Before Kids, I Wanted Perfection — Now I Design for Real Life

before I had kids, my idea of a beautifully designed home was one where every corner had its moment. The cushions were fluffed just so, the coffee table was styled to the millimetre, and you could walk through the space without seeing a single toy, sock or rogue half-eaten cracker. I genuinely loved it. My home was curated, considered, and every detail was deliberate.

circa 2017! It was a vibe

Then I became a mum.

And like so many things in life, my perspective shifted. Dramatically.

It didn’t happen overnight, but gradually I started to realise that real beauty in a home isn’t found in perfection. It’s found in how a space holds your life. The chaos. The stillness. The rituals. The stuff you don’t always see on Pinterest.

I still love a well-styled room—don’t get me wrong. But I also deeply value a home that allows you to breathe. One that supports you when your hands are full (literally), when the day has been long, and when you just need to collapse on the lounge without adjusting a single cushion.

Designing for real life means choosing fabrics that can handle Vegemite fingers. It means opting for furniture with softness and flow, not just sharp lines and trends. It means carving out spaces for connection, for winding down, and for being unapologetically human.

It means you can have a beautiful home and a lived-in one.

If anything, becoming a parent has made me a better decorator. I understand now that your home isn’t just a place to show off. It’s a place to come back to. To grow in. To feel safe in.

So when clients come to me feeling overwhelmed, unsure how to create a space that looks good but actually works for their lives, I get it. And I’m here for it. Because real homes are never perfect—but they can be beautiful in exactly the ways you need them to be.

dont search for perfection, instead start with a plan. best free resource is right here with my “why my home feels off” checklist.