I can usually tell within the first few minutes of meeting someone what kind of client they’re going to be. Not because of their style. Not because of the size of their house. It’s in the way they talk about their home. Sometimes they’ll apologize for it before we even walk in. “I know it’s kind of all over the place,” or, “We’ve lived with this for years.” And almost every time, I find myself thinking the same thing:
Your home isn’t the problem. It’s just waiting for someone to make a few confident decisions.
I think people assume interior design is about having better taste than everyone else. It isn’t. It’s pattern recognition. After twenty years of walking through homes, I don’t see a room the same way most people do anymore. I’m noticing what your eye keeps getting stuck on. Where the proportions feel off. Why one side of the room feels heavier than the other. Which thing is quietly throwing everything else out of balance.
Those aren’t things most homeowners should have to know. That’s what we’re here for. And honestly, that’s one of my favorite parts of this job. If you’ve ever hesitated to reach out or don’t know where to start with your project... message me, I’d love to chat!
A week later, I’m still thinking about why these five ideas stood out to me in the first place. Not because they feel especially “trendy.” Actually, the opposite. Each one feels like a small return to something homes have always needed: softness, character, usefulness, and a little less perfection.
After designing homes for more than two decades, I’ve realized I’m much less interested in what’s new than I am in what still feels good years later. The best ideas usually aren’t loud. They’re the ones that add another layer and make a home feel more personal over time.
I shared the full Design Board Pinnings edit last week on Between The Layers (link in bio), including how I’d use each idea, where I’d source it, and the pieces I’d actually choose.
Which one are you most tempted to try?
📸 Inspo imagery via Pinterest
There you have it... the den, for now.
I always say the best rooms aren’t the ones that feel perfect-they’re the ones that make you want to stay awhile.
This room has become exactly that. Morning coffee, evening happy hour, football games, reading, hanging with family... it’s already getting lived in the way we hoped it would.
Those are always my favorite projects.
Tell me your favorite part of this room!
Comment ‘EDIT’ and we’ll send it straight to your inbox when it goes live this evening.
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the difference between something that’s simply trending... and something that actually changes the way a home feels.
This month I keep coming back to vintage textiles over oversized artwork.
Bathrooms that feel more like living rooms than bathrooms. Why I think plug-in sconces are one of the most underrated design tricks. Cherry red (in the smallest doses❤️). And why I’ll almost always tell a client to invest in a beautiful faucet before a trendy finish somewhere else.
These are the conversations we’ve been having in the studio. The screenshots I’ve been saving. The products sitting in my cart. The little ideas that slowly find their way into client projects and eventually into our own home.
I’ll dive much deeper into all of it in today’s edition of Between the Layers, along with my favorite sources, products, and the “why” behind each one.
I hope you’ll join me!
One of my favorite parts of renovation design is questioning what no longer makes sense. We just wrapped up the final design presentation for our Meadowridge Revival project, and this little kitchen corner might be my favorite transformation.
Like so many older homes, it had a built-in desk—a space that once held calendars, bills, cookbooks, the family computer...and yes, even a phone jack for the landline. (Who even has those anymore? 😂). But our clients don’t live that way today. The desk had become a catch-all instead of a space they actually used. So we reimagined it as a dry bar with warm walnut cabinetry, metal grille inset doors, natural stone, and open shelving. It will hold glassware, spirits, serving pieces, and create the perfect spot for entertaining. That’s what great renovation is all about—not adding more, but making every square foot work better for the way you live today.
If you’ve ever looked at a room in your home and thought, “There has to be a better way,” you’re probably right. We’d love to help you see what’s possible. Send us a message to schedule a discovery call!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT...
Comment ‘LIST’ and I’ll send you the full article 🤍
We’ve lived in 15 homes, and every single one has taught me the same lesson:
You don’t have to wait until your house is finished to make it feel like home.
Inside last week’s Between the Layers, I shared my designer formula-the things I do in every home to make it feel warmer, more inviting, and more “finished.” The best part? You can use these ideas before a renovation, during a renovation, or long after it’s complete.
I’ve included my favorite paint colors, lighting, rugs, bedding, product sources, and all the little details I come back to again and again.
