Free Resources for Design-Savvy Homeowners
Tools to Help You Design Smarter, Invest Wisely and Feel More Confident in Every Decision
Whether you're preparing for a full-scale renovation or simply want to make better choices for your home, these complimentary resources are designed to support you with clarity and confidence.
Before the fabric swatches and floor plans, clarity is everything.
Each guide helps you evaluate your home with a designer’s eye, avoid costly mistakes, and make thoughtful decisions that lead to a more intentional, elevated space.
Choose the resource that fits your needs — or download all three to begin your project with insight and confidence.
smart design
for savvy women
smart design for savvy women
7 Common Interior Design Mistakes that Keep Your Home From Looking Elevated
A short, high-impact guide to help you refine what you already have—and avoid the expensive missteps that keep beautiful homes from feeling finished.
You may not need more decor-you may need to make sure you are using it correctly.
After 30+ years designing high-end residential and commercial interiors, I’ve seen the same seven mistakes quietly undermine even the most well-appointed homes—especially for homeowners with excellent taste and busy lives.
This guide helps you spot what’s subtly working against you (flow, scale, lighting, proportion, and cohesion) so your home feels more polished, intentional, and quietly luxurious—without starting over.
Inside, you’ll learn how to fix the 7 most common mistakes I see in otherwise beautiful homes:
Rugs: How to choose the right size and placement so the room feels grounded, finished, and intentionally layered (not “floating”).
Drapery: The simple adjustments that instantly make windows look taller, rooms feel more tailored, and fabrics read more luxurious.
Artwork: What to hang, where to hang it, and how to scale it properly—so it looks curated and architectural, not accidental.
Scale & Proportion: The designer rules that prevent rooms from feeling off-balance—even when the pieces are high quality.
Lighting: The biggest lighting missteps (and quick wins) that move a home from flat to warm, dimensional, and elevated.
Accessories & Styling: How to edit, group, and style accessories so your home feels polished and collected—not cluttered.
Furniture Layout: The layout habits that disrupt flow and conversation—and how to arrange for comfort, function, and elegance.
Designer Glossary
The “speak-designer” decoder that helps you communicate clearly with architects, builders, and trades—without feeling lost in the meeting.
Design projects move faster (and smoother) when you understand the language.
From architectural details to construction terminology to common design shorthand, this glossary was created to help you feel confident in conversations with professionals—so you can make decisions with clarity, not confusion.
It’s polished, practical, and designed for homeowners who appreciate expertise—and want to be an informed partner in their project.
What’s inside (bullets):
Common architecture and interior design terms translated into plain English
Builder + trade vocabulary you’ll hear on-site and in proposals
Finish, material, and detailing language that impacts pricing and outcomes
The “sounds similar but means something different” terms that cause expensive miscommunication
A quick-reference format you can keep open during meetings
Perfect for:
Renovations, new builds, and major furnishings projects
Homeowners juggling decisions across multiple trades
Anyone who wants to sound confident without pretending to be the expert
The Upholstered Furniture Checklist
A designer’s shortcut for choosing upholstery that looks exquisite and performs beautifully—so you buy once and love it for years.
Upholstery is where comfort meets investment. And it’s also where even savvy homeowners get steered wrong—by vague performance claims, confusing fabric specs, or a quick showroom decision that doesn’t hold up to real life.
This checklist gives you a clear, designer-approved framework to confidently select sofas, chairs, and upholstered dining seating—without second-guessing your choices later.
Inside the checklist (bullets):
The must-ask questions before you fall in love with a silhouette
Fabric performance basics (in plain English) so you can compare options easily
Cushion, frame, and suspension guidelines that separate “pretty” from “heirloom-quality”
What matters most for pets, kids, entertaining, and second homes
The fit + scale checkpoints that prevent costly “it looked smaller in the showroom” mistakes
A quick checklist you can use in-store, with your workroom, or with your designer
Why it matters:
Well-chosen upholstery elevates the entire home. Poorly chosen upholstery becomes the regret you stare at every day.
Home AssessmentGuide
A designer’s room-by-room method to assess what to keep, what to improve, and what will create the biggest impact—before you spend another dollar.
Before you choose finishes, furnishings, or paint colors—step back and evaluate the home like a designer would.
This checklist helps you quickly identify what’s driving discomfort, visual noise, and “something’s not quite right” energy—whether you’re preparing for a renovation or simply refining a home you already love.
It’s a smart, structured approach for homeowners who want to invest wisely—and get it right the first time.
You’ll evaluate (bullets):
Flow + function: how each space works (and where it quietly fails)
Layout + scale: what’s fighting the architecture and what supports it
Lighting: what you have, what’s missing, and where to focus first
Cohesion: how to connect spaces without making everything match
Storage + daily living: practical fixes that instantly reduce stress
“High-impact priorities”: what will move the needle most—fast
Ideal for:
Design-savvy homeowners, new home buyers, second-home owners, and anyone planning upgrades who wants a clear starting point and smarter next steps.
“I never could have imagined that my apartment would look like this.”
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Not Sure Where to Begin? Let’s Find the Right Fit for You.
Whether you’re just beginning to gather ideas or ready for full-service support, there’s a pathway that fits your timeline, project scope, and preferred level of involvement.
Every service I offer is grounded in the same thoughtful, principal-led approach — what changes is how hands-on you want me to be.
Explore Your Options:
Design Consultations — expert clarity for high-stakes decisions
Design Concept Only — a complete professional design plan you can execute
Full-Service Interior Architecture & Design — a turnkey luxury experience