Breegan Jane, Author at Breegan Jane

Wellness in Interior Design

If you’ve been following along with me on social media, you know that at the time of this blog I’m currently in my favorite place on earth. You guessed it, I’m in Ibiza, Spain! This year alone I’ve been on more than 20 planes for work, and I’ve lost count of how many projects have been on the docket. It’s all been incredible, don’t get me wrong. But, it’s also been incredibly tiring and hard on my mind and body. With all that my career, motherhood and life in general require of me, it can be tough to remember to put aside dedicated time for wellness. I’m willing to bet the same could be said for you, too. More and more, my clients are seeking ways to incorporate wellness in their interior design. If you’re wondering how to do that for your spaces, I’ve got the info you need!

Wellness as a Priority

Let’s face it, our lives are busy. Perhaps they’re busier today than ever before. For most, if not all of us, the pandemic turned everything upside down. One day we’re all going to the office, having dinner with our families, and socializing with our friends. The next (or at least it felt like it), we’re locked down at home with no clue when it would all end. Overnight, our homes became our everything! Work, classroom, restaurant, entertainment center…our homes had to transform into all of those things. Adjusting to that alone presented an enormous challenge for all of the world.

Wellness by Definition

During the height of the pandemic, I noticed that people wanted to redesign their homes, but the motivation was different than it had ever been. Suddenly, the inquiries were less about pure aesthetic changes, and instead, they focused on versatility and comfort. That was the first clue that wellness in design had now been moved to the top of most people’s priority lists. Merriam-Webster defines wellness as: the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal. Most people think of wellness in terms of physical and mental health. In actuality, wellness is more comprehensive. It requires an approach to a lifestyle that places great importance on nourishing the body in a healthy way, stimulating and engaging the mind, and caring for the spirit.

A Multi-Dimensional Approach

Dr. Debbie L. Stoewen* says there are eight dimensions of wellness, including: “physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, vocational, financial, and environmental”. So you see, wellness isn’t just one or two aspects of our lives. It is the whole of them. Taking care of ourselves shouldn’t be put on the back-burner. These bodies we’re living in are the ones that allow us to take care of the kids, to climb the corporate ladder, to empower others, and to exist in this world without crumbling every day. We must be deliberate about establishing healthy habits in order to achieve the mind/body/soul results we desire. But, how does interior design factor into wellness? I’m glad you asked.

Wellness in Interior Design

Shelter is considered one of the most important of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Our homes should promote peace and wellness. I use interior design to do exactly that. One of the first considerations when it comes to wellness in design is color. I don’t just love neutrals for the versatility they offer. I appreciate the way they impact the feeling of a room. In color therapy, white is used to soothe and purify. I’ve often told clients that using white and other soft neutral tones in a space allows your mind to unwind and relax at the end of a chaotic day. I suggest painting walls in a crisp, cool white hue. You can also select whites and creams for other large surfaces in your home like countertops, for a cleaner look. The space will feel calming and uncluttered. That’s what we all want when we enter our homes.

Lighting is a huge part of facilitating wellness in a space. We use lighting to establish mood. Think about the differences in the way your office looks compared to a hospital, then compared to a romantic restaurant. The contrast is huge. That’s because businesses select lighting fixtures and bulbs that create the feeling they want. When I’m designing a space I like to take advantage of the existing ambient light. Using windows to maximize sunshine is always a great thing, but when that isn’t readily available, I rely on alternate methods. I used circadian rhythm lighting when I designed UNICA. In the photo below it looks like the bathroom is pink, but it’s actually the lighting! Circadian lighting can be used to work with the body’s natural rhythms in order to ensure we get the right amount of light for our internal systems to function best.

Engaging the Senses

Have you ever wondered what makes visiting a spa so…pleasurable? You might be audibly screaming, “the massage!” right now. But, there are likely a variety of factors at play. Did you know that smell is the most developed sense a fetus has in the womb? It’s no wonder that scent is so closely tied to our memories. When we recall our best memories, and sometimes even our worst, we often speak about how something smelled. The perfume someone was wearing, the scent of the tires on the road after an accident, or the charred scent that lingered in the air after a fire, for example. Our brains process smells in special ways. So while that massage feels euphoric, you’re likely also responding to the scent of the body oils and the incense wafting through the room.

Our experiences in various places are also impacted by textures. Have you ever walked into a store and spotted a pillow that you just had to go touch? Our senses drive us towards certain things and away from others. In interior design, we can use this knowledge to aid in creating wellness in our homes. Use decorative diffusers throughout your home with fragrances that smell delightful. Select furnishings that are lush and inviting. Velvet has the advantage of both appearing rich and sumptuous as well as feeling that way to the touch. I encourage clients to use pieces in their homes that will elicit those types of positive reactions within themselves.

Wellness isn’t just the latest buzzword. It’s a right we’re all entitled to. We spend so much of our lives and important moments right inside our own homes. They should be places of rest and rejuvenation. If yours isn’t, consider making a few of these modifications. Don’t know where to begin? Schedule an hour with me here, and let’s chat! I’m ready to help.

*Stoewen DL. Dimensions of wellness: Change your habits, change your life. Can Vet J. 2017 Aug;58(8):861-862. PMID: 28761196; PMCID: PMC5508938.

Hire an Interior Designer: Custom Design

Have you ever seen a sitcom where women walk into a party or gathering with the same outfit on? It creates quite an uproar! There’s something about exclusivity that has such a coveted appeal. But really, why blend in when you can stand out? Interior design is no different. While it may bring savings to consider cookie-cutter layouts and options, custom design always makes more of a statement. If you’re looking to hire an interior designer to incorporate custom elements in your home, I have the expertise and experience to bring many exclusive aspects of interior design to your home spaces!

One-of-a-kind Design

Do you ever go into a store looking for something you’ve envisioned in your mind, only to find it doesn’t exist? Annoying, right? Not if you hire an interior designer named Breegan Jane! I have a tried-and-true, failsafe motto when it comes to custom design: it can happen! I believe in the creative spirit. Practically, that means if you can’t find what you want for your home, let’s make it!

I have years of experience designing unique elements for bathrooms, for example, including custom tubs and sinks. Our bathrooms are frequently used spaces, and they should cater to our individual needs. I want your bathroom to delight the senses just as much as it boasts functionality. Design is creative, but it should also be innovative. Who says a sink has to look like an oval bowl with a silver fixture? If your mind can dream it, we can work to bring it to fruition. Case in point: I designed a splashless sink for the megamansion UNICA in Bel Air. It featured a faucet that made running water sound more like a gentle rainshower than splattering drops. In my opinion, you should hire an interior designer that challenges the norm to achieve the exact effect you’re seeking. That’s what I’m ready to do for you.

Here’s another scenario: you find an amazing piece of furniture, and you can’t let it go. Unfortunately, it has silver finishes, and your decor incorporates all brass accents. Contrary to your possible disappointment, all is not lost! I work closely with businesses that specialize in customization, right down to the minute details! As an insider, I know there are companies that don’t always work in the retail aspect of the industry, but they will work directly with brands and designers. This is just one of the perks you get when you hire an interior designer to bring your home wishes to life.

Unique Functionality Tailored to Your Needs

Kitchens are my absolute favorite spaces to design. Because I’ve been fortunate to design both residential and commercial kitchens for restaurants, I understand that chefs and home cooks have specific needs for efficient functionality. This is particularly true when it comes to the overall layout of a space. Let’s say you’re a homeowner who likes to juice with fresh fruits and vegetables. It may be important for your kitchen aesthetic to support having a mini fridge near the counter where you prepare your fresh beverages. Or, if you enjoy preparing home-cooked meals for a large family, you may need a dedicated space for a particular custom range. I can help you pick just the right appliances AND help create the perfect layout for your needs.

Speaking of a large family, perhaps you’ve been considering ways to stock your home with more groceries, and you require more than the average refrigerator options in the big box stores. I can help you custom-create a refrigerator with two (or three!) columns based solely on the configuration that best suits your family! Your appliances never have to be one-size-fits-all! I prefer to think: this-size-fits-YOU! That’s what happens when you hire an interior designer. We use our skills to ensure your space works in a way that makes your life easier. Isn’t that what we all want?

Solving Specific Design Problems

I’m not just an interior designer. I live, parent, work and entertain in my own home, so I KNOW what brings value to a space. My own life experiences, coupled with knowledge gained throughout my design career, allow me to infuse homes with a utility that feels intuitive. I want to alleviate and solve any issues or problems that may get in the way of creating all you want for your personal space.

Design is all about the details. Take pets, for example. Many interior designers don’t consider them when it comes to the home aesthetic. And while your furry family members aren’t considered “problems” to solve, something like a doggy door could clash with the overall look of your home. I’ve actually come up with some creative options for clients’ pet needs, and I did so with functional and fashionable ideas that pleased both the family and Fido. While it may seem weird for some to put time and thought into these types of home designs, I think it’s actually a sign of showing MORE thought than the average person. It takes heart and consideration—two things you should look for when you hire an interior designer.

A specific problem I ran into when designing my own home was the layout of the property’s square footage. My house was significant in length, but it was fairly narrow. To trick the unknown eye and make my home space appear wider, I incorporated custom parquet flooring. The non-directional patterns in the design opened up the space and made it look much broader. Now, the average DIY-er may not know to consider parquet flooring to achieve this effect…but a professional interior designer would!

Have I given you food for thought to consider hiring an interior designer? If so, let’s chat! I have all confidence we will come up with the perfect customizations for your specific home design needs and dreams!

The Six Foot Virtuoso: Experiences in Child Modeling

Have you ever played the game Two Truths and a Lie? It’s often used as an ice breaker in group settings. The game is popular because it gives everyone a chance to share interesting facts about themselves with strangers in the room. The best part of the game is when people list outrageous details that are hard to believe, and then you find out they’re true! Well, I feel like my whole life is filled with enough “truths” to play that game perpetually. What can I say, I’ve lived a LIFE! As I reflect on the building blocks of Breegan Jane, so many amazing memories come flooding back. One in particular involved my time in child modeling. I had so many positive experiences and lessons during that period of my life that may shed a little light on perspectives I still hold today.

My Life in Child Modeling

I began modeling at age two, and I continued for many years after that. Even at that young age, I had a work permit! I was always under the very watchful eye of my mother. Modeling was work, but I learned so much from it. I’ll share more about that another day. One of the things I loved was saving the money I earned from modeling and purchasing toys for other children my age who were less fortunate. My parents were always passionate about philanthropy, and they instilled those values in me as well. I eventually saved enough money from my modeling career to open my own retail store at age 18! I guess you could say the message of hard work was never lost on me. Little did I know, that I would learn even more enduring lessons at that stage in life.

The Six-Foot Virtuoso

His physical presence was undeniable. He was in his late thirties or early forties, 6’5, thin, bald, and he wore clothing I’d never seen other men wear before. I can vividly remember meeting my stylist, Jay, on the set of a photoshoot when I was about four-and-a-half years old. The job of a stylist is very hands-on. There’s a lot of touching, repositioning of clothing, hair and props. So upon meeting him, Jay was fixing my clothing and interacting with me as we prepared for the shoot.

I can remember seeing mom’s face. I perceived that something about the interaction must have left her feeling a bit odd. Mom, my constant protector, wanted to know who this man of considerable stature was. Jay, who wore an oversized scarf while handling a little Breegan, felt like a strange choice of personnel. Years down the road, we would discover that he was the cousin of one of my parents’ long-term friends. Jay quickly became almost like an “honorary uncle” to me, and I loved him dearly. That day, mom and I learned the true meaning of never judging a book by its cover.

The Often Misunderstood Eccentrics

Jay was one of the very first creatives I was introduced to as a young child. As a model, I would interact with hair stylists, makeup artists, directors and photographers on a weekly basis. Most of them had a few things in common. They didn’t fit in. Many spoke a different language. They were artists, and they were misunderstood. These individuals were the “Jays” of the world: outsiders who seemed to never fit perfectly in any box. And yet, in my young eyes, these were the people that gained my utmost respect on the set. In my world, the artists with the funky glasses and jeans so ripped that he or she almost looked homeless, were the people you aspired to be! I didn’t know it then, but my opinion of what was “acceptable” was being formed in those relationships. I’m so glad it was this one.

The Power of Perception

Meeting Jay was equal parts serendipitous and educational. My initial interaction was ripe with foreign feelings. In that moment I could see that this man who was in my close personal space was unlike anyone I knew. He towered over me and sported clothing that, back in those days, would have raised eyebrows in a conservative atmosphere. Watching my mom’s immediate reaction go straight to “safeguard mode” signaled even more to me that something wasn’t quite…”normal” here. We could have chosen to let xenophobia take over, but getting close to Jay eliminated that as a possibility for us, thankfully.

I went on to work with Jay and his photographer in child modeling for over 13 years. He was excellent at his job, and if I told you his real name, you’d likely know his work very well. Jay and I worked on major campaigns for Vogue Bambini, Limited Too, Talbots and more. My sweet memories of him handing me giant cookies for shoots, tying and untying my laces, and moving my braids in just the right place are some of my most cherished.

Lessons From the Past

When I think of Jay, with all his talents, unique style and grand height, I see so many similarities with my oldest son, Kingsley. He’s tall for his age, happens to love sparkly things, and he’s definitely artistic in many ways. I’ve always leaned into wherever his personality and interests led, because I know we’re all finding our way through life step by step. My goal is to raise healthy, confident, kind children. I believe seeing and accepting our children for who they are is crucial for that. Having Jay in my life taught me so much. I was forced from a young age to recognize how the world might stereotype someone like Jay, while realizing that he existed inside my world in a completely different way. It was a lesson I learned at eight years old, the same age Kingsley is now.

I’ll always be grateful for people like Jay with stories like his. I admire their ability and determination to show up unapologetically as their true selves despite the misconceptions of others. Crossing paths with the Jays of this world like I did in my days of child modeling, should challenge our own preconceived notions of others and make us all better people. It certainly did for me.

Personal Boundaries: Touching My Hair

Growing up, I’ve always been different. I didn’t feel different per se; I just was. And in my world, “different” wasn’t bad. As a child model, I was typically the only one with big, curly hair. My parents never made it seem like a bad thing. Quite the opposite. They celebrated it with words of affirmation, letting me know I was beautiful and special. These were the experiences through which I shaped my personal boundaries and the world around me.

It wasn’t until someone with whom I was in a relationship challenged me on an overseas trip that I began to question my perspective. Some guys of a different race asked to touch my hair, and I said yes. My significant other suggested they were mocking and ridiculing me and my culture. He felt I was being naive for not recognizing that. Should I have been offended? Had I been wrong all my life? It was then that I started to process and seriously consider what it means to have personal boundaries regarding strangers touching my hair.

“Hair-Raising” Experiences

Until the aforementioned incident, I delighted in people touching my hair. It wasn’t one of the personal boundaries I minded occasionally being overstepped. I didn’t know to be offended by it. People had been asking to touch my hair since I was a kid doing international missions work with my family. Young Mexican kids would ask to touch my braids. Being a kid myself, I didn’t have a problem with it. I wasn’t offended by it because I didn’t think their intentions were to be offensive. My hair was different from theirs, so I understood, as much as a child could, their curiosity.

Few kids in my own neighborhood had hair like mine. And during my childhood years, I was only told one consistent message: your hair is so cool! People never made fun of it at school. And they didn’t touch without asking. I never had an experience that felt like mocking. It was only natural for me to think that people who don’t like you don’t touch you. That mentality shaped my life throughout my early adulthood.

Interest Isn’t Impolite

From my perspective, we all have curiosities about experiences that vary from our own. That’s completely natural, and usually extremely innocent. That said, I don’t automatically assign a negative connotation to questions about my hair. Neither do I instantly consider it an affront to my personal boundaries. I believe I would miss out on a lot of great opportunities to connect with well-meaning people if my first response was anger.

Case in point: I recently sat down at a party and met a great couple who happened to be a Caucasian man and a Latinx man. They expressed how they loved my natural hair. They then showed me a photo of their biracial daughter who had hair like mine. “What do you do with it? How do you manage it?” they asked. We had a really fun conversation about how much conditioner to use, and how to hold their daughter’s hair while styling it. And yes, there was some hair-touching in the conversation. But, there was absolutely no ill will throughout our interaction.

Nice, but Not Naive

Don’t get me wrong: I know there are certainly people who mean no good at all when they ask questions or want to touch others’ hair. They intend disrespect with their comments about different hair types or physical characteristics. Ignorant people like that are everywhere, but I’m not referring to them. I’m suggesting that there are more people who have a genuine interest in discovering more about something that feels less common to their personal experience. I think we should be careful not to assign malice to their innocent inquiries.

In interior design, my clients will often find furniture they love but aren’t familiar with. They will contact me to find out more about it: what it’s made of, general durability, specific color names, etc. All I get when I talk to them is that they saw something intriguing and wanted additional information. The same principle applies in those situations. People can admire things they know nothing about and be curious with no sinister undertones or motives.

Respecting All Personal Boundaries

There’s been a lot of attention recently on the topic of touching someone’s hair, specifically regarding people of color. It is an important conversation, particularly because of our country’s complex history with race and socio-cultural inequity. However, I also believe there’s an adjacent conversation regarding personal boundaries that is just as important.

We all need to respect everyone’s boundaries. Anyone should have the choice to say, “I don’t want others to touch my hair.” That preference deserves to be appreciated and not seen as a negative, cold or stand-offish request. At the same time, my boundaries mean I love having my hair touched. I appreciate when people are interested in that part of me. It makes me happy to indulge someone’s curiosities in that way, and that should also be respected and appreciated. I choose not to assign malevolence to anyone’s natural curiosity about my hair. That choice shouldn’t color me clueless or naive.

Respecting personal boundaries is acknowledging that everyone is and will be different. Those differences, in my opinion, should provide a chance for learning, open conversation and genuine connection. Being transracially adopted allowed me to see diverse perspectives as a beautiful thing. I want my experiences and choices to be a safe space to facilitate learning—about whatever, for whomever. That in itself is a power to be used for good in the world.

Diversity and Acceptance: An Afternoon in Haight-Ashbury

What’s your story? Has anyone ever asked you that? As a public figure and someone who is regularly interviewed, I find that all (or at least most) roads lead back to one core question. We’re all trying to discover who we are, who someone else is, and why. So, as I go about my life, I’m beginning to collect and connect more and more memories that I realize have ultimately paved the road to adult Breegan and all I am. If you know even a little bit of my background, you know I’m no stranger to diversity. Today, I’ll share a bit more about my unique past and how it impacted the person you know as Breegan Jane, today.

The Neighborhood of Haight-Asbury

I must have been about 11 or 12 years old when my mom and I took a mini vacation to San Francisco. I’ve always loved traveling, so I can remember being excited about the time we’d get to spend together there. We visited the neighborhood of Haight-Ashbury. Haight-Ashbury got its name because of the intersection of Haight and Ashbury streets. Besides being the home of the “Summer of Love” in 1967, this district has a rich history. I’ve often said it was probably the Venice Beach before Venice Beach! In short, it’s always been a very inclusive neighborhood.

Just a Girl In a Dress

The year we visited this colorful district mom and I were on the hunt for something special. My friend was preparing for her bat mitzvah, and I wanted to wear a pretty dress. Mom and I visited a store in Haight-Ashbury, and I found the perfect one. It was the dress of my dreams! Picture little Breegan in her very first lace-lined, antique-inspired, Victorian masterpiece! It was the girliest of girly dresses, and I loved it. On the surface, it was a simple trip to find a dress. But little did I know, this experience would play a major role in further opening my mind to what acceptance and diversity meant to the world around me.

Our Experiences Shape Our Perspectives

It never surprises me when I voice an opinion or viewpoint that leaves others perplexed. I think differently about a lot of things, and I have never felt like that was a bad thing. Much of that comes from growing up in a unique situation, and the rest I attribute to experiences like that of Haight-Ashbury. I can recall everything about that shopping trip. There I was, an 11 year old biracial girl walking through the store with my white mother looking for a fancy dress in a neighborhood with one of the largest LGBTQ communities. I mean, it was unintended diversity from every angle, and yet, no one even thought twice about that. Perhaps my situation (black child, white parent) didn’t “make sense” at first glance, but I was accepted there. Everyone was kind and helpful, and I loved my experience there among all the lace, satin and frills.

An Unintentional Lesson on Humanity

We didn’t travel to San Francisco or Haight-Ashbury for a lesson in diversity. Neither my mom nor I considered the fact that we were in a predominantly gay area before we visited. I’m sure the people helping us didn’t care that we didn’t quite “match”, either. We were all just people living our lives, happily interacting with one another. When people wonder how Breegan became Breegan, these are the building blocks I reflect upon. On so many occasions I was immersed in worlds different from my own. My friend groups, working environments and more were full of individuals whose lives contrasted greatly from anything that felt familiar to me. And yet, it all felt…normal. These things were a part of my life from the very beginning. I credit that for my open minded outlook on so many things. I don’t know if that’s something everyone has been able to experience.

Diversity Matters

When I look back at that day in Haight Ashbury, I revel in how lovely I felt throughout the time we spent there. My brown skin and big curly hair weren’t shunned. I never felt like I was odd or peculiar. I only felt acceptance. Now I realize, that we were returning that same acceptance in a community that, at the time, probably felt more ostracized than we knew. The thing is, self-acceptance and self-expression weren’t new to me. I grew up in the modeling world, and I was often working with individuals who represented themselves in new and unique ways. It was always around me. So when I got older and started having conversations with others who equated different with perverse, I couldn’t understand the judgment. My experiences helped me develop compassion for communities that varied from my own.

I’ve found that when you’re a member of a minority-based community, you often find other minority-based communities to be quite welcoming. I didn’t have to pretend to be anything other than myself to be accepted. Members of this community have sometimes spent their lives wanting to be accepted for who they are, so they always have room for you to show up as your true self. To me, that’s what Pride is about. Be the best you, so they can be the best of who they are as well. It’s really a beautiful thing.

Raising Accepting Kids

My upbringing and even my young adult experiences have had a profound impact on the way I want to raise my sons. It even plays a role in my choice to live in Venice Beach, California. Our neighbors here are incredibly diverse. My kids come face to face with a different community on every block. I don’t always understand or agree with the same things as my neighbors, but I love that my children get the opportunity to see, befriend and interact with diverse cultures all the time.

Recently, my mom and I each took a day to spend one-on-one time with my boys. On my day, I took my oldest son to a DJ brunch, since he’s been enjoying learning how to DJ. It just happened to be Pride Week, and while there were rainbows everywhere, Kingsley had no idea what any of it meant. He simply enjoyed our time. As I took a cute photo of him in front of all the rainbows, I wondered if people were going to judge me for taking him there, or accuse me of projecting my ideas onto him. I quickly cleared my mind of those thoughts when I realized that this fun day wasn’t about others, and it wasn’t a statement about my child. We were just going to brunch in a neighborhood rich in diversity. That’s the way it should be. Maybe one day he will look back at our afternoon the way I do my Haight-Ashbury one. A mom can only hope!

Hire an Interior Designer: Countertops and Backsplashes

They say if you want something done right, do it yourself. While I’m a huge fan of that mantra, I know it doesn’t work in all circumstances. Take home design for example. In the DIY age we’re in, tackling some aspects of design around the home may not be the best way of getting it done right. When it comes to great countertops and backsplashes, you may want to hire an interior designer to get the most value out of your home project.

Choosing the Right Countertop Materials

Tile and countertop materials can be extremely expensive. Nobody wants to pay upwards of hundreds of dollars per tile (or more!) only to have to rip it out and do it again if they get it wrong. Yet, I’ve seen it done time and time again with people who chose not to hire an interior designer.

This happens often with natural stone, particularly marble. While I absolutely love designing with stone, I know as a designer how to protect it—and when/where to use it. For example, I understand that natural stone may not be the best countertop material for an active family with kids. Condensation from glasses or bottles can cause etching and damage it permanently. Does the average homeowner know that? Maybe not. Even when designing a chef’s kitchen recently, I opted for manufactured stone. Why? Natural stone can be prone to staining. I adore natural stone, and I’ve worked with it often (have you checked out UNICA?). But the key is knowing when and where to place it in a space to maximize its beauty and durability.

Designing Beyond the Surface

Interior designers worth their salt also avoid designing solely based on superficial aesthetics, as many clients tend to do. Clients lead with their eyes and heart, and that’s not always wise. Yes, a gorgeous pattern may look perfect for your backsplash today. However, professional designers can look beyond “now” and predict when interior design tides will change or shift. We can help you choose something that may have more staying power with respect to the overall design of your space.

As a designer, my goal is not only to give you a beautiful home you love; it’s to do that in the most cost-effective way possible. I can help you pick the right tile that won’t go out of style, ultimately saving you money in the short and long run. These are the costly mistakes you can certainly avoid if you hire an interior designer.

Hire an Interior Designer to Save Time

Another consideration for designing backsplashes and countertops is the time it will take to create them. Again, if you have the expertise, by all means, go for it! I credit my mom for gifting me with the creativity gene. She has always excelled at arts and crafts. We would mosaic together, and I became really skilled at it! If you’re anything like me, you may have a good grasp of the techniques needed to tackle this kind of project. It could be a great way to put your own creative spin on your backsplash.

However, if you don’t know how to handle a project of this magnitude, it could go really wrong, really quickly. You don’t have to be Liam Neeson, but you do need to have a special set of skills to do this well. Something that may take a professional a day or less to do might end up turning into a nightmare for someone who’s inexperienced. And, as I mentioned earlier, materials can be costly. But even if your materials are inexpensive, experimenting without the expertise could cost you a great deal of time. None of us have enough of that to waste. If you’re not sure you have the skills, it might be best to hire an interior designer.

Planning and Envisioning like a Designer

As you probably know by now, I’m building my dream beach home. Recently I discussed moving a staircase in my master bedroom from one side of the space to the other. When I make suggestions like that, people often give me perplexed looks. They can’t fathom or understand how that could be possible. But interior designers have a knack for seeing a home as a blank slate, down to its studs, and determining what would work best.

The same goes for backsplashes and countertop materials. The average person may get a tile or stone sample and use that one sample to decide what they want for the entire countertop design or backsplash slab. As a designer, I know that’s the worst way to pick a countertop! One sample may have slight veining. But my professional expertise knows you need to see the entire slab before making a decision. The larger section may have more of one color versus another. Or, it may have more veining than you prefer in your design. I’ve learned how to avoid this and other mistakes through years of designing and renovating homes. This is yet another reason why you may want to hire an interior designer.

Breegan Jane: Your Dedicated Interior Designer

Designers think differently than average homeowners when it comes to home projects. That’s because interior design can almost be like a secret code or language to decipher. Professional designers have the eye, expertise and experience to crack those “codes” and take the trial-and-error out of the interior design process. Seeing a DIY project on TikTok can be intriguing, and it may even persuade you to try it. But getting it right the first time with a pro can be more efficient financially and time-wise than getting it wrong and doing it over again. Should you want to hire an interior designer to help you perfect your countertop and backsplash needs, I’m here to help you save time, money and headaches, all while making your home look amazing!

Finding Life Balance

My life is beautiful. It is also chaotic, busy, complex and overall… FULL! I’m an interior designer and owner of my design firm, a TV host and personality with eight shows on the Warner Bros. Discovery (HGTV and Food Network) network, and philanthropist. That doesn’t even begin to cover being a mom to two energetic boys. So you see, life over here in Breegan world is a lot! But, I wouldn’t have it any other way! If you’re like me, you’ve probably questioned how you could possibly get everything done with only 24 hours each day. When I’m asked about finding life balance and how I do it, my advice is pretty unconventional. The technique I recommend might shock you, but it’s worth a shot if you’re feeling like you’re drowning in a sea of to-do lists. Let’s explore it together!

Time: In Short Supply and High Demand

I read a meme on Instagram that said “adult friendship is basically two people saying, ‘I haven’t seen you in forever! We should hang out more’ over and over until one of you dies.” I read that and laughed at the relatability of it all. If you’re a busy individual, you likely know how tough it is to squeeze in both large and small tasks. Often, our relationships with people outside of our households take a backseat to more pressing priorities. Life today requires so much of us. We have to juggle the responsibilities of bringing in income, raising children, taking care of our physical, mental and emotional health, and so much more. It can feel impossible.

In fact, in the beginning of my entrepreneurship journey I was told time and time again that I couldn’t do or have it all. People wondered how I would be a mother, a businesswoman, a blogger and on TV all at the same time. I can’t say that I had a perfect plan, but I knew I would figure out how to successfully navigate it, if I wanted it badly enough.

Is Life Balance Important?

We’ve all seen the seemingly perfect moms on Instagram and TikTok. Their houses are immaculate, clothing is flawlessly coordinated, and not a single hair on their heads is out of place. Even their kids seem to be impossibly well behaved. That, my friends, is because it’s all staged! Perfection simply does not exist. Don’t let the beautiful photos on social media fool you. Those highlight reels don’t show you the hours it took to clean the house and arrange the furniture. You’ll never see the effort that went into hair and makeup and ideal lighting to get the desired shot for “the gram.” The truth is, there isn’t always time to achieve every single thing you want to do in a day. Life happens, emergencies occur, appointments get canceled. The best laid plans often go awry. That’s where finding life balance comes into play. We have to figure out how to allocate time to the things that rank highly on our priority lists, and work towards them with flexibility.

The Truth About Balance

We can agree that life balance is important. But is it possible? I’ve had many ask how I handle all my life entails. A typical work week can include multiple construction site visits, meetings with staff and clients, sourcing materials, quality time with my sons, travel for speaking engagements and on-camera work. Would you believe me if I told you that’s not even half of what I do? Managing my responsibilities can leave life feeling like a whirlwind. I would be less than honest if I told you that I always remember every little thing on my tasks lists. I have multiple calendars, and sometimes it’s simply not possible to take every meeting or call.

I’m a single mom raising two boys who are in their formative years. They transcend everything else, and I dedicate a great deal of present and mindful time to only them. People tend to think being an entrepreneur means you make your own schedule and have more time. That couldn’t be further from the truth. What it actually means is you work harder than ever before because the weight of your success or failure lies in your effort, ethic and efficiency. That intensity lends itself to mom guilt if you’re not careful. I’m away from my family frequently because of career needs. I’m often choosing one essential over another equally as important element, because let’s face it, I’m one person. On several days, balance for Breegan Jane is more fiction than fact. Luckily for me, I’ve discovered something that works for my lifestyle. Maybe it will work for you as well.

A Maximalist Approach

A major part of finding life balance for me was accepting that I needed to redefine what balance would look like. I silenced the voices of naysayers and well-meaning saboteurs telling me I had to choose which parts of my life I could “have” and which I needed to forego. I believed in my own ability to do all the things I had been gifted with, and trusted my instincts. It was then that I could fully go live life on my own terms. So, thus began my maximalist approach to balance. I decided that whatever I did, I would do it to the nth degree. My balance didn’t necessarily involve balancing things at all. Instead, I ensure there is enough of me to go around for all the important things in my life by creating boundaries around each of them.

All or Nothing

When I need to accomplish a specific task for work, I go into total work mode. Sometimes I pull out all my computers, architectural plans, mood boards and notes and I work for hours. It isn’t unusual for me to stay up until 4 AM and get up a couple hours later and do it all again. I shut out the world to get the work completed. When I’m spending time with my boys I am the same way. The phones and computers get put away, and I’m all theirs. Do I miss things? Sure. I can’t be everywhere at once, so I have to say no to things in order to say yes to others. But one of my biggest tips when it comes to balancing life, is to get really good at delegation. Establish a team with strengths in the areas that benefit you, and trust them to help. Whether that’s a nanny, cleaning professional, a manager or even a landscaper, outsource! Accept that perfection is a myth, and no one is getting it right 100% of the time. Identify the parts of your life that deserve center stage. That’s where your focus should go.

Finding life balance really is important. But your idea of balance might very well differ from the next person’s, and that’s okay! What matters is that you find a way to show up for yourself and the people in your life who mean the most to you. We’re all doing life in our own ways. Much like interior design, I always suggest taking a tailored approach in order to get the most out of it. So tell me, how do you balance your life? Will you try any of my tips? Let me know in the comments!

Selecting the Right Bathroom Flooring

Are there any spaces we use more in our homes than our bathrooms? Maybe not! They’re highly frequented areas. For that and so many other reasons, they deserve special treatment, in my opinion. I have always believed my job as an interior designer was to layer both beauty and function in the spaces I touch. If your home is attractive but purposeless, it is no good to you. Bathrooms are awesome opportunities to see how great design can both make a stunning statement and enhance utility. If you’re looking to select the right bathroom flooring, this is for you! It’s easier than you think, and I’ll walk you through the important aspects to consider in this blog.

Don’t Negate the Function of the Flooring

When designing any room, the surfaces are always a priority. This is because they are often the elements that cover the most square footage. They’re also the parts of the room we interact with most, even if we’re not always conscious of it. Think about it, you walk on your floors, cook or eat on your countertops, and touch your walls every day. That’s a LOT of wear and tear. So selecting the right components is essential. In order to do that, you need to consider how the space will be used. When I’m designing a bathroom, the first thing I think about is how slippery the floor can be. Bathrooms are havens for moisture. The last thing you want to do is take a bath or shower, step out and go sliding across the room! This is where hiring a designer with expertise in this area comes in handy!

Grout and Grip

One of the best ways to give your bathroom flooring a bit of necessary grip is to take advantage of grout. Seems like a no-brainer, right? Grout fills the spaces between your tile and gives them a more polished look once all the pieces are set into place. But, it also provides a bit of traction, and that’s precisely what we’re after in a space that is often wet and slippery. You can also take advantage of patterns with tile in order to gain a little grip on your bathroom flooring. I laid subway tiles in a herringbone pattern to do this, and it gave the floor a little more personality.

Tile Patterns Add Personality

My signature design style is best described as “modern approachable luxury.” I spend a lot of time finding unique ways to infuse spaces with opulent touches, and that often includes stone and stonework. I sourced stone directly from Italy when I was designing UNICA. Getting up-close-and-personal with so many different types of stone was divine. I used it in many of the 21 bathrooms inside the Bel Air estate. So when I sit down for a 1-on-1 design consultation with a client, they often want to incorporate stone, whether natural or manufactured, in their bathrooms, and often, their bathroom flooring. I love using slabs of stone for bathroom walls, but bringing it onto the floor in slabs is asking for skating rink conditions! Instead, opt for tile with texture and interesting shapes. If you’re using marble or another stone on your walls and you MUST have an exact match of it as your bathroom flooring, have tiles cut from the slab instead of bringing it onto the floor intact.

There are so many different types of tiles and even more options for patterning. I love penny round tile, and I’ve used it in several projects. In fact, penny rounds and hexagon tiles are my favorites for shower floors! You can also use subway tiles in a chevron pattern for an impressive look that simultaneously grants you the advantage of that “grippy” grout! If you can dream it, you can achieve it with tile. I’ve even used tile in patterns to create designs and focal points in bathroom flooring. These are just a few ways you can style the bathrooms in your home!

Bathroom Flooring Color Choices

Color is always among the first considerations for surfaces in a home. Bathroom flooring is no different. I urge my clients to select tile and stone in neutral hues. Our bathrooms are great places to play with color. I especially love to have fun with bright and whimsical designs in powder rooms. That means I often install colorful wallpaper and paint in these spaces that make striking first impressions. Remember, surfaces occupy the most real estate. So playing with color is easier done with techniques like wallpapering and painting, because they’re simpler to swap out when you’re no longer enamored by your choice. Ripping out tile and stone? Not so much!

Go with neutrals for your bathroom flooring for maximum versatility. Whites, creams, grays and the like will always complement the other colors you decide to include in your bathroom. Many types of tile even feature a gradient of color, and that will only add to the visual interest!

You and your family visit your bathroom several times each day. Make sure it’s beautiful, functional and tailored to your needs. Keep these tips in mind when you select your bathroom flooring.

Hire an Interior Designer: Closet Design

All aspects of interior design interest me. So, when DIY home projects started taking over the internet by way of short form video content and capturing the interest of even people who previously weren’t design enthusiasts, I was all ears (and eyes!). I love that so many are fascinated with the role interior design plays in the way we live our lives.

The total metamorphosis that we see at the literal snap of a finger in these short video clips can be satisfying. But, they aren’t always the most realistic depictions of the work required to get the effect you desire. Some home projects, like closet design, necessitate a lot of planning, proficiency and precision. That’s the kind of task you hire an interior designer to do. I’ve helped so many clients bring their design goals to fruition, and I’d love to do it for you, too! Some things are truly better left to the pros, and I’ll show you why.

Interior Design Isn’t Instant

We’ve all seen it. The super quick and almost unimaginable TikTok videos and Instagram reels where an incredibly skilled person starts out with a tiny dog house and in a single day transforms it into the Louvre! Okay, okay. Maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. But, the point isn’t lost on you, I’m sure. Everyone, including interior designers, loves a good “before-and-after”. There’s just something magical about seeing a space become all it can be, especially when others had no idea it could. But when you’re dealing with a project like closet design, there are a ton of less glamorous factors you don’t always see in the produced and edited video clips. When you hire an interior designer, you not only save yourself the headache of figuring out things outside of your wheelhouse, you save yourself TIME! That’s worth it.

Hire an Interior Designer

Aside from the seemingly impossible timelines, one of the reasons so many are amazed at these home renovation/makeover videos is because these projects typically demand a great deal of expertise. I advise clients all the time to enlist the help of a professional when they’re looking to design their closets for this very reason. Often, people don’t consider the danger that cabinetry can possess if it isn’t mounted properly. Most closet systems need to be anchored into the wall to truly be secure. You run the risk of running into several dangerous scenarios if you aren’t skilled in this department. Think about it. Children love to climb on things. In our haste, we often snatch garments off the wall instead of gently removing them. Even the sheer weight of the clothes in our wardrobes can become a hazard.

Even as a designer, I choose to trust the experts who have the knowledge and experience with working with corners and positioning specific to wardrobe design. It ensures every detail is perfected. The logistics of closet design are equally as important as the aesthetic appeal. Working with an expert is the best way to guarantee you get the look and function you’re after.

Don’t Take Shortcuts With Your Closet Design

One of the biggest mistakes people make with closet design is attempting to shortcut their way through it. Closets are something we use daily. I always encourage my clients to invest in highly trafficked spaces. Because closet design can be expensive, it can be tempting to DIY, or to settle for a cheaper alternative. Resist the urge! The cost of repairing a botched renovation will eclipse the price you will pay an interior designer to do it correctly the first time. There are several available avenues if you’re looking to design or redesign your wardrobe. You can always go directly to an interior designer. You can even visit a major wholesaler! Many of those stores employ in-house planners. They assist customers with their desired designs. Select the option that best works for you! And, be specific with your expert regarding what you want and need out of your closet.

Seeing everyone enjoy interior design brings me joy. I’m continually impressed by the skills of all these amazing people! More and more we’re all realizing the power our homes have. I believe that’s one of the factors driving all the interior design projects. I’m tipping my hat to all the talented, creative people out there. But, unless you happen to have an abundance of skill in these areas, hire an interior designer. It will make your life easier, and who doesn’t want that, right? What’s your favorite type of home design video to watch? Leave them in the comments!

Stone: The Next and Forever Design Trend

“What’s the next big design trend?” It’s one of the most frequently asked questions for any interior designer. The answer will vary from year-to-year, and even often season-to-season. But there are a few interior design elements that will transcend trends and forever be in vogue. Stone is definitely one of them! So, because stonework and stone elements often find themselves on the tops of these “must-have” lists, I thought it would be helpful to give you a few ways to incorporate it in your design and spaces. Let’s dive in!

Using Stone in Interior Design

It’s no secret that I love using stone when I’m designing. It has a way of instantly adding a layer of sophistication to a space. I like to think of stone as effortless decoration. The various colors and veining mixed with the sheen or shine each material possesses makes it feel elegant. So it’s no wonder many look to utilize it when they’re designing a room. In fact, when I designed UNICA, a modern Spanish villa located in Bel Air, California, we used marble in several places. One of the most unique techniques we took advantage of is called bookmatching. As you can see in the photo above, bookmatching involves positioning two slabs of stone in such a way that they look almost as if they were pages of an open book. We matched the natural veining of the marble, and the result was nothing less than majestic!

When people are drawn to stone, I often believe it has something to do with its natural qualities. We’re seeing more indoor and outdoor living spaces linked by continuous design as so many of us are longing to spend more time outside. The great outdoors and all it has to offer— fresh air, greenery, bodies of water, can be quite soothing. When we bring natural elements into our spaces we often benefit from those same serene sensations. That calming effect helps to bridge the indoor-outdoor gap. These reasons and so many more make stone a no-brainer for those who love it like I do.

Ways to Incorporate Stone in Your Home

What’s the first thing you imagine when you hear the words “stone” or “marble”? For many it’s a huge bathroom in a luxury hotel or the floors in a mansion. It’s true, you may very well find stone in abundance in those kinds of places, but those aren’t the only ways to use this material in interior design. I love using it in kitchens! My own kitchen has stone countertops and a stone waterfall island that I adore. Stone is perfect for these surfaces because there are so many different options of colors and patterns to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a pristine white, or a rich black, the selections are there. There are also different variations in each color family. A white marble might have grey veining, and another might have blue veining. You can choose the one that works with the color palette in your space.

One of the less conventional pieces of advice I give to my clients is to consider using stone as your backsplash instead of traditional tiles. I know, sounds strange at first, until I show them examples of my work. Running a slab all the way up the back gives such a magnificent look to the area, and it also makes it easier to clean! Another great use for stone is in bathroom fixtures, both large and small. I custom created a tub from a single block of marble, and it gave the entire room a luxurious feeling. I wanted the owner to be able to soak in stone, and ease the cares of the day away. The above-counter marble sinks I created for that same space are pictured below.

Stone Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank

As an interior designer, I’ve been blessed to use stone in several projects. I’ve used it on a bar program in a restaurant, and I’ve even used it in flooring: limestone in an oversized opus pattern. Those projects were costly, indeed. I even traveled to Italy to source and interact with the materials. But, if you are looking to use it in your home without spending a fortune, I’ve got the suggestions you need! Consider lighting fixtures that feature stone. I’ve seen beautiful sconces with marble detailing. One of my favorites picks years ago from High Point Market was a gorgeous chandelier with slate pieces crowning the top.

Easy Ways to Incorporate Stone in Small Formats

If you want to give your space an easy refresh without the crazy price tag, I often tell clients to switch out door pulls and handles. There are beautiful knobs made of stone that give a space just the perfect amount of dazzle. The options really are endless. Whether it’s a lamp base, a table with stone inlay, or even marble coasters that you elegantly display on your coffee table, adding stone to your space instantly elevates the design. Don’t be afraid to play around with different types of items in your space.

Should You Use Natural or Manufactured Stone?

One of the biggest considerations is whether you should go for marble or manmade stone. The answer lies in your lifestyle and where you intend to use it. Years ago, manufactured stone was an instant “no” for me. It looked unrealistic, and nobody wanted that as an effect when creating an otherwise beautiful space. Nowadays, the technology is so good that you would have a hard time differentiating between the two! Natural marble has an undeniable beauty and a connection with the earth that is one-of-a-kind. There is something magical about knowing this material was formed in the earth, and if you’re a lover of crystals like I am, you might even believe in the healing and grounding qualities it can hold. If those things are important to you, then natural might be the way to go.

If you’re going to be using stone in places where spills are likely, like a kitchen, you might want to consider manufactured stone. This is because it’s easier to clean, and won’t stain or etch as easily as natural stone. Natural marble has to be sealed periodically to maintain a protective layer. I’ve found that parents with young children tend to think about those things before making a final decision. I always say your home should work for you. Your spaces should be more than just beautiful, they should make your life easier. In my opinion, that is the ultimate deciding factor between natural or manufactured.

Trends in design will always be a thing. What’s “hot” this season will quickly be replaced by something new next season. Stone will stand the test of time. Think of the streets of Italy. They’ll always be iconic and classic, because they’re made of a material that never goes out of style. If you’re looking to add a dash of refinement to your home, stone is an amazing way to do it!