Every design era has a personality. Some are loud. Some are quiet. Some flare up for five minutes, while others linger for a decade. After so many years in this industry, I’ve lived through more design swings than I can count. I’ve watched color arrive, disappear, and then tiptoe back in. I’ve watched clients fall in love with trends that lit up the world, and others that faded before the paint even dried.

But nothing tested me quite like the long stretch of gray and stark contrast that took over the design world. Entire rooms wiped clean of warmth. Sharp lines. Cool palettes. Spaces that photographed beautifully but rarely lived beautifully. I delivered what clients asked for—because they deserve to feel heard, but it wasn’t where my creative spirit belonged. Walking into project after project that wanted only black and white, when my heart was begging for texture, history, and pieces with soul… it almost broke me.

So you can imagine my relief when the tide finally turned.

A Return to Depth, Warmth, and Meaning

The design moment we find ourselves in now feels like a deep exhale. Like the industry remembered what it truly means to create spaces that hold memory and meaning. It feels like the world came back to the kind of design I have always loved: collected, warm, deeply personal. A thoughtful mix of materials and eras. A layered balance of old and new that never shouts—yet absolutely resonates. It’s a return to depth, character, and intention. The very things that made me fall in love with design in the first place.

This is the design language I speak fluently. It comes from years of sourcing antiques in small towns, discovering artisans whose work tells a story, and layering rooms that feel like they’ve evolved over time. I know how to build spaces that feel lived-in from day one, because that is how I want people to feel in their homes: comfortable, safe, inspired, seen.

Design That Feels Like Home

What I love most about this era is that it honors individuality. There is no single “right” shade, shape, or style. There’s a willingness to mix sculptural forms with quiet textiles. There’s permission to bring color back in a way that feels timeless rather than trendy. There’s room for furniture with soft silhouettes and strong presence. There is beauty in imperfection. There is curiosity. There is joy.

My team feels it too. The projects coming out of our studio right now feel like our best work because they are grounded in authenticity. Clients are embracing soulful design in a way that allows us to take risks and push boundaries. They’re choosing pieces that feel collected rather than curated. They’re trusting the process more deeply because they can see how this approach brings harmony to their homes.

And as we step into a new year, I feel more creatively energized than I have in a long time. This moment feels like coming home to myself as a designer. A reminder that good design has never been about chasing what’s “in.” It’s about listening to the whisper of a space, and honoring the story it wants to tell.

Ready to Begin Your Next Chapter?

If you’re ready to begin a new chapter in your home — a space with depth, soul, and a story that feels unmistakably yours — we’d love to guide the way. Schedule a design consultation and let’s create something beautiful together.