Slow Design and Other Musings
I’ve been in the design business a long time. I’ve become friends with clients and I’ve helped friends become clients. And I love reiterating the one thing that remains the same, “a home doesn’t have to be perfect it’s about telling the lifestyle story of the people who live there.” It’s not just about choosing colours or arranging furniture, it’s about understanding how a client moves, works, relaxes, celebrates, and recharges. A well-designed home or cottage reflects the rhythm of their daily life, weaving their personality, routines, and aspirations into every detail. From the layout to the textures to the smallest accessory or piece of art, each choice becomes a chapter in the story of how they want to live, feel, and experience their home.
I’m seeing a return to this ask where people are wanting to be smart about what to execute based around their style of living. I tell clients: “what you surround yourself with should represent the life you have built.”
Every project we begin, starts from this tenet so that we learn who our clients are at their core and how they want their home or cottage to support their everyday living. Every decision we make, from the floor plan to the finishing touches, is guided by this lifestyle lens. It becomes almost a sixth sense: once we understand how a family functions, rests, entertains, and gathers, the right design elements naturally reveal themselves. The materials, the textures, the flow, even the accessories start to align with the story we’re helping them tell.
Currently, there are a few emerging design directions that are capturing my attention more than anything else. I’m being particularly drawn to things that not only look beautiful but deeply enhance the way people live. These are the ideas inspiring me as we help our clients shape spaces with intention, soul, and purpose.
Dining Room Table Takes the Lead
The dining table is becoming the true heart of the home again, reclaiming a role that had been overshadowed by the popularity of kitchen islands. Increasingly more, people are choosing to gather around a table, a place that feels grounded, communal, and connected. It’s where conversations linger, where meals stretch longer, where work, play, and life seamlessly overlap. This shift reflects a desire for slower living, shared moments, and intentional togetherness. The table isn’t just furniture but rather the central hub for the modern home.
Sustainability Through Vintage Touches
Incorporating sustainability through vintage touches is one of the most meaningful and stylish ways to elevate your home. By appreciating and curating vintage pieces, you give new life to items that already hold history, character, and craftsmanship. It’s a sustainable approach that avoids the mass-produced look and instead layers your space with soul and authenticity. Whether it’s a reclaimed wood table, a chair that belonged to your grandmother, or a quirky family heirloom, these pieces bring depth and individuality while reducing waste. Your home or cottage becomes uniquely yours which can be beautiful, intentional, and kinder to the planet.
Dark Wood Emerges to the Forefront
Dark wood is making a strong return in interior design, bringing with it a sense of richness, depth, and timelessness. We’re seeing it appear in cabinetry, flooring, furniture, architectural details, and even smaller accents throughout homes and cottages. It’s warm, grounding presence adds instant sophistication and creates a beautiful contrast against soft textiles, lighter walls, and modern finishes. This resurgence of dark wood reflects a shift toward more soulful, layered interiors making a space feel collected, lived-in, and inviting.
Soulful Design over Purchased
Soulful design is always more meaningful than simply filling a space with newly purchased things. It’s about weaving character, memory, and personality into every corner of a home, allowing the design to tell an authentic lifestyle story. When we incorporate objects with history, materials that feel alive, and choices rooted in how our clients truly live, the result becomes emotionally resonant. These soulful touches transform a house into a personal narrative where every piece contributes to a deeper sense of belonging, connection, and identity. It is our job to then interpret the story through these things to create a beautiful and impactful space.
Slow Design: Telling your Design Story over Time
Telling your design story over time is far more meaningful than rushing to find the “perfect” piece in a single moment. A well-designed home unfolds gradually and is curated through experiences, travels, discoveries, and the changing chapters of your life. When you allow yourself the time to search, to stumble upon something unexpected, or to wait for the piece that truly resonates, you create a space that is layered with authenticity. These thoughtful additions reflect who you are, where you’ve been, and what matters most, resulting in a home that feels deeply personal rather than instantly assembled.
Living Room as New Heart of The Home
The living room is quickly becoming the new heart of the home, replacing the kitchen as the main gathering place for family and friends. It’s where conversations flow, where people curl up to relax, and where everyday life naturally unfolds. As designers, we’re seeking pieces and styles that elevate the space without sacrificing comfort consisting of sofas that invite you in, materials that feel warm and lived-in, and layouts that encourage connection. The goal is a living room that feels both beautiful and deeply approachable, a space where people truly want to spend their time and share with others.
My Musings for a Well-Designed Life
What I’m loving most in design right now is this shift toward soulful living, toward spaces that honour story, comfort, craftsmanship, and real life. Whether it’s a dining table that brings everyone together or a curated vintage moment that adds character, design feels more personal than ever.
To view our recent Project Portfolio: https://www.homebytc.ca/projects
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Chris
