There's a moment I live for in my studio — when I step back from a piece and feel an involuntary smile spread across my face. Not because the composition is flawless, but because something about it just makes me deeply, unreasonably happy. That feeling? It's exactly what your walls should give you too.
The Rise of the Joy-First Home
Something is shifting in how we think about our living spaces. The curated, neutral, perfectly-coordinated interior is quietly losing ground to something far more interesting: homes that actually make people feel good. Design experts are calling it the 'joy-first' approach — decorating from emotion rather than aesthetics alone.
The trend is backed by real momentum. Wellbeing reports for 2026 highlight a growing movement toward pleasure, play, and personal connection in interior design. People are choosing pieces that spark genuine delight over those that simply match the curtains. And honestly? It's about time.
Why Your Gut Knows Best
I see it with collectors all the time. They walk into a gallery asking practical questions: "Will this work above my sofa?" "Does it go with grey walls?" But the piece that actually comes home — and stays for years — is always the one that made them pause and say: "I don't know why, but I can't stop looking at this."
That instinct is worth trusting. Neuroscience research shows that viewing art you connect with activates the same brain regions as falling in love. Your wall isn't just decoration — it's a daily invitation to feel something beautiful.
From Decorating to Daily Ritual
The joy-first philosophy extends beyond a single purchase. It's a practice. Try this: walk through your home and really look at what's on your walls. What makes you smile? What's been hanging there out of habit rather than love? Give yourself permission to swap, to experiment, to let your space evolve with your emotions.
In my own home, I rotate pieces regularly. A small work from the studio that speaks to me right now gets the prime spot in the living room. Not because it's the most valuable, but because it resonates with where I am today. Coming home to something that genuinely lifts your spirits — that's worth more than any design rule.
Choose with Your Heart, Not Your Colour Wheel
The most beautiful homes I've ever walked into weren't the most styled. They were spaces where you could feel someone's joy in every corner. A ceramic found on holiday. Books with cracked spines. And on the wall: art that doesn't match, but that means something.
My advice? Forget the swatch book. Stand in front of a piece, close your eyes for a moment, and ask yourself: does this make me happy? If yes, you have your answer.
Curious which piece might give you that feeling? Browse my collection and let yourself be surprised. Sometimes art finds you when you stop looking for the 'right' one and start looking for the one that moves you.
