As an interior designer in Phoenix, AZ, one problem we see all the time…. Homes that are finished. Polished. Technically beautiful… But they don’t quite feel right.
There’s no ease when you walk in. No emotional pull. No sense that the space truly reflects the people living there. And it’s not because homeowners lack taste — it’s because design too often starts with visuals instead of values.
At Smyth House, we believe your home should feel like a reflection of your life. How you live. How you gather. How you rest. When design doesn’t start there, it will always feel slightly off, no matter how refined the result looks.
This is the story of how we helped one Arcadia family finally feel at home in their own space. A renovation rooted in self-expression, thoughtful risk, and everyday livability. We call it Funk + Flow — a home that refused to be ordinary.
Why So Many Homes Miss the Mark
Most people don’t struggle with knowing what they like. They struggle with making all of it work together.
You may have inspiration saved everywhere — Pinterest boards, Instagram and TikTok Reels, screenshots of rooms, lighting moments, and homes you’re drawn to. You know the mood you love. The colors. The textures. The feeling.
But when it’s time to bring that inspiration into your own home, it can quickly feel overwhelming. Pieces don’t connect. Rooms feel unfinished or overly styled. The space looks nice, but it doesn’t feel effortless or intuitive.
That’s where many design processes stop short — and where ours begins.
Our Approach: A Brief That Starts With You
At Smyth House, everything begins with a deeply defined design brief. Before finishes are selected or furniture is sourced, we guide our clients through a process we call Style Muse — designed to uncover what you truly want and need from your space.
We don’t start with finishes. We start with questions.
- How do you want your home to feel when you walk in?
- How do you entertain? How do you recharge?
- What do you need more of in your daily life?
- So on…
The brief we create isn’t a template. It’s personal — built around your lifestyle, rhythms, and priorities. This clarity becomes the foundation for every design decision that follows.
The Brief for This Home: No More Boring
For this Arcadia renovation, the direction was clear. The clients wanted a space that felt creative, relaxed, and expressive. A home that could host friends with ease and offer daily exhale moments. They were drawn to bohemian-modern energy layered with boutique-hotel polish.
They were equally clear about what they didn’t want:
- No white-on-white
- No builder-basic solutions
- No playing it safe
They wanted a home that felt layered, lived-in, and deeply personal — not staged. That clarity became the anchor for the entire project. We call this balance Funk + Flow.
Follow along on Instagram to see some of the before/after photos.
Funk + Flow: Where Personality Meets Ease
Great homes aren’t just beautiful — they’re intuitive.
Funk brings personality:
- Bold color moments
- Sculptural furniture
- Collected art and vintage finds
- Unexpected material pairings
Flow ensures ease:
- Natural, thoughtful layouts
- Seamless entertaining zones
- Durable finishes chosen for real life
- Storage designed around how you actually live
Together, they create a home that energizes and calms — expressive without being overwhelming, elevated without feeling precious.
Details That Feel Personal (Because They Are)
What makes a home unforgettable isn’t one statement moment. It’s the layering of thoughtful decisions.
In this space, that meant:
- Rooms filled with artwork that represented our clients love for music, creativity, the desert, and so much more
- Confident, color-drenched rooms that create a cozy moodiness
- Unique wall-coverings that added color and texture
- Statement lighting that doubles as art
- Vintage pieces that add soul and history
- Custom millwork
- Bespoke tile
Nothing was chosen to impress the internet. Everything was chosen to support the people who live here.
If intentional details matter to you, explore: How We Choose Fixtures That Wow
What Changed
The success of this project isn’t measured in photographs. It’s measured in how the home feels now:
- Welcoming instead of staged
- Expressive instead of generic
- Calm without being quiet
- Designed, yet deeply livable
Every room holds intention. Every space reflects the people inside it. That’s the difference a clear brief and a client-first process makes.
Want to see more of Funk + Flow, take a look at our portfolio.
Read our feature in Phoenix Home and Garden: A Grateful Dead-Inspired Music Lounge Breathes Life Into This Arcadia Home.
Looking for an Interior Designer in Phoenix, AZ?
Design without personality is just polish. Design that starts with you becomes something you feel every day.
Want a home that feels like you? Let’s create something unforgettable.
PALO SANTO x SMYTH HOUSE COLLABORATION
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February 26, 2026
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