The True Value of a Designer (and Why It’s Really About More Than Just Pretty Spaces)
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about time. How short life is. How we only get—if we’re lucky—about 90 summers. And let’s be honest, the first few we don’t even remember.
When you lose someone or go through a tough season (like I have this past year), it hits you just how precious each of those summers really is. The time we get with our kids, our parents, our partners. The moments that matter most. And how often those moments are swallowed up by chaos, stress, and just… too much stuff.
We live in a world that loves to consume. I’m guilty of it, too—buying things I don’t need just because someone on social media said it was a “must-have” or because it looked cute in a cart. But the more I consume, the more I feel the clutter—not just in my home, but in my head.
That’s why I’ve been on a big purge lately. Letting go of the meaningless things to make space for the ones that matter—the bowl I brought back from Portugal, the artwork gifted to me by someone I love, the photos I actually stop to look at.
And that’s where I think the true value of a designer comes in.
It’s not about forcing a style on someone or filling their space with trendy objects. It’s about listening. Asking the right questions and understanding what’s not working in your home, and helping you create something that finally does.
When I step into a consultation, I tell people not to clean up. I want to see the jackets draped over the chair, the shoes kicked off in the entryway, the mail pile that never seems to go away. Because that’s real life. And real life deserves a home that works for it—not against it.
Design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about function, flow, and freedom. It’s about giving you back your summers. Making your daily routine easier so you’re not fighting with your home, but flowing through it—with ease, joy, and peace.
Because when your space works, you can stop working on your space. You can go enjoy the cookout. Jump in the pool. Say yes to last-minute plans. Spend less time looking for things and more time creating memories.
That’s what I want for my clients. A home that feels good to live in. That supports your life instead of adding to your to-do list. That gives you the freedom to live fully in the time you’ve been given—because it really is short.
And for the record… my perfect summer? Give me corn on the cob, a pile of books, a campfire, spending all day on the boat, and people I love. That’s my kind of living.
Have a vision for your space? I want to hear all about it! From initial concept to final installation & furniture styling — we take the design stress off your plate and create a space that reflects your unique story, elevating your daily living experience.
REBECCA MERRITT
founder & principal designer
We are a boutique interior design studio based in The Keys, Florida.
