“Oh, but anyway, Toto, we’re home. Home! And this is my room, and you’re all here. And I’m not gonna leave here ever, ever again, because I love you all, and - oh, Auntie Em - there’s no place like home!”

— Dorothy

I’m always thinking about home. Maybe because I’m an introverted, Taurean, interior designer who thinks the world is just too people-y. But lately, I’ve been thinking about home even more, especially after the Eaton/LA fires.

Every day, I wake up and dream about what I want to do to my home. Gut the kitchen and give it a proper space plan, add a skylight here, rip out those tragic gray “wood-look” floors, fix the drywall work that someone clearly did in the dark. If I could do everything I wanted, well—let’s just say that in some parts of the country, I could buy an entirely new house with that budget.

But seeing people lose their homes—and everything in them—made me pause and ask myself. How much money should I really be pouring into my space?

Now, let’s be clear. I’m not saying that if a pile of cash fell into my lap, I wouldn’t go all-in on my renovation dreams. And if you’re planning a renovation yourself, I’m definitely not telling you to rethink it just because “it could all be gone in an instant.” No. Because fear-based decisions are usually the worst ones you can make.

But maybe we should take a step back and reevaluate what our dream home actually is.

Does it have to be this perfect vision? The marble countertops, the custom walnut woodwork, the spa-like bathroom, the ocean views? Or is there a way to create our dream without needing what we’ve (I’ve) always considered necessary?

Look, like I said- I’m an introverted, Taurean, interior designer- so I am always going to want good stuff.

But I’ve been trying to shift my perspective—to look for smaller, more attainable ways to live the dream without chasing perfection.

So I’ve been asking myself this question- “What makes a home feel so good that you want to eat it up? What makes it feel special?”

When you strip it all back, what’s at the heart of a fabulous home?

I’ve landed on five things:

Warmth
Personality
A Shock to the System
Layers
Individuality

Notice what’s not on the list:

Perfection
Expensive things
A clear design style
The finest materials
Being on trend

This is a lot to dive into (honestly, it would make a great video—let me know if you’d be into that), so I’ll be breaking these down in this series The Magic of Home, one idea at a time.

Because even if you have zero design skills and not a lot of money, you can create a home so dreamy you may never want to demo a single wall.

Let’s Talk About Warmth

Can a cold, austere space look cool? Absolutely. I’ve seen plenty.

But this is your home. And I don’t think cold and off-putting has ever been on anyone’s wishlist.

So, how do we create warmth in our sacred space?

1. Color is Powerful

The other day, I was watching a Reel from a creator I usually love, but I couldn’t get past how cold and uninspired his space felt. It was all gray. Every shade and tint of gray imaginable. I’m assuming this was a conscious choice, but my god, it was so uncomfortable that I had to skip past the video.

I’m not a gray hater—I love some gray. But over the years, as the color exploded in popularity, it got completely out of hand.

When I first moved into my place, my bedroom was painted a very icy blue with heavy gray undertones. That color (along with some other atrocious design choices) made me hate being in my bedroom. And let me tell you, the state of your bedroom affects your entire well-being.

But after just a few changes, everything shifted. I repainted the walls in a warm, creamy white with the slightest, magical undertone—sometimes pinky, sometimes golden, depending on the light. Even though it’s technically white, it feels soft, enveloping, and dreamy.

My bedroom is a slow work in progress, but even half finished, it makes me happy every time I wake up.

Now please understand me that there is nothing wrong with cool toned colors. In fact, I am a bonafide blue and green girlie. And I kinda have a thing for deep, dark variety. My love runs so deep that they always make their way into any home that I live in.

That being said, a good home always needs a little contrast (something we will be talking about more further along in this series).

So if your space feels cold or off-putting, step back and really look at what’s going on. And remember, color is more than just paint- it’s wood tones, tiles, linens, and accessories. So look at your furniture, bedding, blankets, curtains, rugs, art, and decor.

And don’t be like the gray guy on the Gram…

Quick Fix: If you’re feeling stuck, start small. Try swapping out cool-toned pillows or throws for something warmer like terracotta, rust, or mustard. Even just adding a warm-toned art piece can shift the mood.

2. Lighting Changes Everything

Lighting is huge when it comes to warmth. And if you’re thinking, “Yeah, but light fixtures are expensive,” hear me out. You don’t have to swap out your old, fugly, builder-grade pendant for a stunning Akari paper shade or a statement RH fixture (though, if you can, do it).

There’s an easier, much cheaper solution:

Just change your light bulbs.

The last time I visited my sister, the stairwell light had gone out, so her husband swapped the bulb. When we got home and flipped the switch, the entire space transformed into what can only be described as an operating room. The sterile, blue-white light was so aggressive that we recoiled.

First of all, ditch daylight bulbs. Swap them for bulbs with a warmer color temperature (around 2700K). Brands call them “warm white” or “relax” bulbs—whatever it says on the box, just trust me. This tiny tweak can instantly shift the entire vibe of your home.

And here’s why: Warmer toned bulbs, like their incandescent predecessors, mimic the warm natural light. Think the magic of golden hour or the ochre and amber hues of a sunset. It’s those warm yellows that tend to make us feel comfortable and secure. It triggers something primal in our brains that remind us of the warmth of the sun, creating a sense of relaxation, happiness, and hope. This is exactly the feeling that most of us are trying to create in our homes, right?

Quick Fix: Add more lamp lighting! Honestly, I avoid my overhead (or what the internet likes to call- the big light-unless I absolutely need it. Overhead lights can be harsh, but a soft-glow table lamp instantly makes a room feel warm, relaxed, and inviting.

3. Add Lived-In Layers

Color and lighting aren’t the only ways to add warmth.

A stack of old books next to your bed, a few vinyl records leaning against the wall, your dad’s old cigar box up on a shelf, a basket of well-loved magazines, a vintage deck of cards on the coffee table—these things instantly make a space feel lived-in and welcoming.

Think about it. A house that feels like a home is filled with things that people use and remind you of things (and people) that you love. That’s why books, records, and worn-in furniture create warmth in a way that no perfectly styled, pristine space ever could.

Quick Fix: Stack a few beautiful books on your coffee table or next to your couch. It’s an easy way to add warmth and texture. But make the books you choose something authentic to you. Don’t just get the same stupid, black Tom Ford book that everyone loves to style with.

4. Earthy Elements

Listen, I’m a material girl in every sense of the word—if it’s natural, textural, and beautiful, I’m all in.

And while I have a deep love affair with stone and linen, there’s one material that takes the crown when it comes to making a space feel warm and inviting- wood.

Wood elements connect us to nature and instantly brings comfort, stability, and that “ahhh, I’m home” feeling. Whether it’s a wooden bookcase or a wood chair, adding wood to your space creates warmth and balance in a way that few materials can. But don’t worry, you don’t need to do a full home makeover to make it happen.

Think small but mighty-a wooden picture frame, a hand-carved bowl, or even a simple wooden tray on your coffee table can work wonders. It’s those subtle, natural elements that transform a space from “meh” to “where has this coziness been all my life?”

Quick Fix: Add a wooden cutting board on your kitchen counter, a small wooden stool in your bathroom, or even wooden coasters on your coffee table to subtly bring in warmth without a major overhaul.

5. Bring in Literal Warmth

The OG warm light? Candles.

They add both literal and atmospheric warmth. A few well-placed candles instantly make a room feel intimate and cozy.

And then there’s texture—throw blankets casually draped over a sofa arm, a plush rug underfoot, even a soft, inviting bedspread. These things do serious heavy lifting in the world of warm and cozy interiors.

Quick Fix: Add a candle to your kitchen island and a rug on the floor to make cooking more cozy and enjoyable.

All of these seemingly small things work together to create a home so inviting that you never want to leave. And the best part? You don’t need a renovation budget or a design degree to pull it off.

So now, it’s your turn… what gives a room…a home, warmth? If your list is different from mine, please share! I’d love to hear your insight!

Next time, we’re talking about something that way too many interior spaces lack these days: Personality.

Stay tuned…

The Magic of Home