Designing a Home That Feels Like You
Well… hi, I guess!
If you’re reading this, I already love you. Ahh, the classic blog post. Where did they come from? Or more importantly- where did they go? Whether you’re here because you’re curious about me or you want to understand my design perspective a little more — I’m so happy you’re here.
I wanted to start by sharing what I consider the greatest compliment I could ever receive about our home. It’s something my husband says so casually, but to me it means I absolutely nailed it: “It looks like us.” I know — wait, what? Let me explain.
I think one of the biggest issues in design today is the pressure to fit your home into whatever box is currently popular. Don’t get me wrong — I love design trends. I’ve hopped on plenty of bandwagons myself. And yes, I still love when someone says, “This is so Nancy Meyers.” Because true Nancy Meyers fans know the secret: her spaces aren’t iconic because they’re “coastal grandmother bliss.” They’re iconic because each home reflects the character who lives there. They’re timeless and refined, but deeply personal. You can see who the person is and how they live.
That’s the piece I think people often miss — and something I’ve missed in the past. Hiding all of your husband’s “ugly” items. Tucking away every appliance to create a space that looks magazine-worthy. It’s a noble effort — one I’ve attempted many times — but somewhere in that process, the life gets edited out. The soul disappears.
Over time, I’ve learned that if you create a strong foundation in a room, adding personal touches only elevates it. It makes it yours.
There was a season when we would travel somewhere beautiful — let’s say The Plaza in New York City — and I’d come home thinking, “We must change everything.” The Plaza is refined, elegant, polished. But here’s the reality: our home is never going to be The Plaza… and it shouldn’t be. Because the next trip might be to a mid-century modern hotel, and suddenly I’d want that instead.
What I finally realized is this: our style is eclectic. It’s more than one thing. It’s more than one style. And honestly? I think most people’s personal styles are, especially in a place like America where we’re surrounded by such a beautiful blend of cultures and influences. There’s something so special about layering pieces from different seasons of your life —maybe a print that captures the essence of your hometown, coasters from a thrift store somewhere special that you traveled to, a dresser passed down from family, paint colors that remind us of a specific memory.
When you look around and see reminders of where you’ve been and what you love, that’s when a house becomes a home.
It’s so important to me that my husband — and hopefully our future children — feel like our home represents us and our family’s history. I love incorporating my husband’s things (to a point… sorry babe, the second golf bag does belong in the garage). But instead of immediately dismissing something as “ugly,” I try to let it live in the space for a minute. Sometimes it adds just the personality the room was missing. To give you an example, our dining room is a space I’m currently trying to add a little more soul to. It’s polished and beautiful, but in my opinion, it’s lacking some color and personal touches. . I haven’t fully figured out exactly what the missing piece is yet, but until then, I often leave our dining table scattered with everyday items to help ground the space.
It might be a sweet playful notepad from a brand I used to work with (shoutout to Joy Paper Co.), a stack of folded laundry, my laptop, or books and journals we’ve used earlier that day. These might seem like obvious to some, but all of these little things add signs of life and make the room feel less stiff and overly polished — and much more like us.
So in conclusion, let people walk into your home and see you — where you’ve been, what you love, what matters to you and those that live in the space. That’s what makes a space unforgettable.
