About Best With Anna

Welcome to My Home Decorating Journey

Hi, I’m Anna Mitchell, and I’m the person behind Best With Anna. I created this site to share my passion for home decorating—specifically living rooms, kitchens, and dining spaces—and to help people create beautiful, functional homes without breaking the bank.

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I know decorating can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to make your living room inviting, your kitchen functional yet beautiful, or your dining area perfect for gatherings. For years, I watched friends and family members struggle with choosing the right furniture arrangement, selecting paint colors, or making these important spaces feel cohesive. That’s exactly why I started this site—to show that creating beautiful living rooms, kitchens, and dining spaces is achievable, regardless of your budget.

My Story and Background

I’m not an interior designer with a degree from a prestigious design school. What I do have is 15 years of hands-on decorating experience, a certificate in Interior Design from the Portland School of Interior Design, Oregon, and four years of professional experience in the home decor industry between 2011-2015.

Where It Started

I grew up in Portland, Oregon in a family where our home was constantly evolving. My mother, Elizabeth Mitchell, had an incredible eye for design and taught me that decorating—especially the spaces where families gather like living rooms and dining areas—is about creating comfort and functionality, not just aesthetics.

Those weekends helping her rearrange our living room furniture when I was eight years old, watching her transform our dining space for holiday gatherings, and learning how to make our small kitchen more efficient sparked a lifelong passion. She showed me how to see potential in spaces, how to maximize functionality, and that good design doesn’t require unlimited funds. Those early lessons became the foundation of everything I do today.

My Professional Training

After graduating from Jefferson High School in Portland in 2008, I decided to pursue my passion formally. I enrolled in the Interior Design Certificate program at the Portland School of Interior Design, where I completed a nine-month intensive course focused on residential design. The program covered color theory, furniture arrangement, space planning, lighting design, and material selection—all crucial for the living rooms, kitchens, and dining spaces I focus on today.

After completing the program in June 2011, I worked in the home decor industry for four years. I spent two years at West Elm on NW 23rd Avenue in Portland as a Design Consultant under store manager Rebecca Lin, where I specialized in helping clients design living rooms and dining spaces. Later, I worked for two years as a Home Staging Specialist at Styled to Sell Home Staging in Beaverton alongside lead stager Marcus Rodriguez, where I learned to quickly transform living areas, kitchens, and dining rooms to appeal to buyers.

Why I Started Best With Anna

I launched this website with a clear focus: helping people decorate their living rooms, kitchens, and dining spaces—the areas where families spend most of their time together. Friends like Christina Park and James Sullivan constantly asked me for advice on these specific spaces, and I realized there was a need for practical, budget-friendly guidance.

Since starting, the site has grown to over 400 guides focused primarily on living room design, kitchen updates, and dining area transformations. I’m grateful that tens of thousands of people visit each month looking for advice on these essential home spaces.

What Makes Best With Anna Different

1. Every Project Is Personally Tested and Documented

I don’t just write about decorating ideas—I implement them in real living rooms, kitchens, and dining spaces. Here’s my approach:

Planning: I start with a specific challenge, often inspired by reader questions about living room layouts, kitchen organization, or dining space styling.

Implementation: I complete each project from start to finish, taking detailed notes. How long did the living room furniture arrangement take? What challenges came up during the kitchen backsplash installation? Did the dining table fit the space as expected?

Photography: I photograph each space before, during, and after transformation to show realistic results.

Real-World Testing: Before publishing, my husband Daniel provides honest feedback about functionality. (When I refer to “we” on this site, I’m talking about my husband and me—we live in these decorated spaces, so everything must work for daily life, not just look good in photos.)

Budget Tracking: I track every dollar spent on living room furniture, kitchen updates, and dining accessories so you know exactly what each project costs.

2. Detailed Instructions with Specific Information

I write guides with practical details that help you succeed:

  • Step-by-step instructions with photos
  • Specific measurements for living room furniture placement and dining table sizes
  • Exact paint colors (like Agreeable Gray SW 7029 for living rooms, Hale Navy HC-154 for dining spaces)
  • Alternative options at different price points
  • Realistic timelines including preparation and installation

3. Accessible and Realistic Budgets

Budgets: I clearly state costs for living room makeovers, kitchen updates, and dining space transformations. I’m honest about when something is worth the investment and when a budget option works just as well.

Skill Levels: Most of my content is designed for regular homeowners who want to improve their spaces without hiring professionals.

4. Focus on Building Confidence

Beyond specific projects, I create content that teaches decorating fundamentals:

  • Color schemes for living rooms and dining spaces
  • Furniture arrangement principles for different room sizes
  • Kitchen organization and styling strategies
  • Creating cohesive looks between connected spaces
  • Budget-friendly decorating approaches

My goal is to make you a more confident decorator who understands the principles behind good design.

What You’ll Find Here

Living Room Design: Furniture arrangement ideas, color schemes, budget makeovers, seasonal decorating, sofa selection, coffee table styling, and creating inviting gathering spaces

Kitchen Updates: Backsplash ideas, open shelving styling, paint colors, cabinet hardware updates, organization solutions, and budget-friendly kitchen refreshes

Dining Room & Dining Space Decorating: Dining table selection, chair choices, lighting fixtures, color palettes, small dining area solutions, and creating spaces perfect for gatherings

Color Guides: Paint color recommendations specifically for living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas with real examples from my home

Budget Decorating: Thrift store makeovers, DIY projects, and decorating ideas for living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas

Why You Can Trust My Content

Real Experience: Every living room layout, kitchen update, and dining space transformation on this site comes from my personal experience. I’ve either implemented it in my Portland home or worked with it professionally.

Honest Recommendations: When I suggest paint colors like Agreeable Gray SW 7029 for living rooms or specific furniture arrangements for dining spaces, it’s because I’ve used them in real projects.

Responsive to Feedback: I read every comment and email. When readers like Maria from California or Robert from New York point out issues or ask questions about living room arrangements or kitchen updates, I investigate and respond.

Commitment to Accuracy: I research thoroughly, verify information, and admit when something didn’t work as expected. I’m constantly learning through design blogs and staying current with home decor trends.

My Decorating Philosophy

Your Living Spaces Should Work for Your Life

Your living room should be comfortable for how you actually live, your kitchen should function efficiently for your cooking style, and your dining space should accommodate your entertaining needs. Design principles matter, but personal functionality matters more.

Understanding Beats Following Rules

When you understand WHY certain design principles work—like why a living room needs a focal point or why kitchen workflow matters—you become a better decorator. You can confidently adapt ideas to your specific space.

Beautiful Homes Don’t Require Unlimited Budgets

I focus on budget-friendly approaches because I believe everyone deserves beautiful living rooms, functional kitchens, and inviting dining spaces, regardless of their budget.

Who This Site Is For

You’re in the right place if you:

  • Want to decorate your living room but feel unsure about furniture arrangement
  • Need budget-friendly ideas for updating your kitchen or dining space
  • Appreciate detailed explanations with specific product recommendations
  • Are looking for realistic decorating advice that works in real homes
  • Want to learn principles that apply to living rooms, kitchens, and dining areas

Beyond Decorating

When I’m not working on home decor projects, I enjoy:

  • Visiting local markets and antique shops for unique living room and dining decor finds
  • Reading design blogs for living space inspiration
  • Watching home improvement shows for kitchen and living room ideas
  • Spending time with my husband Daniel and our golden retriever Luna in our decorated living spaces

I live in the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood of Portland, Oregon with my husband Daniel. Our 1950s ranch-style home—especially the living room, kitchen, and dining area—serves as my primary testing ground for all the decorating advice I share.

Connect With Me

Email: hello@bestwithanna.com

I personally read and respond to every email within 2-3 days. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions about decorating your living room, updating your kitchen, or styling your dining space.

Newsletter: Join my weekly email list for new living room, kitchen, and dining space decorating ideas, seasonal tips, budget-friendly finds, and reader Q&A. One email per week, no spam.

Social Media:

  • Instagram: @bestwithanna – Daily decorating inspiration for living rooms, kitchens, and dining spaces
  • Pinterest: BestWithAnna – Ideas organized by room type and budget
  • Facebook: Best With Anna – Community discussions and reader Q&A

Current Focus and Future Plans

Right now I’m working on:

  • Creating video content showing living room furniture arrangement techniques and kitchen organization tips
  • Expanding budget decorating guides for living spaces and dining areas
  • Developing comprehensive guides for different living room sizes and kitchen layouts
  • Adding more long-term product reviews for furniture and kitchen accessories

I’m one person managing this site, so progress is steady. I appreciate your patience as Best With Anna continues to evolve with more living room, kitchen, and dining space content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it really just you running this site?

Yes. I create all the decorating content, take all the photos in my Portland home, complete all the room makeovers, write all the posts, manage the WordPress website, and respond to emails. My husband Daniel provides feedback and helps with heavy furniture moving, but the site is a one-person operation.

What are your qualifications?

I completed an Interior Design Certificate from the Portland School of Interior Design, Oregon and worked in the home decor industry for four years (2011-2015), including at West Elm as a Design Consultant and Styled to Sell Home Staging as a Home Staging Specialist. Most of my expertise comes from 15+ years of continuous practice and learning through books like “The Kinfolk Home” by Nathan Williams and online resources from Apartment Therapy.

How long have you been decorating?

I’ve been seriously interested in home decor for over 15 years, starting from childhood experiences helping my mother Elizabeth Mitchell redecorate our home.

How can I support your work?

  • Try my living room, kitchen, or dining space advice and share before/after photos
  • Share posts with friends and family who are decorating
  • Tag me @bestwithanna on Instagram when you complete projects

Do you respond to decorating questions?

Yes! I read every comment and email. If you’re struggling with a living room layout, kitchen update, or dining space decision, reach out to hello@bestwithanna.com.

What’s your favorite space to decorate?

Living rooms. They’re where families spend the most time, so getting the layout, color scheme, and comfort level right feels especially rewarding. But I also love kitchen updates because small changes can make such a big functional difference.

How do you decide which topics to cover?

Through personal projects in my own living room, kitchen, and dining area, seasonal trends, and reader questions sent to hello@bestwithanna.com. I track what people search for—mostly living room furniture arrangement, kitchen paint colors, and dining space ideas.

Do you actually use everything in your own home?

Most content features my own Portland home—my living room, kitchen, and dining area are constantly evolving as I test new ideas. I occasionally feature reader-submitted projects with permission, but the majority of what you see is from my personal home.

Can you help with specific design styles?

I cover modern farmhouse, mid-century modern, traditional, transitional, and Scandinavian styles for living rooms, kitchens, and dining spaces. While I lean toward modern farmhouse and transitional styles personally, I provide advice that works across different aesthetics. Email me at hello@bestwithanna.com with specific style questions.

A Personal Thank You

Thank you for reading about me and Best With Anna. Thank you for visiting, for trying my decorating advice for your living rooms, kitchens, and dining spaces, and for being part of this community.

Whether you’re here for help with a single room or you become a regular reader, I’m honored that you’ve chosen to trust me as part of your home decorating journey.

Every email at hello@bestwithanna.com, every comment, every before-and-after photo shared on Instagram @bestwithanna—these remind me why I do this work. You inspire me to keep decorating, keep testing ideas, and keep sharing what works in real living spaces, kitchens, and dining areas.

Here’s to creating beautiful homes, one room at a time.

Anna Mitchell
Founder & Decorating Enthusiast
Best With Anna
Portland, Oregon

Last Updated: January 2025

Best With Anna is an independent website owned and operated by Anna Mitchell. All content, opinions, and recommendations are my own. I am not officially affiliated with any interior design firm, furniture store, paint company, or home decor brand. Some links in my articles are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no extra cost to you. For business inquiries: hello@bestwithanna.com