Step into the Fall season with us to get a sneak peak into some of our favorite meals, drinks, diffused scents, tablescape items, art and much more.

Imagine walking into a home where every detail feels like it was made just for you. No cookie-cutter trends, just a space that reflects your soul. This is the power of authentic design. Instead of chasing the latest fads, let's explore how to create interiors that are truly meaningful and unforgettable...

It starts with observation. 

In an industry similar to fashion, where trends can fly by weekly, products are pushed, and instant gratification is still leading people to rush their projects; we simply want to say…. Take a breath. Design is personal, whether it is designing your first brand or your home, take your time and don’t be afraid to design slowly. Slow as in, pay attention. Take the time to sit, observe what is going on around you, pay attention to how you & others interact in a space. What are they telling you, what is the space telling you?  

[Shannon Speaking] My observation and awareness of space and how people co-exist within them was apparent early in childhood.  My mom used to tell me how I was a shy little girl but still loved to be around the familiar faces I saw daily in Grandma’s cafe. Often they’d find me in Grandma’s apartment above the cafe, reading all the archives of Architectural Digest, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Life and Time magazines.

Some of the fondest memories included watching Grandma swiftly yet elegantly travel back and forth from the kitchen to serve customers at cafe tables with meticulously ironed tablecloths. But don’t let her fool you, she was a fine mix of kindness and spice. I would say being shy had it’s advantages. It often left an opportunity for quiet observation as the fine folks of Hazelton, ND sat quietly at the small dining tables, visiting, as they ate the delicious meals grandma prepared.

Little did I know that in the midst of all her daily routines, she was not only working to survive and provide for her family, she was filling her day with creative solutions. She loved beautiful things so if she could not afford them, she would make them; cafe decorations, work dresses, matching outfits for her granddaughters, you name it. Creativity also lived in the kitchen when she crafted nourishing yet delicious meals for her customers. She provided a safe place to dwell and belong, and fed those not able to take care of themselves.  She worked with heart, soul and love and with a great deal of grit and grace.  

How to practice observation. 

Bringing it back to ROSI, how does that impact the way we work and approach design? Prior to beginning our projects, and before moving forward with the design process, we pause and take a minute. Observe the space being designed and its surroundings. We urge you to find the moments that inspire you; where the light touches the room, where the shadows from the trees outside dance on your walls, where the morning light is just bright enough to help you wake with the day, or maybe noticing where people naturally gather. These moments can become some of the most magical focal points of your project. Use these moments to start defining the boundaries of your project. A symbiotic relationship between space, function, and story. 

By slowing down and allowing observation to set the premise of our projects we can feel confident by then moving our observation and intention into getting to know our client. What are their routines? What are their favorite hobby’s outside of work? How do they reset after a long day, or how do they wake up in the morning and start their work day? All these questions take time, thoughtfulness, and empathy. When you allow yourself to go there, whether it's with yourself in your own home, or with a client on a project, you will slowly start curating a home that radiates intentionality.

Interior Design; 

A profession with many interpretations. It is a profession that helps people express who they are and what they are about. It is also a profession that encourages social engagement, restoration, and sense of self. To us, the profession is a privilege. Studying Interior Design in school, we were always talking about the psychology of humanity and how design can literally transform an environment into anything and can create any type of mood. What an honor! What pressure! It’s beautiful, and uncovering all these questions with our clients is why we love to do what we do. 

Then there is the mis-interpretation of interior design - which can be daunting. But not to us!  It is an opportunity to educate the general public and our potential clients about the profession of design.  Firstly, it’s not just “fluff”.  Sure the details and “the fluff” do matter but it’s not the backbone of design.  At the forefront of design, is the “health, safety and welfare” of the client. The interpretation is who is our client and what is the design problem that needs to be solved. It is also important to understand what design aesthetic, materiality, and function is significant and makes sense to the clients lifestyle.  

So why a blog? There are a lot out there. 

It’s simple. We are hoping that The Blueprint can become a space for learning, connection, storytelling, and letting you into our creative process and how we view design, at ROSI Design Studio. Some, we will write together, and others we will write separately. We view it as a strength to be partnering together with different perspectives, studies, and lived experiences. We hope that our experience with design can collide with our personal interests including travel, cooking, healthful living, hospitality, psychology, and literature. So come join us and read along, we hope to offer you a new perspective of the importance and value of interior design.