What rules are you following when you're decorating  your home?  In today's podcast episode I'm speaking with special guest, New York Times Bestselling author, Myquillyn Smith about this idea that when it comes to our homes there should be suggestions and guidelines to follow - never hard and fast rules.  Myquillyn agrees that design is teachable and inside her new book (releasing April 24, 2024) House Rules, she shares the guidelines that will help us navigate this journey of creating homes we love.  In today's conversation, we focus our attention on an often misunde ..read more

 How does your home FEEL?  When it comes to decorating our homes, we often stay stuck in a place of reason. Understandably so, especially when it comes to making practical decisions based on budget, decisions surrounding big ticket items, long term choices, etc.  But FEELING shouldn't be dismissed. Knowing how you feel about your home in it's current state affects how you want your home to feel. And that feeling should be a filter for making decisions, just as much as your budget and your aesthetic are filters for making decisions.    In this episode we're talking abo ..read more

 Did you miss the BACK TO BASICS BOOTCAMP?  If you missed the home decorating workshop, Back to Basics Bootcamp, you're in for a real treat today. I'm pulling back the curtain once again to share what it's like inside my workshop. What you'll hear is the start of a two day conversation surrounding:  THE #1 THING YOU SHOULD DO WHEN YOU ARE WANTING TO LEARN HOW TO DECORATE YOUR HOME   We talk about the goals you have for your home, the things that are keeping you stuck from reaching those goals, your experience with shopping trips and how, once you learn this new skill...you ..read more

Do you ever wonder...where do you START when you want to decorate your home or re-fresh a single room?   Starting BIG with a purchase could possibly be the worst thing you could do as you begin re-designing your home. So, put away your credit card and grab a notebook and a pen because you'll want to pay attention to the DETAILS.  Learning your design style is not just an important step. It's THE MOST IMPORTANT first step, so what details do you pay attention to? All of them!  Your style is more nuanced than the global terms that are tossed around left and right. Your style is mo ..read more

 "I have decision fatigue!"  These were the words my Home Design 101 student, Susan, said when we were talking about her couch. Decision Fatigue is when you are so overwhelmed with the myriad of choices in front of you that you don't know how to narrow it down in order to make a design decision.  Turns out, Susan does NOT have decision fatigue. She knows EXACTLY what she wants. Why? How? Susan is learning to understand her unique design style and she's applying that style to the decision surrounding her couch. What's the problem then? The problem is that we haven't looked long ..read more

 Have a messy husband? OR  Maybe you have a hubby who doesn't agree with your style?    In today's episode we're talking about this hot topic that happens in SO many homes. You may have the best solution for making your home beautiful and keeping it tidy, but the partner you share it with seems to sabotage your every effort.  In today's episode I'm teaching you the three steps to partnering together to reach the goals you have for your home. Do you get to have it all your way? Maybe...or maybe not. The goal, however, is never to bully your partner into relenting, nor i ..read more

 Have you started decorating for spring?    Decorating your home for spring doesn't mean you have to put out all the eggs, bunnies and carrots. Though those can be cute in vignettes, it can also cheapen the presentation of your home decorating. Instead of decorating overtly with spring elements, try decorating with the allusion to spring.  In this episode I share five tips that help you allude to spring in your decorating and by doing THAT, you immediately elevate the look of your home's design.  1. Spring clean - including decluttering, airing out and rearranging 2. B ..read more

 What's my design style?  It's the age-old question. What's my style? What name can I give it? What box can I put it in to make my job of decorating my home easier?  The hard truth: those home decorating style quizzes DON'T make your job easier. They make it harder...a LOT harder.  Your design style can be labeled, but it should be labeled by you and you alone. Why? Because you and I can both be looking at the exact same picture with the same design style label and interpret it two different ways.  Inside the BACK TO BASICS BOOTCAMP I teach you how to learn your design ..read more

 Do you want more COLOR in your home decorating?    Beige, taupe, white, and gray walls are fine, but what happens when you crave a bit more color in your home decorating? What happens when you want to add more boldness but are stopped from action because you are afraid of the change?  In today's podcast I'm answering listener Jen's question and easing her fear about putting more color into her home decorating. We first need to break through the barriers that are keeping her stuck, but then we dive right into the tactical ways she can approach adding more color and playfuln ..read more

 Does the thought of decorating your home like Grandpa's house make you want to break out in hives?    In today's episode, I'm sharing the secret behind the home design style: Grandpa Chic. It's a timeless, sophisticated, artfully decorated, vintage inspired comfortable home decor style. Homes that are Grandpa Chic are non-pretentious, inviting, comfortable and layered with warm tones and lots of texture. Quality furnishings that span the generations are a highlight while timelessness trumps the latest trend.  Listen to today's episode for the seven elements you can infuse ..read more