Building My 3rd Forever Home: A Glimpse into a Multifaceted Designer's Life

Hey there, it's been a hot minute since I dropped you a line...but building a business isn't exactly a walk in the park. Between taking care of my psychiatric patients, mom duties, wifey duties, and of course, getting my groove on with Zumba, it's been a challenge.

But, here's the good news - I'm super excited to announce that we're launching our virtual interior design firm! We're starting with my own journey into the world of home decor - third time's a charm, right? Along the way, I'll be sharing all the juicy deets, inside scoop, shopping hacks, and discounts with y'all! Can't wait to work on a design with you!

So I’m back and I’m excited to say that I am building my forever home! Yes, I know I said my last house was my forever home, but I just can’t help myself when it comes to designing spaces. This time around, I’m going with the reputable builder, Toll Brothers. As someone who has designed two brand-new builds from the ground up, you’d think it’d be an easy process for me. But trust me, designing your dream space is never a walk in the park, even for interior designers. In this blog series, I’d like to take you along my journey of designing my forever home and share some tips and tricks on how to get started, stay sane, and have fun along the way.

One of the most enjoyable parts of this process is being able to customize every detail to fit my family’s unique needs. I can’t wait to show y’all the creative space design ideas that I’ve come up with. From my only Mommas allowed entry “she-shed office”, now affectionately known as the “shoffice”, to creative kids’ rooms and last but not least the ultimate car-loving-man-cave garages, we have the ability to tailor each space exactly how we want it. Go behind the scenes as I design ultra-bold powder rooms, spacious multi-use bedrooms, welcoming glam entryways, bonus flex rooms, and the greatest family room and kitchen combo I have ever seen. Don’t forget about the highly anticipated outdoor spaces and patios. I even have some hidden lighting, wallpaper & paint hacks that I’ve picked up along the way to share with you!

You may ask, Shayna, how are you going to get started? Well, just like with my interior design superstar clients, I am taking my own advice by creating a mood board that reflects the look and feel I envision for each space. It greatly helps to have a clear vision and theme for your space. For example, Have you heard of biophilic design? It’s a design concept that seeks to connect people with nature in built environments. Incorporating this into your overall design scheme will make your space feel more alive and welcoming.

But let’s remember, that designing and building your dream home is a marathon, not a sprint. As you go through the process yourself, don’t forget to take your time and enjoy the journey. And most importantly, always remember to see it to believe it. Putting it all together in a vision board or mood board is 90% of the work.

Building your own home is a rewarding and exciting process. It allows you to create a place that is entirely your own. Whether you are an experienced homeowner, first-time home buyer, home DIYer, or interior designer, designing your dream space can be a joyful and fulfilling experience. Remember to take your time, have fun, and stay true to your unique vision.

So, please join me on this journey! Each month, I’ll design a new space with your input and we may throw in some fun challenges and helpful hints along the way. We’ll have a blast together and inspire each other to create a home we love.

Let’s get to designing my friends,