"Designing with Intention: How Mood Boards & Vision Planning Transformed Our Cozy Kitchen"
- Santima Jasper
- Feb 16, 2025
- 4 min read
Before I picked up a single tool or made any purchases, I took a step back to really envision what I wanted my space to feel like. I didn’t want to just throw together elements that looked nice—I wanted a home that truly reflected who we are and what we love. That’s when I turned to mood boards and vision planning. I gathered inspiration from everywhere—Pinterest, home design magazines, and even past Airbnb stays that left a lasting impression. I created a visual roadmap that helped me stay focused and intentional with every decision. This process gave me the confidence to move forward, knowing that each element had meaning and purpose in our space. We decided to go with a cozy modern minimalistic design because it captured our sense of design and personal interest. If you're in your beginner stage of designing your kitchen this blog could help you capture your sense of design and personal interest to have a kitchen design you'll be proud of. But first let me share with you how we found the time to start a project that was long overdue!
Turning Our Clients Garage Into a Dog Training Facility & Our Personal DIY Journey
I recently completed my last client remodel, transforming their garage into a fully functional dog training facility. The project was a huge success, and both the client and her husband absolutely loved it! Before and after photos showcased the incredible transformation, and in a future blog, I’ll dive deeper into the details of that journey.
As fulfilling as this project was, it also marked a turning point for us. This was on of the last client projects we worked on for a while. After over a decade of non-stop home improvement projects, we decided to take a small break. We realized we had spent thousands on Airbnb stays as our getaway, moving from one beautifully designed home to another. That experience inspired me to finally turn my own home into an Airbnb-cozy style sanctuary. It was time to stop putting off our personal projects and create the cozy, inviting space we always dreamed of.
Finding the Time & Our New DIY Journey
For years, we thought we never had the time to work on our own home, as client projects and other commitments always took priority. But once we committed to making it a priority, we found the time. And not only did we finally start our projects, but we also decided to document the entire process to help others do the same! Since my husband and I love working on these projects together, we knew sharing this journey could inspire many other couples to tackle their own DIY home makeovers.
Our First Major Project: The Kitchen & Living Room
We kicked off our home transformation with the kitchen. Since our living room flows seamlessly into the kitchen in an open-concept layout, we tackled them both simultaneously. Every step of the way, we saw the rewards of our efforts unfold, and the excitement grew day by day.
Budget was a huge consideration for us. We focused on strategic cost-saving measures, such as repurposing existing materials, shopping for deals at discount home improvement stores, and tackling DIY tasks ourselves instead of hiring professionals. We wanted to prove that you can create a cozy, stylish space without breaking the bank. Our kitchen started out standard and uninspiring—the orange-toned cabinets, laminate countertops, outdated white refrigerator, and basic nickel sinks made it feel far from the inviting space I wanted. Even the floors were just basic square tiles with dark grout, and the lighting fixtures were as generic as they come.
Honestly, I even lost my cooking spark because the space didn’t inspire me. But that was all about to change.
Designing with Intention: Mood Boards & Vision Planning
The first thing I did was create a mood board and interior design layout using a mix of tools like Pinterest for inspiration, Canva for organization, and physical samples from hardware stores to ensure i had a tactile sense of the materials. This was the most exciting part of the process because it allowed me to visualize and refine exactly what I wanted before making any purchases. Lowes and Home Depot became our go-to spots for paint colors, flooring, cabinet hardware, lighting fixtures, and backsplash—every design choice was made with intention.
Instead of just picking out pieces I thought were “nice,” I asked myself meaningful questions:
What do I want to feel in this space? Cozy, inviting, and intentional.
Am I drawn to bold colors or neutrals? Earth tones felt the most like me.
How can I maximize light and space? A natural tan wall paint brightened up the narrow layout.
What symbols or elements represent my journey? Gold accents represented success and ambition, while a reflective backsplash symbolized the self-reflection I embrace in my life.
Blending Comfort with a Touch of Luxury
While we love a cozy, comfortable home, we also enjoy a hint of luxury. Our goal was to find a balance between high-end and approachable—we didn’t want to go too over-the-top, but we also didn’t want our space to feel ordinary. That’s why we mixed natural elements with metallics, created an open and airy feel, and incorporated intentional textures that made the space feel personal and meaningful.
What’s Next?
This was just the beginning of our DIY home transformation. In the next blog, I’ll share how we saved big on materials and which existing elements we repurposed to stay within budget. If you’re on your own home improvement journey, I hope this inspires you to design with purpose, plan intentionally, and take the leap into DIY! You can also preorder the At Home Project Planner to help you with your next diy home project here and stay organized on a budget.
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