Authentic Design
Authentic Design: What’s Your Style?
July, 2022
Summer is here and for me that means garden parties, backyard BBQ's, and evenings entertaining friends and family at home. As someone who loves to host, outdoor living was crucial for me when designing my own home. As a designer, my goal is to help my clients determine what matters most to them and create a space that is both beautiful and authentic to their own life. Whether you are an entertainer like me, a health conscious family who likes to stay active, busy professionals who live and work from home, or a homebody who loves nothing more than a night in nestled up on the couch, your home should reflect that. Read some of my design tips below to help your space feel more thoughtfully designed for your life.
BE THOUGHFUL ABOUT HOW YOU WANT TO LIVE
All my clients are incredibly different. One of my main goals as an interior designer is to help my clients conceive the life they want to live and then create an environment that reflects that. It’s how I find purpose in what I do everyday. If you’re jumping into a design project of your own, I recommend starting by journaling and reflecting about your family, how you live and how you aspire to live - are you a Health Conscious/Active Family, do you tend to be busy with your professional career or a million daily kid activities/sports? What are your favorite ways to spend time together at home? If you love snuggling on the sofa after a long day watching movies together, comfort it key. While I love starting in the building phase with my design work, working with architects and builders to perfect your home from the ground up, I also have several design tips you can implement today to help your home better reflect you.
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DESIGNING MY OWN HOME
Personally, my own home reflects my passion for both entertaining and the outdoors. My outdoor gathering spaces and my garden were two very important things for me when dreaming up this home. What makes your home personal and authentic to you?
MY GARDEN
In more recent years, I found that gardening was a hobby I loved and was something I could easily share with my daughter, Clara. She eats peppers like they’re apples and loves veggies because she’s growing them with me. My garden not only helps make my home beautiful - I love adding fresh flowers to my space- but it gets me outside, connecting with nature. I’ve found it hard to keep up with hobbies when you have young children/babies and this is a good one to share with them at home. Some weeks I’m better than others, and I won’t lie - I’ve killed a lot of plants - but it’s something I’ve grown to love. You have to be okay with the trial and error of it all- and then there are some sweet successes along the way.
MY FAVORITE SUMMER COCKTAIL
Nothing sets the stage for a great night like a signature cocktail - or in my case this summer, a mocktail! I love serving my guests this Strawberry Peach Bourbon Tea. It is a refreshing, summery drink perfect for enjoying while dining outside or in the garden. This recipe cuts the added sugar since I think there is enough in the peach juice and fresh fruit, but a little honey would be a nice addition if you like things sweet.
What You’ll Need:
Fresh Basil
2 Cups Organic Unsweetened Green Tea
1 1/2 Cups Bourbon - I used Kentucky 74 Non-Alcoholic Bourbon for me and Bullet for the others
1 Cup of Organic Peach Juice
1/2 Cup Fresh Lemon Juice
2 Fresh Organic Peaches
1 Cup Sliced Organic Strawberries
Instructions:
1. Muddle the basil
2. Slice the strawberries and peaches
3. In a large pitcher, combine the basil, green tea, bourbon, peach juice, lemon juice, fresh peaches, and strawberries. Chill.
3. Serve over ice and enjoy!