Design mistakes you didn't know you were making!

Making a home uniquely yours comes with risks and rewards. In this edition of The Design Edit, our monthly newsletter, you might be surprised at the design mistakes you’re making!

Ever walked into a room and felt something was just... off? As an experienced interior designer, I've seen countless homes where small mistakes made a big impact. This month, I’m addressing those common design pitfalls that can make even the nicest homes look cheap. If you’re eager to elevate your home’s aesthetic and create a space that feels truly luxurious, this blog is for you. Check out  “What Makes Your House Look Cheap: 9 Things You Need to Stop Doing” and discover practical solutions to avoid these missteps. Your dream home is just a few tips away.

Making your kitchen the heart of your home again, that’s what! I know it sounds romantic, but it actually means - it’s RENOVATION time! Whether you live in a condo or a big house, you’ve probably noticed how architects and builders are giving more importance to the kitchen. In smaller spaces, the dining room often disappears, transforming the kitchen into a place to cook and eat. In larger homes, you might keep a formal dining room, but let’s be honest, most of the time, the family ends up cooking and eating in the kitchen. If you want to have the best kitchen for daily living and entertaining, you need to incorporate these trends into your next renovation:

• A Unique Kitchen Island: Think of the kitchen island as the showstopper, like a beautiful piece of jewelry that steals the spotlight. In 2024, the kitchen island is both practical and social, but it’s getting a modern lift with bold choices in color, shapes, and materials. It can either blend with your home’s color palette or stand out with dramatic stones, making it the brightest star in your kitchen. 

• Handcrafted and Personal Details: Adding personality and uniqueness to your kitchen is all about the details. From waterfalls, to fluted countertop edges, to shelving to lighting, these are the thoughtful touches that create a unique and showstopping kitchen. Even unexpected focal points, like the inside of a kitchen cabinet, can make a big difference to flow and function. The more attention you give to these details, the more your kitchen will feel uniquely yours—something many people value during renovations.

• Hidden Storage: Say goodbye to clutter with beautiful doors and artisanal woodwork that conceal your storage. This creates an airy environment that blurs the line between the kitchen and the living room. The kitchen is becoming the new living room, and we want to embrace that lively atmosphere. For an extra touch, consider pocket door cabinets that let you choose whether to display or hide your storage, or even secret doors that conceal adjacent rooms and pantries, creating the illusion of an extra kitchen cabinet with a hidden entrance.

• Natural Stone: I called it months ago, and the love for natural materials is only growing stronger in 2024. More people are thinking long-term and opting for natural stone. This durable material enhances the tranquility of your kitchen and brings in a touch of nature. Plus, it can create a striking contrast, making your kitchen truly unique. While natural stone is still a favorite for countertops, it’s now climbing up walls and wrapping around kitchen islands too.

After more than 20 years of witnessing hundreds of clients' relationships with their space, I have come to one conclusion: a person's relationship with their space is no different than a romantic relationship between two people. Some relationships are born from love at first sight, others require more time. Some last forever, and others are fleeting. There are times of complete satisfaction and others when you wonder, "What the hell am I doing here?" At the end of the day, the biggest challenge is also the same: how to continue falling in love with the same space every day?

I'm not a couples counselor, but I do know how to keep the magic between you and your space, ensuring that your time together is incredible. Here are my secrets:

• Host People You Love: Isolation over the last few years may have made you fixate on imperfections in your home. To remind yourself of your living space's purpose, prioritize hosting people you care about. Whether you add routine potlucks with friends or simply have a loved one over for coffee once a week, you’ll inevitably see your space through others’ eyes and remember how it functions.

• Rearrange Your Furniture: You don’t have to buy new things to get excited about your space. Moving around what you already own costs nothing and is totally reversible, but can still leave you with a brand-new look and feel. Sometimes seeing a piece of furniture or decor from a new perspective is all it takes to remember why you fell for it in the first place.

• Regularly Rotate Your Textiles: Fresh bedding can totally change the vibe of your room, so instead of purchasing a second set of the same bedding for laundry day, spring for a distinct alternative. You can do the same thing with throw pillows or blankets — just keep your extras in a labeled bin in your closet or storage space, and change them out seasonally or whenever you want to feel inspired.

• Update Your Hardware: Something as simple as switching from chrome to painted ceramic knobs in your kitchen or changing out your dresser drawer knobs can make the whole space feel more stylish and less generic.

Finally, Keep Decorating! Your space does not need to be “done” the moment you move in. It’s much better if it’s not! Continue to decorate as time goes on, and fall a little more in love with your space with each change. People tend to neglect the fine details after setting up their home, but luckily this is something you do little by little. I love adding pieces from travel or vintage finds to bookcases and case goods. This way, the space grows with you and is ever-evolving.