I spent hours one day trying to play with the colors of the exterior of my home on a couple different websites. Because I’m on a Mac and these were Flash-based websites run by the paint manufacturers I had a really difficult time and I wasted a lot of time with no real closure in the end. In other words, the whole experience was a failure.

When I started the hunt for room layout sites I had pretty low expectations because of this recent paint experiment. However, thanks to a little plug in Real Simple magazine I found homestyler.com. In 15 minutes I had completely laid out my office as you see it below.

3D home office elevation on homestyler.com

This is a “no frills” elevation. Right now I just need to figure out furniture placement. The website does have (albeit limited) artwork, area rug and other options. That’s not what I’m looking for right now, though, so I’m not messing with it.

So far I’m really impressed with the ease of use and lack of time sucking.

Layout project options on homestyler.com

If I have time to get a little fancier I’ll post a follow up. Don’t hold your breath. This is pretty fancy for me already.

By the way, this is in no way a paid endorsement. If I am ever paid for any of my posts I promise to let you know.

If you have a lot more money than I do you should really check out Inbox Interiors by Tobi Fairley. Tobi is a Little Rock, AR, based interior designer who has appeared on HGTV and in magazines like Traditional Home. She’s a gagillion dollars to hire, but her designs are pure perfection. She has a new service for the DIY-er that is still way out of my price range. Some day (hopefully soon) I’ll have exactly the home I want, decorated exactly how I want. For now, though, I have to really do it myself.

If you follow Tobi Fairley’s blog you will find very helpful tips. She also has FABULOUS giveaways. Just a little tip from me to you. Yw.

Tobi designed this room for a five-year-old little girl

Living spaces designed by Tobi Fairley