A 2,500 square foot, multi-level home in Brentwood, handed over by the builder as a clean, neutral shell. A whole-home project with a budget of about $200,000: I took on every room from the first sketch to the last pillow, including layouts, CAD drawings, and the sourcing, purchasing and installation of every piece of furniture, lighting and decor.

The home was builder grade and completely generic. White walls, standard finishes and nothing that said anything about the people who would live there. It could have been anyone's home.

Give every room its own character. Deep color does the heavy lifting: a plum living room under gold framed art, a moss green entry with an antique mirror, a rose painted stair hall glowing under a woven pendant. Soft curved seating, marble, travertine and plush rugs balance the bold walls, and a botanical mural turns the dining room into the moment everyone gathers around.

A home people talk about long after they leave. Every room, from the entry to the stair hall, feels collected over time instead of bought in a day, and a once generic shell now has a personality entirely its own.