In this video, I’m walking you through the seven most impactful design decisions I’ve made in my rental over the last two years—the stuff that actually changed how my rooms look, feel, and function (not just quick “hacks”). Now that my kitchen makeover finally feels cohesive with the rest of the house, I wanted to do a little retrospective and explain the systems and mindsets behind my choices: how I built a color palette based on what I couldn’t change (hello, warm oak floors), how I remix that palette room to room, and why I’m not afraid of mixed metals as long as they’re repeated and feel relevant to the home’s era. I also share how I leaned into my home’s architecture (textured plaster, arches, dark wood trim, tiled hearth) without turning the place into an antique store—because two things can exist at the same time. I’ll show you how I use a whole-home mood board (Milanote) to keep my decisions consistent while still mixing styles, thrifted finds, and different eras. And we get into the practical stuff too: what I store away vs. leave out as “functional decor,” how I create or hide focal points with color/contrast/curtains, and why the most “designer” thing you can do is incorporate more of you—your routines, memories, and actual life—so your home feels curated and personal over time.