Inspired Design Talk with Nicole DelaCruz

Interior designer + 28-year homeowner sharing renovation mistakes, smart investments, and timeless design decisions to help you make your home look expensive β€” without expensive decorating mistakes.

After 28 years in the same home, I share what actually lasts, what’s worth the splurge, and what I’d never do again.

New videos weekly.
Short design lessons posted regularly.

Happy Designing! πŸ’•βœ¨



Inspired Design Talk with Nicole DelaCruz

If you could only invest in ONE thing, what would it be?

A timeless sofa?
Better lighting?
Artwork?
Something else?

I shared what I'd choose in today's video. 😊 https://youtu.be/-aS8Ho6yz1M?si=-yvoc...

6 days ago | [YT] | 5

Inspired Design Talk with Nicole DelaCruz

🏑 When you're decorating, what do you think is worth spending money on... and what isn't?

One of the biggest mistakes I see homeowners make is investing thousands in something because it's trending instead of because they'll love it for years.

In today's new video, I'm breaking down the biggest interior design trends I saw at Arhaus & Crate & Barrel and sharing which ones I'd invest in, which ones I'd approach with caution, and which ones I'd skip.

Watch here πŸ‘‰ https://youtu.be/-aS8Ho6yz1M?si=WKEBb...

I'd love to know...
Which trend are you investing in... and which one are you skipping? πŸ‘‡βœ¨

6 days ago | [YT] | 3

Inspired Design Talk with Nicole DelaCruz

The wait is over! Part 2 of the Arhaus & Crate & Barrel series is up. πŸ₯‚

I'm sharing the 10 trends you need to know about for 2026... from the 'return of warmth' to why furniture is getting (unexpectedly) bigger. If you’re trying to avoid expensive decorating mistakes, this one's for you!

Catch the full breakdown here: 10 Design Trends I'm Seeing at Arhaus & Crate & Barrel | 2026 Interior Design

Are you team COLLECTED (evolving over time) or team CURATED (designer-planned)? Let me know in the comments! πŸ‘‡

Happy Designing! πŸ’•βœ¨

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

Inspired Design Talk with Nicole DelaCruz

✨ NEW BLOG POST ✨

I spent the day at Arhaus and Crate & Barrel and realized they're both selling luxury, but in completely different ways.

One feels organic and collected. The other feels structured and architectural. I broke down exactly what designers notice in my latest blog post: inspireddesigntalk.com/arhaus-vs-crate-and-barrel/

3 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 7

Inspired Design Talk with Nicole DelaCruz

✨ If you missed last week's video, this one sparked a really interesting discussion...

Color Drenching: Timeless Trend or Future Design Regret? 🎨

As someone who lived through a dark burgundy phase years ago, I completely understand the appeal of color drenching. Some of the rooms are absolutely stunning. But after living in the same house for 28 years, I've learned that what looks beautiful online doesn't always feel good long term.

πŸŽ₯ Watch here: https://youtu.be/VwH775lzMI8?si=N0RvO...

πŸ’•βœ¨

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

Inspired Design Talk with Nicole DelaCruz

✨ NEW BLOG POST ✨

Is Color Drenching Timeless... or a Future Design Regret? 🎨

Color drenching is one of the biggest design trends right now, but as an interior designer and 28-year homeowner, I think there's an important question we should ask before following any trend:

Will you still love it years from now?

In my latest article, I'm sharing:
βœ” What color drenching is
βœ” Why designers love it
βœ” Where I think it works best
βœ” The biggest mistake homeowners make
βœ” Why I still prefer layered color palettes for most spaces

πŸ“– Read here:
inspireddesigntalk.com/color-drenching-timeless-or…

πŸ‘‡ Let's settle this...

Would you color drench a room in your home?

🟒 Yes, I love the look
πŸ”΅ Maybe a small room
βšͺ No, I prefer contrast and flexibility

Happy Designing! πŸ’•βœ¨

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 9

Inspired Design Talk with Nicole DelaCruz

✨ NEW VIDEO ✨

I spent the day at Arhaus and Crate & Barrel and discovered something most homeowners never notice...

These stores aren't really selling furniture.

They're selling a feeling.

In today's video, I'm sharing:
βœ” What makes a room feel expensive
βœ” Why dark wood is making a comeback
βœ” The design principles both stores use successfully
βœ” How to create the look in your own home

πŸŽ₯ Watch here: https://youtu.be/TrSMUMqaucI

πŸ‘‡ Team Arhaus or Team Crate & Barrel? Tell me why! πŸ‘πŸ’•

1 month ago | [YT] | 1

Inspired Design Talk with Nicole DelaCruz

🎨 Choosing paint colors shouldn't feel this hard.

After years of working as an interior designer and 28 years living in the same home, I've learned that the best paint colors aren't always the trendiest ones.

They're the colors you still love years later.

That's why I put together my FREE No-Regret Paint Color Guide featuring 50 designer paint colors that stand the test of time, including:

βœ”οΈ My favorite whites, greiges, taupes, greens, and blues
βœ”οΈ Designer favorites I recommend over and over again
βœ”οΈ Paint colors for color drenching
βœ”οΈ My simple paint sheen formula
βœ”οΈ A printable paint planner

If you're planning to paint a room this year, grab your free copy here:

πŸ‘‰ inspireddesigntalk.myflodesk.com/eaewooxiks

I'd love to knowβ€”what paint color do you currently have in your home that you still love years later?

1 month ago | [YT] | 8

Inspired Design Talk with Nicole DelaCruz

Warm neutral living rooms are one of those design styles that look simple… but are actually HARD to get right.

Too beige = flat.
Too gray = cold.
Too white = sterile.

I shared the exact formula I use to make warm neutral living rooms feel layered, cozy, and expensive without overdecorating πŸ’•βœ¨

Read the blog post here:
inspireddesigntalk.com/warm-neutral-living-room-id…

Are you more drawn to warm neutrals or moodier spaces lately?

1 month ago | [YT] | 15

Inspired Design Talk with Nicole DelaCruz

A cozy living room isn’t just about decor… it’s about how the room actually FEELS to live in πŸ’•βœ¨

I just shared a new blog post breaking down:
β€’ how to make a living room feel cozy without looking cluttered
β€’ why conversation spaces matter
β€’ the biggest mistake that makes rooms feel cold
β€’ how to create a modern cozy living room that still feels elevated

Read it here:
inspireddesigntalk.com/cozy-living-room/

What makes a room feel cozy to YOU?

1 month ago | [YT] | 17