Missing the mark…

**Authenticity** is a term that many of us associate primarily with material goods or food. But what does it mean in terms of design? Here are ways to bring authenticity back into your space, appreciate what you already have, and get excited about what’s to come.

I recently took a leap of faith by deciding to work for myself. Leaving a seemingly well-paying job with a great atmosphere and supportive colleagues, I wanted to see if I could create something of my own. Both external and internal factors contributed to this decision. I thought I understood how to find the right clients and make money in this field. While I have the knowledge to back up my design work, something shifted when I started comparing myself to others in my profession. I would see posts from fellow designers showcasing their projects, wishing I was working on similar things. I noticed repeated furniture styles, materials, and design choices. Not all designers follow this trend; some genuinely embody the authenticity I’m referring to.

We often see well-known "designers" (and I use quotes because that's a discussion for another day) taking social media by storm, making Organic Modern incredibly popular. I understand how trends work; something new gains popularity, we buy it, and then it fades away. This cycle resembles fast fashion for our interiors, negatively impacting our authenticity.

I want you to consider three key questions: **Who, Where, and What?** We’ve all encountered these questions in school when discussing storytelling. I encourage you to write your *interior story*. Who is this space for, and who am I serving? Why am I doing this? It could be something as simple as wanting to make yourself happy, which is indeed enough.

**Where?** Where have you been or where do you want to go? The places you’ve seen can help tell your story. Do you have a painting or a trinket that speaks to you?

**What makes me happy?** What do you want to see in your home? Whose smiling faces would you like to display? What collections would fill your home with joy?

Over the past several months, I’ve been on a journey to learn more about myself and who I aspire to be. Understanding what brings you joy allows you to design and decorate your space in a way that stays true to who you are.

We are missing the mark by failing to balance fast fashion interiors with the personal touches that tell our unique stories. Stop looking at pictures of beautiful interior spaces and believing they represent real life. Everyone should have collections of items that narrate their own story. You should strive to have pieces that distinguish your home from the latest Instagram posy by (insert any well-known designer who sells multiple any goods). There is nothing wrong with these products as long as they enhance your authenticity rather than detract from it.

Everyone encourages us to be different, yet many influencers consistently promote the same products on their Amazon storefronts. We’re missing the point. I know I’ve fallen into that trap myself. You have to love what you have in order to get to where you want to be. This applies to interiors as well.

Recently, my family moved my great-grandmother into an assisted living facility. Her belongings were divided among us, and I chose to keep two framed art pieces that hung in her hallway—an old painting of a young boy and girl. They are quite common, nothing particularly rare, but I loved them, and they made me happy. New and old can coexist beautifully.

I’ve watched several creators on TikTok who highlight authenticity in their interiors. When we are comfortable being ourselves, we attract positive energy and inspiration. The trend of "fast fashion interiors" often removes inspiration, as designs tend to be repetitive, depriving us of new ideas. We lose our connection to ourselves when we try too hard to mimic what we see, rather than taking that inspiration and using it to express who we truly are.

So paint your hallway bright red and hang that flea market painting. Do it not to achieve a magazine-worthy space, but because it reflects your true self! This is the beauty of our industry: we help people embrace their individuality, much like a cosmetologist who spins their clients around to reveal their beauty.

I didn’t write this to present something profound. Instead, I hope that amidst the noise of the world, you can find peace in knowing that there is no competition when you are being yourself.