One of the things I love most about interior design is helping people see possibilities they may never have considered.
Many people think there is a “right” way to use a room. A dining room should be a dining room. A guest room should be a guest room. But some of the best design solutions happen when we let go of those rules and think outside the box.
Recently, a client found several beautiful needlepoint placemats at a secondhand store and had the creative idea of transforming them into decorative pillows. She asked me to help facilitate the project and bring her vision to life. Together, we selected a fabric for the backs that highlighted the soft green tones in the needlepoint and added a fringe trim for extra detail and texture. I then had my workroom custom-make the pillows. The result was a collection of one-of-a-kind pieces created specifically for her home.
When purchasing secondhand items, I also encourage people to pay attention to how they feel. Objects can carry the energy of previous owners. If something feels a little “off,” consider space clearing it before bringing it into your home. A simple blessing or intention can help make the piece your own.
Thinking creatively isn’t limited to furnishings. It can also apply to how we use our homes.
In my own home, I have a room next to my bedroom that I affectionately call the “Cozy Room.” It has become one of my favorite spaces because it serves several purposes. It contains a comfortable sofa, a large-screen television, artwork I love, and beautiful shells I’ve collected from the beach. The room has a calming, relaxing energy.
My fiancé, who recently moved in and whom I’m marrying this month, uses it as his dressing room because it has a walk-in closet and dresser. The sofa is also a sleeper sofa, making it perfect when my mother comes to visit. Sometimes I use the room as an exercise space by streaming workout classes on YouTube. My hand weights and exercise mat are neatly stored in a basket in the closet.
One room. Multiple purposes.
I’ve seen dining rooms transformed into home offices, spare bedrooms become art studios, and formal living rooms turned into spaces where families gather to read, watch movies, exercise, or simply connect.
The most successful homes are not necessarily the ones that look like they belong in a magazine. They are the homes that support the lives of the people who live there.
As you look around your home, ask yourself: Is there a room that isn’t being fully utilized? Is there an object that could be repurposed? Is there a space that could better support your lifestyle today?
Your home should work for you—not the other way around.
Sometimes the most creative and meaningful design solutions come from giving yourself permission to break the rules and create a home that truly supports your life.
