(A designer’s slightly spicy, very honest hot takes.)
There are two kinds of interior design projects:
- The ones where the client trusts the process and everything comes together beautifully.
- The ones where someone panic-orders a random farmhouse chandelier from Wayfair at 1:12am and casually mentions it during the design presentation.
We’ll let you guess which projects age better.
So in the spirit of transparency, here are a few things we lovingly—respectfully—passionately—advise our clients not to do.
1. Stop Buying Cheap Furniture Just to “Fill the Space”
We know fast furniture is tempting.
The quick shipping.
The low price tag.
But here’s the thing: cheap furniture usually ends up costing more in the long run.
It’s often poorly made, not sustainably sourced, not ethically manufactured, and designed to be disposable. The cushions flatten. The veneers peel. The legs wobble after one enthusiastic dog jump. And suddenly that “great deal” is sitting on the curb two years later.
You can feel the difference in quality.
And honestly? You can usually see it too.
We care deeply about sourcing pieces that are thoughtful, lasting, and meaningful—whether that’s a beautifully crafted heirloom dresser, a vintage find with character, or a performance chair that can survive kids, pets, wine night, and actual living.
Your home should not feel like a temporary waiting room full of mass-produced filler pieces.
We’d rather help you buy fewer things, but buy the right things. Pieces with soul. Pieces with longevity. Pieces that don’t end up in a landfill after two seasons and one house move.
2. Please Stop Chasing Trends
Hot take: your house does not need to look like everyone else’s Pinterest board.
And no, we are not copy-pasting another designer’s project down to the exact stool, tile, and paint color. That’s weird.
We absolutely want inspiration images. They help us understand your style language. But our job is to interpret your aesthetic—not carbon-copy someone else’s creativity.
You hired a designer because you want something personal, layered, and original.
Not:
“Can you make my house look exactly like this influencer’s kitchen from 2022?”
Trends move fast. Good design doesn’t.
3. “But What About Resale Value?”
Ah yes. The phrase.
The design equivalent of someone reminding the teacher there was homework.
Listen. We understand being financially wise. We are not suggesting you install a lime green leopard-print island in the middle of your kitchen.
But people use “resale value” as an excuse to avoid making any interesting design decisions whatsoever.
“How do we know future buyers will like this?”
How do you know Jim and Sue from 2034 won’t love it?
You are the one living there now. Your home should reflect you, not a hypothetical future couple who may or may not own three golden retrievers and hate unlacquered brass.
Some of the most memorable homes take thoughtful risks.
And ironically? Those are often the homes buyers remember most.
4. Do Not Go Rogue Mid-Design
This one is personal.
Please do not randomly buy furniture, lighting, rugs, or plumbing fixtures halfway through the design process without telling us.
Especially when the text comes through saying:
“Oops hehe… I already bought it.”
Because suddenly the scale is off.
The palette changes.
The proportions shift.
The sourcing has to pivot.
And now we’re trying to emotionally recover from a chrome geometric LED ceiling fan that was never part of the vision.
If you find something you absolutely love, amazing. Send it to us.
Early.
Not during the final presentation like it’s a surprise guest appearance.
We are very good at incorporating meaningful pieces into a design when we know about them in time.
5. Your Entire House Does Not Need to Be Neutral
Beige is fine.
We like beige.
But somewhere along the way, people became afraid of personality.
Not every room needs to look like an oat milk latte.
Contrast creates interest. Texture creates depth. Color creates emotion. Vintage creates soul.
Sometimes the thing your home is missing is not another white boucle chair.
Sometimes it’s courage.
6. Matching Furniture Sets Are Not the Move
If your bedroom set came with:
- the bed,
- two nightstands,
- a dresser,
- a mirror,
- and an existential crisis…
we need to talk.
The best homes feel layered and evolved over time. Mixing materials, finishes, silhouettes, and eras is what creates richness and dimension.
A home should feel collected.
Not like you clicked “Add Entire Room to Cart.”
Final Thoughts From Your Designer
At the end of the day, our job is not just to make your home “look nice.”
It’s to create a space that feels intentional, functional, personal, elevated, and deeply reflective of the people living there.
And yes—occasionally that means telling you:
“No. Absolutely not. Put the tiny trendy tile sample down.”
Lovingly, of course. 😉
