I've been furnishing my place and wondering — do you prefer designing your own home, or hiring a professional?
I love the creative control of picking everything myself, but I sometimes feel like I'm missing the details a designer would catch. And designers are pricey — plus their taste might not match how you actually live.
Curious what others think. DIY route or professional? Which worked better for you?
I really love this natural wood furniture — it fits the courtyard perfectly. There's something so organic about the warm wood tone against the greenery; it feels natural and effortless.
What I like most is that it's simple but never boring. No loud colors, no busy patterns — just clean lines and honest material. It lets the plants and the outdoor vibe do the talking.
Honestly, the corner of a living room is wasted space until you put a comfy lounge chair in it — and then it becomes the best spot in the house.
This is the kind of chair you sink into after a long day: curl up with a book, doze off, or just sit there chatting with friends late into the night. The soft upholstery, the plush cushion, the warm corner lighting — it's basically begging you to slow down.
Doesn't need much around it either, maybe a small side table for your coffee and a plant for company. Corners are underrated. Anyone else turned a random corner into their favorite napping/reading spot?
Saw this outdoor sectional setup and it got me thinking about courtyard layouts. I'm digging the dark rattan + light cushion look — feels modern but still warm.
If this were my space, I'd go for:
A low-profile stone or wood deck platform to define the seating zone
String lights overhead for that evening glow
Potted olive trees or tall grasses in the corners for some height
A fire pit table instead of the regular coffee table
But I'm torn on whether to keep it minimal with just greenery, or add some colorful throw pillows and an outdoor bar cart to give it more personality.
What would you do? Minimal and clean, or layered and lived-in? Curious to hear how others would approach this.