Have you ever walked into a room and found yourself feeling immediately comfortable and at ease? Perhaps you are in awe of the ocean view, the espresso brown leather sectional, and other earth-toned elements dispersed throughout. On the flip side, you may find yourself entering a space that is so off-the-walls colorful that you experience a newfound sense of energy. You can’t help but feel invigorated upon seeing the funky neon sign in the entryway and the Warhol inspired pop art lining the hall.

If you’re a homeowner, you know how important it is to be demanding of your spaces - you’ve earned this right! Our homes need to work for us, our lifestyles and our loved ones.

As a designer, I thrive by making genuine, lasting connections with my clients. From the very beginning of the design process, we each vet one another–and for good reason. If the client-designer relationship is not a good fit, the project may, quite frankly, be doomed from the start. This is why it is so important to find alignment when searching for a designer for one’s project or when taking on a new client.

Let’s talk about a phenomenon we may occasionally feel but are perhaps afraid to bring up - the Summer Blues. Now, while I don’t completely understand how someone could feel down during the season when the sun is shining brightly, a cool breeze comes off the ocean, and there’s an unspoken excuse to up my ice cream intake - it happens.

Traditional vs. Modern is a classic design debate. Traditional design offers classic comfort and elegance, but it struggles to stay up-to-date and clean. Modern design is cutting edge and stunning but may be left in a new trends’ wake.

While we all look forward to celebrating the holidays with family and friends, elegant decor, and lots of delicious food, my mind can’t help but wander into the future. What does life look like after the holicraze subsides? Where will my head and my heart be at when the confetti settles on January 1st in a brand new year?

Home design is an extension of personality, a way to outwardly represent what makes you feel most alive. Some people take that as needing to be wholly different at every turn - for each element to scream, “you don’t see this every day.” I prefer subtle suggestions that make this home’s inhabitants people you’d want to be friends with.

Get the tips and tricks from Shanna Shryne on revamping your vacation rental and maximizing the world’s return to travel.