FAQs
What is Fourth & Ivy about?
Fourth & Ivy is a lifestyle, travel, design and DIY blog created by Michaela Brownlee. It shares inspiration for travel, home decor, wedding planning, and creative living — all with emphasis on intentional, meaningful details.
Who is behind Fourth & Ivy?
I’m Michaela — a Canadian who loves traveling, decorating, making, and exploring. I started blogging about travel and design and have grown to include lifestyle, home decor, and DIY content. The goal is to inspire readers to create spaces and experiences that reflect their values and stories.
How do you choose what you write about?
I tend to write about things that personally excite me — trips I’ve taken or am planning, design ideas I want to try, DIYs that are meaningful, or reflections on broader lifestyle themes (friendship, growth, hosting, etc.). If it fits the blog’s mission of inspiring creativity, travel, home, life, I try to explore it.
What do you do?
I do a number of things including working as an insurance and financial planner, I do interior design on the side as well as work as a web developer on the side for groups that I enjoy working with. I’ve been very lucky to work with small organizations and businesses, and its my passion point to help people with their planning needs, spaces, businesses and everything in between. I get to be creative and analytical all in one.
How do you find/design your travel and design inspiration?
I pull from everywhere — places I’ve traveled (like Italy, Greece, Portugal, etc.), architecture around me, colours and textures that feel meaningful, and stories and objects that carry memory. I try to translate travel aesthetics into home decor through color palettes, materials, textiles, and intentional styling.
Do you offer DIY tutorials?
Yes! Many posts include step-by-step DIY decor (e.g. wedding decor, home refreshes, etc.). If you’re interested in a particular project, you can search by category (Home, DIY, Wedding) to find those posts. I am also always open to create a DIY tutorial if people want to see how I made something. I usually document everything quite purposefully, but don’t always post it!
How do you plan for weddings / wedding decor?
I document my journey from engagement to planning, including setting priorities, organizing inspiration, learning what works from the DIY side, and balancing perfectionism with what’s meaningful. There are posts that share lessons from DIY-ing wedding decor.
How do you travel with less / pack better for trips?
I share tips for packing light (mix-and-match items, layering, limiting shoes, etc.), using carry-ons, and being mindful of what will actually be useful vs what’s aesthetic. Some posts show packing lists for specific places.
Can you help me bring travel vibes into my home?
Yes! There are specific posts on how to infuse travel aesthetics into home decor: using textiles, colour, artisan objects, mixing textures, taking small cues from places you’ve been, etc.
Do you have budget-friendly home decor tips?
Definitely — there are posts about refreshing your home on a budget and following emerging design trends without needing to spend a lot.
How can I stay updated / follow your work?
You can subscribe via email to get new posts, inside travel tips, and updates. Also follow on Instagram, Pinterest. There are categories on the blog (Home, Life, Travel, Wedding) to make it easier to browse by what interests you. *