Apr 11, 2022
With Jackie Schwartz, Interior Designer and Business Owner
After spending more time at home these past two years, we have come to appreciate just how much our living space can directly affect our mood and overall sense of well-being. If our house is chaotic, disorganized or noisy, it can add to our stress and anxiety. But if we’re able to provide a cozy, calm, and restful interior for ourselves, then our sense of well-being might very well increase.
During the pandemic, we saw the importance of how creating a comfortable but cozy workspace that allowed for shared work and living space. Furnishings such as modular or sectional pieces that offer both function and flexibility can be rearranged to serve “double duty.”
Color is a great way to improve the look and feel of any room. This year, the hottest color trends include earthy neutrals, such as taupe grays along with shades of brown and warm caramels. Green is also very popular and adding a touch of black is always timeless. Finally, don’t be afraid to inject a bit of fun or whimsy with little pops of color as an accent to reflect your personal style.
Another trend that is continuing in 2022 is the desire for stylish outdoor living areas. Outdoor kitchens and comfortable, seating areas are a great way to extend your overall living space. Add a fire pit table or a heat lamp to help offset cooler temperatures.
Finally, you don’t have to spend a lot to see a noticeable change. Keep in mind that there are wonderfully cost-effective ways to update your living space simply by changing paint colors, upgrading lighting, or adding decorative accent pieces.
In February of 2021, I interviewed interior designer and business owner Jackie Schwartz. As the owner and lead designer of Home Interior Warehouse in Michigan, Jackie’s simple design changes and tips are still extremely practical and very helpful over a year later.
What You’ll Hear on This Episode:
- How did Jackie get started in the home design business?
- What are the trends for decorating today?
- Why is it called a “Warehouse”?
- Jackie talks about bonding with her husband over being in the furniture business.
- What are quick and inexpensive changes that will brighten our homes?
- What colors help cheer people up?
- What can we do to make our homes feel more welcoming when we walk in the front door?
- How lamps can make a huge change in the appearance of a room.
- How to decorate small spaces.
- How to use books for decorating.
- How pillows add dimension, especially in monochromatic rooms.
- Trends for outdoor living during the pandemic.
- Tips for staging your house and how to make it more attractive to prospective buyers.
Today’s Takeaway:
As we spend more time at home, shouldn’t our homes be the one place where we feel happiest and most comfortable? Look around your house. Does your home put a smile on your face? If not, perhaps it’s time to make a few changes. Don’t be afraid to swap out old pieces for new ones. Our homes should be our sanctuary, not a source of stress. Living with too much clutter may really stress you out. Make sure your home reflects your personal style. What colors make you happy? Go with what you love even if you’re on a tight budget. You can still make meaningful changes without spending a great deal of money. Whatever your budget, by turning your house into a home and turning your home into a haven, it will be money well spent. Our surroundings really do play a role in how we feel emotionally. When we love our surroundings, we can’t help but feel healthier and happier and wake up every day with a better frame of mind. That’s what I want to do! I want to be healthy; I want to feel good, and I want to live in a place that makes me feel good every day. I’m Florine Mark and that’s “Today’s Takeaway.”
Quotes:
- “I am a very firm believer in creating your own personal style.” — Jackie
- “I think there’s nothing better than when a home is well done but it’s your home. And it’s personal to you.” — Jackie
- “I think lighting is really, really important.” — Jackie
- “Lamps are like jewelry for your house.” — Jackie
- “Pillows are another great way to add texture, detail, and/or color into a space.” — Jackie
- “I don’t think there’s ever been a time where people have enjoyed their outdoor spaces more than they have now.” — Jackie
- “Paint is one of the things that goes a really, really long way.” — Jackie
- “I was the one that my friends always asked for help and advice and took shopping with them when they were making a change in their home.” — Jackie
- “Word of mouth is the best advertising.” — Jackie
- “Experience and passion can be just as good as having a degree. Maybe even better sometimes.” — Jackie
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