Rafael Araújo

A stunning Victorian brownstone with soaring ceilings and intricate crown molding. The homeowners were devastated because their favorite “perfect gray” paint, which looked like a crisp morning mist in the showroom, turned into a cold, muddy lilac the moment it hit their north-facing living room walls. It was a heartbreak I’ve seen repeated in countless … Read more

I still remember the first project where I truly “failed” at mixing patterns in home decor without overwhelming the room. I was working on a bright, airy brownstone. I had found this stunning oversized botanical wallpaper and paired it with a vibrant geometric rug and striped pillows. On paper, it looked like a high-fashion editorial. … Read more

Walking through entryways and styling living rooms, I’ve learned a secret that the high-end showrooms won’t tell you: luxury isn’t a price tag; it’s a feeling. I remember a specific project for a young couple in a modest city apartment. They had a very tight budget but a deep desire for a space that felt … Read more

For a long time, the term “washable rug” was synonymous with thin, rubber-backed mats found in laundry rooms. They were functional, yes, but they lacked the soul and textural contrast required for high-end residential design. However, the industry has shifted. Today, we are looking at a landscape where washable rugs vs traditional rugs: which is … Read more

When it comes to the best accent wall colors to make a small room feel bigger, the secret isn’t just about brightness—it’s about how light interacts with pigment to trick the human eye. In this guide, I’m drawing of residential styling to show you how to use accent walls to break the boundaries of your … Read more

In my experience as an interior designer, I’ve learned that a gallery wall isn’t just a collection of frames; it’s a visual biography. It tells the story of where you’ve been and what you love. Today, I’m sharing everything I know about gallery wall layout ideas for beginners with no-drill solutions, so you can transform … Read more

As the golden hues of autumn fade into the crisp, blue-grey light of winter, our homes undergo a psychological shift. We move from the outward-facing energy of summer to an inward-facing “nesting” phase. The History of “The Layered Look” Before we dive into the “how-to,” it is helpful to understand why we are naturally drawn … Read more

That was the day I realized that curtains are the “eyebrows” of a room. Get the shape and position wrong, and the entire expression of the space feels off. Whether you are dealing with a cozy cottage or wondering how to choose the right curtain length for high ceilings, the math of beauty is surprisingly … Read more

It took years of trial, error, and dozens of floor plans to realize that you don’t need a greenhouse-style solarium to enjoy a lush, “jungle-lite” aesthetic. You just need the right biological partners. Today, I’m sharing my curated list of the best indoor plants for low light apartments that are pet safe, focusing on how … Read more

Today, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned about how to layer rugs on carpet for a cozy bedroom look so you can achieve that high-end, editorial feel in your own home. The History and Evolution of the Layered Look While rug layering might seem like a modern Instagram trend, its roots are deeply anchored in history. … Read more