Designing a Beautiful Life: How Sensory Intent Shapes Everything I Use

jenn5997
Oct 15
3 min read

As an interior designer, my work doesn’t stop at the walls, furniture, or floor plans. It lives in every texture I touch, every scent I inhale, every object I choose to bring into my space, and into my life. Because to design well, I need to live well. And for me, that means surrounding myself with beauty that works not just visually, but sensorially. This philosophy extends far beyond interiors. It’s in the skincare I apply in the morning. The dish soap I use in the kitchen. Even the olive oil I use for dinner.

Design is in everything. And as a designer, I can’t turn that awareness off. Nor would I want to.

The Weight of Objects: A Conversation with the Hands

One of the first things I notice about any product is how it feels in my hand. Whether it's a mascara wand or a bottle of cleaner, its weight speaks volumes. Is it substantial or hollow? Cold metal or warm ceramic? Heavy with purpose or trying too hard?

A well-weighted object feels grounded; it invites use and earns a place in your routine.

For example, my Sahajan Radiance Face Serum is housed in a thick amber glass bottle with a dropper that clicks softly into place—it feels apothecary, intentional, like it was made with care. And please don’t get me started on the scent of Sahajan’s products. They turn my bathroom into a spa every morning and night. My Guests on Earth All Purpose Cleaner’s aluminum vessel feels elevated, not because it needs to be fancy, but because it makes the act of spraying the kitchen down just a little more meditative. These are small, daily interactions, but they shape how I move through the world. And that, in turn, influences how I design.

When your tools are beautiful, you engage with your life differently.

Scent: The Invisible Layer of Design

As much as I love a well-styled shelf, scent is the design layer no one sees, but everyone feels.

In my home, scent is curated as carefully as furniture. A soft citrus cleaner and rosemary room spray makes my bedroom feel like a retreat. My hand soap smells of tangerine and peppermint, a quiet reminder of time spent in boutique hotels and coastal villas. Even my dish detergent has a fragrance I chose deliberately—something fresh, herbal, and not overly synthetic.

Fragrance lingers. It’s not for show. It’s to ground me. Scent pulls me out of distraction and into presence. Whether I’m choosing a floor finish or tasting evoo at lunch, my senses guide my design intuition. They sharpen my ability to notice the small things, like the way light changes at 4 p.m., or how a chair’s fabric feels after hours of sitting.

Designers notice everything. For better or worse, that’s our gift :)

Material Culture: What Products Say About Us

Every product I use is a reflection of my values as a designer. I gravitate toward natural materials, simple packaging, and thoughtful formulations. Not just because they’re “on brand,” but because they reflect care.

My pantry, for example, is filled with products that are as thoughtfully designed as any room in my home. Olive oil in a glass bottle with a sculptural spout. Nuts and seeds stored intentionally in glass jars.

Why This Matters

Living as a designer means never separating design from life: it’s all one. The texture of a linen napkin affects how I host a dinner party. The brushstroke on a ceramic mug changes how I experience my morning coffee. And yes, the aesthetic of my dish soap bottle might seem trivial to some, but to me, it’s a daily reminder that beauty is everywhere, if we choose it.

Design doesn’t start when I open my laptop. It starts when I open my eyes in the morning. And from these small, designed moments, I gather clarity, calm, and inspiration.