Hi, Michelle here, this is my personal blog about intuitive design, no degree no certificates just going with your gut and accidentally making spaces shine.
This is not a business but a personal blog about my journey with design.
I have worked in hospitality, as nanny, in not for profit area, as a cheese affineur, in retail and am now living and hosting guests in rural France. Of course eating cheese and drinking copious amounts of wine.
I guess you could say Iāve been “accidentally designing” for years ā without even realising it at first.
Surely I can work with this one š
It all started with my early rental properties (and there were many), most of them just barely holding themselves together. Those spaces were like blank canvases, giving me the chance to explore who I was and what kinds of environments truly made me happy.
Over the years, my style has evolved right alongside me. Iāve been a maximalist, then swung the other way with some serious decluttering (which I deeply regret every time I spot a piece I once owned and wish Iād kept ā the mid-century furniture, the Murano glass, the artwork… even a house I should never, ever have sold. The list goes on!).
Our first French Renovation project in Treignac 19260
Iāve loved renovating homes in both Australia and France, each one with its own personality and its own story to tell. Every project has taught me that you need a fresh set of eyes ā and a little bit of heart ā to find the perfect touch that makes a space come alive.
Furniture restoration and renovation have become a kind of meditation for me. I get completely lost in the process ā feeling the energy of a room or a piece, and somehow just knowingĀ when Iāve found the right colour, the right piece, the right light.
At the core of it all, Iām about honouring the original story ā respecting the era, the craftsmanship, the little quirks ā and blending it effortlessly into modern living. I love when the old and the new sit side-by-side, each one celebrating the otherās uniqueness and authenticity.
Iām endlessly inspired by how others interpret design too. I encourage everyone to drop the rulebook, follow what truly makes them happy, and create spaces that feel like them. Lifeās way too short to live in a home that doesnāt make your heart smile.
Along the way, Iāll be sharing links to some designers Iām obsessed with, blogs that inspire me, and artists whose work I absolutely adore. Art is deeply personal, and thereās nothing more exciting than discovering new talent and cheering them on.
So here we go ā another exciting chapter begins. I canāt wait to share it with you.
Iām Michelle Laughton, a self-taught designer living in rural France. Guided by instinct rather than formal training, I draw on my eclectic life experiences to shape a design philosophy rooted in creativity and joy. My passion is renovating properties to create vibrant, welcoming spaces that reflect both the past and the possibilities of the future. Join me on this journey of discovery through design, where intuition and curiosity lead the way.