Black Eiffel: An Addictive Resource for e-EyeCandy

By Lexi Green
March 10, 2011

Rachel Jones Black Eiffel

In our opinion, the best interior design blogs are inspirational, whimsical and personal—with loads of eye candy to boot. That's why we've bookmarked Black Eiffel.

Rachel Jones, a graphic designer by trade, started the Black Eiffel interior design blog in 2007 as a way to give an online life to her stacks of notebooks filled with creativity-inducing clippings. At the time, she told us, it seemed like a natural progression in her search for a productive outlet for her expansive imagination. In the ensuing years, the designer blogger has developed a considerable audience and received the distinct honor of joining Martha's Blog Circle, a blog network handpicked by editors at Martha Stewart.

Jones' most envy-inducing skill is her talent for unearthing—and gorgeously presenting—the most beautiful interior design images on the web, from sleek all-white kitchens to a hotel carved out of the caves of Cappadocia in Turkey; fancy designer iPad cases; balloons, unicorns and clouds and a house decorated in every shade of the rainbow. A mother of two young daughters, shares kid-friendly ideas (and let's not forget music and food!) and offers a peek inside her family's world without ever over-sharing.

The Inside Source: Hi Rachel. It’s great to meet you! We love the name Black Eiffel. Could you tell us why you chose it for your interior design blog?

Rachel Jones: In April 2007, as I started to launch my blog (wow, I’m coming up on four years!), my husband and I were sitting around thinking of a name. My goal at the time was to go to Paris. Also I figured that most every girl loves to be slimmed by black (I wear it a lot) and have their ‘eyes full’ of inspiration.

Black Eiffel

Black Eiffel: another gorgeous white kitchen, the rainbow house

The Inside Source: And you talk quite a bit about traveling on Black Eiffel. You aren’t based in Paris, but could you tell us a bit about where you are based and any upcoming travel plans?

Rachel Jones: I am originally from the Seattle area—Tacoma. Now, I live in Utah. And we are going to be moving really soon to California!

The Inside Source: How would you describe your personal interior design aesthetic?

Rachel Jones: I love most things with a European or Australian flair and things that are industrial modern or slightly minimal. I love pops of color, clean lines and a feminine touch.

The Inside Source: What are some of your favorite things to write about on the Black Eiffel design blog?

Rachel Jones: I enjoy writing about music because I absolutely love it. I am constantly looking for new bands and artists that are up-and-coming or have a fresh sound. Additionally, in the last five years or so, I have gotten really excited about food. I’ve turned into a little bit of a foodie, eating healthy fresh ingredients, exploring restaurants, and wanting to cook and try new things.

Black Eiffel

Previous Next

Black Eiffel Homepage
Clear Baby Cribs
Cave Hotel
Whimsy
Salad Toppings
The Best 6 Fancy Designer iPad Cases

The Inside Source: How has your interior design blog changed since you first started it in April 2007?

Rachel Jones: I had this thought when I started my blog that each post I shared would be about a favorite person, place, thing and an idea all at once. Looking back, that still would be cool, but today I like to mix it up with whatever inspires me for the day or week. Quirky things that you don’t see every day also excite me because it enhances my level of creativity for the day when I realize how many amazing creators are out there!

The Inside Source: What's the best thing about writing your interior design blog?

Rachel Jones: I get to do what I love! Of course starting out, I didn’t realize that there would be so many people interested in what I had to share. I am grateful every day for the ability to connect with such amazing people from across the globe.

The Inside Source: Finish these sentences: When I was little, I wanted to grow up and be...

Rachel Jones: A pediatrician or an ambassador.

The Inside Source: I find my inspiration from...

Rachel Jones: Traveling, nature and my family.

The Inside Source: When not blogging about interior design you can find me getting my design fix from...

Rachel Jones: Watching a cool documentary or international film, searching through flea markets, antique stores, and eBay, and always thumbing through design books and magazines.

The Inside Source: The one design/lifestyle item I feature on my interior design blog that I can't live without is...

Rachel Jones: Great music.

The Inside Source: Any recent design projects you would like to tell us about?

Rachel Jones: Many of my design projects I don’t share on my blog because they are pretty corporate in nature. I recently worked on some fun trend boards for a company where I had to forecast what I thought would be going on in 2012. It was so much fun!

The Inside Source: Any future design projects you can to tell us about?

Rachel Jones: I am at the beginning phases of working on writing and designing a children’s book. I don’t have a publisher or anything yet. It is just something I’ve always wanted to do.

The Inside Source: Do you ever use eBay online auctions to help you with your design blog or other design inspiration?

Rachel Jones: I adore eBay and use it all the time! I will often find myself searching for inspiration in one category and I will get lost in it for a few hours. I love searching for stamps to add to my stamp collection, vintage books and design. I also personally find great children’s clothes for my girls.

We went searching with Jones (who, we have to say, is a pretty fun and very enthusiastic eBay shopping companion) to find items she could see incorporating into her blog or her personal life.

Roll over items for details

Jielde French Industrial Floor Lamp

(buy it now price, $960)

Feist Gig Poster

(buy it now price, $3.99)

Andy Warhol Stamps Full Sheet

(buy it now price, $17.95)

Vtg Fisher Price Happy Apple Chime Toy 1972

(buy it now price, $11.99)

Set of Six Milk Glass Pyrex '50s Bowls

(buy it now price, $55.95)

Limited Edition Waterford Crystal Globe

(buy it now price, $1,800)

Black Eiffel: An Addictive Resource for e-EyeCandy

1."This Jielde French Industrial Lamp has been on my wish-list for ages. It is such a classic, iconic piece."

2. "Great music plus great design makes me happy. This Feist print (although it is from a book) is a super economical solution to add a nice element to an inspiration board."

3. "My husband and I both have pictures of us individually playing with this Happy Apple when we were little babies. It is a great classic toy that can be snatched up on eBay."

4. "Mixing up normal mail with a vintage stamp is so much fun, and on eBay they have lots of options where stamps like these Andy Warhol ones are easy to find."

5. "Vintage colorful Pyrex dishes are a treat to look at. I wish they made them like this today!"

6. "This glass globe is amazing! I've never seen anything quite like it. It is right up my alley and would be the perfect addition to our home or any travel lover's space."

Tags: