Money, Relationships, And Home: Navigating the Challenges with Rebecca West
My guest today is my friend and fellow podcaster, Rebecca West. Her book, “Happy Starts At Home,” is in its second edition and therefore giving me the opportunity to share it all with you. Her book will give you tons of thoughtful exercises to help you think through big decisions when it comes to designing and decorating your home. In this conversation, we zero in on questions of how to spend money well, how to talk with your partner, or anyone else you may be living with, and how to get the most out of renting, if you don’t own a home, because Rebecca is currently renting in Paris!
Watch the entire episode on YouTube HERE
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Have you ever wondered how your home environment influences your happiness and well-being? It’s a topic that’s been on my mind lately, and I had the perfect guest to dive into it: my friend and fellow podcaster, Rebecca West. Rebecca's book, *Happy Starts at Home*, is in its second edition, offering a wealth of thoughtful exercises to help you make meaningful decisions about your home's design and decor.
Finding Your Vision
One of the standout parts of my chat with Rebecca was her emphasis on having a clear vision for your space. Rebecca advises starting with a vision statement that captures how you hope to feel and what you wish to experience in a room. This method was illustrated beautifully through Rebecca’s story of feeling out of place in her rented apartment in Paris.
Despite the constraints of renting, Rebecca made thoughtful changes that made the space work for her and her husband. She explained how using simple, non-permanent solutions like command strips and dowels to create a more functional space played a crucial role in feeling at home.
Transforming Through Design
Rebecca’s stories also highlighted the transformative power of design. She recounted a significant personal experience after her divorce. Feeling like she was living in a haunted house filled with memories, Rebecca boldly decided to paint her vaulted ceilings black—a move she described as part of her "angry phase." The result was not pretty, but it was liberating. It allowed her to strip away the past and create a space that genuinely reflected her current self, leading her to a colorful, joyful home filled with pinks, purples, and turquoise.
Overcoming Design Pitfalls
The practical wisdom Rebecca shared isn't just about grand changes; it’s also about small yet impactful tweaks. For example, Rebecca shared a poignant anecdote about a kitchen remodel that perfectly illustrated this point. She talked about a couple who were about to invest $150,000 in their kitchen but had different ideas about what they wanted from the remodel. Rebecca’s advice was simple yet profound: focus not just on the aesthetics but on the purpose and functionality behind those choices. By getting on the same page about what they wanted to achieve, the couple could avoid costly mistakes and create a space that truly worked for both of them.
Intentional Design and Values
Another aspect Rebecca emphasized was the importance of aligning your home's design with your values. She shared stories of clients with different priorities, from showcasing their Christian faith to creating a clutter-free environment that encouraged social interaction. Rebecca urged us to ask ourselves how our values are showing up in our home and whether our current setup supports those values or contradicts them.
She also warned against the trap of "wishful thinking" in design. For instance, wanting to set up a study desk in a child’s room to encourage better study habits without considering the child's study preferences could lead to frustration on both sides. By focusing on what works for the people living in the space, rather than idealized visions, we can make more meaningful and satisfying design choices.
Empowering Mistakes and Learning
One of the most liberating messages Rebecca shared is the importance of allowing ourselves to make mistakes in our design endeavors. Her story about painting the walls black wasn’t just about a bold aesthetic choice—it was about the freedom to try, fail, and learn. This approach helps break the paralysis of overthinking and encourages us to take actionable steps toward creating spaces that feel right for us.
Rebecca’s practical examples, such as changing door types for better closet access or rethinking shoe storage solutions, underscore the importance of small, manageable changes. These tweaks can significantly reduce daily friction and make a home more comfortable and functional.
The Journey of *Happy Starts at Home*
Discussing her transition from focusing solely on interior design to coaching other designers, Rebecca revealed that her core mission remains the same: helping people create happy homes. By guiding other designers to find their niche and communicate effectively with clients, she broadens her impact, spreading her philosophy of intentional, value-driven design far and wide.
Wrapping up our conversation, Rebecca left us with a powerful reminder: every dollar spent on your home is a vote for the kind of life you wish to live. Her book, *Happy Starts at Home*, provides practical exercises to help you make those votes count. Whether you're renting or owning, the goal is the same—creating a space that supports your happiness and reflects who you are.
If you're interested in diving deeper into these concepts and hearing more of Rebecca's valuable insights, I highly recommend checking out her book and listening to our full podcast episode. Your home should be a sanctuary that brings you joy and peace, and with Rebecca's guidance, you can make that vision a reality.
Thank you for joining me on this journey to create happier, more intentional homes. Until next time, may your space reflect your most authentic self and bring you endless happiness.
-Zandra
