The very first time I walked into this home, the mom looked at me and said, “I just can’t stand the fireplace.”

And honestly? I loved the honesty.

There was something about that moment that gives us such a strong place to begin.

When clients come to me to design and furnish their homes, they always ask me this one question.

“What should I expect to invest per room?”

And I understand why that question comes up. Because when you’re looking at your home as a whole, it can feel hard to know where to even begin. Everything feels important. Every room carries weight. And without a clear understanding of how investment typically breaks down, it’s easy to either underestimate or feel unsure of what’s realistic.

So instead of speaking generally,  I want to walk you through this in a more real and raw room-by-room way.

In a world of Instagram and AI, people can make design seem easy and snap your fingers quick. It’s just selecting paint colors and tile anyway, right? So, you tell yourself, I’ve got this. The honest truth is this: a design project involves loads of decisions and involves lots of people. Remember that what you see on the internet is just a highlight reel for the most part and doesn’t share everything involved. There are experts for a reason and there is no shame in admitting that you do need an interior designer because the value comes from saving you mistakes, time, and stress.

If you’ve found yourself asking the big question, you’re not alone. In fact, it’s something I hear often from families here in Northeast Georgia who are thoughtful about their homes and want to approach the process well, but aren’t quite sure what level of guidance is needed.

Last week, I had the opportunity to tour the Southeastern Showhouse, and it’s one of those experiences that stays with you a little longer than expected. Not because of one single room or one standout moment, but because of how thoughtfully everything was considered as a whole.

As an interior designer serving families here in Northeast Georgia, I always find myself paying attention to the quieter details. The ones that aren’t always immediately obvious, but are often what make a home feel truly complete.

There are certain pieces in a home that quietly carry more weight than others. A sofa is one of them.

It’s where your family gathers at the end of the day. Where conversations unfold, where children climb in without asking, where pets find their favorite corner, and where life happens in its most natural form. And yet, it’s often one of the decisions that feels the most overwhelming.

If you’re planning a custom build, renovation, or full-home furnishings project and find yourself wondering how all of the decisions will come together, you’re not alone. The earlier design is brought into the conversation, the more clarity you’ll have, not just in what your home will look like, but in how it will feel to live in it.

At the core of our design studio is a belief in simplicity. Not minimalism for the sake of less, but simplicity that feels intentional. In our studio, this is how we etch simplicity into every function: A straightforward process. A genuine relationship with our clients. Designing homes around the quiet, daily moments that often go unnoticed but, I believe, matter the most.

As an interior designer, I spend a lot of time helping clients in Northeast Georgia focus on what truly lasts. When you’re investing in a custom build, renovation, or full-home furnishings, the decisions you’ll live with the longest deserve the most care.

Today, I thought I’d share the six that I truly believe matter more than most.

As an interior designer, this is one of the most common frustrations I hear especially from families who are busy, active, and deeply invested in their homes. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with their house. It’s that it feels full. Overstimulated. Like there’s never quite a place for the eye or the mind to rest.

That’s where negative space comes in.