Stuck in the In-Between? How to Decorate Your Way Through
Are you in the middle of a major life transition and feeling stuck between who you were and who you’re becoming? This episode is for you.
Whether you’re navigating a career change, an empty nest, a move, or just a season of life that feels uncertain, your home doesn’t have to sit on pause while you wait for things to settle. In fact, the in-between might be the perfect time to start.
In this episode, we’re talking about why style evolves — and why that’s actually a good thing. You’ll hear the story of my own living room evolution (including a red couch, a blue chair, yellow walls, and what I can only describe as a kindergarten classroom) and the five hard-won design lessons that came out of it.
You’ll also learn:
Why you’re more creative than you think — and what creativity actually means when it comes to your home
How to let go of what you’ve outgrown without guilt
Why buying things to match is a trap, and what to do instead
How to think about trends so you don’t get burned
A simple, low-stakes exercise you can try this weekend to start training your eye
Your home can reflect who you’re becoming — even before you fully arrive. Let’s get into it.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Your home doesn’t have to be finished — there is no finish line. The goal is a home that reflects who you are right now and that evolves with you as you grow.
The in-between is not wasted time. Instead of putting your home on pause while you wait for life to settle, use this season for exploration and play.
You are more creative than you think. Creativity in your home isn’t a talent you either have or don’t — it’s a practice that anyone can develop through observation and experimentation.
Let go of what you’ve outgrown. Whatever you bought years ago that no longer feels like you — the inherited piece you never loved, the furniture you bought just to fill the space — you have permission to release it.
Don’t use color as a band-aid for a bigger problem. Color is just one tool for creating cohesion. Pattern, texture, era, and aesthetic style all play an equal role in making a room feel pulled together.
Be thoughtful about trends, especially for big investments. If something is showing up everywhere at once, it’s probably already on its way out. When in doubt, go vintage or antique — it will almost never go out of style.
Buy less, buy better. Quality matters, and antiquing is one of the best ways to find well-made pieces at an accessible price.
Start small. Assemble a vignette from things you already own and love. It’s low stakes, costs nothing, and is one of the best ways to start training your design eye.
Until Next Time
-Zandra