The 7 interior design tips I swear by

How I found my home's personal style

I live in a "sad beige" home. At least, that’s what my younger self would have thought. And I love it. Mind you, it’s not actually sad, but it definitely leans more toward neutral - primarily whites, creams, and tans. I experimented more with color in our last place - an emerald green chair in our entryway, rainbow-patterned pillows flanking our fireplace, and a fluorescent pink blanket lining our couch. They were spontaneous purchases, like most things I bought in my 20s and 30s, without a cohesive design aesthetic in mind. Unsurprisingly, as my style evolved, those pieces didn’t grow with me (aside from one bright, abstract piece of art), and when we moved into our current home nearly five years ago, I was ready for a change.

I wanted our house to feel cozy, inviting, and timeless—a blend of California casual and understated luxury. And I think it does just that, which is one of the main reasons I’m such a homebody. It wasn’t until I was getting dressed recently that I realized how much my fashion sense now mirrors my interior design style, so I canceled that night’s plans (naturally) and wrote them all down. Here are the seven rules I live by.