Design Your Home

I break down the three decisions that determine whether your first conversation with a kitchen contractor stays clear or spirals into confusion and change orders. I explain why contractors build the plan but usually do not design it, and how getting prepared first keeps your remodel on track.

• Why a contractor executes your plan rather than creates it
• Decision one setting a real budget number you can say out loud
• How vagu...

Episode 88

If you're already picking out tile and pricing countertops, some part of you has already decided you're designing this kitchen yourself, and hiring out the rest. The real question isn't whether you can, it's whether you're about to do it the hard way or the smart way, and today I'm going to help you figure out which one you're headed for 

Designing your own kitchen is completely doable, but the real choice is whether ...

In this episode we break down the five process mistakes that quietly push kitchen remodel costs higher after you think your budget is set. We share the questions we ask before demo day so you can plan for surprises, protect your timeline, and stop “one more upgrade” from snowballing.

• Electrical and plumbing code surprises hidden behind walls
• Setting a realistic 15% to 20% contingency cushion
• Structural pr...

Discover six quiet signs your kitchen is ready for a remodel and why “not yet” keeps winning even when you’re frustrated every day. We get honest about the real blocker, the fear of spending money you can’t get back, and the simple first step that makes progress feel possible.

• Tuning out dated or broken cabinets and finishes as a hidden signal 
• Living with daily layout frustration by building work...

Ep85: Trends change whether we like it or not. And while your home doesn’t need to be trendy, it also shouldn’t feel stuck in a time warp. The truth is, some design choices that once felt fresh and stylish are now quietly dating your home. So, is your home stylish…or secretly stuck in the past? Today we’re breaking down the dead giveaways that make a house look dated—and what you can do to fix them.

De...

Ep83: If your home is on the darker side and you’re ready to lighten things up without gutting your space or painting everything bright white then this episode is for you. In darker spaces, if you’re not going for the dark and moody vibe, it can feel heavy and bring you down. So let’s dive into some design strategies to brighten your home and boost your mood.

Design is better with friends...

• Let's Connect on Ins...

Ep82: Are you feeling overwhelmed with your home’s design because you like a little bit of everything? Welcome to the club! It’s so easy (and common) to like things in different design styles. But when you like everything, it gets hard to make decisions and know what direction to go. This episode is meant to help you get you out of design limbo and into action with your home. Are you ready to get started?

Design is bette...

Ep81: Something about your room just feels… off. You’ve tried adding décor, swapping pillows, maybe even moving the furniture around—but it still doesn’t feel right. There’s one design essential that every great space has, and without it, a room can fall flat. That’s what we’re diving into today—and once you get this right, it changes everything about how your space looks and feels.

D...

Ep80: When it comes to furnishing your home, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and wonder if everything has to match or if you should mix things up.  AND if you should mix things up, how do you do it so it doesn’t look like a hodgepodge of random furniture.  

I recommend mixing furniture because it makes your home feel more personal, more layered, and NOT like you bought the whole store display.  But there are ...

Ep79: Welcome to Part 2 of my 3-part furniture series. Today, we’re diving into the ultimate living room debate: Sectional vs. Sofa.

If you’ve ever wondered which one is better—or why making this decision feels weirdly high-stakes—you’re not alone. I’ll walk you through the pros, cons, design considerations, and some surprising things that might sway your decision one way or the other.

Whether you'...

Ep78: Have you ever walked into a furniture store or spent hours scrolling online, only to feel completely overwhelmed? Maybe you found something you loved, but then the price gave you sticker shock. Or worse—you finally made a decision, waited weeks (or months!) for delivery, and when it arrived… it didn’t fit, didn’t match, or just wasn’t what you expected.

If any of that sounds familiar, you are...

Ep77: Ever walk into a brand-new home and think, “Wow... this is great, but it feels kind of...well... blah and generic?” If yes, you're not alone. Builder-grade homes are made to appeal to as many people as possible—neutral colors, standard finishes, and safe design choices. Which is fine… until you’re the one living in it and realizing it doesn’t feel like you at all. If you’ve ever move...

Ep76: Have you ever stared at a wall of paint swatches, feeling completely overwhelmed? Or have you ever painted a room, stepped back, and thought, “Wait… why does this look completely different than I expected?” Maybe it’s too dark, too washed out, or—somehow—looks purple when it’s supposed to be gray. If yes, know that you’re not alone. Choosing a paint color is one of the hardest ...

Ep75: Accessories are the finishing touch that brings a home to life, adding warmth, personality, and major style. But with so many options out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the best accessories to have in your home—the ones that are timeless, versatile, and instantly elevate a space. I’ll share what to use, how to style them, and how to avoid common acces...

Ep74: Moving into a new home is exciting but can also feel overwhelming. There’s so much to unpack—literally and figuratively—and the urge to make it feel “done” as quickly as possible can lead to rushed decisions and design regrets.

In this episode, we’re talking about the challenges you might not expect and the best approach for decorating your "new to you" space.

Design is better with friends...

You might be surprised to hear that furnishing and decorating a smaller space can actually be harder than furnishing and decorating a larger space. Sounds backwards, right? You’d think bigger rooms would be harder because there’s more space to fill and more furniture to buy. But that’s not the case because in smaller spaces there’s less room for errors. So keep listening to hear all about furnishing small sp...

One of the biggest complaints that I hear as an interior designer from potential clients and students is that their home doesn’t look or feel put-together. And when our homes don’t feel put-together it affects our moods and how we feel each and every day. But if your home is missing this ONE thing, then it will never feel put-together. AND designing and decorating it is going to be way harder than it needs to be. Keep l...

What are the Do’s and Don’ts when planning a kitchen remodel? Well, if you’re planning on updating your kitchen this year it’s important to know what things to do and what things not to do so you can get the best results in your home. Kitchens have the power to increase our home’s value so we want to make really good decisions when planning them so we create assets, not eyesores.  So let’s d...