WELCOME friend

Hi, I’m Alicia

Would you like to learn how to make your home a cohesive and comfortable reflection of you?

Do you want a one-stop-shop for your event ideas, from decorations, recipes, gifts, and more?

Would you like step-by-step DIYs that will transform your space on a budget?

Do you have a desire to design YOUR life in a way that is fulfilling, efficient, fun, and beautiful?

If yes, please settle in, grab some coffee or wine (or a drink from my cocktail recipe list), and explore the site. Thanks for coming! I’m so glad you’re here!

What I hope you’ll love about this website:

REAL LIFE– I show you how I do what I actually do, truly use, honestly feel. If it didn’t work, I’ll show you what happened. If something is a hot mess, you’re gonna see that mess in all its glory.
ACCESSIBLE DESIGN– While I appreciate (and sometimes drool over) high end design, I want to provide inspiration and advice that can be applied no matter the budget, DIY know-how, store access, or needs. Plus, there is almost always a way to translate that high end look into a design accessible to all (like I did here).
DESIGN = FUNCTION, in my opinion– How something functions is just as important as how it looks. I’m rarely going to use something that’s completely impractical just because it’s pretty. In fact, the impracticality most likely makes it less appealing to me. Then again, if I can make something super functional better reflect my style, I’m going to do that too.
BUDGET CONSCIOUS – Budget is always a consideration and if I can do it for less, that’s what I’m going to do. Or, I’m going to try several different ways, spend more than I would have had I just purchased it, and then share with you what you can do to save that money doing it the best way.
MIXER OF STYLES – When someone asks me to define my interior design style, this is my response: I am a mixer of styles. I subscribe to very few design “rules” and the number one rule for me is the space needs to both meet your needs and make you feel what you want to feel there. It should be a reflection of who you are and what you love and I appreciate parts of most design styles. The only way I like to design interiors is to mix the styles and elements I (if it’s my own space) or my client likes. I see no reason to limit the design to fit some predefined style definition. When it comes to designing life, I try to think outside of the box as well.

picture of family in white and blue in front of gazebo

Let me tell you a little bit about me:

First and foremost, I’m a wife of 10+ years to Paul and a mama to two super active little boys, Ethan and Eli. I’m also a dog mama to Reesie Rose, our chocolate golden doodle, and Mable, our newest doodle pup.

I am a 3-way Enneagram tie–taken it several times, keep coming up with the same three, equally, with a 4th close behind. Every time. I suppose that makes this next part make more sense…

I’m a trained attorney with a business degree who helps small business owners and content creators with the design of their business as well as a self-taught interior designer who designs spaces for people all over the country and writes about the design of my life here.

I am someone who finds both the function and the aesthetics of (insert everything I do here) to be equally important. I do not find it useful to care solely about how something looks, and, similarly, I do not stop when something functions exactly as I need it when it could also be designed to be more my style. There’s certainly a balance of those two considerations, sometimes leaning more towards one side versus the other, but I always consider both.

And I love bringing you, my dear reader, all of the details of the process I used, what I learned, what worked or didn’t, and how you could take what I’ve done and make it yours. I write about the design of my life in the hopes of inspiring you with the design of yours.

Fun Facts About Me

I’d rather be

traveling

Listening to

podcasts

grateful for

my family & friends

Favorite place

our home

my weekends

family, DIYs, & cooking

best snuggle buddies

my boys & girls

I try to design a beautiful life and space that works for me so I can be my best self for the ones I love. That’s NOT to say I have it all figured out. I’m a professional who works full time and then some with two growing boys I’m trying to nurture and raise into good humans, a husband, friends, and extended family to whom I’d like to stay connected, a faith I need to explore and grow as my life changes, and passions and needs of my own . . . just like every mama I know.

I decided to start a creative outlet where I share what I’ve learned along the way, and even the things I’m still figuring out, about designing my life and home. I’m sharing it all, friends, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

If I can do it for less, I’m gonna do it for less. Or, I’m going to try several different ways, spend more than I would have had I just purchased it, and then share with you what you can do to save that money doing it the best way.

Alicia

My Favorite RecipeS

Guinness Cupcakes with Guinness Buttercream Frosting

My Favorite Decorating PostS

paint cans and color samples of various colors

Paint Finishes: How and When to Use Them

My Favorite Life Hacks

Spring 2023 One Room Challenge: Here We Go Again!

More Facts About Me

I’m obsessed with

Halloween

music i listen to

a bit of everything

hardest home project

2-Story wainscoting

Enneagram

tie between 8, 3, and 2

my weeknights

family & hustlin’

least favorite chore

dishes

Where this all began

I have always wanted to blog and share ideas with people, but I didn’t feel like I had as much to say until we moved into our home and had our second baby.

I ended up with severe postpartum depression and anxiety, off work for longer than I had planned, and staring at our new, blank canvas of a house. I got myself back on my feet one home project at a time and my passion for designing and sharing it all has only grown since.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Answers to the most commonly asked questions I’ve received on my social media and email contact forms:

What is your favorite project to date?

That’s a really tough one…almost like picking my favorite child. I was able to narrow it down to my top 6 favorite projects from our first 3 years in our current home, but if I had to pick just one…it would be… one of those 6. I can’t decide. Then again, I have some coming up that will probably become my favorite soon.

Where else can I find you?

You can find me @designofyourlife across Pinterest, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. I would LOVE IT if you would follow me on the social media platforms.

Can you come design and/or organize my house?

Why yes, yes I can. I have quite a few spaces in my portfolio, including commercial spaces. I also offer e-design packages ranging from mood boards and design tips specific to your space to a full design plan with sources, a product list, and DIY instructions (if you’re into that kind of thing). Check those out HERE.

How long did it take you to write your 101 in 1001 list?

20 minutes…and I could’ve kept going. No joke. It’s one of my favorite exercises because I get to put all of my ideas down on paper with a deadline attached. Check out my current list HERE!

“I’m going to make everything around me beautiful. That will be my life.”

ELSIE DE WOLFE

What can I help you find?

Looking for inspiration for your next home project, event, or lifestyle? Search my website here, and if you do not see something you’re looking for, feel free to use my contact page to ask or make a suggestion!

Tour My Home

Our house has gone through a huge transformation since we bought it and we’ve done most of the work ourselves. Come take a look at our before and afters thus far.