• Thoughts

Designer Digs x Bergmeyer

Kristyn Hill, Christina Sandore
Modern dining room with wood table, blue upholstered chairs, brass pendant lights, and stone kitchen backdrop.

We don’t just design for a living. We live by our designs too. So our designers are opening up about their favorite design techniques and sharing advice based on their personal experiences. Keep revisiting this post as we continue to add new content from our talented design team, and view our Housing Design Introduction below:

Christina Sandore, Architect

Renovating a new home

Modern living room with gray walls, wood floors, dining area, white shelving, and large windows with blinds.Modern open-plan apartment combining kitchen, dining, and living areas with mid-century furniture and dark hardwood floors.Modern white kitchen with stainless steel gas range, sink, and suspended cabinets opening to bright adjacent room.Modern kitchen with blue island, white marble countertop, open shelving, and view to living room with blue sofa.Mid-century console with gallery wall beside white subway tile kitchen with open shelving and marble countertop.

Scroll through to see before and after images of Christina's home renovation.

  • My husband and I bought our house just one year ago. It’s a fixer-upper, but we are tackling projects one at a time.
  • We just recently finished renovating our kitchen. The existing kitchen was a galley kitchen, and it was closed off from the living room.
  • We demolished the wall between the rooms to create a more open floor plan.
  • It makes our little home feel much bigger and lets in lots of light to the kitchen. It’s also much better for entertaining guests.
  • My favorite detail is the open shelving. I love displaying my glassware and dinnerware. For this wall, we ran our backsplash tile up to the ceiling for a dramatic effect and added brass wall sconces to match the cabinet hardware. Next up is new windows and siding!

Dana Ruh, Interior Designer

Renovating a rental unit

Galley kitchen with dark cabinetry, white appliances, and gray tile flooring opening to hallway with window blinds.Modern kitchen with dark cabinetry, white subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and white quartz countertopEmpty bedroom with gray carpet, white walls, and dark louvered closet doorsEmpty bedroom with gray walls, louvered closet doors, double windows with blinds, baseboard heater, and light wood flooring.White tile bathroom with towel rack and chrome shower fixtures visible on wall.White subway tile shower surround with built-in shelf, chrome fixtures, and glass shower doorSmall bathroom with white subway tile walls, pedestal sink, toilet, round ceiling lights, and hexagonal floor tiles.Compact bathroom with pedestal sink, wall-mounted mirror, chrome fixtures, medicine cabinet, and dual sconces.

Scroll through to see before and after images from Dana's rental unit renovation.

  • Whenever renovating a rental unit, I always think of myself as the renter and ask myself the question, "what would it take for me to rent this unit for XXXX price?"
  • For instance, this unit in the photos has a small kitchen, so we used higher-end finishes and appliances to really spruce it up. Usually, the tenant thinks, "wow, this kitchen is so nice," instead of, "oh, it's so small."
  • I like to think about how we can design it to set us apart from other similar rentals in the area.

Personal home decoration

Dining room with natural wood table, teal chairs, pendant light, patterned rug, and framed drawings on lavender walls.White built-in bookshelf with five shelves displaying colorful books, decorative objects, framed artwork, and smallStairwell with white balusters, dark wood handrail, pendant light, gray walls, framed photos, and potted plant on side table.

Scroll to see some examples of Dana's home design choices.

  • For me, I like to use a light gray wall paint that is a universal color.
  • Most rental units have white walls, and it feels stark. I think the color, although it's neutral, makes the place feel more like home.

Nicole Ezell, Architectural Designer

Home design tips

Before: Designer Digs x Bergmeyer After: Designer Digs x Bergmeyer

Slide to compare Nicole's living room before and after.

Modern living room with gray sectional sofa, black media console, patterned rug, and large windows.Modern open-plan living area with blue accent wall, round wooden dining table, and expansive windows overlooking grounds.Modern living room with gray sectional sofa, black TV stand, patterned rug, and large windows.Sunlit open-concept living and dining space with wood floors, mid-century furniture, and warm orange and blue accents.Modern bedroom with gray carpet, white walls, large windows, gray bedding, and built-in white cabinetry with TVBright bedroom with white walls, natural wood bed frame, black dresser, large windows, and yellow accent pillows.Black ornamental shelf with framed illustration, ceramic vessels, and trailing green plants against dark wood furniture.Modern open-plan loft with round wood dining table, blue chairs, dark accent wall, and water views through large windows.Dining nook with blue chairs and wooden table; nightstand with navy drawers and gold accents beside bed with white bedding.

Scroll to see before and after design images from Nicole's home.

  • I’m very much a form-follows-function designer, so I rarely buy home décor that doesn’t first serve a functional purpose or have sentimental value.
  • I love to cook and travel, so most objects on display at my home reflect those interests. I have ceramic planters full of home-grown herbs, modernist and ethnic cookbooks which make beautiful ‘coffee table’ reads, and tons of African and Middle Eastern dishware that can be used for dinner parties and still look elegant when not in use.
  • When you have a small space, it’s important to curate it with items that are interesting, genuine, and specific to you.
  • Don’t underestimate the power of Craigslist. Nearly all my homewares — from couches, chairs, and cabinets to pillows, poufs, and plates — were purchased second-hand. It does take a little more patience, but if you’re selective and strategic, you can save yourself a ton of money by buying used furniture still from brands you know and trust. It’s also a great way to be environmentally conscious by reusing and recycling.
  • Don’t be afraid to be bold with accent walls. If you want a more contemporary look, go on and paint the entire thing… the trim, the door, all of it. Paint helps to define the spatial boundaries and becomes the backdrop against which all other items will be perceived.
  • Paint is the cheapest way to make the biggest visual impact on your space, and it helps to make distracting (but necessary) features like access panels disappear. Make a few big moves and don’t regret them.

Amelia Papadakis, Interior Designer

Curating Tips + Multi-Purpose Purchases

Before and after of a living room: empty white space transforms into furnished room with gray sofa, orange accents, andBefore and after of a dining nook: empty white room transforms into cozy space with wooden table, woven chairs, and shelves.Two wooden cabinets styled with plants, speakers, and decor in bright, minimalist interiors.Bedroom with geometric wood headboard, white bedding, gray knit throw, beaded garland, and natural light from window

Scroll through to see before and after curation images from Amelia's apartment.

  • Don’t rush! Doing a giant haul in one day at home goods the first week you move in SHOWS. A place that is truly you takes time to curate. And that’s okay! You want your home to reflect different sides of you which will be evident in the pieces you pick.
  • For art, maybe you have a mix of posters or photography from your favorite cities, handmade pieces from local artists you’ve learned about over the years, or sculptures that remind you of that one time you went that one place.
  • Furniture could be a collection of antique shop finds, unique “feature” pieces, or timeless off-the-shelf finds.
  • The secret to a curated space is less about sticking to one “theme” and more about creating a cohesive, harmonious atmosphere that is representative of all the facets of your life and personality. It will feel much better to cozy up in that way, I promise.
  • Any good city-living renter knows that everything must serve multiple functions. Since my apartment only has two closets, already occupied by clothes and cleaning products, I knew I had to get a media cabinet that could serve as a linen closet. By using a piece with closed doors instead of open shelves, I can store away all my extra sheets, pillows, towels, and blankets in there.
  • Also, every single door in my apartment has some form of an over-the-door rack to store more items, too. My favorite is the kind with pockets that can hold all my laundry detergent and tools!

Krista Easterly, Associate and Senior Interior Designer

Renovating an old home

Turquoise Victorian house with wraparound porch, gable roof, and mature trees on residential street.Entryway renovation with new door featuring colorful glass panels, olive walls, and wooden staircase with white balusters.Black and white photo of a living room with dark sofa, patterned area rug, coffee table, and window with natural light.Gray sectional sofa with colorful pillows, throw blanket, wood coffee table, and patterned rug in bright living room.Minimalist office space with desk, office chair, window with shutters, and air conditioning unit on wallHome office with navy walls, floral curtains, wooden desk, computer setup, and two dogs resting on the floor.Bathroom vanity makeover with updated cabinetry, countertops, lighting, mirror, and dark accent walls.Before and after bathroom renovation showing updated shower with tile surround, built-in niche storage, and black fixtures.Before and after bathroom renovation showing updated vanity, fixtures, flooring, and colorful floral shower curtain.Teal two-story house with white trim and porch sits snow-covered at sunrise among bare trees.

Scroll through to see before and after images from Krista's home renovation.

  • Take your time. There is no rush to get all the work done at once. Prioritize the "I can't live like this" projects and get those out of the way. We have been in our house for over six years, and we are still working on improvements that we have wanted to make since day one.
  • Don't try to force a style into your house. My house was built in 1890, so we have combined a lot of different aesthetics into one. Putting in many modern pieces wouldn't have looked genuine, so we mixed in some modern with some more traditional pieces. Some people might say it looks like a hot mess but, to us, it's home.
  • Don't be afraid of color. Not every house needs to look like a Chip and Joanna house. Life is too short for black and white all the time.
  • If you are (sadly) scared of color, inject the color in the paint. That's the easiest thing to change when you get sick of it.
  • We believe our house colors were the original house colors. Around 1890, houses were just beginning to be painted in wild colors. We love it. It's the brightest, most cheerful house on the block. We always get compliments for being bold.
  • Carpet samples are great stair treads.
  • Always put two gorgeous pitbulls inside your home. They will fill it with a lot of love!
Before: Designer Digs x Bergmeyer After: Designer Digs x Bergmeyer

Slide to compare Krista's dining room before and after.

James Botha, Design Practice Leader

Renovation for a rental condo in Brooklyn

Modern living room with exposed brick wall, built-in shelving, sofa, and city views through large windows.Architectural rendering of a built-in wardrobe with sliding doors, open shelving, and storage compartments in a bedroom.White modular shelving with black metal frame divides open loft space with brick wall and large windows.Modern bedroom with white brick walls, wooden floor, bed with blue pillow, guitar, and ensuite shower behind sheer curtain.Dining room with wood table, cream chairs, exposed brick wall, pendant lighting, and built-in shelving with baskets.Mid-century brick apartment building with symmetrical windows, ground-floor retail spaces, and parked cars on street.

Scroll through to see images of James' condo with design renderings from before and the final result after the renovation.

I bought my Brooklyn condo in 2012, which was in an old factory that serviced the old trolley car network in Brooklyn (there used to be an elevated train track in front of the building). The developer did a good job with the “loft look” but left the space wide open with no individual rooms. I designed and built out cabinetry and partitions to create a living room, dining room area off the kitchen, an office/guest bedroom, and a master bedroom. For the portal into the bedroom and shelves in the dining room, I used reclaimed wood salvaged from a barn in Vermont. I now rent out the apartment full time while I live on the West Coast.

Rental home in LA’s Highland Park neighborhood

Silhouetted palm trees against a vibrant pink and purple sunset skyWhite modern exterior with address 4905, designer standing at entrance amid gravel landscaping and drought-resistant plants.A designer stands in a backyard with tall palm trees and hanging lights visible through frameless glass panels.Bright living room with beige sofa, wood coffee table, built-in shelving, and natural light from two windows.Open-concept kitchen and dining area with white cabinetry, wood island, stainless steel appliances, and wood table.Woman in striped apron prepares fresh vegetables on wooden counter in bright, white kitchen with stainless steel appliances.Fresh produce including tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, fish, and greens on a wooden surface with a striped kitchen towel.Modern home office with wooden desk, dual monitors, ergonomic chair, and glass doors opening to a garden view.Bright study nook with floating shelves, black keyboard on stand, and glass doors opening to patio garden.Wooden desk with three monitors displaying architectural drawings and floor plans, surrounded by sketches and supplies.Designer poses on hillside overlooking sprawling residential neighborhood with mountains in distanceCurved amphitheater with tiered concrete seating surrounding a circular green lawn, framed by trees at sunset.Verdant mountainous landscape with terraced hillsides, scattered buildings, and winding roads beneath a partly cloudy sky.Vintage cars parked in a beachside lot at sunset with palm trees and ocean view in background.

Scroll through to see photos from James' rental house in Los Angeles.

My wife and I are renting our house in LA and chose the Highland Park neighborhood as it most reminded us of our Brooklyn lifestyle yet had scenic hillside areas quintessential to East LA. The house is no bigger than my apartment in Brooklyn yet is freestanding, with both front and back outdoor space. We loved the location and the compact quarters as we didn’t want to live in a house that required us to buy a bunch of new furniture and helped us keep the minimalistic life we enjoy. I’ve also included pics of surrounding areas we frequent as this is an integral part of the way we live out on the West Coast; from the mountains of the Angeles Forest to the beaches of Santa Monica. We also love the farmer's markets out here!

Tara Martin, Interior Designer

Renters: How to turn a bland canvas into a designer’s dream

Two interior vignettes: wooden desk with lamp and sketches on left; mint dresser with plant and art on right.

Tara's design advice:

  • Renters often feel that they can’t make adjustments to their apartment because they don’t own the space. But I think it’s really important to make the space you live in feel like home even if it’s temporary. Renters can make small upgrades while not spending too much money. The landlord should be grateful that renters want to increase the value of their property!
  • The best way to brighten up your space is to paint the walls a fresh new color. Replace accent lighting; keep the old fixtures so you can take your fixtures with you when you move!
  • My bedroom is my private little sanctuary; a place that I am happy and relieved to come home to. As a renter, I couldn’t make too many changes to the space, but I did decide to paint the room a bright neutral color. I wanted the room to be simple & stylish; organization was especially important so that I could easily keep the room as clean as possible.
  • Don’t be afraid to buy furniture pieces to fit your space even though this isn’t your forever home; you can always reuse or resell. And look for opportunities for small upgrades; do you have a niche that would be perfect for floating shelves? Is there an accent wall just asking for peel & stick wallpaper?

Slide below to see Tara's bedroom before and after.

Before: Designer Digs x Bergmeyer After: Designer Digs x Bergmeyer

Gissela Teran, Interior Designer

Life after College — Designing for an apartment

Modern living room with gray sofa, coffee table, and white shelving displaying framed art, blue vase, and decorative objects.Styled bedroom nightstand with phone charger, mug, decorative items, and framed coastal photographs above bed.

Scroll to see design examples from Gissela's apartment.

  • I enjoy curating items with meaning behind them. Collecting from trips, buying local, framing wall items, displaying books and magazines, and adding personal touches elevate spaces.
  • Explore your community with city guides and classes. Frame your photography — free items can be displayed in your house, and the things you create can be showcased as well. For example, I attended a local cocktail learning/making class and got books and fun coasters that are now displayed on my coffee table.
  • Shop for items with a neutral base and add in colors, patterns, and textures to create depth.
  • When setting up a home office, declutter by hiding wires and using multipurpose devices (charging doc for phone, watch, and headphones). Maximize your space to add a personal touch, plants, desk pads for protection, coasters, etc.”

Kristyn Hill, Senior Interior Designer

Keep a small apartment interesting — Add removable wallpaper to the bedroom wall to create murals

Designer stands before a dark mural featuring a skull with plant motifs and flying bats drawn in white chalk.Spiral notebook with line drawings of plants and flowers next to a desk lamp illuminating a sketch of a horned creature.Two chalkboard murals of a grinning rabbit character surrounded by plants and flowers, with yellow step stools below.Designer poses in front of black wall mural with white lettering and celestial graphics in bedroom space.Designer's workspace with digital design software on laptop screen and hand-drawn sketches alongside architecturalLeft: Chalkboard with "Happy Birthday" message and balloons; Right: Chalkboard drawing of shark and bridge structure

Scroll through to see Kristyn's process photos.

  • My latest mural is a Halloween/ Donny Darko theme because 2020 is a “mad world."
  • I’m a big fan of street art and have painted a few murals for friends, so this was a perfect creative outlet during quarantine to help me zen out and have freedom in changing my visual environment.
  • I’m trying to make a new one every few months. I’ll initialize a concept in my head, loosely map it out via sketch, grid the wall to have a scale reference, and then begin the chalking process! Chalk is great because I can easily erase and change the composition as I go if something isn’t working out.
  • I’ve also used the wall to create a quick backdrop for a coworker’s zoom birthday celebration, and it’s a fun way to visually communicate something to a friend via text instead of words.

Jess Williams, Interior Designer

Designing for a condominium

Before: Designer Digs x Bergmeyer After: Designer Digs x Bergmeyer

Slide to compare before and after.

I chose this home for its character, size, and proximity to downtown Salem. Although the interior doesn’t reflect it, my home was built as a theater back in 1828. I love the Greek Revival architecture, with a brick façade and slate roof. Walkability and access to public transportation and amenities such as restaurants and shops are extremely important to me and were a prime reason for moving here.

The architecture of my space influenced my design choices. I only have two windows, which means all plant life must live in that area. My garden unit has a ledge on the exterior wall, so instead of adding more furniture to the space, I took advantage and use it as a bookcase.

Tips to consider:

  • Add vignettes around the house. Some of my favorite art moments have evolved over time, as I’ve collected pieces.
  • In my opinion, the way to make a house a home is to add personality. Bring in art and accessories that don’t come out of a catalog; find pieces that speak to you and make you happy each day.
  • I loved that my building size isn’t too small or too large; about 16 units. It’s mostly owner-occupied also, which is nice. Owners tend to take better care of the building and want to get to know the neighbors and form a community (I highly recommend asking about this if buying into a condominium).
Black floating shelf displaying framed botanical and insect prints with a dark glass vase of fresh eucalyptus branches.Modern kitchen with white cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, dark island with bar seating, and gray backsplash.Modern kitchen with cream cabinetry, granite countertops, and linear pendant lighting over a white island with bar seating.Bathroom renovation before and after: blue walls with basic shower curtain upgraded to gray walls with patterned curtain andDark gray sectional sofa with throw pillows, arc lamp, and glass table in a minimalist interior.Modern apartment interior: gray sectional sofa with artwork and window nook featuring plants, floating shelf, and rabbit art.

Scroll through to see Jess's before and after condo redesign photos.

Kate Francis, Interior Designer

Apartment in Los Angeles, CA

Drag the slider to see how Kate transform her living room into a meditation room.

Before: Designer Digs x Bergmeyer After: Designer Digs x Bergmeyer

When your space is small, dual function is the name of the game. I have filled my apartment with movable pieces that function in multiple ways and arrangements. My nightstand is also jokingly called “the office” and keeps all-important paper documents in the apartment organized. The living room is made up of a sofa and ottoman that can be continuously re-arranged to allow for space for a gym or some downtime for meditation when we aren’t lounging (Los Angeles will change you!).

Scroll through for a look at Kate's different setups and design details.

Modern kitchen with black cabinetry, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and white quartz countertops.Modern kitchen with black cabinetry, white marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and wood countertop workspace.Modern living room with cognac leather sofa, lime green rug, black exercise mat, and gallery wall of framed artwork.Black and white checkered ceramic vessels beside a potted Monstera plant with red decorative objects on a shelf.Modern bedroom with white bed, gray quilted comforter, patterned pillows, black dresser, oval mirror, and neutral walls.Modern bedroom with white bedding, black dresser, round mirror, and yellow accent pillows overlooking a city viewBedroom corner with dark gray pillows, chartreuse cushion, potted plant, and framed line drawing on cream wallModern lounge seating area with woven black chairs, potted plants, and warm ambient lighting in contemporary interior.Large-leafed plant next to patterned geometric floor tiles and layered textiles in an interior space

I believe your furniture and décor should bring you joy — you shouldn’t settle for a piece because you need it, but instead, wait for the right one to come along. For the environment and the sake of design, I have been a fan of investing a little extra in furniture and décor that will last a long time. I also appreciate the traditional and classic pieces that I have that balance with my contemporary taste — so I aim for an eclectic vibe. If I fall in love with anything unusual, and often do, I can make it work with my existing aesthetic.

The porch furniture is made for lounging and working with your feet up. The ottomans can be scooted out, and the side table can easily be repositioned as the centerpieces to a four-person hangout. The plants are all on casters to be moved around based on the number of guests or creating privacy from the adjacent street.

Steve Seminelli, Senior Architectural Designer

Apartment in Boston, MA

Scroll through to see before/after pics, detail shots, and final design photos.

Studio apartment transformation from dark minimalist design to warm, colorful space with plants and accent pillows.Before and after of open-concept apartment with modern kitchen, red cabinetry, wood furniture, and geometric patterned rug.Living room and home office with gray sofa, wood coffee table, black leather chair, shelving, plants, and artwork.Left: Home office with wooden desk and plants; Right: Wall shelves with framed black and white prints and decorative objectsBedroom with black bed frame, white bedding, vintage airplane wall art, white brick walls, and built-in storage.Rooftop pool and deck at sunset with city skyline and orange sky reflected in still water.

Steve's tips and recommendations:

  • It can be tough to view a potential home with someone else’s belongings. Try and have a vision of the bones and how you would occupy the space.
  • Upgraded lighting in a space, especially rentals, really adds a touch of personality while being functional.
  • Making a space your own is all about adding layers. Rugs, pillows, and art all come together to feel like home.
  • Don’t be afraid to try a few furniture layouts. Never know where a sofa might look best.
  • Don’t over think on gallery walls. Layout your art on the bed or floor, then snap a picture so you can eyeball locate them on the wall.
  • Living in a building with amenities really contributes to extend my personal space. Pool time in the summer, package concierge, and a fitness center are all perks that are hard to beat — especially living in a city like Boston!

Home renovation in Philadelphia, PA

Scroll through to see before and after photos.

Modern basement living room with gray sectional, red pillows, geometric rug, and framed city photography on walls.Modern showroom with sheer white curtains, black grand piano, and light tile flooringSunlit home office nook with black-framed glass door, geometric tile flooring, wooden desk with plants, and shutters.Bright hallway with polished wood flooring, ornamental black metal stair railing, and natural light from windows.Modern dining room with blue-green walls, wood table, pendant lights, and staircase with black metal railing visible beyond.Bright foyer with polished wood floors, white walls, dark stair railing, and glass doors leading outside.Modern living room with blue-gray walls, gray sofa, mid-century armchair, glass coffee table, and large windows.Bright, empty residential room with white walls, carpeted floor, dual windows, and a baseboard heaterTeal home office with white desk, dark shelving, hardwood floors, pendant light, and framed artwork on walls.Empty residential room with gray carpet, white walls, ceiling fan, baseboard heater, and natural light from two windows.Modern bedroom with wood mid-century furniture, gray walls, geometric rug, and natural light from shuttered windows.Black and white kitchen with wooden cabinetry, dining table with chairs, appliances, and decorative clocks on walls.Gray cabinetry kitchen with wood-topped island, stainless steel appliances, and subway tile backsplash.Small bathroom with white subway tile walls, pedestal sink, toilet, and bathtub with shower enclosure and window.Modern bathroom with white subway tile walls, gray upper walls, white cabinetry, marble countertop, and window above toilet.Overhead view of a brick stairwell landing cluttered with household items including a white drone, bags, and storageOverhead view of a brick courtyard with wooden furniture, potted plants, and lounge chairs for outdoor seating.

This renovation is of a 1915 Philadelphia row home, that had a 1970s makeover. Stripping back the years of neglect meant ripping out pastel carpets and pulling up bland tile, in order to let the original spaces shine. Highlights were a budget-conscious kitchen upgrade with paint and new appliances, a vintage-inspired tile foyer redo, and exposing the brick wall to add warmth and character. Tips to consider:

  • Paint can be magical. Painting outdated wood cabinets or dated yellow tiles will give them new life. Add a sleek countertop, and you can really transform a kitchen or bath!
  • You never know what is behind a wall. After removing a closet, it exposed 2 windows that had been hiding.
  • Look to both past and present for design inspiration. Mixing the two can be even more rewarding.