creating experiences: where home design and event planning meet

I love finding parallels between seemingly random things. While my daughter and I brainstormed ideas for her dream "LEGO" birthday party, it got me thinking about the similar process we take to design and organize our homes...

1. the VISION

Each starts with a purpose, style, and mood—a vision that helps guide the plan, budget, and process. Being intentional and specific with what you envision from the start gives you clarity and control over what it will take to bring your vision to life.

2. the CREW

Next comes those involved. Knowing who’s part of the experience (a party of 8yo kiddos or a household of adults, kids, +/- pets) helps you design with them in mind. Needs get met, essentials ate made accessible, and the space flows well and feels comfortable for your intended audience and activities.

3. the PLAN

A good brain dump of your vision, in a notebook or digitally, then helps you break the party into bite-sized tasks you can realistically do or delegate (asking for help changes everything!). This includes the timeline and approximate budget. Similarly, putting your home goals on paper first, saves you time, effort, and money later. Room by room, you prioritize your wants and needs, creating an action plan* that can be tweaked and worked through over time.

*This is the same process I use for clients when I create their personalized home guide!

4. the CREATIVITY

IMO, the best parties make creative use of what’s on hand—a permanent marker draws funny faced balloons. Wrapping paper can double as a table runner. LEGO bricks reinforced our party theme, and were fantastic as decor, games, and even signage!

Great home design and organization also starts with what you already own, creatively reimagined in new ways. It's a budget-conscious choice that environmentally pays forward (#creativityoverconsumption = less waste). Moreover, reimagining/repurposing also personalizes your space because it’s likely no one else thought to use what you have that way.

5. the EDIT

There’s only so much you can pack into a 2-hour kid’s birthday party, right? And it’s okay if not every idea that comes out of your brain dump takes part in the event (save it for another one!). Likewise, you don’t need to display or keep everything you own at home. Choosing what fits your lifestyle (or the occasion) and letting go of what doesn’t is a normal part of designing and organizing interior spaces.

In fact, editing your space regularly is what makes your space equak parts functional and beautiful. Curating down to what you need, use, and love omits daily decision fatigue and clutter. It helps your household run smoothly and efficiently, so you feel supported and in control of your environment, especially as life unknowns get thrown your way. Ultimately, you'll get to enjoy what you have and the simple experience of being at home that much more.

Although designing and organizing your home won’t be as quick as planning and executing a 2-hour birthday party, the parallels in the process are surprisingly similar. The joy really comes from the journey, and I can honestly say, if you’re not enjoying the ride to realizing your home (or a party), don’t continue going at it alone. My girl’s celebration happened with A LOT of help. My good friend shared her time and skills to frost cupcakes and make the balloons. Both my daughters helped set up the games and build LEGO decorations. And my husband is my standby partner for the inevitable last minute to-dos. It takes multiple minds and hands to make a party plan work, and the same goes for your home.

do you find asking for help hard?

Asking for help is hard…accepting help can be harder. If there’s one party tip I’d recommend, ACCEPTING help is it. I did both for this ↑ party and it made ALL the difference.

If you’re stuck or struggling to get your interior space where you need and dream it to be, I can and am here to help you. Send me a note about where you’re at in the process and let’s talk about the right next steps forward.

Always,