Take a look at your surroundings. Are you surrounded by clutter, furniture that has long outlived its beauty, drab decor? You’re not the only one.

Many people are too busy providing for their home that they overlook the need to create a place of real comfort and relaxation within it. Your home is your shelter, but it should also be your escape from the stress of your weekly schedule. The question is, where do you start?

Working with an interior designer is the best way to get the most out of your living space. With nearly twenty years of experience as an interior designer, I understand the issues homeowners face when it comes to updating their home. It can be intimidating when you don’t know exactly what you want or can’t imagine the end result, but I can work with clients to envision their dream and how they want their room to feel. This skill doesn’t come naturally to everyone, which provides me with a rare insight I can utilize to help clients turn their home into their dream home.

When working with clients, I pull from their personalities and ask a lot of questions about their lifestyle and their home. I really like to identify a good starting point – some people are starting fresh, some have a piece of art they love and use for their inspiration. I’ve even started from a single teapot. Anything can be a starting point as long as it represents a mood or a feeling of what they want. I absolutely want these creations to reflect the personality of the individuals I’m working with and it’s really crucial to have that point of reference to ensure that.

To have a truly lasting look, it’s important to understand your tastes and know the difference between a fleeting trend and a style that endures. Right now we’re seeing a rise in popularity with super casual pieces featuring natural fibers and distressed driftwoods, but I see this as more than a passing trend. The home isn’t as formal as it once was and people are seeking a bolder change. It’s really key that you love a piece that is unique in design to make sure it outlasts the test of time. Trendy pieces that you simply like at the moment will lose their appeal over time, forcing you to replace, repurpose, or simply deal with an expensive piece you no longer appreciate.

To create the right look with a specific style, it must be done completely. Styles that are modern or contemporary need to stay minimal, needing only one “WOW” piece while more complex styles like Tuscan or Old World require layers of accessories to pull off a complete look, including several “WOW” pieces. The right amount of accessories and detail can create a really powerful look.

It’s also important to make sure paints and other accents compliment your home for years to come. Many people find their biggest decorating challenge to be selecting paint colors. Interior colors should all play well with each other, providing a nice flow throughout the home. All colors will look different in particular areas and as the light changes throughout the day. This is why it’s best to rely on the experienced eye of an interior designer. We can take a small square of color and visualize an entire room to determine the best color choice.

In the end, interior designers want nothing more than to help our clients get what they want. We work with you to find looks you already like and pull these ideas out of the box to create something really personal and unique for you. We enjoy the challenges that can feel overwhelming for our clients, from creating a seasonal look to turning an old tired unused room into something vibrant, new, and alive! Together, we can turn your home into your own personal paradise.