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This week we welcome back Baton Rouge-based interior designer Rachel Cannon, who reminds us that our home is our space and we can (and should) design it specifically for our personal needs! \nRachel shares her philosophy on designing for introverts and creating quiet spaces in homes. She discusses the importance of traditional floor plans and the impact of the pandemic on home design, and introduces her new venture, RCL Organizing. Rachel also offers insights on balancing open and closed spaces, designing for individual needs, and the challenges of organizing a home for longevity.\nWhat You\u2019ll Hear On This Episode\n\nRachel's philosophy on designing for introverts and creating quiet spaces in homes.\n\nThe benefits of traditional floor plans over open concept designs.\n\nIntroduction to Rachel's new venture, RCL Organizing, and its focus on integrating organization into the design process.\n\nThe importance of understanding clients' habits and preferences when designing spaces.\n\nBeautiful ways to store and organize beauty products.\n\nChallenges of organizing and maintaining a home, including Rachel's personal experiences.\n\nTips on balancing structure and flexibility in home design.\n\nDesigning for different life stages and the need for adaptability.\n\nThe balance between open vs. closed floor plans in a home.\n\n\nAlso Mentioned:\n\nBallard Designs\n\nRachel Cannon\n\n\nDecorating Dilemma:\nFollow along with pictures of this week's decorating dilemma here on the How to Decorate blog.\nHi Alex! It's great to hear you're tackling your den as the first room to finish in your new home - that's such a smart approach. Rachel has some wonderful suggestions to help you create a cozy, personalized retreat for your family. First, regarding the dark red brick fireplace that you feel is an "eyesore" in its current state - Rachel strongly recommends painting it the same soft blue color as your walls and trim. This will help the fireplace blend in seamlessly and eliminate that jarring contrast. It's a simple but impactful change that can really elevate the whole space.\nAs for your vintage, hand-tied wool rug, Rachel reassures you that it's a beautiful, timeless piece. She advises keeping it as the foundation for the room's color palette, rather than trying to replace it. The pattern and quality are lovely, and they will provide that fresh take on the Southern traditional style you're going for.\nWhen it comes to the coffee table, Rachel thinks an upholstered ottoman could be a great option. The key is to choose one with legs, which will give it a more tailored, contemporary look to balance out the traditional elements in the room. And with a young child, the soft surface can be a practical and comfortable choice for little ones to play on.\nRachel suggests pairing the ottoman with two skirted chairs in a darker blue fabric to tie everything together. She also recommends rearranging the bird artwork - perhaps grouping the two pieces closer together on a smaller wall, and then adding a larger statement piece over the sofa to create more visual balance.\nThanks so much and happy decorating!