Mistakes I Made In My Own Sarasota Home (So You Don’t Make The Same Ones)

Let’s get one thing straight: even designers make design mistakes. Especially when it’s our own home. And while it’s tempting to pretend every decision was intentional, the truth is — some of my early choices? Yeah… not my best.

So here it is: my “what-was-I-thinking” list of design decisions I’d do differently — and what I’ve learned from each one.

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1. A Rectangular Dining Table in a Room Meant for a Round Table 😬

Listen, I knew the space wanted a round table. The shape, the flow — everything screamed for it. But I had to have that specific dining table – and more importantly, space to host my family during the holidays. So that rectangular table won – and this one I don’t regret. But I’m still waiting on an electrician to re-center the chandelier. Someday.

Lesson: Honor the architecture. And don’t let lighting placement boss you around.

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2. Not Prioritizing Color & Paint from Day One

I delayed painting, thinking I’d live in the space first and “figure it out later.” Big mistake. The wrong base color threw off the entire vibe — and made furniture and accessories feel off, even when they weren’t.

Lesson: Color isn’t cosmetic — it’s foundational. Get it right early, or everything else has to work harder.

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3. DIY’ing When I Should’ve Called the Pros

From trades to tile, I’ve learned that saving money upfront usually means spending more later. What I thought was “simple” ended up being slightly tragic. I will have PTSD from hanging cheap wallpaper, forever (see image above – pretty flowers, terrible wallpaper execution)

Lesson: There’s a reason we hire experts. And yes, you deserve to be one of them.

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4. Neglecting the Landscaping

I focused so much on the interiors that I completely ignored what people see first. Now I’m playing catch-up on curb appeal — and kicking myself for not setting the tone from the outside in. We finally hired a professional landscape artist, and every time I pull into my drive, I now exhale in relief.

Lesson: Landscape is not a luxury — it’s part of the full picture. Don’t wait.

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5. All-White, Stark Cabinetry

At the time (ok it was in the era of all-white kitchens), I thought white-on-white felt “clean.” In reality? It felt cold. No texture. No depth. No soul.

Lesson: White can be beautiful, but it needs balance — think tone, texture, and contrast.

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6. Filling Space Fast (Hello, HomeGoods Art 👋)

Guilty. I rushed to fill empty walls and corners instead of letting the space breathe and evolve. Result: a house that looked “done” but didn’t feel me. Now I take my time, and only settle when something feels right.

Lesson: Good design takes time. Curate slowly. It’s worth the wait.

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7. Stopping Cabinets Short of the Ceiling

Why? I’ll never know. Maybe I was tired. Maybe I was too focused on budget. Either way, it left dead space that now mocks me from above.

Lesson: Take cabinetry all the way up — it always looks more intentional and elevated.

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8. White Grout on the Floor 😫

Need I say more? Beautiful for five minutes. Then life happened.

Lesson: Just… don’t. Go darker. Thank me later.

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What I Know Now

Every misstep taught me something — not just about design, but about patience, planning, and trusting my gut. These lessons now shape how I guide clients: with clarity, intention, and the honesty that comes from living through the decisions.

Design is personal. And sometimes, a little messy. But when you take your time, invest wisely, and design with purpose, you end up with a space that feels like you — not a checklist.

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Want help avoiding these mistakes in your own home?

That’s literally what I’m here for.
Let’s make smart, beautiful decisions together — the first time.

👉 Contact me, a Sarasota-based interior designer and decorator.