From Idea to Reality: How My Designs Evolve Over Time

One thing I’ve learned (both as a designer and a homeowner) is that the best ideas don’t always show up on day one. In fact, most of the spaces in our home have gone through several versions before they even came close to feeling right. I love coming up with a plan early on, but I’ve learned to give those ideas room to breathe. I sit with them, sketch them out, rework them, scroll endlessly on Pinterest over them and adjust as we actually live in the space. What seemed like the perfect solution the first week we moved in often shifts once we see how we use the room day to day.

Letting my designs evolve over time makes every decision feel more personal, more thoughtful, and more in tune with how we really live. It’s less about rushing to “finish” a space and more about layering in details that tell our story. In this post, I’m walking through a few ways my design ideas have changed over time and how embracing that evolution makes the process (and the end result) so much better.

Designs That Shift: The Entry Table That Got a Makeover Before It Even Existed

When we first moved in, I had a simple plan for the entryway: order a table, hang a mirror, call it a day. I actually found a console from City Furniture that I almost pulled the trigger on, but then something in me said STOP. It’s a gorgeous piece of furniture, and so close to being what I was looking for, but it just wasn’t “it”. That hesitation is usually a signal for me to slow down and let the idea breathe.

From there, I did what I always do: I started playing. I sketched a few table silhouettes. I pulled some inspiration images on Pinterest. I even mocked up a few concepts in Canva to see how different finishes or shapes would feel with the rest of the space. Slowly but surely, a more custom vision started to take shape.

The funny thing is, the idea is still evolving. We recently found the perfect mirror during Amazon Prime Deals (total win!!!), and now we’re back to rethinking the table’s finish. I’m toying with the idea of tiling it, which is something I’ve never done before but feel oddly confident about. It’s a reminder that when you give your designs space to evolve, they often lead you somewhere more exciting than where you started.

Window Treatments: Why We’re Taking Our Time

Window treatments are one of those design elements that seem straightforward…until you start pricing them out. They’re honestly expensive, and just not something I’m dying to spend a chunk of our budget on right now, especially when we still need to furnish full rooms and invest in some larger pieces. I know they’ll make a big visual difference, but they’re not where I feel the urge to splurge first.

We’re tackling the house in phases, and our approach to window treatments reflects that. We’re starting with our primary bedroom, since it’s the most used and privacy is a must… I honestly don’t know how much longer I can stare at these temporary blinds we got from Home Depot when we first moved in. They have been amazing, but I’m definitely ready for a permanent solution. Then we’ll move on to the main living areas, and save the guest rooms for last…they’re used less frequently, so it doesn’t make sense to prioritize them right away.

That said… even with all this careful pacing, I have already decided on the fabric I want for the living room blinds. So yes, I’m taking my time…but I’m also keeping an eye out for pieces that feel just right when the moment comes. It’s all part of the process, letting things unfold naturally while still making little moves forward.

The Gallery Wall: An Accidental Project That’s Now a Whole Thing

This gallery wall wasn’t even supposed to happen…at least, not yet. What was supposed to happen was me organizing our front bedroom, which has slowly turned into a chaotic storage zone since we moved in. I had the best intentions… until I pulled out a stack of artwork to “sort” and suddenly found myself mid-way through planning a full gallery wall for the dining room. Classic me.

To be fair, I did already have a loose plan for a gallery moment in that space. But once I laid everything out, the creative wheels started turning. I quickly mapped out a layout I loved, picked which frames would go where, and made a list of the art I still need to create. Now it’s officially A Project.

The fun part? I get to make most of the pieces myself. The not-so-fun part? That takes time, and time is not always on my side when juggling work, home life, and spontaneous design detours. So while the wall is very much in progress, it’s shaping up to be something I’m genuinely excited about, organized chaos and all.

Letting the Process Be the Point

If there’s one thing all of these projects have in common…whether it’s the entry table, the blinds, or the gallery wall that snuck up on me, it’s that they’ve each taken a few unexpected turns. And honestly? That’s what makes them feel ours.

Designing your own home means making space for evolving ideas, changing your mind, and sometimes getting halfway through a project before realizing it’s about to become something entirely different (hello, dining room gallery wall). It also means taking risks, like possibly tiling a table for the first time, or leaning into bolder colors, mixed patterns, or new layouts just to see how they feel.

Not everything needs to be perfectly planned before you start. Some of my favorite design moments come from experimenting, sketching, rearranging, or just living in the space long enough to see what it really needs. The best ideas often show up when you’re not forcing them, and giving your home time to evolve is what makes it feel layered, personal, and completely your own.

So here’s to creative detours, slow decorating, and trusting the process…even if that process includes a few surprise gallery walls along the way.