Melissa Michaels began her blog, The Inspired Room, in 2007 as a way to showcase her new decorating business. She soon realized she had to pick one or the other.

The blog won — hands down.

“I really enjoyed writing about the home, homemaking, and organizing and decorating, and all things home. It seemed to be a perfect niche for me,’’ said Michaels, who lives in Seattle. That decision has paid off: Better Homes and Gardens readers voted The Inspired Room the top decorating blog in 2014 and 2015.

And it has grown into a full-time business (the blog has an online shop). She’s also written two books: “Love the Home You Have’’ and “The Inspired Room.’’

In her blog, Michaels writes about her homes (she, her husband, and three children have lived in three since she began blogging), other properties she likes, and how to achieve similar looks. She also touches on mindfulness and contentment.

We spoke to her about how she balances work and family and sought her advice on how to love where you are:

What is it like to share your life on a blog like this?

That’s an interesting dynamic. I have always liked to work my job around our family. Our youngest is a teenager now, but when I began, he was in grade school. I feel it is important to keep perspective on what is realistic in real life versus the unrealistic expectations that could come with sharing your home online. When I am decorating my house, I have to focus on what I would do as a regular person other than the other way around, thinking What would make really great content? Because then you’re driving your family crazy; you’re always ripping the house apart.

Tell me about your style and how you decorate your own home.

My style is a mix of old and new. I have pieces I inherited from my parents and grandparents or gathered over time from secondhand stores in every room of my house. My style is more eclectic. I love modern farmhouses and dream about charming homes by the sea. I’m happiest when my home lets me dream and represents everything I love and the memories we’ve gathered along the way.

Any tips for people trying to hone their style?

No matter where we live or what style is currently popular, I’m drawn to what inspires me. There are many different ways to capture a feeling you hope to achieve, so there’s freedom in how you interpret the mood you feel most comfortable with in every season of your life. I think it helps to describe the feeling you want your home to have — warm, welcoming, energizing, soothing, or whatever — and let that guide your decisions so your home reflects what inspires you.

Sometimes you see a color palette in a blogger’s home and they love it, but then you try it in yours and it looks terrible. The unique lighting, architectural elements, and even the physical location of a home can alter the light and impact of color, so I always recommend readers take color cues from where they live.

You’ve talked about how to be content in your space. How do you balance running a blog about designing and decorating and being satisfied with the space you’re in?

There’s a fine line between dreaming about what we could do and maintaining a balance of contentment with what we already have. It is fun as a blogger to talk about ideas for decorating or remodeling a room, but, just like everyone else, I have to be mindful of our budget and keep in mind our personal goals for our home.

I want readers to understand that I’m right there with them. You have to find the balance between what you can do and what you dream about doing.

This interview has been edited and condensed. Heather Ciras, a features producer for BostonGlobe.com, can be reached at heather.ciras@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter at @heatherciras.