“The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.” – Buddha

Recently, I had the pleasure of presenting to a group of realtors at Compass Realty in Berkeley. Thank you all for the warm welcome! A special thanks to Megan Micco and Andrea Gordon, great supporters of LMB Interiors and agents who call this location their home office. Situated a short walk to 4th Street, in a building flooded with natural light, and with the incredible energy of Sales Manager Tracy McBride, it’s easy to see why they love it there. Tracy’s vibrant introduction made me feel like I was speaking with old friends.

Laura, during and after a recent presentation at Compass East Bay. Photo by Eyecatcher.

These days, I rarely present to realtors. Agents often ask if I stage (I don’t), what’s trending (I design for individuals, not trends), or what quick fixes can be done to prepare a home for sale. These questions don’t align with my design ethos, which focuses on creating soulful, authentic homes that honor the homeowners, the house, and the planet. What’s trending for me is timeless, intentional design—something I’m always excited to talk about.

When asked what can be done to improve homes that families have lived in for decades, my answer is often, “Not much!” Beyond basic maintenance, decluttering, deep cleaning, and painting, I love working with new homeowners to remodel their homes in ways that are personal and enduring. This approach ensures a cohesive, curated design, and avoids the waste of tearing out quick-fix renovations done solely to boost a home’s sale price.

Before and after photos of a craftsman kitchen in Piedmont, in which we updated its1980s design with modern elements for the young family of inhabitants to enjoy plenty of light and space. After photo by Tim Coy.

As an interior designer involved in remodels and interior decoration, I see a recurring pattern: sellers invest the bare minimum in renovations, only for buyers to tear them out and start fresh. This cycle is not only costly for homeowners—it’s detrimental to the planet. As industry professionals, it’s our responsibility to guide clients toward long-term, thoughtful investments that honor both their home and the environment.

Quick fixes often rely on machine-made, mass-produced materials shipped from abroad, with little regard for sustainability or quality. These materials may look fine in the short term, but they don’t wear well or last—and they eventually end up in a landfill. Sellers are often hesitant to invest in high-quality materials since they won’t be the ones enjoying them. Why not leave the decision to the new homeowners, allowing them to invest in something that feels soulful and long-lasting?

The installation of fresh cabinetry and new appliances brought this outdated Oakland kitchen into the current century, with a touch of custom eclecticism to reflect our well-traveled clients. After photos by Mo Saito.

Much like fast fashion and fast food, fast design has become normalized, thanks to TV shows that emphasize quick turnarounds and cheap materials. But quality cannot be rushed. Poor-quality materials from big-box stores might offer instant gratification, but they come at a high cost to our health and the environment. No amount of air freshener or cinnamon simmering on the stove can mask the feel of machine-made tile or cheap vanities shipped across the ocean.

Our team removed outdated walls and heavy elements from this Berkeley crafstman kitchen in favor of a more elevated, open-concept space for cooking and gathering. After photos by Mo Saito.

Thankfully, I see more realtors like Megan encouraging sellers to skip the quick-fix remodels, and renovate while you have time to enjoy it for yourself and not right before selling it. Here in the Bay Area, we’re fortunate to have several pioneers in this slowing down movement. Activists who encourage us to pause, to curate, to savor, to procure. This way of being encourages a long-lasting, wholesome life and makes us feel more human. Those like Chef Alice Waters of Chez Panisse emphasize thoughtful procurement of locally sourced ingredients and conscious consumption, and influence more than just the culinary world… I’m feeling it within the interior design industry, not only at my firm but amongst many of my Bay Area colleagues. When a new buyer hires a team of experts to thoughtfully renovate an old home, they create a timeless design that reflects their aesthetic and values. This stewardship honors both the home and our planet.

One Bay Area designer in particular, Lisa Staprans, is a leader in the space of slow design and homes with soul, incorporating nature and integrating handmade work by local artisans. You can read more about it in her recent book. I love these words from Lisa during her INKtalks lecture, The Soul of Design.

“Soulful design is a product of the client, the people, the materials, and the practices used to create it… When we consume in a way that promotes the well-being of the people who make the things that surround us, those stories and the intention they bring with them come back to us not only in the beauty we see and experience in our environments, but in the ripple effect.” – Lisa Staprans

We incorporated local craftsmanship in the dining room most prominently with this dining table from Oakland woodworker Jacob May. After photo by Mo Saito.

As shown in the before-and-after photos here, you’ll see how sellers left outdated spaces untouched, allowing new homeowners to create timeless, personalized designs that respect the home’s original architecture. This slower, more intentional approach to renovation is gaining traction, and it’s a trend I’m excited to see more of.

Artisans and makers are also contributing to this movement, bringing authenticity and craftsmanship back to design. It’s better for Mother Earth, and by extension, better for us. We are not separate from our planet—our choices impact both our well-being and the world around us.

The custom cabinetry and room divider by Sonoma-based Wilson & Sons and renovation work by East Bay contractors Stone Home Building gave this Berkeley craftsman new life, creating a vibrant backdrop for the family who call the space home. After photos by Mo Saito.

At the heart of this philosophy is a thought I often ponder: “Are we designing to chase dollars and approval, or to create spaces that nurture us and our loved ones?” When we slow down, think deeply, and move with intention, the answers become clear. We create not for the sake of trends, but for the sake of soulfulness.

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Written by Laura Martin Bovard.