I’ll let you in on a little secret: I used to think finishing a home meant racing through a to-do list as fast as possible. Like there was some invisible contest to complete every room makeover before life caught up with me.
And for a while? I was winning that race. Sort of.
When a Room Makeover Became More Than Just Decorating
Let’s rewind to 2021. We moved from California to Tennessee, bought a brand-new home, and I was still working full-time as an interior designer. I approached our home the same way I did my client projects: swatches, spreadsheets, and a strong cup of coffee (or three). I figured I’d power through each room makeover and have the whole place “done” in no time.
But life had other plans.
Motherhood. My daughter’s unique needs. Quitting my job to stay home full-time. Suddenly, I wasn’t just visiting my home between deadlines—I was living in it. And the spaces I had rushed through? They started to feel… empty.
That’s when one simple room makeover flipped the whole script for me.
The Playroom Makeover That Played Me
It all started with the playroom. Or, let’s be honest, the toy dumping ground with a side of therapy equipment and one random chair I couldn’t commit to loving or donating.
One rare quiet afternoon (the kids were miraculously napping at the same time), I sat down and really looked at the space. Not as a designer. Not as a woman with a checklist. But as a mom.
This wasn’t a room that felt good. It wasn’t a space that made us happy. It was a catch-all.
That’s when I realized: I had been designing with my head, not my heart. I was making choices based on what I thought I should do—what the big box stores were selling or what looked good on Instagram—not what felt right for us.
So I did something radical. I cleared it all out and gave that playroom a fresh room makeover, this time from a place of intention.
I started with the basics to corral the chaos, and shelves low enough for tiny hands to reach.
Play Room Makeover Concepts:
Why a Thoughtful Room Makeover Matters
I didn’t start by shopping for new decor. I started by asking questions:
How do we use this room?
What makes us feel good in here?
What story does this space tell about our family?
Piece by piece, I brought things back in. A plush rugsoft enough for therapy sessions and wrestling matches. A kid-friendly shelving unit that was equal parts functional and beautiful. A color palette that felt warm and personal—not trendy, but timeless.
This wasn’t a Pinterest-perfect room makeover. But it was perfect for us.
More Than Just a Room Makeover: It Changed Me
As silly as it sounds, that one simple room makeover became a metaphor for my whole life. It wasn’t about racing to finish anymore. It was about slowing down, making intentional choices, and curating a home that feels like us.
I even took this lesson and turned it into something bigger: Marlo, my designer in a bot. Marlo is like having me in your back pocket—ready to help with room makeovers one decision at a time, from picking a rug to choosing paint colors that work with your home’s unique character.
If you’ve ever felt stuck crowd-sourcing home advice on Facebook or overwhelmed by too many choices, Marlo’s here to change that. She gives you personalized, real-time design help—without the hefty designer fees.
Join the waitlist for Marlo hereand be the first to experience a better way to makeover your space.
And just like when I carved out a functional workspace during the pandemic, intentional design makes all the difference. You can read more about that journeyin this post about working from home without an office.
The Power of a Slow, Intentional Room Makeover
If you’ve been staring at your own space feeling like it’s never “done” or wondering why it doesn’t quite feel right, I see you. I am you.
The secret isn’t rushing through a room makeover or following every new trend. It’s slowing down. Asking what you need. Choosing pieces that serve your life.
Even choosing paint colors can feel overwhelming. If you’re stuck on that, check out my blog article on how to select paint for tips on how to work with what you already have—whether it’s honey oak cabinets or mismatched trim.
Because here’s the truth bomb: A home isn’t a project. It’s a process. A living, breathing reflection of the people who live there.
And that, my friend, is where happiness lives.
Ready to Tackle Your Own Room Makeover?
If this story hit home (pun intended), I’ve got more where that came from! Follow me on Instagram for simple design tips, relatable stories, and a healthy dose of humor as I share my own journey—one room makeover at a time.
Need a little help getting started? Sign up for the Marlo waitlist here and get ready to take the guesswork out of making your home feel like you—without the overwhelm.
