Ten years ago, I started BDesign’D with a love for interiors and a lot of uncertainty. I didn’t have everything figured out—honestly, I still don’t—but I did know I cared deeply about how people live in their homes.

A decade later, I’ve learned that good design isn’t about trends or perfection. It’s about listening, evolving, and creating spaces that feel lived in and loved over time.

Here’s what ten years of designing homes has taught me.

1. A Beautiful Home Has to Work First

Early on, I was focused on how a space looked. Now, I start with how it functions.

How do you move through the room? Where do you naturally gather? What drives you a little crazy every day?

Over the years, I’ve learned that the homes people love most are the ones that quietly remove friction. Thoughtful layouts, smart storage, and clear circulation allow a space to support real life—kids, pets, work-from-home days, and quiet moments alike. When a home works well, it feels easier to live in, and that ease is what ultimately makes it beautiful.

2. Trust Changes Everything

Some of my most meaningful projects came from clients who trusted the process—and trusted me.

That doesn’t mean blind faith. It means collaboration, openness, and allowing a design to unfold instead of forcing every decision at once. When that trust is there, the result is always stronger, more cohesive, and far more personal.

3. Trends Come and Go—Good Bones Last

I’ve watched trends cycle faster and faster over the years. What lasts is thoughtful planning, quality materials, and restraint.

I’ll always love a neutral foundation layered with texture, warmth, and a touch of personality. When a home is designed this way, it can evolve naturally—new pillows, a fresh rug, different art—without needing a full reset every few years.

4. Design Is Emotional (Whether We Admit It or Not)

Homes hold our lives: celebrations, grief, chaos, calm, growth.

I’ve designed spaces during joyful seasons and during incredibly hard ones. I’ve learned to slow down, listen more closely, and respect that design isn’t just about rooms—it’s about people. That awareness has changed how I show up as both a designer and a business owner.

5. Boundaries Make Better Design

This one took time.

Clear processes, defined services, and honest conversations don’t limit creativity—they protect it.

Early in my career, I wanted to help in every possible way, but experience has taught me that clarity around scope and expectations leads to better outcomes for everyone involved.

When roles are clear, decisions feel lighter, timelines are smoother, and the design itself becomes more intentional. Boundaries allow me to focus fully on the work I do best, which ultimately results in more thoughtful, cohesive homes.

6. A Home Should Grow With You

The homes I’m most proud of aren’t frozen in time. They evolve as families grow, routines change, and life shifts.

Good design leaves room for that growth. It doesn’t try to control every inch—it supports the long term.

Looking Ahead

Ten years in, I feel more grounded, more confident, and more intentional than ever. I’m deeply grateful for every client who trusted me with their home and for every lesson—easy or hard—that shaped this journey.

If you’ve been here from the beginning, thank you. And if you’re just finding BDesign’D now, I’m so glad you’re here.

Here’s to designing homes for real life—and whatever comes next.

Until next time,

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