When the Designer Becomes the Client
When we finally moved into our new home, I thought the hard part was behind me. After months (okay, years) of planning, building, making selections and managing all the details, we are in. But as I stood in our bedroom, looking at our bed with an Amazon dust ruffle that doesn’t fit, a rug I just bought and two lonely nightstands I had at my office, I realized the real work has just begun. Furnishing a home is overwhelming, even for a designer. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to figure out where to start in your home, I’m right there with you.
Even as a designer, I’ve found myself second-guessing every decision. Our family room opens right into the kitchen, so it feels like I can’t choose a sofa without knowing what chairs are going to be. And with the financial strain of building still fresh, I can’t afford to buy everything at once. So, I live with what I had at the old house, make a plan and purchase each piece as my budget allows. I know what I like, but I also want every choice to be right and feel layered over time. It’s easy to get stuck, not because you lack vision, but because you want your home to feel pulled together and complete.
The advice I’ve given my clients for years was complete one room before moving on to the next one, but I’m finding it hard to do this for myself. Every room needs something and each item feels important. The decision fatigue is real!
Lately, I’ve found myself thinking: What if I just hired a designer? Someone to look at the whole house with fresh eyes and help me focus on what to do first. Because the truth is, even when you know what you like, it’s hard to make the right decisions for your own home. That’s exactly why my clients hire me. They’re smart, capable women who want a beautiful home but don’t have the time to do it alone. They want to get it right the first time. Whether it’s one room or a full-home plan to tackle over time, the value of having someone guide you through the process is enormous. Having a “design bestie” is all it takes to finally move forward.
I have made some progress by ordering the window treatment fabrics for the walk-in pantry and two guest bathrooms. They’re the closest to being finished, so it felt good to get those checked off the list. The dining room is almost there, too. Just missing a few things, so that’s probably next. But then again, we really need a really bed and dresser in our bedroom, so we’ll see. Some days I feel like I have a plan and other days I just go with what feels doable. And that’s okay. I do like looking at the rendering I did before we started building so I can see how far I’ve come and be thankful for that!
If you’re staring at empty rooms or half-finished spaces wondering where to begin, you’re not alone. My best advice? Start with the room that will make the biggest impact to your daily life and focus your energy (and budget) there. Give yourself permission to go one room at a time if that’s what makes sense for you. A home doesn’t have to come together all at once, it just needs a plan that reflects you. If hiring a designer makes the best sense for you, I’d love to help. You don’t have to do it alone. Let’s make your home feel as beautiful and personal as the life you’re building inside it.