Hey guys, excited to make my Outpost debut, and thought I’d start by sharing a bit of perspective from my life as an interior designer.
I make a living editing spaces. I’m not here to convince you to develop a sudden love for wallpaper (and I do not mean peel-and-stick), or to pick up antiquing as a personality trait. We all have our own taste, aesthetic, and vision for how our homes should look, and more importantly, how they should function.
That said, my job is to push clients just far enough outside of their comfort zones that they’re excited by the results (just ask my mom). The best projects are personal and collaborative: I push one way, I get pushed back, and somewhere in that exchange is where the best work happens.
With that in mind, here are a few design rules I live by. Take them or leave them. But frankly, you should take them.
1. FORGET TRENDS
I love the insightful New Year’s headline no one saw coming. Presenting: the latest and greatest for 2026. Wallpaper, patterns, jewel tones—oh my! Spoiler: this isn’t new. It’s always been back there. You were just behind.
But in all seriousness…stick to your intuition. If you prefer white walls, muted tones, and modern furniture, do you and stick to it. It may not be my first choice, but authenticity wins when you’re confident and stand behind your vision. It’s always obvious when a home is cosplaying as something else. I’m not sure what the male equivalent is, but any woman who’s ever been a bridesmaid knows exactly what I mean.
If you do happen to hop on the wallpaper train, I have one request. Please please ignore the voice inside your head telling you an “accent wall” is a good idea. Spare us, or at the very least, don’t let me see it. Do it right, or don’t do it at all.
2. MIXING OLD WITH NEW
Again, you don’t have to be an antique enthusiast. However, incorporating different styles, designers, and collected pieces will help make your space feel more thoughtful, personal and not like a Serena and Lily showroom. I know it’s easy and convenient, just consider veering away from the one stop shop mentality. Buy the Serena and Lily bed frame. I promise, you don’t need the matching dresser, desk, and chair. You got this.
3. BUY LIKE YOU OWN, EVEN IF YOU RENT
Like many of you, I am not in my forever home and haven’t hit my financial peak (at least I hope not… ). I have walked through the endless Ikea maze. Maybe even stopped for a quick bite. I get it, the prices are unbeatable. However, I know I’m not re-inventing the wheel when I say, you get what you pay for. Quality often comes with a price. I am going to go out on a limb and say the plywood dresser covered with veneer and duct taped on the back will be the first to get the axe. So with that in mind, acquire things that you will be excited to have and consider timeless. If not forever, at least until you’re 40. We don’t need any more “free treasures” left on the stoop. Which brings me to my next point…
4. IT’S WORTH THE INVESTMENT
You can’t take it with you, but you know what you can take? That George Smith sofa. Bury me with it…
No, but seriously, life is short, and your lease term may be too. I’m not trying to bankrupt you, but resist the urge to finish everything from day one. When you find something special, whether it’s at Brimfield, an auction house, or schlepped down from your family house, just do it. Your future self will thank you. Your wallet may not, but it will recover.
5. MAKING A CASE FOR CLUTTER
- Inspired By Evelyn Johnson ;)
As a friend of mine once wrote, you should factor clutter into your life. It may not resonate now, but one day you’ll look around your house and realize that it’s what makes a space feel lived in. My husband may roll his eyes, but everything has a story. Let those pieces speak.
And…if you either haven’t found that perfect sofa yet, OR you’ve recovered from the splurge, spend some of that $$$ getting your saved menus, photobooth strips, dare I even say Metrocards??? framed. It’s a lot harder for friends and family to side-eye your hoarded stuff when it’s matted and mounted. If you were already doing this, trust me – graduating from the Amazon version to something professional will make it all feel considered, not chaotic.
6. STORAGE SOLUTIONS
Your first option is to call your parents and have them put everything in the basement. Might as well, we are already on their phone bill. Barring that, be intentional with the ways you store things. Take a trip to the container store. Think about labeled boxes and specific closet space. Under the bed is always a safe bet (unless you fell for the Floyd Bed fad). If all else fails, take a page from my book and upgrade the size of one of your storage units. Kill two birds with one stone. More space for more collecting. Problem solved.
7. “NO ONE NOTICES THE DETAILS”
Word of advice, rethink that statement before inviting me over.
8. LIGHTING MATTERS… SET THE MOOD BABY
Let me paint you a picture: You just finished your second martini at the Oyster Bar, you are vibing with that cute guy you’ve been eyeing who usually takes the 6:33 to Stamford. He is excited to check out that rug you have (NOT Shag). You arrive back at your apartment, and the only option you have is the recessed lighting. Don’t get caught unprepared, make sure your lighting suits your mood. Especially when it matters.
9. DO IT ONCE. IT’S ALWAYS WORSE THE SECOND TIME.
Look, just do it once so you don’t have to do it again. Rugs, lighting, furniture, (not men). You can’t go wrong.
