06/23/2026
HOW I DESIGN
Flirting / Tension
I think a lot of people walk into a room and say, “It needs something… maybe a pop of color.”
Grrrr, have you ever walked into a beautiful home and then — bam — cobalt blue. Turn your head — bam — more cobalt blue. Suddenly, the “pop” becomes the whole story.
What happens?
The last-minute statement steals the show instead of supporting the beautifully curated design.
I prefer something else.
Flirt with color.
No dramatic pop. No screaming for attention. Ease into it. Let a color slowly reveal itself through the room. Subtle. Intentional.
Easy on the eye.
This is actually a personality trait turned design style.
I love tension in a room.
Not negative tension. Not discomfort. I mean that feeling of attraction… a little tease energy, movement, something quietly unexpected. Flirting!
Passive, overly safe design isn’t really my thing.
So how do you create it?
You have to know your client’s soft underbelly to find their edge.
That’s where design becomes interesting.
Colors flirt with each other. Objects flirt with light. One piece quietly references another. Nothing yelling, “Look at me.”
Unexpected… yet it belongs.
I’ll give you an example.
Years ago, I designed a dining room with a custom square table wrapped in lamb’s leather. Everything was perfect. Beautiful proportions. Curated. Finished.
Too finished.
So I turned the table on a diagonal.
Suddenly, the room came alive, and the music started playing.
( The Beatles in this home )
It became interesting. Sexy. Fabulous. Unexpected
People talked about that room for years.
I love big square Dining room tables, even though they are perfect for the room, to this day, I always put them on a diagonal. Just to fck with it, Anyone can do perfect, but can you do perfectly askew?
The same goes for an oversized chandelier. When it’s right, it’s cheeky and unexpected. Not oversized for the sake of being oversized. It creates tension.
That may be the secret.
Tilt things slightly off balance… while keeping them balanced.
This style isn’t for everyone. It’s often for someone who’s lived a little, had a few homes, and is ready to play.
It really does take your inner child to be a Designer, no rules!
And if your home feels beautiful… but not unforgettable—
Give me a call.
I'll make it, flirt.