You’re sitting there, maybe on the floor of a room you’re desperate to change. You’re surrounded by five slightly different "white" paint samples that your friends, your mom, and Tik-Tok each have an opinion on. Your browser has twenty tabs open, ranging from "best beige paint color for kitchen cabinets" to "how to coordinate Persian rugs", and your head is spinning because you just want a home that feels like you. Decision fatigue and overwhelm have officially set in, and you just need a straightforward answer from someone who lives and breathes this every day.
While my design portfolio will likely never be featured in Domino Magazine or Architectural Digest, after 100+ projects, I’ve definitely learned a thing or two. I also know exactly what it’s like to be in that state of overwhelm and decision fatigue.
So today I’ve compiled answers to the real-world design dilemmas ya’ll are facing. Your questions, my answers. From the “perfect” beige paint (spoiler alert, there isn’t one) to the home retailer I plan to never purchase from again.
Shall we begin?!
Begin by addressing the space that you either use the most or that is causing you the most headaches, from a functional perspective. Then, start big and gradually narrow it down. For instance, in a living room, consider how you want, or need, the space to function, rather than focusing on its current state. Next, shift your efforts to selecting your big ticket items, such as a sofa or sectional, your armchairs, coffee table, area rug and so on. Last but not least, tackle the smaller items, including accent tables, lighting, wall art, textiles, and so forth.
How little money is spoken about. More often than not, I see prospective clients, and current clients, experience sticker shock. In my opinion, this industry does a poor job of sharing how much those swoon-worthy rooms on social media actually cost. Especially in today’s world, as this industry (in particular) has been rocked by tariffs.
I love a clean, crisp white and because of that, Chantilly Lace (OC-65) by Benjamin Moore is my personal favorite.
I would say there is no such thing as a perfect paint color. Just because some TikTok influencer said XYZ looked horrible in their home doesn’t mean it will in yours. However, if I had to select one, I would say Accessible Beige (SW 7036) by Sherwin-Williams.
Select something that has a tad of warmth to it. It’s hard to see, but this countertop (Calacatta Venato by HanStone Quartz) has subtle umber and charcoal veining, which pairs nicely with the accessible beige paint color, also shown.
Great question! Usually, I suggest you choose one Persian or Oriental rug and then pair with a simpler option like a rug with a border or a jute or sisal rug. This way, the rugs won’t compete with each other in an open floor plan. However, if you’re set on having two Persian rugs—which is perfectly fine since it’s your home and you should incorporate things you love—I recommend you find a common thread.
For example, if one rug has a primary color of terracotta and secondary colors of indigo and sage, select a second rug that has primary colors of indigo or sage. This creates cohesion and a visual bridge between the two.
1,000% mismatch here. Please, please avoid purchasing the matching bedroom set. However, I have one exception to this rule: I prefer matching nightstands because I love symmetry.
With wallpaper, I usually recommend art with a neutral color palette and a minimalist print, or forgoing it altogether. You usually want the wallpaper to be the showstopper, and what your eye is immediately drawn to. So in theory, the art should just be the cherry 🍒 on top.
I’m going with brand here: RH, the retailer formerly known as Restoration Hardware. In our first home, we purchased numerous items from them, including our dining room table, chairs, kitchen counter stools, coffee table, and a C-table (don’t ask me why, probably because I didn’t know better). However, considering the cost of these items, they haven’t held up as well as I would expect them to. Additionally, based on my personal experience, their customer service has significantly deteriorated over the years. And if I’m paying that much money for something, I expect a certain level of customer service.
P.S.—This is purely speculative, and the finance geek in me talking, but their recent earnings reports suggest that their financial situation is not great. I wouldn’t be surprised if they face a Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the future.
Bring that shower tile all the way to the ceiling. It won’t significantly increase your material and labor costs, and it truly enhances the aesthetic appeal. Plus, it protects the drywall!
Additionally, if you opt for a pre-fabricated vanity with drawers, be mindful that the plumbing (p-trap) frequently conflicts with the drawer space, which means you may need to make modifications to the vanity itself. I personally encountered this issue during my own bathroom renovation.
Whether you are choosing a paint color or finalizing the tile selection for your bathroom renovation, remember, the goal should be intentionality. Design doesn’t have to be exclusive or custom to be beautiful; it just needs to be approachable and functional for your life.
Because at the end of the day, your home should be a reflection of the inhabitants that live there and representative of what brings you joy.
Cheers! — Alyssa
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