This week, Interior designers Lauren Li and Bree Banfield explore why homes that look beautiful can still feel uncomfortable or frustrating to live in. Many clients come to them not just for aesthetics, but because their spaces create stress, limit connection, or don’t reflect who they are—making the process feel more like “interior design therapy” than simple decorating.

They highlight common issues, starting with the feeling of not enjoying your own home. This often stems from poor layout, awkward furniture placement, or a disconnect between styled interiors and real-life comfort. They emphasize how subtle design rules and spatial flow impact confidence and daily experience.

The conversation then shifts to functionality—homes that don’t support modern life, like working from home or fostering family interaction. They also address decision paralysis caused by endless inspiration from platforms like Pinterest and AI tools, explaining how designers simplify choices by focusing on what truly fits a client’s lifestyle and needs.

Finally, they discuss challenges in new builds and renovations, where visually impressive designs can overlook practical realities such as lighting, glare, window treatments, and furniture placement. The overall message: good design is about aligning your home with how you actually live, not just how it looks.

Bree is now offering a 90-minute online design consult to help you tackle key challenges like colour selection, furniture curation, layout, and styling. Get tailored one-on-one advice and a detailed follow-up report with actionable recommendations—all without a full-service commitment.

Bookings now open - Book now

Join Lauren online for a workshop on Thursday May 21st to help break down pricing & fees for 2026! You'll learn:

What has worked for Lauren over the past year
What hasn’t worked, and what she has changed
The exact fee structure Lauren now uses across all projects

For more info see below

The Pricing Shift: How I Structure My Fees in 2026.