I met my client, Jess, out for dinner at a 'grown-up' restaurant in Otsego. She, her husband Brian, and two young girls are so kind and amazingly thoughtful. Tonight I was pitching my design for their dining room wall styling project.

Jess jumped in with two feet the minute I told her about Parkplace Studio Wall Styling. We've done many photo sessions over the years and have grown close. I knew she was going through an emotional year. Among other things, her father just passed away. Her heart was heavy and I felt this project shouldn't just be about some pretty photos on their wall. It should be about bringing their family together and creating a functional space for gatherings while infusing sentimental meaning into the open room.

The design I presented that night, complete with a custom built trestle table, handmade frames, and a color story for accessories, was centered around a sweet photo session we did last year at Christmas time. The girls wore cute, colorful outfits and held a sign that said "JOY". Joy...so appropriate for holiday cards, of course, but I wanted this project to have lasting meaning for them. I found a quote with a sentiment I was excited to share. The quote read: "Our greatest joy is seeing yours." When I presented my design and we discussed how important it was to bring the "joy" front and center, both Jess and I fought back tears.

After sending me a video of her and her family seeing the wall for the first time, Jess called me to say they loved the wall. She also told me, "It made me realize we don't have to copy something we've seen on Pinterest or design our home to be just like someone else's. Our home can be about us...and that's beautiful!"

She recently posted on her Instagram her goals for 2017 including: "This is the year our house becomes a home, decorated purposely for our family's life and for our friends who we invite in."

I love that.