It all started in Byron Bay, Australia.

After visiting for a weekend with friends and staying in an Airbnb, I fell in love with the indoor-outdoor way of living. The ease, the warmth, the natural textures, and the feeling that the beach was simply an extension of home it was the kind of life I had always imagined for myself.

While Australia wasn’t where I could ultimately settle, the experience inspired me to create that feeling wherever I could. Eventually, I moved my family to a small beach town in the U.S. to embrace the coastal lifestyle I’d always wanted.

When I create a mood board, I don’t necessarily start with a color palette. I start with the pieces that speak to me.

For this board, it was the ottoman. The moment I saw it, I knew it could bring the room to life. It has just enough color to create that playful, sunny beach feeling without taking me too far outside of my usual palette. It’s a little unexpected, but still feels like me.

That’s how I like to approach decorating: don’t force yourself into a color scheme or a design style just because it looks good together. Start with the pieces you genuinely love and build from there.

And if something makes you feel overwhelmed or overstimulated, you don’t have to make it work. Your home should feel good to you.

Every time I look at this board, I feel light, excited, and playful. And honestly, that’s the feeling I want my home to give me.

That’s the goal: a home that tells a story and makes you feel something.

So, what feeling are you trying to create in your home?

One of my favorite parts of this Airbnb was how effortlessly the kitchen and living spaces flowed together. The design felt warm, relaxed, and collected without feeling overly styled which is exactly the kind of home I’m drawn to.

I loved the mix of natural textures, soft neutrals, and a few playful details that kept the space from feeling too predictable. Every piece worked together to create that easy, coastal feeling I fell in love with in Byron Bay.

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