the whole thing is done
    2. I love the step by step process, it gives me a true perspective on how much work each step is.

  3. I like to see the project in real time. I think this gives everyone a realistic timeline of how quickly (or slowly) some projects come together. Don’t change how you blog – love it!

  4. I like the nitty gritty details – it reminds me that there is a process for everyone and rooms take time to come together, unlike on HGTV since we don’t all have an army of workers and funds at our disposal :)

  5. I like the reveal with snippets of progress along the way then the how-to!

  6. I’m so happy you asked this question because I’ve been wondering the same thing for my own blog!!

  7. Patty says:

    I totally thought that picture was YOUR house.

  8. Callie says:

    I don’t think the cropped photos are annoying at all! It’s fun to try to guess how it will look all together. But really either way is fine to me – it’s your house that you’re letting us peek in on after all! ;) I like the step-by-step the best I think – it doesn’t take away from the reveal to me to have seen each of the parts of the room coming together, and it’s more relatable for how I would see projects emerge if I was doing them.

  9. rachel says:

    Same progress posts but with zoomed out pictures. The close cropped pictures are annoying and don’t give enough of an idea as to how it looks in the actual room. Trying to keep the whole thing a “secret” so you can reveal it all later id far more annoying than climactic. I think you can do step by step and still give a full picture (like YHL)

  10. Anonymous says:

    I love the breakdown into projects! Keep it up.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Continue your blog the way you have been doing it because we all love it but I don’t think that was what you were asking us right? I thought the question was when you do the final reveal post do we want you to start that post with the finish project pictures and then the explaination OR start the post with the explaination and at the end of the post show the final reveal pictures (was that the question?)!!!! I love the big reveal picture first thing in that final project post then you can explain everything I am seeing! I hope I understood the question:)Love you guys!

    • Anonymous says:

      Agreed. Step by step is good but when pictures ate heavily cropped or too zoomed in because you’re trying not to “reveal” it’s weird. Like for Greta’s curtains. It was hard to tell what they actually look like since you didnt zoom out. I couldn’t tell how they looked with the paint, pelmet, etc. When pictures don’t illustrate what you’re saying it is hard to know what you’re looki.g at. Plus it also has an “i have to squeeze as many posts as possible out of this so I can only show you one square foot now.” I like a reveal photo, that builds excitement for how you do each project. Still same amount of posts, the reveal just at the beginning.

  12. Ashley J says:

    Real time! Think YHL. No detail gets missed. Some of my other fav blogs do the room reveal but two things happen:
    1. Details get missed. All projects aren’t broken down or talked about & leave me wanting more.
    2. Readers get bored along the way because we get teased for so long that it’s coming, but I hate the waiting honestly.

    Just spill it as you go, we want to be on is journey with you.

  13. Looks like I’m totally outnumbered but I like the reveal to be a big deal, then see the projects that went into it. But whatever you choose its going to be exciting!

  14. Cassie A. says:

    I agree with everyone else… I really like the breakdown of the projects. I feel like it makes the anticipation for the reveal even greater because we get to see how every little piece comes together! Keep up the good work. You’re my fav blogger!

  15. Rebecca says:

    Looks like everyone likes seeing the process – me too!

  16. Nichole says:

    I like seeing the process step-by-step. Renovating, decorating – really everything – is a process of evolution. That said, I think you should share in whatever way you’re most comfortable with since this is your blog after all :).

  17. vicks27 says:

    I like the step-by-step. Makes things seem more approachable. Like there’s not too much to bite off right away :)

  18. I love the way you blog! I really enjoy seeing every detail while you are in the moment. It feels more real, like I’m right there with you cheering you on! You guys are doing amazing and are inspiring us all to make our own homes beautiful. Thank you!

  19. I absolutely adore how you two are doing things now. I love watching the process as it’s happening because it shows me the reality of diy. Everything does not magically come together. I like knowing I’m not the only one out there that takes weeks to complete a project.

  20. Laura says:

    I like seeing it step by step. It seems more real, it allows for more detail to be given, and the struggles you guys come upon with redesigning makes it experience much more relatable. Like what Meagan said – big changes definitely don’t happen overnight. This feels more real.

  21. Maria says:

    I like to see it along the way too. Makes me feel like we’re right there with you.

  22. Daniela says:

    I prefer process along the way. It gets me way more invested in the final product, for sure. Plus it’s more realistic if someone wanted to do something similar – otherwise, it feels a bit like Trading Spaces.

  23. Anonymous says:

    I love seeing it step by step! Big projects don’t happen in a day & I think taking your time to write out the process makes it less stressful for us part time DIYers to not get frustrated when it doesn’t happen overnight :)

  24. Anonymous says:

    I want to see it put together then show me how you did it. Seeing it come together slowly is sometimes a little painstaking. Especially with the unplanned breaks you may have to take while rearing a toddler.

  25. Meagan S says:

    I like seeing the process along the way. Sure the big reveal is less dramatic – but its more true to life. Big changes don’t happen overnight.

  26. I like to see the process!

    That room! Swoon!!

  27. Adrienne J says:

    I love to see the process step by step! I almost think it makes what you’re doing seem more achievable. The process is broken down so it doesn’t seem too overwhelming and I now think ‘Oh I could do that!’.

all the latest

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

HI! We're Chris + Julia

read more

Load More

Reader Faves

SHop all

What We're                     Right Now

What We're                 Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop. 

Loving

looking for inspiration? 

A reader recently asked me if I’m starting to fully embrace traditional style and whether we still consider our house to be a “modern Colonial” and why. It was a really great question and so timely — I had really just been thinking about my approach to this home and how my style has changed […]

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

Follow Along on Instagram

Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations

@chrislovesjulia