06/23/2026
SLOWING DOWN FOR SUMMER
Lately, I’ve been thinking less about designing rooms and more about creating places to pause.
Part of that inspiration has come from my own family. This summer, we’ve been making a conscious effort to slow down a little. More coffee on the patio. More lingering conversations. More great food. More laughter. More time together and less time staring at screens.
It’s made me realize that the spaces my clients use most often aren’t always the grand living rooms or formal dining spaces. They’re the corners that invite you to stay a little longer.
A husband’s retreat created almost entirely from pieces already owned—favorite artwork, collected treasures, layered textiles, and daybeds that become the perfect spot for an afternoon nap.
A cozy wet bar lounge inspired by Soho House in West LA, where leather chairs, marble surfaces, and a view of the garden have become the backdrop for evening cocktails and conversation.
An overlooked corner transformed into a game table for chess, cards, and uninterrupted connection.
A casita designed for guests that unexpectedly became the family’s favorite gathering place—proof that the most successful rooms are often the ones that simply make people feel good.
A quiet bedroom nook overlooking the pool, where morning coffee comes before the joyful chaos of family, grandchildren, and summer days.
The common thread isn’t luxury finishes or perfect styling.
It’s creating spaces that encourage rest, conversation, connection, reflection, and enjoyment of everyday life.
Sometimes the best design isn’t about adding more.
It’s about making room for the life you want to live.
Summer feels like a good reminder of that.
— Constance Bloom