Five years ago, in November 2006, Jen Ramos launched the Made By Girl blog and she's been sharing her savvy style with readers ever since. Jen's chic, clean aesthetic is easy to see. Her home's beautiful black-and-white palette is given fabulous little pops of personality using colours, metalics and prints.

She has an incredible passion for art and creativity, writing about interior design, art, fashion, food, and her own work. Always looking to indulge in her love of graphic design and typography, Jen opened MadeByGirl where she creates and sells paper goods and typographical posters. And being the passionate entrepeneur she is, Jen continues to grow her business, having recently launched Cocoa and Hearts to sell her own paintings. Clearly a busy woman, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to catch up with Jen as she dishes on her favourite designer, spots to shop, and rooms to renovate.


1 If you could shadow any designer for a day, who would it be?
JEN RAMOS Kelly Wearstler - she's so passionate about her work and I find being around passionate people to be inspiring.

2 Where do you look for an obscure source of inspiration?
JR Inspiration usually tends to come from trying new things or doing the things I love.

3 Favourite restaurant?
JR Pamplemousse, it's a classic French restaurant here in Las Vegas. I love it because the food is very tasty and the atmosphere is cozy and inviting. The location used to be a house which was converted into a restaurant and it was also one of Frank Sinatra's favourite spots to dine after his performances at the Sands Hotel.

4 What's your favourite room to decorate?
JR The living room because it's where most people gather other than the kitchen and it can be accessorized in so many ways.
5 What's your current paint colour obsession?
JR Not an obsession, but Black Beauty by Benjamin Moore. It's a sexy paint colour and works great for accents. I used it for a black and white striped wall in the dressing area of my closet - looks fantastic!

6 If one song could be the soundtrack to your life, what would it be?
JR For some reason I had a hard time answering this question, probably because I don't really like summarizing my whole life in one word or one song. However, He'll Make a Way by Sam Cooke is very fitting because throughout my life I always felt that God would guide me exactly to where I needed to be.

7 What's the one store you could spend hours browsing?
JR Kate Spade. It's so intricately designed inside, it's as much fun to see as it is to shop. The colours are bright and bold, and they're always changing things up which makes it even more interesting to walk into every time.

8 London, Paris or New York?
JR New York - it's where my family is, where I grew up, and where most of my friends are. Every time I visit I still find new things to see and do. There are huge bookstores and tons of coffee shops, as well as a lot of culture, fashion, and so on. As for Paris and London, I've never been but I can imagine they're just as exciting!
9 If money were no object, what one thing would you buy?
JR A three bedroom apartment or townhouse in Manhattan. Real estate is so pricey there, so an apartment of that caliber would be an ideal investment!

10 What do you consider to be the most iconic design piece of the past century?
JR The hugely popular "I love NY" logo design by Milton Glaser. I love that logo! It's such a  simple design and yet so effective. Also, Louis Vuitton bags are such an iconic design. The LV design is recognized immediately everywhere you see it and it has held its iconic status for many years now.

11 Favourite movie?
JR Bridges of Madison County - one of my favourite love stories of all time.

12 What's your favourite movie interior?
JR Carrie's closet in Sex and the City - AMAZING.
13 What do you think is the easiest way to update a room?
JR Change the paint colour. It's generally cost effective depending on the room size and it can transform a room from drab to sexy in no time!

14 Best coffee table book?
JR I have so many favourites and so many books throughout my home, but my current fave is Chicago Spaces by Jane Parr and foreword by Nate Berkus.

15 What's your favourite way to spend a lazy Sunday?
JR After church I like to spend the day with my guy and my two dogs. At night I love watching horror flicks with my guy while eating a nice dessert!

16 Do you like to be the entertainer or be entertained?
JR I like both, but being only the entertainer makes me feel selfish while being entertained can get boring sometimes. I think a little bit of both is what makes me the happiest!
17 What do you think is the best home renovation you can do to your home?
JR Renovating can be a pain in the neck if you're short on time or if you aren't focused. For my own home, the best renovation was painting my standard, boring wood cabinets to a white lacquer. It totally transformed the space and immediately made my home feel more inviting. So, with that said, I think a kitchen renovation is one of the best renovations you can do to your home. It's one of the spaces we use the most and it will definitely raise the value of your home if done properly.

18 What is your favourite space that you've designed?
JR My living room. Even though I don't have end tables, I still love how cozy and inviting it is! I love artwork and the living room had some large empty walls allowing me to hang one of my largest Cocoa & Hearts paintings. It's the first thing you see when you walk into the space!

19 What's the biggest design faux pas?
JR 80's style, puffy leather sofas. I'm so lucky that they're so abundant on the Las Vegas CraigsList instead of nice antiques. Just kidding.

20 Marilyn, Audrey or Jackie?
JR Jackie - always stylish, fashionable and demure... and had the president for a husband - you can't beat that.