The Rebellion of Imperfection
Breaking all the rules might be the best design decision you'll ever make.
I saw a video yesterday where a designer, very seriously, took a FULL MINUTE to declare that "Nancy Meyers interiors are the new chevron.”
For five solid seconds, I thought it was satire.
It was not.
My finger hovered over the reply button. The takedown practically wrote itself in my head, complete with footnotes, charts, and just enough snark to go viral.
But I didn't.
Not because I'm some evolved being (though let's call restraint "growth" and take the win).
I didn't reply because we’re all TIRED. Not just of rage-bait videos but also of the deeper message behind them. That there's a "right" way to do design. Somewhere along the way, design became a performance. A vocabulary quiz. A constant feed of curated images that suggest your space only has value if it's trend-proof, perfectly lit, and appropriately labeled.
Let me tell you something that might be controversial in certain circles: Your home doesn't need to pass anyone's exam.
The most beautiful spaces I've ever experienced weren't ripped from design magazines. They were created by people who couldn't care less about "proper terminology". They simply arranged their world to match how they wanted to feel when they walked through their door.
That's it. That's the secret.
Design isn't about flexing credentials. It's about creating spaces that feel safe, lived in, and soft around the edges. It's about how your environment shapes your nervous system (and yes, I absolutely believe a cozy velvet chair and the right playlist could make going to the dentist slightly less traumatic).
Whether your kitchen looks like a Nancy Meyers movie set or your couch still rocks those supposedly passé chevron pillows, if it feels like home to YOU, you've already mastered the only design principle that matters.
So welcome to this corner of the internet where we're throwing out the rulebook. Where Facebook Marketplace finds sit proudly next to heirlooms.
Where the design police have no jurisdiction.
Your space. Your rules. Always.
Between us
The world's been extra... HARD lately. If you're feeling the weight of it all and need someone to talk to, my inbox is open. No team, no auto-responses. Just me, probably overthinking and sipping lukewarm coffee. If you need someone to talk to, I’m always here.
Now, about that doorway trick…
The Doorway Photo Trick
Here's something you can do right now that costs $0!
Stand in the doorway of any room that feels "off." Take a photo with your phone. Then, look at the PHOTO instead of the room.
Something clicks when you see your space in 2D – your brain suddenly notices all the things it's been politely ignoring, and you should take note of what you observe!
Try it. I'll wait.
The 60-Minute Spring Clean
First 20 minutes: Walk through your house with a rolling laundry bin, throwing in everything that's out of place. Don't organize as you go, just collect.
Second 20 minutes: Put everything in the basket away. Be ruthless. If it doesn't have a home, it either needs one or needs to go.
Final 20 minutes: Wipe down the surfaces people see. I keep cleaning wipes in every room for this exact purpose.
That's it. That's the whole spring clean. And it works because you can actually finish it.
The OHIO Principle That Changed My Life
“Only Handle It Once.”
See a piece of mail? Don't put it down to deal with later. Either:
recycle it
file it
or act on it immediately.
See a dirty cup? Either put it in the dishwasher or wash it, don't set it by the sink.
I started doing this after watching my friend's house descend into chaos despite her cleaning constantly.*
The problem wasn't that she didn't clean; she constantly moved things from one pile to another. Now, her house stays nearly spotless with about 70% less effort.
*It's me, I’m the friend!
The Vacation Reset Trick
You know how you clean differently when you're leaving for vacation? Do that, but without the vacation (sorry). Fresh sheets, clean kitchen sink, clear counters. If you only have 1 hour, these 3 things make the biggest difference.
The real hack? Do this Sunday night instead of Monday morning.
Walking into a fresh week with a clean house changes your entire mindset.
Come see what's behind the paywall.
Paid subscribers get the complete playbook each week! All of my favorite design secrets that make a real difference in how a space feels.
This week, I'm sharing my European flower arranging method, Italian Easter table setup, the Mary Randolph Carter collection approach, and the 8-minute styling technique I use everywhere.
It's $7 monthly, and the door's always open if you decide to join us.
This week inside:
🌷 The European Flower Arrangement Anyone Can Master
🇮🇹 The Effortlessly Chic Italian Easter (That Looks Like You Spent Days)
📚 Mary Randolph Carter & the Art of Imperfection
🪞 My 8-Minute Styling Technique that transforms any surface