Confession: I’m a texture junkie. A touch fanatic. You know how a dog immediately goes up to something new and different and starts smelling it? I touch everything. Okay, well, not QUITE everything because even I have my limits. Seriously, though, as a kid, my mom was constantly telling me to look with my eyes and not with my hands. Even now, I don’t just want to look at an artist’s paint strokes on a canvas. I want to FEEL them. The no-touch policies at museums? Sheer agony.

We’ve talked about what sets me apart from other designers in the world and I promised to share some of my best tips for amping up the happiness and warmth in your home using your five senses. First up? Finding a signature scent for your home. Smells are deeply linked to our emotions and memories, so they’re a HUGE part of making your home your own.

There are a ton of interior designers out there who’ll design for just about anybody—anyone, any room, at any time. And while that business model works for some, I’m not like them. I’m different. Dixie Willard Design is different. I don’t just want to help you find an aesthetically pleasing mix of hard and soft finishes, I want to give you MORE. Why? Because I believe that—above all else—you deserve a home that makes you happy the moment you walk in the door.

Okay. You and I? We need to talk. There’s something that happens out there in the world and I want to talk to you about it before it happens to you…

When it comes to deciding when to splurge and when to save, one of my friends’ grandmas says it best: “Put money into the things between you and the floor.” Dang Skippy, Grandma GG!!

You may remember our talk about paying attention to the time/budget/quality balance. That’s all still true; I’m just adding another layer. Like ogres. And onions. (If you’ve watched Shrek at all, you know what’s going through my mind.)

If there’s one thing that you should know about me, it’s that I love fall like Oprah loves bread. (Please tell me you’ve seen that commercial!) And while it’s not *quite* fall yet, I’m more than ready to break out the extra layers of clothes, cozy throw blankets, and hot chocolate (more about that in a second) and curl up by the fire. Who’s with me? 

You know when you just want some crisp, hot French fries and a cold, creamy chocolate shake? Where do you go? I’m guessing you’re not going to hunt down a personal chef to fix it for you. On the other hand, when you want a special meal cooked for just for you and made exactly the way you like it (and maaaaaybe even good for you), you’re probably not going to head out to a fast food joint. The same idea applies when it comes to decorating your home…

The text I just sent to my husband: “Don’t drive past the garage when you come home. I’ve got M&Ms drying in the driveway.” 

 I don’t do pretentious.

I don’t do goopy.

I don’t do cluttered.

I don’t do fussy.

I don’t do stuffy

I don’t do uncomfortable.

I don’t do over-priced or budget-busting.

Before we go much further together, there are some things you should know about me…