Long ago, in a land far away, I represented interior designers as a specialty. (We still do represent interior designers, but no so much exclusively). This was before editors started taking pitches via email if you can imagine it - and to be honest while it sounds like I'm describing the '50's - it was only about 1999 - ten years ago.
We'd take photos with big format cameras, make careful copious color copies and distribute them either in person or via elegant press kits among the prime design magazine editors - at the time there weren't many of them - Architectural Digest was (and is) for the millionaire row set, Elle Decor and Met Home were obsessing at the time over sparsely decorated lofts outfitted with mid-century modern furniture...and so on...
These days design blogs are pulling the threads out of that old standard - ripping down the heavy drapes of the former gatekeepers and creating an industry all their own. It started with super blogs like Design-Sponge and Apartment Therapy, but quickly moved to smaller more refined blogs put out by design students, enthusiasts and interior designers themselves. The indirect result has been the domino roll of paper shelter magazines into history - the most shocking and disturbing was probably the one ironically named Domino.
Which brings me to Julie Thigpen's lovely blog Belle Maison. Julie not only edits on a daily basis photos from homes around the world and culls them onto her site, but she also offers online design services in the form of inspiration boards, product suggestions, and computer generated before and afters. She also has a roster of resources and tons of portfolio shots from her various projects.
While we love design magazines, and will always enjoy them and look forward to seeing them in the mailbox each month, there is a sort of irony in the notion that designers no longer have to bow and kiss the ring of editors in order to get exposure for their work. The media cycle has come full circle with blogs like Belle Maison. Not only is Julie's blog and website a fabulous tool for showing her work and style on both a physical and hypothetical plane, but its also serves as a profit center as she sells ad space and goods.
Above are photos of Julie's idea boards for an online store she's planning. Below is a client suggestion worksheet.

Related:
Moving Up The Media Food Chain - Bloggers Get a Front Row Seat At FashionWeek
Charla Lawhon Leaves InStyle After 15 Years