I knew moving in with my fiancé would mark the end of my “living solo” chapter (cue Sex and the City moment). So before that transition, I found myself overanalyzing everything—where I was in life, what I wanted from my home, and even what I wanted from my career.
Like many of us, I spent 2020 in a spiral of questions: Am I happy with my work? How do I bring passion back into my life? What’s my bigger purpose? For a while, I thought interior design might be my magic solution. The idea of going back to school lingered in my mind for years, but juggling full-time classes on top of running a business, planning a wedding, and navigating a pandemic? That felt nearly impossible.
And to be honest, I wasn’t sure if I’d even love the industry in practice. I imagined having to defend my taste to clients unwilling to experiment or collaborate—something that didn’t exactly scream “dream career.” What I did believe, though, was that great design is all about balance: marrying someone’s comfort zone with a broader creative vision. That balance, I realized, only comes with time and experience.
So instead of leaping into school, I chose a middle path: online classes. That’s how I stumbled upon interior designer Rita Konig’s course through Create Academy—and signed up.
What Rita Taught Me
Rita Konig is internationally known for her effortless, “undone” style of design—creating spaces that invite you in, make you want to stay awhile, and remind you that home should feel lived in, not staged. Her approach felt like the antidote I needed. Here are the lessons that stayed with me:
1. Husbands and partners make terrible clients.
Let’s just say design debates at home are real—and leave it at that.
2. Mood boards matter.
Pinterest boards, saved Instagram posts, scraps of inspiration—Rita validated what I already knew: visual references are essential. They help clarify your style and convince your partner you’re not secretly plotting to turn the house into a pink palace.
3. Don’t wait for “someday.”
If you find something you love and it’s within budget, buy it now. You don’t need to wait for a bigger house, a renovation, or a milestone. Empty rooms feel lifeless; layering in pieces you love—new and old—over time tells a much richer story.
4. Your home isn’t an Instagram set.
This one hit hard. It’s tempting to curate every corner for the camera, but homes are meant to be lived in, not staged. The real test is whether the space feels good when you’re curled up with coffee or chatting with a friend. A home reflects the state of your life—calm or chaotic—which is why creating a foundation of peace matters far more than creating a picture-perfect shot.
5. Buy well, buy slowly.
Good furniture is an investment, and it shouldn’t be rushed. Don’t buy everything in one go. Instead, take your time, ask questions, and choose pieces that will endure—antiques are proof that quality outlives trends.
6. Practical is beautiful.
Rita reminded me that the best rooms are imperfect: a chair handed down from family, a quirky piece in the corner, a mix of old and new. Spaces that feel too polished or catalog-perfect often lack soul.
7. Too much money can make a home unwelcoming.
Nobody wants to live in a museum. True comfort comes from warmth, not perfection.
8. Spend smartly on fabrics.
Go bold in small doses—a pillow, a reupholstered chair, a tablecloth. Rita’s advice: prioritize furniture and art instead of blowing your budget on expensive curtains. Even affordable fabric, used generously, will look better than a skimpy “luxury” pair.
9. Don’t fear big furniture in small spaces.
In fact, full-size pieces can transform a small room. A four-poster bed in a tiny bedroom? Magical. Big pieces define a space and make it feel intentional.
10. Tables, lamps, chairs—repeat.
You can never have too many places for people to sit, set down a drink, or find light to read by.
Redefining Home
Rita’s course shifted my perspective. A home isn’t a backdrop for social media; it’s a place where life happens—where you take off your shoes, sip tea, gather with family, and recharge. Sometimes that’s in a glamorous kitchen, other times in a laundry room with enough storage to finally feel organized.
Her words also made me more patient with the process of decorating our new place. There’s no rush to make it “perfect.” Instead, the goal is to build a space that evolves with us—layer by layer, piece by piece—until it feels like home.
As Rita put it: If you don’t have good storage, your life is a mess. It is expensive, and people don’t like to put it into their budgets, but it’s crucial.
And maybe that’s the heart of her philosophy: the best homes aren’t about trends or perfection, but about comfort, practicality, and joy. The ones we remember are the ones that feel good to live in.
For me, that reassurance was everything. It gave me the confidence to slow down, trust my instincts, and create a home that welcomes—not impresses.
And no, before you ask—this wasn’t sponsored. Just an honest recommendation from someone who walked away with a whole new way of seeing home.