Hi, I’m Janie
My name is Janie, and I’m the person behind Minora Design.
I live in Austin, Texas, in a suburban home where I work creatively from home. Life here feels balanced. It is busy enough to stay inspired, but calm enough to appreciate the details of everyday living. Over time, I’ve learned that a home is not meant to impress the internet. It is meant to support the life happening inside it.
My interest in home design began in 2010 when I moved into my first off campus apartment. It was small and mismatched, filled with hand me downs and budget finds. For the first time, I had full control over my own space. That freedom made me realize how much our surroundings affect how we feel.
Growing up, our home was comfortable but dated. There were floral sofas, dark wood furniture, and plenty of decorative clutter. My grandmother loved traditional interiors and took pride in keeping her home welcoming. Later, I found inspiration in early DIY home bloggers who made decorating feel accessible rather than intimidating. Those influences stayed with me, even when my style began to change.
Like many people, I went through a strong trend chasing phase. Within just a few years, I tried farmhouse, then boho, then mid century modern. Each time, I was convinced I had finally found my style. Yet I kept repainting, rearranging, and replacing pieces. I was constantly updating, but never fully satisfied.
The turning point came when I realized I was redecorating every single year and still feeling unsettled in my own home. That was when I understood something important. A home designed for trends will always feel temporary. A home designed for your real life feels steady.
Over the past twelve years, I have redecorated eight spaces and completed three partial renovations. I have lived in a studio apartment, two rental homes, and now a mid sized suburban house. Each space taught me something different about layout, lighting, storage, and the emotional weight of design decisions.
I have experimented with furniture rearranging challenges, budget room refresh projects, lighting upgrades, and peel and stick improvements. Some experiments worked beautifully. Others did not. One of my biggest mistakes was painting an entire living room a trendy dark color without testing samples first. That experience taught me to test before committing and to design for longevity instead of algorithms.
Alongside hands on experience, I have studied interior styling books, listened to design podcasts, completed online masterclasses, and earned interior styling certifications while continuing my education. Still, the most valuable lessons have always come from real rooms and real adjustments.
To me, a good home supports your daily routines and makes you exhale when you walk in the door. It works well. It feels good. It reflects who you are without trying too hard.
At Minora Design, I focus on cozy minimalism and practical home styling for real life. My readers are often millennial homeowners and renters who want a calm and stylish home without overspending. I believe function and mood are equally important. A room must work smoothly, but it must also make you feel grounded and proud of your space.
I believe in choosing function before trends, making intentional purchases, building a timeless foundation, and layering personality gradually. I am cautious of fast trend cycles that pressure people to constantly replace what they already own. Decorating should feel empowering, not exhausting.
Over time, I began noticing patterns in what truly works. Recently, I’ve been studying those patterns more intentionally and organizing my approach into something clearer and more structured. It is still a work in progress, shaped by real projects and ongoing learning. When it feels complete and genuinely helpful, I will share it here.
I created Minora Design to make home styling more realistic and less intimidating. Too often, decorating advice focuses on perfection or expensive transformations. I wanted to build a space that shares honest updates from my own home, realistic before and after examples, and practical guidance that works within real budgets.
You will also find product recommendations throughout the site. When I include affiliate links, they are always clearly disclosed. I only recommend products I have tested, researched thoroughly, or would confidently use in my own home. I have collaborated with small U.S. based home brands and affiliate retailers, and my long term vision is to grow Minora Design into a trusted decor resource that also offers digital styling guides.
Minora Design continues to evolve through real experiments, ongoing learning, and meaningful conversations. If you ever want to share your progress or ask a question, I would truly love to hear from you. I aim to keep this space friendly, approachable, and practical.
Creating a home is not about chasing perfection. It is about shaping a space that feels calm, grounded, and supportive of your everyday life.
Thank you for being here and for building your own version of a softer, simpler home.
With warmth,
Janie
