Design Rule #1: Beauty should never be painful
Beauty is for everyone—and it should never be painful.
One of the biggest misconceptions about design is that beautiful things are not attainable for renters, adults with young children, partners with different aesthetics, pet owners and [insert other excuse here].
Form and function can co-exist. In fact, they absolutely should go hand in hand. Two things can be true at the same time. For instance, you will never catch me in painful high heels and yet I will be dressed to the nines on any given Tuesday afternoon. So as a self-professed expert in melding beauty with comfort, here are the common missed opportunities to elevate the home that I’ve spotted:
Curtains add character. I rent and can’t do heavy-duty renovations but what I can do is find some beautiful fabric that adds texture and color to my space. The length of my curtains can elongate a room and the type of fabric can instantly create a cozy effect in my apartment designed in the early aughts. (You bet I’ll be doing a deeper dive on this in the future).
Washable and stain-resistant rugs. Flat, easy-to-clean, low-pile Ruggable rugs are often the go-to for people with kids. Their marketing is great and their selection is wide—however, the quality of their designs and material is often underwhelming. Consider jute rugs, which are aesthetic and minimal fuss particularly for dining areas. Dig a little deeper in your research. Revival has a lush line of washable rugs that are so soft to the touch and look far more beautiful than the Ruggable rugs that simply scream synthetic.
Art. Nothing says character more than the images and colors you curate in your home. If you have posters or prints, just frame them to elevate these pieces. I am an absolute fiend for real paintings. Of course, good taste and no generational wealth initially made this feel a bit out of reach. At least, that’s what I thought before I fell in love with vintage shopping, estate sales, and swap meets. Truly the best art-finding hack you will ever find is to scope out these places for original pieces. Something about the process of finding that piece adds an element of kismet that makes it all the more special. And then there’s also how you present that art, but that’s a topic for another time.
Hardware. Little touches like changing out your knobs, pulls, and handles seem so specific. And yet, it can transform a kitchen with a dated look or a room with a dresser that feels generic. It also is the simplest change for anyone to install. I consider hardware to be the jewelry of interior design. It may quite possibly be one of the most inexpensive changes that can make your home feel bespoke.
In short, there is no excuse for not trying to upgrade your home into a space you’re genuinely excited to be in. And if you ever need a hand, you know how to reach out.