From New, to You

It seems these days you can't drive down a main road without seeing land being cleared or new homes popping up claiming to be the newest "it-girl" neighborhood. A common theme I find in these neighborhoods is yes; they are built to reflect the newest trends, but the interior of these homes are a blank slate. In many ways this is a positive thing, as it's a great way to begin imagining what could be. Blank slates can feel overwhelmingly sterile at first, but I promise, as soon as you begin to layer in color- the entire space will echo that warmth.

Family First

So, you’re thinking of redesigning a space in your home? The first question you should ask yourself isn’t, “What’s my style?” but rather, “How do we actually use this space?”

It’s easy to start planning around ideas that may not be all that realistic for your everyday life. In my case, leather couches were what we wanted...until we remembered that Jax & Louie use our couches as a WWE wrestling ring, so that probably wasn’t the wisest decision.

Think about your own day-to-day use of a space. How many people, or pets, are regularly using it? Are you eating and drinking there? (Because stain-resistant fabric can absolutely be a lifesaver.) Is this a room you use every day, or one that can afford to be a little less practical?

The intent behind this blog is to get you, the end-user, thinking about all the possibilities your home holds while still being realistic about the people who live there and what they actually need. A beautiful home shouldn’t require you to tiptoe around it. Good design should work for your life, not the other way around.

Paneling, Please

This one can sound expensive, but by no means does it have to be. Have you ever heard of beadboard? Beadboard has become one of my best friends, it can cut the amount of wallpaper you need in half while adding another opportunity for a fun splash of color.

Smoothing a wall and adding 2x4s or applied moulding is another relatively affordable way to make a big impact. Paneling adds dimension to an otherwise flat wall and can instantly make a space feel elevated.

I always tell my husband our forever home will have an infinite amount of paneling (tastefully designed, of course).

Let’s not forget about the ceiling; I often think of ceilings as another blank slate that's completely overlooked. While not exactly "paneling," adding beams, a coffered ceiling grid, or even thoughtfully designed trim can give the ceiling just as much character as the walls.

Walls Want Wallpaper!

Wallpaper, a word some generations see as a thing of the past, while others see it as that special something you save up for to really dress up a room.

In my opinion, wallpaper is one of the easiest ways to bring a direct reflection of your personality into your home. It can add a pop of color, feel moody and dramatic, stay soft and muted, or introduce an intriguing motif. I personally love patterns with a lot going on. That can mean florals, animals, or even animals pouring cocktails (yes, that really is a pattern!).

I always get asked, "Isn't wallpaper a thing of the past?" My immediate response is, "Not at all, but it very much matters how you use it."

I love using wallpaper in smaller spaces. Think powder rooms, laundry rooms, mudrooms, or even a tucked-away nook. These spaces are often overlooked, but we forget how much time we actually spend in them, or simply passing through them. Why shouldn't they be just as interesting as the rest of the house?

Wallpaper has a way of striking up a conversation. Choose a print that feels like you, and you won't have to do much explaining, the walls will speak for themselves.

Adding Antiques & Handed-Down Heirlooms

I grew up in a home where most everything was new-ish. If a piece of furniture took a beating, eventually it was replaced, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. As I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate the nostalgia that comes with giving new life to something that's been in the family for years, or finding an antique that has been thoughtfully sourced.

Passed-down pieces aren't only sentimental; they can add a layer of history that you simply can't buy new. Sometimes all they need is a little refinishing, new hardware, or a slight tweak to make them feel fresh again. I actually have '70s nightstands from my grandparents, and I've seen nearly the exact same style being sold today with a pretty hefty price tag. Styles really do come back around.

This is also where I encourage people to rethink the idea of a matching furniture "set." There's nothing inherently wrong with matching pieces, especially in a very traditional home, but mixing old and new is one of my favorite ways to make a room feel like it was collected over time rather than purchased all at once.

Love the old bed frame? Keep it, but try pairing it with different nightstands. Have a beautiful vintage dresser? Let it be the shining star rather than feeling like it has to stay with every piece it was originally purchased with.

Sometimes adding character isn't about bringing something new into your home at all. It's about looking at what you already have a little differently.

Commit to Color

When it comes to color, I am wildly particular. I think the people at Home Depot both recognize me and dread me because I am the person asking them to “darken the color 10%.” I rarely pick up a swatch and just go with it, I truly do customize the formula until it feels just right.

Color is another area I treat a lot like wallpaper: think about those smaller spaces when you want to experiment with something bold. A powder bath, office, laundry room, or guest room can be the perfect place to have a little more fun. Otherwise, if you’re going bold in a larger room, I say go all-in. Color-drench it and really let the color become part of the design.

I am naturally drawn to contrast. If you walked through my own home, you would find teals, greens, browns, and even some blues. Collectively, the colors work together, but that’s because I’ve strategically chosen where to use them while leaving some of the main areas more neutral. Not every room needs to make the same statement.

I also love a painted cabinet. The “all-white kitchen” is starting to feel less dominant, and I’m seeing people look for ways to bring warmth back into those spaces, even if that means painting stark white cabinets an ever-so-slightly warmer off-white. If you’re looking to warm up your own kitchen, start with your countertops. Look closely at the colors already there; sometimes even the tiniest speck can become the inspiration for a beautiful cabinet color.

So when I say “Commit to Color” have fun with it, and let it give your home personality, just use it with enough intention that the larger areas of your home can still stand the test of time.

Now, Make it Yours

I hope this blog makes you look up at the room you’re reading it in and imagine what you could do differently in your own home. A home should represent the people living in it, so paint the walls, refinish your grandparents’ side table, put wallpaper on the ceiling; simply, let yourself be inspired. Finding the balance between trends and personalization is key, and ultimately, you get to decide what feels right for your own home.

One of my favorite things about designing for the Burleson community is seeing how differently each family can use and make their home their own. Be intentional with your design, have fun with it, and most importantly, make it yours.