Designing Through Uncertainty: Finding Beauty in the Everyday
This year has been a strange one. “Normal” seems to be slipping further away, and I often find myself wondering if we’re in 2025 or back in 2020—still navigating supply chain hiccups, rising costs, and vendor delays. Since the pandemic, our team has been on a mission to make our clients’ investments go further. We’ve pivoted toward locally made cabinetry and prioritized sourcing from U.S.-based vendors. It’s been a challenge, but also a gift.
We’re deeply grateful for the incredible projects, clients, and builders who support our commitment to craftsmanship and creativity. At the heart of Kristin Try Interiors is a desire to collaborate with people who value artistry, quality, and the beauty of unique selections. That shared vision is what keeps us going.
We’ve spent countless hours finding just the right local businesses and vendors who align with our philosophy. And I want to take a moment to recognize the effort it takes to stay positive, creative, and joyful when the world demands so much from us. These days, we’re spending more time at our desks coordinating vendors, product delays and other challenges , which isn’t always our favorite part of the job. So we’ve made it a point to infuse our workdays with little rituals that spark joy.
Each morning, I light my favorite studio candle—Flamingo Estate’s Night Blooming Jasmine and Damask Rose (available locally at Manse in Georgetown), right after brewing a cortado with beans from my beloved Madcap Coffee in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Taking those few extra moments to make something special, rather than rushing through a to-do list with a lukewarm cup of coffee, sets the tone for a more mindful, inspired day.
Personally, I’ve leaned into books that help me stay grounded and uplifted. The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter, The Happiness Files by Arthur Brooks and Spatial Alchemy by Olga Naiman —a brilliant blend of design, self-improvement, and philosophy—have been my companions. That last one came highly recommended by Marissa Mirra, one of my favorite makeup artists and humans (who I miss dearly since she moved away!).
To keep my creativity flowing, I’ve also been tackling house projects—some big, some small—that have lingered on my to-do list for far too long. I’ve been putting my phone away for hours at a time, and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s amazing what a little analog time can do for your spirit.
Design books have also been a source of inspiration lately. I’m currently loving Alfredo Paredes: At Home, Nicola Harding: Homing Instinct, and Rebecca Atwood’s The Harmonious Home. These pages remind me that design is not just about aesthetics—it’s about how we live, how we feel, and how we connect- all so important and top of our mind as we design for our clients.
Recently, we helped a client hang her art collection on a gallery wall. It had been sitting on the floor for months, waiting for the “perfect” moment. But sometimes, you just have to do the thing now. Seeing her joy as she walked past those pieces—each one holding a memory—was a reminder that our homes are meant to be lived in, not perfected.
That moment inspired me to finally launch something I’ve been dreaming about for years: a design book group and dinner party club. I want to gather people who love beauty, creativity, and connection—who find joy in good food, good conversation, and inspiring spaces. If that sounds like you, let me know. I’d love to share more details. Email me at Kristin@KristinTryInteriors.com – hoping to launch our first one in November.
This October, I invite you to find your own small joys. Light the candle. Make the espresso. Rearrange the art. Call a friend. Let your home be a source of inspiration, not just a place to land. Because even in uncertain times, beauty and joy are always within reach.
– Kristin
