Designing with Heart and Purpose: My Design Philosophy
I remember the first time I felt the true power of design. Years ago, my living room felt off. Instead of a complete overhaul, I simply rearranged my living room by shifting the furnishings along with a basic upgrade of painting the walls a soothing color. Suddenly, the space felt different: brighter, calmer, like a breath of fresh air. That’s when I realized good design isn’t just about looks; it’s about how your home makes you feel.
As an interior designer with a science background, I’ve built my philosophy around one idea: a beautiful home should improve your well-being.
Designing for Wellness and Joy
My approach to interiors is design as self-care. We spend nearly 87% of our time indoors [1], so our surroundings have a profound impact on our health and our happiness. That’s why, with my clients, I emphasize natural light and clutter-free spaces since scientific studies have show these elements reduce stress and boost mood [2].
This belief led me to develop our Curated Home Edits focused on decluttering and organizing, along with blending style with wellness expertise. By editing out the excess and curating meaningful pieces, I ensure spaces feel as good as they look.
Sustainability and Vintage Contrast
Another core tenet of my philosophy is choosing design elements that respect both you and the planet. Sustainability isn’t a luxury add-on; it’s woven into everything. I love incorporating client's heirloom pieces or new low-VOC materials, energy-efficient lighting into my designs, all of which shrink your environmental footprint and can enhance well-being and productivity [2]. I also offer clients eco-conscious options for furnishings, paints, and decor when they're looking to go in a greener direction.
Vintage pieces plays a huge role in how I bring that story to life. Not only does vintage reduce demand for new manufacturing, it tells a tale through timeworn patina and unexpected contrast. A sleek contemporary kitchen suddenly pops when paired with a scuffed wood stools or hand-thrown pottery. These pieces add warmth and character and promotes a lived-in feeling that no catalog item can match. Vintage pieces ground us, connect us to the past, and reinforce sustainability without sacrificing beauty
Bringing It All Together
At its heart, my design philosophy is about authenticity by infusing your home with comfort, beauty, and wellness that meets your unique style and support how you live. The goal is a home that feels like you at your best, with the goal of your home inviting you to sink in with a contented sigh, that’s mindful design working its magic.
Curious to experience this approach? This is an open invitation. Whether through a home edit or other services, I’d love to help you transform your space into a sanctuary of style and well-being.
Are you a Salt Lake City or Park City (or surrounding area local), and want a home to support wellbeing without the shopping list? Our Curated Home Edit can help your home support you in as little as one day!
Want a moody space that supports your wellbeing without cave vibes? Click here to get the conversation started.
(Authored By Craig Gritzen, Founder & Principal Designer of Curated Style Collective Interior Design Studio. We blend project management precision, scientific insight, and a belief that design can transform the way we live.)
References:
[1] Klepeis, N. E., et al. (2001). The National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS). Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 11(3), 231–252.
[2] Negarestan, A. (2025). Natural Light in Interior Architecture: Enhancing Mental Health. Management Strategies and Engineering Sciences, 7(3), 66–76.
