…and I’m an interior decorating addict. 
I love every aspect of creating beautiful, warm, inviting, comfortable homes — painting, upholstering, creating, building, sewing, and much more. And I love to do these things myself…to get my hands dirty.
So how did all of this come about?
I’ve always had my hands in creative endeavors for as long as I can remember. When I went to college, I thought briefly about majoring in Interior Design, but I was torn between that and psychology, believing that I wanted to spend my life as a marriage and family therapist. So in 1995, I graduated from Dallas Baptist University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.
The next several years were spent working at the Department of Veterans Affairs, going on several missions trips to Germany, Mexico, Morocco, Egypt, and Turkey, and finally moving to Turkey for a year-and-a-half. During those times, I would have opportunities here and there to decorate and create, but certainly not as much as I wanted.
In 2001, I moved back to the U.S., married my husband Matt, and settled in Oregon. For the first time in my life, I had my own house that I could use as my playground and testing ground for my interior decorating ideas. I had loads of fun, but I definitely went overboard, painting the inside of my house in 21 different colors. (Thank goodness my style and taste have been refined since then!)
It was during my three years in Oregon with Matt that I determined that I wanted to start an interior decorating business, and just a few months after moving back to Texas in the summer of 2005, I started Kristi Linauer Interiors, offering full service interior decorating services in Waco, Texas, and surrounding areas.
For the first three or four years, the work seemed new and exciting. I was starting to work with clients who had more money, and could afford nicer things. I had the freedom to go into a furniture store and pick out brand new furniture to fill rooms. I was hiring people to do the painting, wallpapering, building, window treatments, etc. I thought that things were headed in the direction that I wanted them to head…or at least, in the direction that I thought I was supposed to want them to head.
But I found myself feeling very restless and dissatisfied.
During that time, in 2007, I started this blog, Addicted 2 Decorating (actually called Addicted 2 Decor in the beginning). I wanted it to be a place where I shared, taught, and inspired others to tackle their interior decorating projects on their own. I wanted people to know that they could have gorgeous homes, even if they didn’t have a lot of money. My blog was also a place where I chronicled my projects in my own home, an 834-square-foot condo that I was remodeling and decorating all on my own, with almost no help from anyone else.
I started to notice that when I was working on my own projects, creating things, building things, upholstering furniture, and doing all of the work myself, I felt alive. I loved getting my hands dirty. I loved knowing that it was my creativity, and my own two hands, that created and transformed the items. I found it incredibly invigorating to go into a thrift store, purchase a diamond-in-the-rough, and turn it into something beautiful. Soon I realized that I much preferred shopping in thrift stores, searching for those diamonds-in-the-rough, than going into furniture stores and purchasing a room full of brand new stuff. In fact, I got to where I dreaded the “day job”, and the more I did it, the more dissatisfied I became with my interior decorating business.
So in 2011, I made the transition from “an interior decorator who blogs” to “full-time blogger”. Now I feel like I can use my creativity to its fullest. I can get my hands dirty. I can build. I can create. I can sew. I can do all of those things and more without feeling like I should really be doing the “proper” thing as an interior decorator by hiring out the work that I enjoy doing so much.
I finally feel like I can THRIVE.
So does that mean I don’t do interior decorating anymore?
Not exactly. I’m just very choosy about the projects that I take on. In the beginning, when I first started my business, I didn’t have the liberty to be picky. Financial obligations demanded that I take any and every job that came my way.
Now things have changed. Now I can be choosy. Now I can choose to work with people who know, understand, an appreciate the fact that I want to do the work myself.
Now I’m exactly where I want to be.
I'm an interior decorator-turned-blogger, and a DIY fanatic. My blog is where I share 
Hi Kristi-
Just checking back in to see what you thought about my previous email.
I need someone to help me with a few issues on my blog as well as evaluate what’s missing or what I can do to help it grow.
In addition, I am interested in moving to WordPress.
All for a fee- of course.
Would you be interested and can you let me know your fee?
Thank you,
Laura
Hi Kristi,
Was wondering if you would share the colors you used in your Kitchen Make over? Love the colors but just not sure the computer does them justice…Thanks, love love love your page.
Jenn
Hi!
Just wanted to say that I have never seen such an AMAZING blog for decorating and inventive creative fabulous ideas!
WOW!!!
I am just blown away!
Dianne
Dear Kristi,
I just discovered your blog and can totally relate to the sense of fulfillment by doing things by yourself. I bought my house last year and it’s far from done, but every little project my partner and I finish leaves us with this special glow! I’m really grateful for your sharing so many amazing ideas which I might adapt and change into things that fit my home. Many thanks and keep on – it’s great fun to read!
Love
Karen
I am Addicted 2 UR Decorating and I am going to take on some of my projects! I too feel more alive during projects especially this time of year and my winter blues. Thanks for the inspiration.
Kristi, I am so happy I found you. I am a textile/surface designer who has the same perspective as you, except I live to paint in the classical form. I also have been to the middle east . Look forward to getting to know you through your designs.
Yours is the first profile I read completely and wanted more. Well I will close for now and look for
Hello,
I live in australia and am very interested in converting from Drapes to Shutters and have read your views on the subject.
For sure there must be a place for Shutters ???? could I send you some photos ???
Kind regards vicki
Hi Kristi,
I just stumbled upon your blog and so glad that I did –
you’re an inspiration!
Really interesting – looking forward to reading more
thanks, Emma.
Just stumbled across your blog and WOW you are amazing. I don’t know if you’re still taking jobs but I’d be willing to fly you out to my house and work your magic!
Kristi –
I came across your blog from Oh So ShAbBy By Debbie Reynolds, you are what I have been looking for…i’m in love with your little condo, as my own home has small spaces, i have the want to be creative and get my hands dirty, but i don’t have the vision you have.
Maybe following you I can get that look I’ve been dreaming of!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Sabina claus’s Latest Post..A family of tablets
Hi Kristi————– Came on your blog also by Oh So Shabby by Debbie Reynolds. Your makeover of your condo kitchen is amazing. It is done to perfection. You should be very proud of it. Look forward to seeing all the things you do!!!! Wish I had the talent you have!!!
I just found your site tonight and I can’t take my eyes off the screen. I love all of it. I too love to find treasures at thrift stores to change and decorate with.
I’m wondering if you could do a virtual guide for me if I sent you a picture of a room that needs serious help? And how much you would charge for that?
Truly addicted FAN – Rachel
Dear Kristi,
I found your blog as I was searching on “how to hang a picture on a tiled wall”…and I not only found the answer (it just happened that I have those Command…) but I discovered a treasure! I am also addicted to decor but you are on a class way over what I have accomplished. I have not even finished to look around your blog and I felt the need to put a comment.
Your work and creativity are exquisite!
God bless you.
Marina S.
This is such a great blog! Thank you for sharing all of your tips and projects with us!
Jules@fyimodularhomes’s Latest Post..DIY glitter candle holders
I am so very glad to have found your blog site!
Kristi: do you not respond to the posts or you just respond by email?
Sandra
Sandra~
I don’t respond to every comment I receive. Unfortunately, there simply aren’t enough hours in the day for me to do that. I do try to respond if someone has a question, and whether I respond on the blog or via email depends on whether or not the answer to that question would be beneficial to other readers. If others would benefit from the info, I’ll answer on the blog (which also automatically sends an email to the original commenter letting them know I’ve responded). If the info isn’t beneficial to other readers, I’ll respond via email.
What can a I expect for a $2500 design service fee. Uncredential talented person who can help me pull it all together.
I am just blowin’ away with your talent. I have tried getting some help from many different designers but haven’t come across anyone who really understands what I want. I stumble across your site on facebook then came to your blog. We have identical taste in decorating I just don’t know how to do it. If I was to send you some pictures of my home would you be able to help me with it. I have a country ranch style home and I am hoping to redecorate all of it. You are now my inspiration.
I am just blowin’ away with your talent. I have tried getting some help from many different designers but haven’t come across anyone who really understands what I want. I stumble across your site on facebook then came to your blog. We have identical taste in decorating I just don’t know how to do it. If I was to send you some pictures of my home would you be able to help me with it. I don’t expect it for free of course. I have a country ranch style home and I am hoping to redecorate all of it. You are now my inspiration.
I’ve been following your blog for a couple of months now and this morning was the first time I read your “about me”. I was pleasantly surprised to read that you are located in Waco. I lived in Woodway myself for some time and Portland, OR before that. I’m now living in Austin (Barton Creek area) and am having a ton of fun decorating! Any way… just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your blog and the projects you talk about. Keep up the good work!
I just found you a few days ago…I nearly had a heart attack when I read your April Fool’s post. I thought “great, just my luck. I find someone who inspires me and she’s going” I love your creative spirit. I have visited a few(hundred) blogs looking for inspiration and a creative spirited woman…you are by far the best I have come across, thus far.
I have a small, and new business (very small, and actually it’s a ministry) I call it USE IT OR LOSE IT. I offer to redecorate a room in someone’s home (for free). The catch is this…they have to be willing to give up one piece of furniture, one piece, or more if they want to, that they have had hidden away, no longer like, or just have no use for any longer. I leave with that piece. I take that piece home and “play” with it, use it myself or (usually) use it in someone else’s home. Mostly it is women I work with, who, for whatever reason are going thru a difficult time in their lives. I came up with the idea when I was ill and had congested heart failure. I became very depressed and so did my home. I can remember wishing that someone would come and save me from the black and gray of my life…save the rooms of my home from their colorless life. I thought …. “If I live thru this and make it thru my heart surgery I am going to do something to help someone else living a gray,dull life.” Fast forward 2 years later…I started, Use It Or Lose It. I get a tremendous amount of satisfaction from doing this. It also has helped me to Get My Feet Wet and get back into the real world. I firmly believe your home is the outer expression of what’s going on inside.
I have always loved decorating. When I was about 4 years old my family owned a large, old victorian home on Long Island, NY. I had a closet the size of N.H. I turned it into a TEA Room and decorated with all types of scarfs, lights, and table cloths. My only customers were my dolls…lol…but it was the begining of my creative self. Any way…all this to say; I appreciate you, your art and hard work. What a great mind you have. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you do to inspire and encourage others. It’s a great gift you have and I believe very much, Holy Spirit inspired….but that’s just my opinion. Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping me to push thru another layer of my life.
~Lydia O’Lydia.
I NEVER POST ON BLOGS BUT WHEN I SAW YOURS……..WOW!
I TOO LIKE SHOPPING THRIFT AND ANTIQUE STORES. IM HOPING TO FIND
AN OLD 50′S HOME SOON AND RECREATE SOME OF YOUR IDEALS INTO
MY NEW HOME. YOU ARE AMAZING.
Hi Kristi, I stumbled onto your website looking for help on how to build a banquette…OMG I have fallen in love!!!…with your blogging, your creativity, your style….YOU!!!!!! I can’t wait to begin my own banquette, your instructions are fantastic and I, like you, have a great husband but do it all myself because I love creating, painting, diy-ing. Can’t wait to share your site with my friends and family…you are my hero girl!!
Thank you Kristi for being so helpful to us newbies. I just watched your video on not being intimidated by WordPress, I decided to try it, and set up a site. Your video shows that you can just click on plug ins from your dashboard, and I can’t access them at all. Your blog is absolutely beautiful. God bless you girl!
Hi Norma~
You might not be able to access and use plugins because it looks like you’re on a WordPress.com site. Most of the info that I give is for self-hosted WordPress sites (i.e., the kind of blogs that are set up on website hosts like HostGator, or BlueHost, or GoDaddy). You will be able to gain general knowledge of WordPress by using the free site, but there are man things that you can’t do on a free WordPRess.com site that you can do on a self-hosted site.
Kristi Linauer’s Latest Post..Dreaming Of Home: Backyard Chickens And Amazing Chicken Coops
Hi, I’m a newbie to your blog and now I’m addicted! By the way I LOVE that green “chandelier”, it caught my eye immediately! Your whole condo is great and someone will snap that up as soon as it’s on the market!
Kristi,
You are so inspiring.
I’d like to inquire about your blog design services…
I’ll shoot you an email.
Just found your blog and LOVE it! I briefly lived in Waco, met my husband there and then we moved back to Nebraska. Planning on using your chandelier ideas for our daughters’ room. So happy I stumbled upon you.
I just want to know when you move to Chicago, so that I can be your first “case”. My poorly decorated home needs your intervention! Not for the lack of trying, just lack of vision.