Atter designing more kitchen renovations than I could ever count (and recently finishing renovating our own kitchen) I can tell you that where you invest matters. Not because every kitchen needs the highest-end everything, but because some decisions have a much bigger impact on how the space functions and feels over time.
When clients are planning a renovation, it’s easy to get pulled toward the finishes. The paint colors, the hardware, the details that photograph well.
But the conversations we spend the most time on are usually about the things that will affect daily life for years to come.
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One of the most common things I hear from homeowners is, “We’re trying to make this work for a few more years.” And I completely understand that mindset. But what I’ve noticed is that those “few more years” often turn into five or ten.
In the meantime, people spend money trying to make a space more tolerable. They buy the storage baskets. Add the extra shelving. Replace furniture. Reorganize the same closet over and over again. Move things around hoping the room will somehow function differently.
Sometimes those improvements help.
One of the reasons I love jumping on a discovery call is because they give people clarity. A better understanding of what is actually causing the frustration and what options might exist to solve it.
I’ve had plenty of conversations where someone who thought they needed a major renovation and they didn’t. I’ve also had conversations where someone had been spending years trying to work around an issue that could have been addressed much sooner with a plan.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, that’s exactly what the discovery calls are for. Send us a DM or schedule through the link in our bio. I’d love to hear more about your home and what isn’t quite working
I think one of the biggest misconceptions about hiring a designer is that people assume our clients don’t know what they want. In reality, most of them know exactly what they want.
They know they want a kitchen that feels warm and collected.
They know they want a patio they’ll actually use.
They know they want a home that feels finished.
What they don’t know is whether the white oak cabinets work with the soapstone counters they pinned six months ago. Or if the layout they’re considering is going to annoy them every single day once it’s built.
That’s where we come in. Not because you can’t make decisions. Because some decisions are expensive.
And it’s nice to have someone thinking through all the details before you start ordering materials and moving walls.
So, If you’ve ever looked through our portfolio and thought, “I want my house to feel like that, “this service was designed for you! Or you can explore our other offerings on our website and schedule a discovery call to determine which one is the perfect fit for you!
Hot take but... perfectly matching furniture, fabrics, and finishes is usually what makes a home feel the least personal.
I know it seems like the safe choice, but it’s also what makes everything fall a little flat. The spaces that feel the most interesting (and the most “you”) are the ones that mix things a bit.
Old + new
Structured + relaxed
A little unexpected but still makes sense
It’s less about following a blueprint and more about building something that feels collected over time. Because no one wants their house to feel like a showroom!!
If the idea of curating a beautifully layered home overwhelms you-that’s where we believe we shine the most! Reach out so we can chat how we can help.
📸: @zeewendell & @emilykennedyphoto
Most people think they’re stuck because they haven’t chosen the right style. So they take the quiz. They save more inspiration.
They toggle between two aesthetics. And somehow... they feel more unsure. But the problem usually isn’t the style. It’s that they haven’t decided how they want their home to feel. Because you can execute the exact same aesthetic in completely different ways, and end up with two entirely different emotional experiences. One can feel grounding and cocooning. Another can feel airy and serene (like our past Westgate Stay project). Same category. Different outcome.
And if this sounds like you, don’t worry! This is exactly where most people get tripped up. The good news? We’re going to fix that by shifting the question. Comment ‘ME’ if you want to read more on Between the Layers
I know my routines, what I reach for daily, how I want a space to function for me. That part makes designing for myself feel easy. (But making decisions for myself is where things get tricky LOL).
The difference is, I know what’s a non-negotiable for me. I know what actually matters day to day, not just what looks good.
And that’s really how I approach client work too.
It’s not just about picking beautiful pieces. It’s about asking the right questions, understanding how you live, and reading between the lines a bit. What you say you want... and what you actually need can be two different things.
That’s where we come in. We help make sense of it all so your home doesn’t just look good, it works for you in a way that feels natural.
Click the link in bio to start working with us today!
