How designing million-dollar homes changed my view of comfort
The Big Question
Have you ever walked into a house that looked perfect but somehow didn’t feel good? That’s the puzzle I face as a designer every day. People think if you spend enough money, comfort comes automatically. But the truth is: comfort isn’t for sale. It has to be created.
What Comfort Really Means
When I first started designing high-end homes, I thought luxury meant marble floors, rare art or custom chandeliers. But then I watched how people actually lived in these spaces. They didn’t relax. They sat carefully on the sofas, avoided certain rooms or told me “I love it, but I don’t feel at home.”
That’s when it clicked: luxury and comfort are not the same thing. Comfort is when the home carries you, not the other way around. It’s when you can kick off your shoes without worrying, when you know the light in the dining room feels warm even on a rainy day, when your favorite chair feels like it’s been waiting for you.
A Client Story: From Impressive to Intimate
One client came to me with a townhouse that had all the right pieces: designer furniture, sleek finishes and a layout straight out of a magazine. But it was missing soul.
Instead of adding more expensive pieces, I asked her about her rituals. Where did she have coffee in the morning? What color made her feel calm? Did she like silence or background music when she worked?
We reimagined the living room by adding velvet chairs in her favorite shade of green, a bookshelf with art objects from her travels and lighting that dimmed into a soft glow at night. Suddenly, the house wasn’t just “stunning.” It felt like her. And when she said, “Now I can finally breathe here,” I knew we had done it right.
The Big Lesson
Designing million-dollar homes taught me that my job isn’t to make things look expensive. My job is to make them feel alive. A home should be both a statement and a sanctuary. It should reflect the person living there, not just the budget behind it.
Why This Matters to You
You don’t need to own a penthouse to understand this lesson. Comfort is something every home deserves. It’s not about how much you spend: it’s about how well the space fits who you are.
Ready to Feel at Home?
If your house feels more like a showroom than a place to live, it’s time to change that. I design spaces that bring together luxury and comfort, style and soul. Book your consultation today, and let’s create a home that doesn’t just look beautiful: it feels like it’s truly yours.
Written by Carole Vaudable, interior designer.
Living Room proposal designed by Carole Vaudable Interior Design.