Getting un-stuck: interior design

My process for designing my home and figuring out my style

Earlier this spring, I mentioned that my partner and I were toying with the idea of a renovation project. In the end, we decided against it—and instead, we’re getting ready to move into a rental house in the quiet little Irish town where he grew up.

The house is currently being renovated, and the landlord has generously offered to let me make a few key decisions. I’m relieved (and excited!) to be choosing paint colors and flooring. And while I feel totally capable of making those choices, I also know myself: when it comes to decorating, I tend to get confused, overwhelmed, stuck—and eventually stalled out.

I’ve been drawn to interiors since I was a kid, but I’ve never managed to create a home that truly felt like me. Every time I’ve moved, I’ve thrown myself into gathering inspiration, but struggled to translate those dreamy reference images into an actual plan, budget, and action.

But guess what? I’m moving forward and figuring this out.

I knew I needed to have a sort of north star to go to to help make decisions and literally just wrap my head around where I want to take things. What do I even like?! So invested a little time, and for the first time in my life I successfully made an interiors mood board I actually like that represents my taste.

Here’s how.

STEP ONE: GATHER IMAGES

I started by making a big Pinterest board of interiors I like. A no-rules, no-restrictions free-for-all—just pinning anything and everything that caught my eye.