We need more Ina Garten in the design world! Garten, aka the Barefoot Contessa, is an easygoing, accessible chef, a welcoming host on TV and in real life, and a masterful, aesthetic party planner. She rejects impersonal nonfunctional décor and embraces what is REAL, recently posting, “If you display dishes and trays that you actually use and love, your kitchen just feels alive!”

Ina’s outlook closely aligns with my design philosophy: Create rooms that are beautiful, unique, functional and imbued with authenticity. Read on for some examples of how I try to “keep it real” with every space — from function to finishings.

Feature Favorite Furniture

You might think that your great-grandmother’s old rocker or that desk you thrifted in college are out of style and out of sync with a sophisticated design. I feel just the opposite. Furniture that has history and heart can (almost) always work well somewhere in your home. I am delighted by the challenge of not only utilizing well-worn and well-loved furniture but highlighting it.

When integrating “oldies but goodies,” consider:

• Repainting for color that either blends seamlessly into your space or adds a need pop
• Refinishing woods to change the tone (adding extra depth or lightness) or finish (matte, satin or gloss)
• Reupholstering to refresh, totally change the look, or add comfort
• Leaving original, sometimes well-worn, elements to highlight a piece’s history
• Placing next to a photo that shows the piece’s family legacy or provenance

Connect with Your Accessories and Art

Whether a beloved heirloom or a newly acquired knickknack, you should be able to express why you enjoy what’s in your kitchen, on your coffee tables, bookshelves and on your walls. The reasons don’t have to be deep, but if your spaces are staged without your input, you’re not going to feel like you belong.

To select finishings and décor that makes you feel grounded, at home and happy, think about:

• Adorning your shelves with books and authors you’ve read and love
• Get creative in how you organize by size, topic or color
• Feature oversize books from places you’ve traveled (or dream of traveling); museums you’ve visited; favorite food by cuisine, chef or restaurant; designers you love; and topics that matter to you

• Selecting art and objects that make you feel good, get you thinking or generate conversation whether through color, subject, texture or size
• Shop around at flea markets, tag/estate sales, Etsy, home stores and galleries to find art that resonates at all price points
• Don’t forget that the choice of framing, size, hanging and placement can be just as impactful as the art itself
• Remember that heirlooms are anything with personal history — don’t overlook items from your first apartment that “bring you back,” a childhood toy or grandma’s favored wooden spoon — old things in new places can add a fabulous touch

• Establishing a personal style with pillows, throw blankets, lamps, drawer pulls, and cabinet hardware
• Patterns and fabric textures can be mixed and matched or stay very uniform
• Colors can be prominent and consistent around your spaces, add eye-catching pops, or kept in a mostly neutral palette
• Metals can be bright and shiny, silver, gold or black, or a matte finish

Design for Real Living

Few homeowners want spaces that feels like museums filled with “Do not Touch” signs. Even the most minimalist or formal of us want to be able to relax where we live. Additionally, it’s important for our homes to align with how we live. For authentic design ensure you are:

• Matching your layout to your daily flow of activity
• Mugs and your sugar bowl are near the coffee maker; approved snack drawers or beverage refrigerators are at kid-friendly height
• Placement of cutting boards cabinets, knife drawers and most-used cooking utensils make you say, “Yes, chef!”
• Ironing boards, folding surfaces and shelves are convenient for those laundry perfectionists
• Mudroom cubbies with hooks and baskets are organized for the busy family (and their pets) who want to effortlessly keep the chaos in check
• Selecting furnishings that are appropriate for their use, household traffic, and your habits
• Sofas for afternoons of marathon TV watching with the kids or football crew require hearty, stain-hiding fabrics
• Bed linens and pillows should be selected based on whether you enjoy making your bed every day; don’t go layered if sheets and coverlets will end up in a tangle J
• Stick to granite and quartz countertops if you can’t count on family members to be conscious of heat, drips and knicks; marble and other porous surfaces (even when sealed) require attention and maintenance

Stay True to Yourself

The real hallmark of authenticity (and of Susan Corvo Redesign) is that your spaces — how they look and the way they function — are a real reflection of you. Authentic design guides you away from trends that don’t resonate and toward what feels right whether you mix and match or stick to one aesthetic, shop high luxe or secondhand chic, embrace modern or traditional.

Ready to start designing? With a few conversations, I can help you pinpoint small changes or launch major projects. Let’s schedule a no-obligation introductory phone call. Visit susancorvo.com. In the words of Ina Garten, “How easy was that?”