Why you don’t have to wait to design your home after the kids grow up.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a parent say, “We’ll decorate once the kids are older.” And every time, I smile and gently challenge that idea because here’s the truth: you don’t have to hit pause on a beautiful home just because you have little ones. In fact, designing for families is what I do best, and it’s where I believe the magic really happens. Your home can be stunning, stylish, and completely kid-friendly—because beauty and practicality are not opposites.

As an interior designer who specializes in creating spaces for families (and yes, that includes toddlers with finger paint and teens with sports gear), I’ve learned that the best homes are the ones that actually work for the people living in them. That means soft corners for wobbly walkers, fabrics that laugh in the face of spills, and furniture that can handle being jumped on, spilled on, and loved hard—and still look amazing. We’re not aiming for perfection—we’re creating a home that feels alive, joyful, and uniquely yours.

Family-friendly doesn’t mean dumbing things down or sacrificing your style. It means designing with intention. Think an art gallery wall that includes both your favorite prints and your kids’ boldest crayon masterpieces, framed with just as much love. Think play zones tucked into living rooms with built-in storage disguised as gorgeous cabinetry. I’ve even created “secret fort corners” with pull-out cushions under stairs or transformed awkward nooks into cozy reading pods because your home should spark imagination, not stress.

We use performance fabrics that look like linen but wipe clean like a dream, rugs that hide snack crumbs like magic, and layered textures that add warmth without worry. I love incorporating playful touches—chalkboard walls in the kitchen, magnetic strips for ever-rotating kid art, even ceiling murals that turn bedtime into a storybook. It's about celebrating this season of life instead of trying to design around it.

And let’s be real: a home filled with children is already filled with energy, laughter, and creativity. Why not let your space reflect that? Let’s mix the fun with the functional. Let’s choose pieces that make you smile and surfaces that won’t make you flinch when juice spills. Let’s create something layered and lovely; a space where your family can grow, explore, and just be.

You don’t have to wait. You deserve a home that holds your memories now, not just someday. Whether it’s a cozy corner for bedtime stories, a wipeable-yet-gorgeous dining bench for sticky pancake mornings, or a living room where everyone has a seat (including the dog)—we can make it happen.

Let’s make your home a beautiful backdrop for real life. Human, playful, and 100% yours.