This month, Bungalow Interior Design turns five. It’s a milestone that feels both surreal and deeply rewarding. Five years ago, we had a vision to create a design firm that would help people live better in their homes: not just prettier, but more functional, more intentional, and more personal.

Looking back now, we’ve had the privilege of transforming kitchens, main floors, and entire homes. We’ve walked alongside families as they navigated major renovations, and we’ve helped others reimagine beloved homes so they could keep living in them for decades to come. We’ve navigated timelines, budgets, and even a global pandemic together. Through it all, we’ve noticed patterns and gathered observations that continue to shape not only how we design, but also how we serve our clients and run our business.

As we celebrate this milestone, we want to share five of the biggest observations we’ve made in our first five years.

Every Home Tells a Story

Design is never just about finishes or floor plans. It’s about people. Every client brings a story with them: who they are, how they live, what they value most. A young family might dream of a kitchen where homework and cooking can happen side by side. A couple downsizing from their longtime family home may want to prioritize comfort and ease of living.

The details of each story are unique, and that is what makes this work so meaningful. Our role is to listen carefully, discover what matters most, and design a home that reflects those values. At its best, design is storytelling in three dimensions.

Good Design Takes Time

Good design is never rushed. A whole-home renovation or new build can take a year or more of planning before construction even begins, and that is exactly as it should be.

When there is time to consider the flow of a home, the durability of materials, and the way a family will use a space daily, the results are stronger. Rushed choices may feel like progress in the moment, but they often lead to compromises.

The truth is, design is a long game. The best spaces are the ones that still feel right ten, twenty, or thirty years from now.

Communication Makes the Journey Enjoyable

The process matters just as much as the outcome. A renovation or new build can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to.

Clear, proactive communication is key. Clients feel confident when they understand what is happening now, what is coming next, and what decisions need to be made when. Trades and partners thrive when expectations are aligned. Even complex projects run more smoothly when everyone is on the same page.

We have built systems, such as our client portal, specifically to support this communication. Because when the process is smooth and transparent, the journey is enjoyable, not stressful.

Collaboration Fuels Creativity

Interior design is not a solo effort. The magic happens when people come together: clients who share their vision, trades who bring craftsmanship and expertise, and our design team who dream up possibilities and solve problems.

Some of our proudest moments have come from true collaboration. A tradesperson suggesting a clever installation detail that elevates the design. A client sharing an idea that sparks a creative solution. A team brainstorm that leads to a design feature we would not have imagined alone.

When collaboration is strong, the result is always better than what any of us could have created on our own.

Homes Should Support Real Life

Perhaps the most consistent observation we have made is that a home is only successful if it makes life better for the people living in it.

Yes, we care about creating spaces that are beautiful and timeless. But we care even more about how those spaces work. A kitchen should make cooking and gathering easier. A mudroom should reduce clutter and chaos. A living room should encourage connection and rest.

When we design with real life in mind, our clients get more than a home they love to look at. They get a home they love to live in.

These observations continue to shape how we approach design, and they will guide us into the next chapter. We feel immense gratitude for the clients who have trusted us, the trades and partners who have collaborated with us, and the Bungalow team who bring their creativity and care to every project.

Five years in, we are proud of what we have built, but even more excited for what is ahead. Here’s to the next five years of telling stories through design, creating homes that support real life, and making the process as joyful as the outcome.

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