- March 7, 2026
- Terri Fiori
This article is the third in a series of four.
The butterfly effect is the idea that small actions can create lasting change. It’s something I see in homes every day, where quiet design decisions ends up influencing how a space is used, felt, and lived in.
Sometimes the smallest design change is simply subtracting, for example, removing a chair that interrupts the flow, editing surfaces that have become visual noise, and letting go of objects that are out of scale or no longer meaningful.
When you clear away what doesn’t belong, you allow fewer pieces to stand on their own.
This is where a home becomes calmer and more livable, not just prettier.
From a design psychology perspective, visual clutter creates cognitive load. When the eye doesn’t know where to rest, the mind doesn’t either. An edited space gives the nervous system fewer signals to process, so both the room and the mind immediately feel more at ease.
In this before-and-after photo, we updated the cabinet display area by specifying pieces within a more unified color palette, reducing visual load on the eye. We adjusted scale, simplified the mix, and balanced the composition so each object could be appreciated.
The arrangement didn’t lose personality…it gained clarity.
In my next newsletter I’ll discuss how furniture placement, often where I start when designing a space, can change the way a room is used, and how it makes people feel the moment they enter your home.
But not before I share my “bespoke find”!
I discovered the company Alicia D’Core at Shoppe Object in New York, a trade show where craftsmen from across the United States and around the world gather each year to showcase handcrafted work.
Based in Mexico, Alicia D’Core collaborates with more than 80 artisan families to create pieces that blend contemporary design with traditional Mexican folk art. Each box is hand-carved. The gourds are finished with vibrant hues and detailed with gold, a thoughtful balance of craftsmanship and modern form.
Want to learn more? It all starts with a conversation. Reach out and let’s explore how we can design your own one-of-a-kind space.
Design is personal, and the right choices make all the difference.
