Introduction I would argue that being a great interior designer isn''t just about taste level or the ability to pick out beautiful things. It''s not about the size of the project or the client''s budget (though, yes, having a realistic one helps). And it''s definitely not about the perfectly styled, glossy photos you''ll see in the end. Those are lovely, and necessary for a lot of reasons, but they''re just the by-product. The real skill? It''s being a mind reader. A vision-driven diplomat. A part-time therapist. A full-time budget manager.

A psychic who can see the finished room before the studs or drywall are even up. Creating an engaging design is rooted in listening, really listening, to what a client wants, what the space needs, and what the project can actually support. It''s about knowing how to steer the proverbial ship with intention, and balancing beauty and function along the way to get to something that feels effortless, personal, and timeless. Something that just feels right . The real work of interior design is to guide the entire process rather than do just one particular thing well. It''s the ability to conceptualize a move-in-ready home while standing on an empty lot, or inside a home that needs to be gutted before it can become something functional and beautiful. It''s about refining your palette, sharpening your instincts, and knowing which details truly matter. Over the years, I''ve learned that in order to create the best version of any project, I have to see the end before the beginning.

I have to mentally build the entire space before making a single move toward the finish line. I have had to develop a loose framework as a way to organize the chaos and break the process into steps that are both intuitive and repeatable. That''s not to say I don''t shift gears midstream (I do), or that everything always goes smoothly (it doesn''t), but starting with a clear, focused vision is what anchors every decision that follows. That''s what this book is about. I''m gonna walk you through my entire process. Interiors is not just a celebration of beautiful finished spaces but also a deep dive into how we got there. The full ride. The messy, layered, occasionally maddening but always meaningful journey.

The one that begins the second I sign on to a project and start contemplating every design direction under the sun. It''s about the times I need to throw everything at the wall, and then carefully pull it all back. It''s about shifting inward and making considered, instinctive decisions. What does the space need? What does the client really want? What''s the story we''re trying to tell, and how do we tell it in a way that feels specific, layered, and lasting? This is the aspect of design I don''t think we talk about or, frankly, value enough. It is the hours of mental work that are happening long before the first swatch is pulled or the first drawing is sketched. That invisible phase where the entire foundation is laid in my mind before we ever lift a hammer or place an order. This book is an invitation to peer into the behind-the-scenes part where the real design work happens. What you''ll find in these pages is part playbook, part cautionary tale, and part love letter to the process.

It''s a front-row seat to what it actually looks like to go from first idea to final fluff, in real homes, with real client needs and all the real-life twists that come with them (including the occasional last-minute change of heart). Over the past five years, my team and I have had the incredible opportunity to design homes across the country, from those situated near the beach or tucked into mountain towns to those nestled on quiet suburban streets. Each one has left its mark on us in one way or another, and despite the unforeseen trials and tribulations, we figured it out. I''m organizing my process by what I lovingly call the six P''s. Why? Because every project, no matter how big, small, messy, or magical, will inevitably pass through these chaotic--but crucial--stages: PONDER: The spark. The daydream. The big "Okay, we''re doing this" moment. PLAY: Where things get messy--in the best way.

Think swatches and wild ideas flying around, some wins, some flops, and way too many mood boards. PROCURE: Aka the shopping Olympics. Vintage treasure hunts, custom pieces, flea market euphoria, and that moment when the perfect thing finds its forever home. PATIENCE + PANIC: Equal parts waiting out lead times and screaming internally when something finally arrives . and it''s wrong. (It always happens. Always.) PULL IT TOGETHER: The magical, mad dash of install week, when we transcend project spreadsheets and outfit the spaces.

PRIDE: The good kind of tears. The camera clicks. The client hugs. The "We freaking did it" moment. Each chapter in this book walks you through a different project, P by P. You''ll get the why, the how, and sometimes the WTF moments that come with trying to make homes that feel beautiful, personal, and lived-in, but not too lived-in, ya know? (Duh, we still want that gorgeous shot!) You''ll also see where the inspiration came from, how the final decisions were made, and what I would totally do again . and what I might politely never speak of again. Of course, there will be beautiful photos, plenty of juicy details, and solid, hard-earned advice along the way.

I talk a lot about scale, art, textiles, finishes, and how to design with intention. I also call out some of my favorite things: the fabrics I come back to again and again, the fixtures that are always worth the splurge, and those unexpected gems that bring a space to life. I would say that reading this book is almost like having a casual conversation with me on install day. Imagine me with coffee in hand, sleeves rolled up, and fully in the zone. Whether you''re a design lover, a seasoned renovator, or simply curious about how a project progresses from concept to completion, my hope is that these pages will offer inspiration, a few useful takeaways, and a reminder that the best homes aren''t rushed. They take time and a whole lot of those six P''s!.