Happy Sunday beauties!
Spring is officially in motion, and LOTS is happening in the design world.
By the way if you’re new here WELCOME, This newsletter is for interiors-obsessed visual learners (like me!) who dream to design affordable spaces with high-end style. I share the latest in design news, things to check out, and yuppie how-to’s each week. My Pinterest board serves as a resource portal on designers, design styles, and more!
I provide you the chutzpah so you can find what lights you up — what makes your space feel like a you-shaped world. Because once you know what you’re looking for, design becomes playful, intuitive, and deeply yours.
Today’s a little bit of a love note to that process — plus a quickie layout how-to for anyone staring at a blank room wondering where the hell to put the couch.
Also: I added textiles to the Pinterest board this week! Next up: color... maybe. Jury’s out on color psychology, but if it feels good? Go for it.
Latest in design
🌿 IKEA Goes Color-Pop Nostalgia:
The new Nytillverkad collection is bringing back iconic pieces from the archives—with a vibrant twist. Think bold, 70s-inspired silhouettes reimagined for now. Sustainability, even when it comes to preservation of style is the NOW.
🪑 Cult Chairs:
The Axel Einar Hjorth Uto Chair is having a moment. 1930s chunkiness that feels surprisingly current. This is your sign to romanticize weird wood furniture.
🏡 Modern History in the Highlands:
Iorram Cottage is where color preservation meets architectural poetry. In the Scottish Highlands, no less.
🧱 London Layers:
This World of Interiors piece is a masterclass in old-meets-new. History isn’t static—it’s just waiting to be paired with a yellow velvet sofa.
💻 AI vs. Dupes (Still Spicy):
Wayfair’s AI sourcing tool — strong start, but we’re not there yet
🎨 Opacity as Language:
The Access Denied show at Pratt explores access, emotion, and what it means to not give it all away. Encrypted meaning? Very on-brand.
Check It Out
🛋️ Pierce & Ward x West Elm:
Dramatic, textured, and slightly witchy. Yes please.
☎️ Sottsass Girls Unite:
An Enorme telephone just sold. Memphis design will never not be cool.
🌇 Design Space LA
This new design incubator is bringing fresh energy to the LA scene—one pastel pedestal at a time.
🌿 Amazon Patio Picks:
Budget-friendly, shockingly stylish. Round-up here.
📸 Egyptian Urbanism:
Dezeen’s deep dive into Egypt’s new capital is wildly futuristic and eerie.
🎨 Printmaker Spotlight:
Black Women of Print is a must-follow for community, creativity, and visual power.
🌼 Flat Tour to Obsess Over:
Eppie Thompson’s flat is a perfect balance of whimsy, heritage, and visual comfort. Playful but personal. You’re gonna want to pin every room.
Farrow & Ball ‘India Yellow’ in all its glory below :)
“Knowing when less is more and when more is more is the great skill of interior design.”
Yuppie How-to LAYOUT BASICS
✏️ Step 1: Measure Like a Tech-Savvy Design Girlie
Forget the clunky tape measure—your phone is your new best friend.
📱 Use the Room Scanner app to:
Scan every room (yes, closets and windows too)
Export your floor plan as a PDF or image
🧠 Yuppie tip: Stand in the corners when scanning and give each room a cute, clear name ("cozy cave" > "bedroom 2").
🖼️ Step 2: Import Into Canva + Play Designer
We’re not drafting blueprints—we’re making a ✨ visual vibe map ✨.
Open Canva, then:
Upload your floor plan
Use shapes to block in furniture (bed = rectangle, rug = slightly bigger rectangle, you get it)
Label your pieces: "cloud couch," "mood lamp," "chaotic chair"
🎯 Want a shortcut? Search "room layout" in Canva templates. I won’t tell.
🧭 Step 3: Zone Out (But Productively)
Think of your apartment like a little city. Every zone has its own purpose and personality.
💡 Plan for zones like:
Living: Comfy seating, soft lighting, optional candle shrine
Dining: A table or bar setup—no judgment if it doubles as your desk
Sleeping: Bed, nightstands, dreamy corners
Working: Desk setup with outlets + natural light, please
Entry: Drop zone for keys, tote bags, Trader Joe’s flowers
Storage: Hidden, vertical, and cute when possible
🎨 Use different colors in Canva to block zones. It’s giving visual clarity.
🔄 Step 4: Flow, Baby, Flow
We’re designing for movement—not furniture Tetris.
✅ Make sure you’ve got:
30–36” walkways around furniture
Clear paths from the door to your essentials
Nothing blocking windows, doors, or joy
🚫 Don’t hug the walls! Floating furniture gives breathing room and makes small spaces feel luxe.
⚖️ Step 5: Balance = Chic Energy
Design is like a good outfit—it’s about balance. You want your space to feel grounded but not heavy.
🪑 Try this:
Anchor with one major piece (sofa, bed)
Balance with groupings (like a lamp + plant or chair + side table)
Use symmetry in calm areas, and a lil asymmetry for flair
✨ Think: “structured chaos” not “thrown together.”
📐 Step 6: Proportion Is the Secret Sauce
Even the most iconic piece can look awkward if it’s the wrong size. Scale = mood.
📏 Quick rules:
Sofa: No longer than ⅔ the wall it’s on
Coffee table: About ⅔ the sofa length, ~18” from seat edge
Rug: At least front legs of your main furniture should sit on it
Dining chairs: Leave 36” to scoot back
Bed: Queen > King unless you’ve got space and drama
🪄 Bonus tip: Furniture with open legs makes your space feel lighter, breezier, and more intentional.
📌 Your Mini Yuppie Layout Mantra:
Measure → Map → Zone → Flow → Balance → Proportion
Save this. Screenshot this. Manifest this.
That’s your design starter pack for making your space feel curated, cozy, and entirely you
Until next week my humans!
xx Sam G