Finding Your Design Style: Interior Design Q&A

Summary

Dear Alice | Interior Design

Episode Summary: “Finding Your Design Style: Interior Design Q&A”

Date: January 1, 2026
Hosts: Jessica Bennett (A), Suzanne Hall (C), and co-host (B)

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Overview

Kicking off 2026 with energy and humor, the Dear Alice team hosts a Q&A episode built from thoughtful listener-submitted questions. The conversation ranges from defining personal design styles and collecting art to practical dilemmas like rug sizes and lighting configurations. The hosts fuse practical advice with candid personal anecdotes, offering both actionable tips and relatable moments from their own design journeys. Throughout, they emphasize self-expression, embracing the unique “weird,” and evolving one’s space over time.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Defining Your Design Style and Bringing It All Together

Listener question from Kaylee:
"How do I define my style? I collect art I love, but how do I bring it all together?"

• It's Normal to Feel Uncertain:
  • "Who am I? Sue, remind me." (A, 02:21)
  • Even design professionals get stumped by their own spaces.
• You're Likely a Mix, Not a Cliché:
  • “It’s usually you’re not so on the nose with just one [style]. You’re a mashup of two things or maybe two or three.” (A, 03:16)
  • The ‘perfect’ canned house is out—homes that tell your story are what’s in.
• Art as the Soul of the Home:
  • “Art is the hardest thing. So I’m stoked you’re finding pieces that you like… I called Jess: ‘All my art has people in it. How did this happen?’” (C, 04:23)
  • “It’s almost like the soul of your house.” (A, 05:13)
• Advice for Feeling Cohesive:
  • Frame art for the piece, not to match fixtures (A, 05:21).
  • Use favorite rugs as a secondary ‘artwork’ to inform your scheme.
  • Let your style unfold—don’t rush for instant cohesion.
• Evolving Collections Are Natural:
  • “It’s okay if some of those things go by the wayside as your style becomes more defined.” (C, 06:19)

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2. Finding Inspiration and Seeing Room Potential

Listener question from Seiler:
"Where do you find inspiration for a room? Do you start with Pinterest?"

• Start With Problem-Solving, Not Pinterest:
  • “We’ll try to understand the room’s potential outside of seeing Pinterest… Sort of the problem solving of the room.” (A, 07:05)
• Use Pinterest Deliberately:
  • “You almost first want to solve the problem before you open up the can of Pinterest.” (A, 08:07)
  • Use client reference images to align, then broaden their vision.
• Magazines and Unexpected Sources:
  • “There is something about the tactile nature of a book. I always find something to inspire a detail.” (C, 09:50)
  • Inspiration for a kitchen may come from a color in fashion, not just other kitchens (A & C, 10:36–11:02).
• Let Inspiration Surprise You:
  • “It’s usually like finding it in an unexpected way that will sort of light you up.” (A, 10:36)

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3. Displaying Art for Children’s Enjoyment

Listener question from Brianne:
"How to showcase art for kids’ viewing pleasure but still look cool?"

• Don’t Hang Low Just for Children:
  • “I don’t know if I’d intentionally hang art at a low spot unless you’ve collected so much you can go from baseboard to ceiling.” (C, 11:45)
• Include Kids in the Process:
  • “Have them part of just like the gathering and framing process.” (C, 12:01)
• Gallery Walls for Children's Art:
  • “She had a whole kids gallery… framed alike, up the back set of stairs.” (A, 13:16)
• Talk About Art, Not Just Display:
  • “It’s the stories she told me about that piece.” (C, 15:35)
• Expose Kids to Inspiration:
  • “Take your kids to museums, everybody… expose them, even if it’s for a microsecond.” (C, 15:43)

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4. Lighting: Cans, Pendants, or Sconces?

Listener question from Michael:
"Recess lights, pendants, or sconces—what should reign supreme?"

• Layered Lighting Is King:
  • “D, All of the above.” (C, 16:09)
  • “Recessed lights should never be your only fixture… never reign.” (A, 16:10)
• Different Lights, Different Moods:
  • “In the evening, you’re never going to turn on those cans… It’s going to be the lamp that’s on and the sconces.” (A, 17:09)
• Lighting Sets Mood and Personality:
  • “The most overlooked thing… is the potential that having great decorative lighting can do.” (A, 18:02)
• Memorable Pop Culture Reference:
  • “That’s how important this question is. You have to get the lighting right or it will totally kill your vibe.” (A, 18:54)
• Quote: “What’s going to make you look really good and give you a vibe… it’s the pendants and the sconces.” (A, 19:06)

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5. Embracing the ‘Weird’ and Changing Tastes

Listener question from Brittany:
"Is there a trend or style you’re secretly embarrassed about?"

• Leaning Into Inherited Weirdness:
  • Suzanne’s 1971 ranch home: “She has a barn… what she inherited was just some weird choices from the previous owner… Suzanne started to like the things.” (A, 19:45–20:42)
  • “Living with the orchid bath… it was kind of fun for a minute.” (C, 21:54)
• Style Evolves Over Time:
  • “You might be sitting in a home that you’re just kind of embarrassed of… but you figure out who you are, and can be proud of where you’re at.” (C, 23:47)
• Editors Want Personality:
  • “They want weird things, things that are personal or unique… dig deep and find who they are.” (A, 22:44)

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6. Dream Projects—If Budget/Time Wasn’t an Issue

Listener question from Oaky Family:
"If logistics weren’t a concern, what dream project would you take on?"

• Dream Locations and Collaborations:
  • B: “I would love to build a house in Mexico, next to my friend’s. If money and proximity weren’t an issue.” (B, 27:10)
  • A: “A collaboration with a big brand would be really, really fun. I want this to be a full body yes for me.” (A, 28:02)
  • C: “I think specifically it would be fun to collaborate with musicians—Rosalía, Lenny Kravitz, etc.—they have a strong point of view.” (C, 32:16)
• Collaboration Culture:
  • “It’s all about collabs right now… I’m loving a collab, actually.” (A, 30:06)
  • “If we ever do that, we’re not going to make it Hunger Games for people.” (B, 32:05)

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7. Rug Size Support Group and Practical Rug Advice

Listener question from Solace:
"Support group for buying the wrong rug size three times in a row?"

• The Common Problem:
  • “I’m guessing… you have purchased too small a rug every time.” (A, 33:44)
• Go Big or Go Home:
  • “Even my small living room fits a 10x14 rug… my space feels giant… Go as big as you can.” (C, 34:06)
• Complimentary Design Help:
  • “We have a home furnishings design program…we’ll put your room into CAD and tell you how big a rug you need.” (C, 36:21)
• Custom Sizing Available:
  • “We’ve been offering customizing rugs…not only can we provide pieces, but we can get them customized for your home.” (B, 36:23)

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8. House “Roast” Confessions: What Would Your Home Call You Out For?

Listener question from Sydney:
"What would your house roast you for?"

• Hosts’ Home Confessions:
  • Never painting trim/ceiling to match wallpaper in powder bath. “Every time I look at it… palm face.” (B, 38:02)
  • Exterior lights left from previous owner—"not good, they're old, they're rusted." (C, 38:15)
  • Motion light installed by dad: “It just yells at you.” (C, 38:39)
• Lighting Temperature Woes:
  • “Nothing makes me feel like I’ve been roofied more than different temperatures of lighting.” (C, 39:02, quoted by A)

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Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “It’s almost like the soul of your house.”
  —Jessica (A), 05:13

• “Art is the hardest thing. I’m stoked you’re finding pieces that you like. That’s huge.”
  —Suzanne (C), 04:23

• “Recessed lights should never be your only fixture. They should never reign.”
  —Jessica (A), 16:10

• “Go as big as you can [with rugs]… my space feels giant.”
  —Suzanne (C), 34:06

• “If you date the wrong guy for a long time, you really start to think he’s fantastic… you start to see the potential in the orchid bathroom.”
  —Jessica (A), 21:07

• “They want weird things… so sick of the same thing over and over again.”
  —Jessica (A), 22:44

• "If we ever do that [collab], we're not going to make it Hunger Games for people."
  —Jessica (A) & Jessica (B), 32:05

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:17]–[06:30]: Finding your style, mixing influences, and collecting art
• [07:02]–[11:23]: Finding inspiration: Pinterest, magazines, and the creative process
• [11:27]–[15:43]: Showcasing art for children and building a family gallery wall
• [16:09]–[19:20]: Lighting—recessed vs fixtures, mood setting, ‘Nobody Wants This’ reference
• [19:32]–[26:37]: Embracing “super weird” trends and living with inherited style
• [26:46]–[33:30]: Dream projects and fantasy design collaborations
• [33:41]–[37:07]: Rug sizing dilemmas and practical advice
• [37:06]–[39:44]: House “roasts” and embarrassing unresolved home issues

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Takeaways

• Your design style is personal, evolving, and likely a blend—not a strict archetype.
• Let art and key pieces inform your story, and don’t rush to a ‘perfect’ final look.
• Layering lighting and going big on rugs are universal upgrades.
• Embrace the “weird,” the inherited, and the things you feel a little embarrassed by—they create individuality.
• Engage all household members, including children, in the world of design and art.
• Everyone has at least one “unfinished” or “cringe” element at home—even the pros!

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In the hosts’ words:
“Homes that tell your story are what’s in. It’s about finding what really lights you up inside.” (A, 03:36)
“Take your kids to museums, everybody… even if it’s for a microsecond.” (C, 15:43)
“You figure out who you are, and then you can be proud of where you’re at.” (C, 23:47)

Happy 2026 and happy designing!

Transcript

[A]

Hello, everyone. Welcome to dear Alice. And you know What? Welcome to 2026.

[B]

Happy New Year.

[A]

Happy New Year, guys. Can you believe I feel like we're in the future. Like there's driving cars. Yeah, there's. I mean, 2026. Doesn't that sound so futuristic?

[B]

Crazy.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Like 2030. I'm like, I don't know. I might be twinkled into the space.

[A]

You probably will be.

[B]

That still feels so far away. But it's like it's going to be there before we know it.

[A]

I think that just goes to show how old we are.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

I remember being in like high school and being 2002. Olympics will be in Salt Lake City. And I was just like, that's so like, if we're even alive.

[B]

If the earth exists anymore.

[A]

What happens with Y2K?

[C]

I've heard all the songs.

[A]

Computers are gonna blow up.

[B]

We're the. We're in the exact same situation now with 2034 Olympics. And then like, AI. It's like, people aren't. It's gonna be robots in the Olympics.

[C]

It's gonna be like Wally just like scooting around. I'm like, anyway. Anyway.

[A]

I love it. Well, happy New Year, everybody. Thanks for joining. Or tomorrow or whenever it is you're tuning in. We just couldn't help ourselves. We had to record a new podcast for the new year. I wanted to say today's the last day if you guys want to shop our end of season sale. These are a lot of really great.

[B]

Great deals on cashing those gift cards with a. With a discount as well.

[A]

Yeah, that's crazy.

[C]

That's.

[A]

That's how you stack things right there. Yeah. So go check that out. You can get up to 50 off right now. Our exclusives. These are the things that we actually love the most that we're most proud of. And they're there for up to 50 off. So go ham@alice lane.com. get yourself something really nice to start 2026 with.

[B]

Today is a listener question episode. And obviously questions came from you guys. So thank you. And if you would like to see one of your questions either on one of these episodes or possibly it be an entire episode itself, leave a comment on YouTube or Spotify or send us an email at Dear Alice, Alice Lane home dot com. So, yeah, and we'll just jump into it.

[A]

Let's do it.

[B]

The first question is from Kaylee. She wrote in and said, love the show. Super helpful. Would love an episode on how to define your overall style of. I feel like I collect art that I Like, but I am not sure what my overall vibe is or how to bring it all together. Great starting question.

[C]

That's a good question.

[A]

I think everybody gets stumped on this at some point, especially when you're at that place where you're trying to buy things to make your home feel like a home. You're like, ah, who am I? And you know what, Kaylee? This is actually hardest for yourself. I turn into. I turn into you during this on my own house. I'm like, who am I? Sue? Remind me and I'll show her, too. And she's like, of course you're the one on the right. Or of course you're this. And it's so grounding.

[C]

Remember how much you hated that one shirt that you got? That was the left? Yeah, they're not that. Yeah, I know what happens then.

[A]

I know. I, I. Seriously, it's. You're so blind to yourself, and you can see it going a million different ways. So I think it is so helpful to have your phone, a friend option, your best friend. You've. You've got to, you've got to help talk it out. But I do think we've done episodes on different design styles. And Kayleigh, I'll say this. It's usually you're not so on the nose with just one. You're a mashup of two things or maybe two or three things. Because I think the canned house, where it's all one thing, it's not really going to really, truly reflect you. And today those sort of perfect canned houses are really out. And what they're saying is really good and really in and, and what's being published is weird. Like, people want to see weird homes. They want to see homes that are totally you. They want to see the stuff on your shelves. They want to tell your story. And storytelling is what' really hip. So we just have to dig deep and figure out your story and figure out where you've been. That really lights you up inside. And even just starting with your favorite colors, some of that. And then overall styles. But I think we have recorded in the past. Haven't we done a podcast on the different styles?

[B]

Yes. So different design styles. That was earlier this year, but then I think last year, maybe the year before, we did like a North Star one. Kind of like developing, curating, your style.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So go check those out. But really quick, we want to answer the last part of your question, which is, I feel like I collect art that I like, but I'm not sure what my overall vibe is. Or how to bring it all together. And to that, Suze, you're a great art collector. Do you have any. Any notes for Kaylee as she's trying to figure out what her vibe is?

[C]

I would say art is the hardest thing. So I'm, like, I'm stoked that you're finding pieces that you like. That's huge. So when you do find something, you, like, grab it, get it on your wall. And I think as I started to collect art and, like, it wasn't until I had enough on my wall to, like, really start to identify it, you know, because they were tangible pieces I spent money on, I called Jess. I'm just like, all my art has people in it. How did this happen? I'm just like, I had no idea. And Jess is like, you love people, Sue. Like, this is, like, this is no surprise to anybody. And I'm like, you're right. I hate being by myself. I can't even, like, sit in my own thoughts or, like, with just music. I have to call somebody. So as you, like, start to put things on your wall, you'll, like. You'll learn that you're just like, I am taking that with me to my next house. Or I, like. I'll never. I love this piece for this reason. And. And art's one of those things that you should have an emotional response.

[A]

It's almost like the soul of your house.

[C]

It is.

[A]

Yeah. When I think about your home, I think about your art. Yeah.

[C]

I'm just.

[A]

I don't.

[C]

I don't even know what's on my floor.

[A]

I don't either. Yeah. Yeah. It's all of this stuff that's at eye level that you really identify with. And one thing that we know is true today, and that is you're going to frame the art for what looks good on the art. You're not framing it for all of the other colors or metals that are happening in your room. You're just really highlighting that piece to really bring it to life. And then you're going to put that on the wall, and you'll be surprised at how you can start to collect things that will remind you of that. It'll be your jumping off point. You're starting off point. So I love that you already love to collect art. I'd say another thing that will help really define your style will be your rug. That's going to be, like, your other biggest piece of art or biggest impact maker in your room. And then you'll start to really understand what goes with that. But you don't have to have a whole vision for the whole thing all at once. Don't feel like you have to know that you just have to start somewhere. And I love that you're starting with art because that's, that's the soul. That's those identifying pieces that say this is who I am, this is what I'm about.

[C]

Yeah. And over the years I've gotten rid of some pieces and I'm just like, that doesn't resonate or like I like maybe I got on a deal. There isn't a good story behind it for me to like keep it instead of this other thing that like moves me. Right. It does have a lot of soul. So it's okay if it's even something. As you evolve and your style becomes more defined, it's okay that some of those things will go by the wayside to make room for something that is really great. That's all part of it. Our houses should change, our style should evolve. So I'm excited for you. This is, that's a really funny challenge for you.

[B]

Our next question is from Seiler. They wrote in and asked, can you make an episode talking about how you find inspiration to make a room or how you see a room's potential. Like do you look on Pinterest for examples?

[A]

Yes, we do look on Pinterest. But Susan and I will often do the first time consultation together. Alice Lane Interiors and we'll often try to understand the room's potential outside of seeing Pinterest or even their mood boards and just sort of studying what's sort of the problem solving of the room and going, oh my gosh, I cannot believe that they're sitting here on this gold mine. If we were just to re space plan this or make this the focal point or change that window to be this kind of window and then do this with it, everything would change. And so we're kind of looking at sort of the, the math of the problem first and then we can get into the vibe and all of that. But it's really amazing to just picture a room completely empty, nothing in it, and then go for the room's potential and then of course you're going to solve that with style as well. I think we've. You almost first want to solve the problem before you open up the can of, of Pinterest because there's a lot there and usually the client will have a Pinterest folder of things that they're attracted to and we're solving for them. Right. What's inside their body, what's inside their mind. Let's see your Pinterest board and then we'll take your Pinterest board and we'll uplevel it.

[C]

We'll raise you.

[A]

We'll raise you Better algorithm. Yes. And we will make you a North Star ways that we're going to both solve the problem and show you things that, that are a possibility because maybe they are not as exposed, if you will, or their algorithm isn't as exposed to some new ideas. So we love to use their images with our images once we already have an idea of where we're going with it to make something great. I don't know, would you add anything else to that? Sue, when you're looking for inspiration for a room, do you ever open Pinterest first?

[C]

No.

[A]

No.

[C]

I think it really does come down to just because even like when you go to Pinterest. Yeah. There might be things that, I mean, because frankly you'll get distracted because there's just so much to see on Pinterest if you're not looking for something that's pointed. Like if we've studied it out, if I've already started sketching what ideally, like if I blended it up like this and turned the vantage point this way. Okay. They're going to have a hard time visualizing that. I mean, I'll sketch it for them, but I want to find some examples of showing them just like this type of hood on this type of wall with these types of windows and because that's what I'm seeing in my head and I'll try and find things to support that.

[A]

To support your vision.

[C]

To support the vision that I've already had.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. And usually again, it's form follows function. Like you figure out what is the best functionality for the room, what is the best vantage point when I walk into that space to like do the biggest things with, I don't know, to make the most impact. And so you figure that out and then you can like have a really pointed search and you'll understand kind of after you've looked at their Pinterest, you kind of understand their style and to be like, okay, they're comfortable with these things. So I'm not going to quite show them this because they're going to like retaliate and think that I'm not listening or not seeing what they love.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And so then you kind of have to funnel, you know, your ideas with what they find successful and then try and push them to be something better. So. Yeah. So do that too. If you are, like, bored by your Pinterest, start following somebody that is inspiring. If you're. If you're like, my space planning is awesome. My house is dope. I don't need to change a thing. And I just, like, need to, like, fill. Fill a mood. That's what I would start maybe, like, looking at Pinterest board or looking at fashion lines or grab a magazine. I love doing that. I love grabbing a physical magazine or a book sometimes. And just like. And I know we have Pinterest, but there is something about, like an actual, like, the tactile nature of a book. I always find something when I start to look through it. I'm like, for anyone, any projects, I'll find something to inspire a detail.

[A]

Yeah. And it's not usually the on the nose. It's not that you're looking at a kitchen to solve your kitchen problem is that you're seeing an outfit in a combination of colors that you're like, I never would have thought of this citron, you know, color paired with red. But if we made that the welt on this chair, it would give that vibe, you know, so it's. It's usually like finding it in an unexpected way that will sort of light you up.

[C]

Color of the dome in Florence or something. Well, like, you know, it could be something completely off topic, but you're just like, that's earthiness that they were wanting. And I need to look in this avenue now, you know, to try and like, just get more inspired.

[A]

So anyway, look, it like, opens up the neural pathways instead of closes it in and keeps you in kitchen.

[B]

That's a great point.

[A]

Almost more. More creative, if you will.

[C]

Inspiring. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Great question.

[B]

The next question is from Brianne. She wrote in and asked one thing I'm thinking about often but not sure how to implement is art for the viewing pleasure of children. I have been collecting small original works and I try to put them at a level where my children can observe and admire them, but I still want to display them in a cool and intentional way. Any thoughts?

[C]

High five, Brianne. For wanting to give your children the pleasure of seeing original pieces of art. That's really kind of you. I would un. Like for the actual viewing pleasure of your children. I don't know that I ne. I mean, unless you just collect so much art that you can go from baseboard to ceiling and you just like, start putting things. I don't know if I would intentionally hang art in a low spot if I didn't have anything Else stacked on top of it. That makes sense. But I would make it an intention to like, make sure that my stacks go low enough for them to admire now, talk to them about it and like, I maybe even have them part of just like the gathering and framing process of it, just so they can see it and understand, understand the why. These are, you know, mommy's toys and we're sharing them with you.

[A]

Well, in your kids room, like you have a stack next next to the Mitzi shelf that starts low enough, like probably two or three feet off the ground. And then there's one on top in the same size frame and one on top of that. So there is something for them to enjoy as well as you to enjoy. And then even the piece in their bedroom that if you're, if you're little Louie and you're standing on your bed, you're looking right in the eye of this great Jaguar. Right tiger?

[C]

Yeah, Jaguar.

[A]

Jaguar. Yeah. And so that's even at his eye level when he's standing or jumping on his bed. I think kids are going to take in art wherever. But when I, when I thought about this, I, I remembered seeing in my mind I. There's a project we did in Dallas on Lovers Lane. And the. The client had collected the kids art that they themselves made over the years and had them all framed alike in white frames and did a kids gallery up the back set of stairs. Sometimes in homes you'll have a formal staircase at the front of the house by the front door and then a backside coming up the mud hall or the kitchen. And she had a whole kids gallery. And I just thought this was such a great solution. I think galleries and stair hallways are great because they're passageways to another room. And you really can stop and admire really up close. And you can see that piece that you. Your self portrait from when you were in sixth grade or fifth grade. I mean, we all have a self portrait that we painted of ourselves. You know, you can see whatever it is that you've made. And I love that she collected. You know, I don't know, maybe this is a gallery of, let's call it 12 pieces. And we installed it for her on the back hallway. And I just think this is an awesome solution. So if you happen to be watching right now, you can see this art being installed at the project that we were on. This was probably in like 20, 21 or so. I thought this was a good solution. It was great.

[C]

And it's something that they've continued to add, which is fun about Galleries and going low and going high. And it is something that you like. You just have it. Just the wall talks, you know, and it's fun for kids. And. And I think too, when especially whether they're pieces of originals that they get to appreciate or their own originals, I think is always like. The other day, Manolo brought me a piece that he was super proud of. He's just like, we should put this on the wall. I was like, you're totally right. And so just right then I got a piece of tape and I just taped it to the wall. And he's just like, great, okay. He didn't need to get it framed or anything, like, satisfied. And he gets to feel proud of it. So I'm like even doing gestures like that just to show that you're listening and that you appreciate their art and that they. He knew that I appreciated art because he knows that that's what I do and that's what I put on my walls. And so anyway, and I hope I'm just like, I remember. I'm sure you all do to like pieces maybe in the homes that you grew up. And, like, you know, there's certain pieces I'm just like, I'm gonna put my name on the back of that from my mom's house because I'm like, I remember exactly where that lived when I grew up. And so I'm like, you kids. And it's not like she sat and talked about it for me or that she hung it more low for me to see, but it's just the stories that she told me about that piece. So I think talking about it more than like, getting it right in their vantage point, you get to win because it's just going to look lovely and you've collected it, but you just get to like, talk about it and take them to museums. Take your kids to museums, everybody. Like, I think I know that it's chaotic. I have three boys, so I definitely have to, like, time it when it's not a busy time. But I really do, like, anytime that there's a new gallery or. Or something, that I can just like, expose them, even if it's for a microsecond, that, like. Because they're not going to want to stay as long as I want to, but I want to make it a thing that they. They know that that's where I go for to be inspired. So anyway, take them to galleries.

[B]

Michael sent in our next question, and he asked quick question concerning lighting from your previous episode Recess lights versus pendants or sconces which one should reign supreme in your home?

[C]

D All of the above.

[A]

Yeah, all of the above. I mean, they all serve different purposes. And if, you know, if you're a more recent home, then for sure you're going to have recessed lights. That should never be your only fixture. Recessed lights should never rain. That just should give you overall light in your house. So if for some reason you do live in a home where it's only cans and they haven't spent time on the fixtures, congrats. Because that means that gets to be the great work that you do, and that's going to evoke personality, and you're going to really work on getting the scale and the design really right. But when I think about an entryway, I think there's probably cans way up in that ceiling. There's probably a main fixture centered on that scene. And then you're going to have sconces on the wall above your console or a chest or something like that. You really need lots of layers of light. I am even so bold as to say I would put a lamp on top of that chest even though there's sconces on it.

[C]

You really.

[A]

I just like all the different layers of light in the glow. And what you're going to find is in the evening, you're never going to turn on those cans.

[B]

Can be the lamp.

[A]

It's going to be the lamp that's on and the sconces. Or maybe there's an art light.

[C]

Dim those up.

[A]

Yeah. And then I'm gonna have my chandelier on a dimmer. And then I really only need those overall lights on. I don't know if there's like. I don't even know. You'll use those the least. Yeah. If you're cleaning, you'll turn them. If you're cleaning at night.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

If you have to do surgery in your entryway for some weird reason, you turn those on. Yeah, but I. I'm. I'm a real mixed lighting kind of gal, and the cans being my least favorite. Yeah, but you need them. I mean, we just barely, you know, had Thanksgiving a few weeks ago, and there's a lot of cooking, and I was grateful I had the cans and not just because there's so much prep on different counters and different cooks. And so there are times when you do need just more light because you're work. Because you're really working, but a lot of times you just. If you're just dining and you're sitting at your island, it's just More ambient to have your pendants on. And I think it's one of the most overlooked things in homes is the potential that having great decorative lighting can do for a home. It actually makes it feel like home.

[B]

And a mood.

[A]

And a mood.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, like, this happened this morning. I walked downstairs and Mario has, like, all the overhead. I'm like, whoa. I'm. I'm. I want to be like, I need to take a moment before I wake up. You know what I mean? Yeah.

[C]

Open the window.

[B]

Yeah. But, yeah, I just realized how much that affected my mood, and I was just like, okay, I need to reset and.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Do that whole thing. So ease into it.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, Kids do the same thing. I'm like, damn it. And just like, roll up your shade.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Just let the sunshine wake you up.

[B]

Exactly.

[C]

You need a soft entrance.

[A]

Are you guys watching? Nobody wants this.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

One of my favorite. That's probably my favorite show this year.

[A]

When they're having a dinner party and the rabbi puts Joanne in charge of the lighting for the party. That's how. Michael, that's how important this question is. Is that you have to get the lighting right or it will totally kill your vibe.

[B]

Totally.

[A]

So you definitely want those pendants and you definitely want those sconces. You have to have the recess lights. That's a necessary evil. But what's going to make you look really good and give you a vibe and make you sexy to your friends? It's the pendants and the sconces.

[B]

Brittany wrote in our next question, and she asked, do you have a trend or style you are secretly embarrassed to talk about on the pod? Or is it just. Or is it just super weird? Love you guys. Thanks.

[C]

Love you too.

[A]

I love it. Jess, you go, Is there a trend or something? You know what's fun, Suzanne? I'm. I'm gonna speak for you for a minute because it's hard to talk about oneself, and then you can. You guys can speak for me.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Suzanne. Brittany. Suzanne bought a super weird house. I'm just gonna go ahead and say it. It was.

[C]

Everyone questioned my decision. Let's be honest.

[A]

No, we did not question it. Suzanne's the smartest amongst everybody at the table. Suzanne bought a home in 2020 and got a full acre of land in Highland, Utah. And she bought a 1971 ranch style home. She has a barn. Like she's got an acre. She's already winning at life. But what she inherited was just some weird choices from the previous owner that never sold the house since 1971. So Suzanne inherited a lot of. A lot of Barbara's ideas and one.

[C]

Of her plumbing and her electrical beach rack.

[A]

Oh, yeah. And she's. Can Suza's continued to pay for those decisions? Sure have. But what. What got weird, Brittany, is that Suzanne started to like the things and so long. And you want to know what the boys bath. The boys bath was what color? Orchid.

[C]

Orchid.

[A]

It was like it was the most awful color of purple. And Suzanne decides to affectionately call it orchid. And then she started to say, after living in the house for three years, I kind of like the orchid.

[C]

I'm like, I think this might be part of color astrology. I looked fantastic. Yeah. And there's.

[A]

There is, like, there's. Suzanne doesn't even want to change the kitchen anymore. She's just like, you know, thought I actually really like the kitchen.

[C]

Here's.

[A]

This is. This is what happens when you hang out with the wrong person. I wanted to. I want to say, like this for my daughter right now, who doesn't listen to this podcast. If you date the wrong guy for a long time, you really start to think he's fantastic. You know, you start to see the potential in people. You start to see the potential in the orchid bathroom. And pretty soon, that super weird thing is, like, looking pretty good to you. It's tasty Goggles. Yeah, yeah. Beer goggles. Exactly. Yep. So anyway, I will report back that Suzanne did indeed not paint the new bathroom that she remodeled Orchid, but she reflects back fondly on it and likes to look at those old listing photos.

[C]

And park had balls, man. Like, she colored drenched before. It was cool.

[A]

Yes, she did.

[C]

Anyway.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

And she did it in orchid.

[A]

Yeah. And it was kind of fun living with an orchid bath for a minute, right?

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it was. Yeah, it was fun.

[A]

I think there were some other things, too, that you're like, you know what the. The paneling in the basement.

[C]

Oh, I know. It's like that Sunday show.

[A]

I know.

[C]

Like, I'm on Stranger Things every night.

[A]

You like it, and you're, like, leaning into it, and there is something kind of fun about living with something kind of weird.

[C]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Like, you start to get it.

[C]

I know. And you dress it, you know, and you're just like, am I Ralph Lauren here? Like, who am I?

[A]

Or when? Now. Now that they're saying wood drenching is coming back in, you're like, I get that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I get that. I could do a wood drench in this basement after living in this simulated walnut grain. Yeah, right.

[C]

With maybe etched Elk on the wall. I don't know. I don't know.

[A]

I think that's what's kind of fun about a remodel, is that you can kind of try on somebody else's stuff and. And roll around in it and live with it and. And then sort of decide if there's something about it that's kind of fun.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Because we do keep hearing from the editors that they want. They want weird things. Yeah. They want things that are personal or unique or they just really want people to dig deep and find who they are, and they're so sick of the same thing over and over again. So I think for that, like, I would. I mean, you haven't changed your mantle. I know there's a question about that. And you love it now.

[C]

I really do.

[A]

Yeah. And I feel like I love it for you. When I see it, I'm like, don't change it.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. And then. And then there are just like, some really redeeming qualities about the kitchen, too. Yeah. That you're like. Yeah. You don't need to be hurry to change it.

[C]

No.

[A]

Yeah. So I don't know. I. I think. I don't know. I think that's sort of some of the super weird things that I've gotten to sort of encounter with because we're so close. And it's been so fun watching you sort of try on these things and kind of fall in and kind of fall in love with it. Do you know what I mean?

[C]

Yeah, totally. I don't know.

[A]

How about you guys? Is there anything she asks? Do you have a trend or style that you're secretly embarrassed to talk about on the pot? I. By the way, I'm not secretly embarrassed about that.

[C]

Oh, no, No.

[A]

I will say I love it for.

[C]

You when you first something, though. I remember I. When I first. And I'm just like, okay, I could, like, I could do 1970s, like, rants. That's cool. But then, like, as I looked, there were. I posted a lot less. I mean, definitely, we've remodeled and done great things with it, but I definitely posted a lot less of my house than when I was in the attic because I made my stamp on it and I was living with someone else's decisions that weren't mine that are, you know, you frankly, like, you probably, like, you might be sitting in a home that you're just, like, kind of embarrassed of. You're just like, it's just not what you want it to be. Right. And so I think that that's part. And some of that might be a trend that you went heavy in. You. You probably went hard on modern farmhouse. Most people did. Kind of embarrassed about it. Right. You might be. Have a few barn doors up. Right. Kind of embarrassed about it, you know, but anyway. But it's good. And at the time, you might. You may have been saying, oh, I love the country. I love farmhouse. And like, this is modern and fresh like I am, and this is totally me. But then you've evolved, and so there's all. There's always. There's pieces of art that I was just like, oh, let's just like, put that and donate. Like, anyway, wasn't. Wasn't cool. But you figure out who you are, and then you. You can, I don't know, be proud of where you're at. I'm proud of where I'm at.

[A]

Yeah. Where I am. Well, I also think it was. I think it. You know, you think about people moving into a remodel and they wanted just like, right away, they're like, oh, I'm changing everything. Don't. Don't worry. I'm. It's. It's all going away. I'm ripping it all out. But I think it was kind of fun the way that the. The layers that you've kind of peeled this onion, you know what I mean, in, and that you took the time to just sort of, like, figure out what. What you wanted to keep and what you didn't want to keep. And you were really methodical about it. And there's. There was parts from the old house, like the storage tower in the boy's bathroom. Like, you kept the layout the same because it was so smart. I think if somebody just bought the home and they were going to get it and remodel it, maybe flip it, that they might try and modernize it and put, you know, two sinks and two mirrors on the wall or something like that. But I don't know. I just feel like you were super thoughtful about how you took it in and. And went about solving the problems and continue to peel back the onion. But you've made it so cool and so interesting.

[C]

Thanks.

[A]

In. In the learning of the home, and it's almost like you can feel its heartbeat. And you probably wouldn't have ever thought that you're a 70s ranch style. Like, you've always identified with global eclectic, but you really are a 70s ranch style. Yeah. Like, it's so. It's so become you. So I think it's like just sort of getting in the weird and sitting in it and taking the time to peel the onion that you can come out with something really, really individual and. Yeah. Just awesome.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

Like a different kind of awesome that's out there where you just really get to feel unique, uniquely you, you know?

[C]

It's true.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I love this next question because of the question itself. But also, this is our first question from says Oakley family or Oaky Family.

[C]

Family.

[B]

Yeah. They wrote in ask, if budget, time and logistics weren't an issue, what dream project would each of you take on? Oh, such a legit question.

[C]

Oh, man.

[B]

Do you want me to go first?

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Okay. I'm thinking of this more of like a location. And this has been like in the back of my mind. Like I've mentioned on last week's episode, I went to Mexico for 10 days.

[A]

Oh, yes.

[B]

I would love seeing my friend's house. It's fantastic. His wife's Ali. She's a. Went to an interior design school, so she did a great job. I love the building materials and just the way they have thought of certain things there. And I would love to.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Build a house there.

[C]

If.

[B]

If money and issue. Yeah. Proximity weren't an issue. That's what I would do. And I think, yeah, it would be. It would be so fun. I fantasize it. Like, it'd be awesome to live next door to him. You know, that would be cool. So that's what I would do. That's my dream project.

[C]

So I love that.

[A]

Gosh, you know, I mean, I was thinking of design in the beginning of this because, you know, that's. That's really what we did for like the first 15 years. I just did all ALID projects until the last two years where I jumped into more product development role. So I'm actually going to answer this as a product developer.

[B]

Cool.

[A]

Instead of an interior design project. At first I was going to say anything in Texas is a yes for me because all of our Texas projects have been so fun. Whenever we get a call in from Texas, I'm like, yes, yes. Again, I just. They love a lifestyle and we just. We get to do really, really great fun. We get to do fun work for everybody wherever they are. But there's something happening in Texas where they just love a lifestyle. But I. When I think of a dream project, I think a collaboration with a big brand would be really, really fun. And we've kind of been in talks with different folks. And for me, at this stage in the game, and after actually talking with a lot of people that have collaborated with different brands at market even, I've asked them how it's gone, and some people would report back that it's like the Hunger Games. It's not very easy working with these folks. And I've been like, okay, I don't want that experience. I really want this to be a full body. Yes. For me, if I'm doing it. Because we do get to. Product development is a part of our algorithm. Is. Is part of our biorhythm. Like, we just. We are always constantly doing it, and we design a lot, and so we're in the practice of doing it. And I would just want to make sure that with doing it with a team, that we felt really akin. You know what I mean? There was a kismet to it. So I guess my dream project would be a collaboration, so we'll see what comes out of the future. But I want it to be really, really right.

[B]

So do you mean like, a designer working with Alice Lane to kind of like, I think a collection with them.

[A]

Or Alice Lane working with a much bigger brand? Okay, we are the designer.

[B]

Okay. If you. If you could work with a designer. So I'm just adding another question here. Sorry, Ryan. What designer would you like to like? Alice Lane by whoever. And do a line with that designer for Alice Lane?

[A]

Oh, I don't. I don't know. That's it. Do you have one in mind?

[B]

I don't, but I just. You talking about that, I was like, wow, that would be super fun to, like, bring someone into our circle and, like, work with them in that way, do it the way they do.

[A]

I do feel like it's all about collabs right now. Like, I love seeing just different shoe collabs with this designer with, you know, with Nike or this designer. I was just, you know, looking at things last night for my girls, and there was. I forget the designer's name that did a little collab with J. Crew, and it's like, their take on this brand. And so I think the collabs are so fun. We saw skims do something with Nike earlier this year. We also just barely saw a major, major just disruption amongst the big fashion houses. And, yeah, Chanel just got a new creative director. Yeah. Louboutin Pharrell's doing amazing job.

[C]

I'm so obsessed.

[A]

Yeah, it's so great. We saw Jonathan Anderson leave Louisville, and now he's over at Dior. He just won a fashion award. It was announced yesterday. And so you're seeing these creative directors take on new, new houses and what they're doing within the houses with their DNA and it's lighting my fire and I feel like I'm just. I'm just, like, warming my fingers and toes just watching all of this great creative work coming down the Runway. So I'm loving a collab, actually. Love this question. I don't have an answer for it, but I'm going to keep noodling on it. And I'm just so happy the Okie family decided to ask us this.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm going to say this is what we were talking about. We were like someone's home when we were talking about it in that aspect. But it would be way fun to do, like, a line with someone like Victoria Beckham, who goes all in, thinks of every detail.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Her documentary, by the way, on Netflix, I do believe is amazing. So if you haven't seen it, go watch it. But, yeah, it was just super inspiring just to see. She just, like, goes way deep in whatever she's doing and it's just like, all in. So someone like, that would be super fun to do.

[A]

Somebody with a point of view that is all in on it. I agree. I think that's. That's what you would want. That's. That's the DNA that you want to see bubble up with another brand and their capabilities to manufacture and that it really has this unique stamp on it and it's not just like a regurgitation of something else. So, yeah, I'm all about that.

[B]

If we ever do that, we're not going to make it Hunger Games for people. We're going to say that now.

[C]

Exactly.

[A]

Exactly. How about you, Sue? If time, budget and logistics were no issue, what dream project would you take on?

[C]

I. I know we've. We've talked about, like, different musicians that we would, like, love to work with.

[B]

Of course.

[C]

Lenny Kravitz, I think would be so fun to collaborate. Benson Boone would be so fun to design for just because their personalities. Recently, Rosalia, she's out of Barcelona, Spain, Spain. Tom got me, like, onto her album and just like, he was just like. He's like, you have no idea. Like this, this artist, she's learned, like, seven. She knows seven languages. She's collaborated with this person, this person, this person, this person. She's speaking all these different languages throughout this album. And you listen to it and. And like Rolling Stone, like, international. Like, everybody is freaking out about this girl. And she was just on Jimmy Fallon just. Anyway, but just like, her style, like, the way she went about this album, I'm just like, what a beautiful artist. She would be fun to Design for, you know, I mean, like, just. And honestly, I. There's something that I think about musicians. I think specifically that it would. It would be really fun to collaborate with because it's a completely different media medium. But it's a really strong. They have a strong point of view and a lot of the opinions. Sense of style. You know, that would be really fun to like, put that into an interior.

[A]

So those.

[C]

Yeah, I'm like, honestly, all musicians. I'm in.

[B]

I'm.

[C]

I'm game.

[B]

What a great question. Thank you. The next question is from Solace. They wrote in and asked, is there a support group for buying rugs at the wrong size three times in a row? Asking because I keep messing up. Lol.

[C]

You're asking for a friend, Solace, it's okay. You're great.

[A]

Let me first say this. I'm guessing Solace, that you have purchased too small of a rug every time is. Is usually what happens. And really what you want to do is just measure the size of your room. You're going to mostly want that to be covered in your area rug. I don't know what size room you're doing or. Or what you're trying to furnish. But, Suze, even in your smaller room, do you want to tell them?

[C]

Yeah, I probably. My living room isn't big, and it's probably, I would guess maybe around like a 15 by 12 or so. And recently I thought I could only fit. I think at one point we brought in like not even a 9 by 12. And I was just like, oh, my gosh, it was like bigger than 8 by 10, somewhere in between, and it was too small. And I'm just like, I need the 9 by 12. So I get the 9 by 12. Have lived with the pink 9 by 12 for years, and it's great. And then I found this 10 by 14. I'm like, could I fit a 10 by 14 in my room? And you bet you I did. And it's fine. And it floats off the wall a little bit on each side, but the whole thing is this incredible rug and you get like, my. My space feels giant. That's not a big room, but it feels so much bigger. And so really that rule of taking like the actual perimeter of your room and then offsetting it six inches, come in like, go as big as that if you can, especially in a smaller room. But, like, just go as big as you can. Like, it will, like, pay you back in space. Everything will look so luxurious and so gracious. Gosh, I just. I just feel like we have like these big parties and where Tom does tacos and everything. And it never feels. And it's not a big house, but it never feels small.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Because of just like the amount of furniture that I like. I refuse for the room to tell me that it will not fit because I'm going to keep putting them in there. Yeah. So anyway, the bigger, the bigger you can go, the better. Especially. Especially when it comes to rugs. And it is like the number one offender out there that people buy the smaller rugs. You guys, fun fact as you guys are like out Christmas shopping and doing all the things during the holidays. I was at Costco, as you do, and I saw all their rolled up gray and white power loomed rugs just rolled up there. And I'm like, I guarantee you these jokers are selling so many of those in. And people are just like, I need a rug. I'm just going to grab that seven by nine, I'm going to throw it down the family room and like, merry Christmas. I'm like, anyway, I just want to like shake the buyers because I'm like, that's not big enough. Those are not big enough for people's homes. Like even the smallest home can swallow so much more. I go bigger anyway, so solace. Also we have a home furnishings design program I don't know if you've heard about. It's really great. It's complimentary. We do, we do sell you the furniture and the rugs or whatever, but we'll put your room into CAD and tell you how big of whatever rug you need.

[A]

Definitely.

[C]

So you don't have to make that mistake anymore.

[B]

Y. I was going to talk about the customization. Is that what you're thinking? Yeah. So recently we've been offering the home furnishing design clients like customizing. We've always done customizing rugs. So changing colorways of things, size to fit your room. We do a lot of those. But then also we've been doing like lately we've been doing, changing, changed a sofa of ours. Had ordered that to a customer length. Some sideboards, consoles, cocktail tables. We've been changing all of those. So another reason to use that service because not only can we provide you with the pieces, but we can get them customized for your home.

[A]

Totally.

[C]

So good.

[A]

Yeah. So if you have a weird sized room, don't. You don't have to work within those standard size rugs. We'll just make you the right size rug.

[B]

Perfect.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Our next question is from Sydney and she asks if your house could talk. What would it roast. Roast you for? Mine would call me out for never replacing the build a grade light in the hallway. Oh, awesome question, Mr. Sydney. I have something in my mind right now from my home, and I. Every time I go in my powder bath, I. The reason I did this is because the painter was being so difficult, and I was like, just paint it the same color, but every time I look at it, I should have taken the field color. Color of that wallpaper, and I should have painted the trim and the ceiling in that color. And I. I know I still can't. Yes. But. And then maybe even the fact that I. It's been staring at it for four years, and. No, I know better. Like. And I haven't done anything right now. Yeah, it's the smallest at this point, so I haven't done anything. But that is one thing I look at all the time, and I'm just like, you know, palm face every time.

[C]

My house is roasting me right now, because I haven't. Again, we're just emergency remodel one at a time in this old place. Right. And so I still have, like, the old exterior lighting fixtures on the house from the original owners. Like, they're not good.

[B]

They're.

[C]

They're old, they're rusted. They need to be replaced. Like, my house is like, gosh dang it. Like, replace these lights, please. It's two sconces. Independent.

[B]

It's easy for you.

[C]

But what will roast me even harder on is my sweet dad. You know, when you buy a house and your dad, like, just comes, he's just like, I'm gonna get y' all set up. I'm gonna run over to Home Depot. I'm gonna do all these things. My dad got one of those, like, motion lights, like a floodlight, basically.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

In a really cold bowl for my side. So every time you, like, walk up, it's like, you know, it just, like, yells at you. And so, like, if my lights are on in the front, my old. My old roasted lights in the front, and then, like, someone's walking to the side door, I'm like, 20, 26.

[A]

I think I'm gonna stop the rest. I'm quote sue from our last podcast where she. We were talking about. About. We did a podcast on lighting, and she was like, nothing makes me feel like I've been roofied more than different temperatures of lighting. It's because you experience it every day in your old. I was actually quoting you last night in our own home when I was looking up, going, I Think these cans are led and I have no idea what temperature they are. They're just like, once the cans are like solid molded, you can't replace the bulbs.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

No clue what they did. And then, of course, I'm living with these warmer bulbs in all of my pendants and fixtures. I'm like, if sue comes over here, she's going to tell me that she feels like she's being roofied anyway. Too funny.

[B]

That is so funny.

[C]

Roast. Roast me, man.

[B]

Totally. Okay, our last question is from Daphne M. And she asked, when will this, when will this podcast end? Never. I hope so because it's the last one, Daphne.

[A]

I promise.

[B]

I hope so because I love listening and during my runs. You guys are amazing and really make design so much more palatable.

[A]

Oh, that's so nice.

[B]

Super nice.

[C]

Daphne.

[A]

Daphne. We don't know when it will end. I guess when you guys stop listening. How about that?

[B]

I know.

[A]

Thanks so much for tuning in, you guys. I hope that you have a really, really happy new year. I think we're gonna have a great 2026. I could not be more excited about it. So excited for that new series that's going to start and just for all of the, all of the fun collections and launches and more questions from you guys and turning this podcast in the number one interior design podcast in the world. How about that? I'm excited for that. Don't forget to share the podcast with your friends, your design enthusiasts, your neighbors, whatever, whoever you think will love it. We'd love to have more listeners in here and make this the number one global interior design podcast.

[B]

2026.

[A]

Yeah. Happy new Year. We'll catch you next time. Hey, thanks for listening. If you like our show, please leave a five star rating.

[B]

Well, the holidays have come and gone.

[A]

Once again, but if you've forgotten to.

[B]

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[A]

Well, Mint Mobile is extending their holiday offer of half off unlimited wireless.

[C]

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[A]

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