The holiday season has a way of sweeping us up in a flurry of activity—client projects wrapping up before year-end, family gatherings, travel plans, social commitments and an ever-growing list of “shoulds.” Interior designers know this pace all too well, but the truth is that everyone, no matter their profession, feels the weight of expectations this time of year.

Amid the rush, one of the most powerful strategies we have is also the simplest: rest.
Not the “collapse at the end of the night” kind of rest, but meaningful, intentional rest that invites tranquility, clarity and a renewed sense of joy.

At Nicole Arnold Interiors, we believe that your home should not only reflect your lifestyle—it should actively support your well-being throughout every season. And there’s no better time to lean into that philosophy than during the holidays.

Our environments influence how we feel more than we often realize. When your home includes places purpose-built for unwinding, you naturally ease into a healthier pace. Here are a few ways thoughtfully designed spaces can support rest and rejuvenation:

Soft textiles, warm lighting and a comfortable chair create a personal retreat that embraces calm and quiet.

Luxurious bedding, layered lighting, restful color palettes and clutter-free surroundings set the stage for deep, reparative sleep.

Soothing materials, generous showers or soaking tubs and calming scents turn daily routines into grounding rituals.

When seating encourages conversation and connection, you create space not only for stillness, but for meaningful moments.

A meditation corner, yoga area, craft space or even a quiet coffee bar can support the unique ways you recharge.

The holidays often come with a propensity to over-commit, over-extend and over-do. It’s easy to feel obligated to say yes to everything: every event, every request, every tradition. But the cost can be high. When we slow down, we become more aware of the beauty around us—our relationships, our homes, our communities, our health, our opportunities. The holidays become less about performance and more about presence.

This year, I encourage you to join me in embracing tranquility as part of your holiday strategy. Rest is not just restorative—it’s transformational. And your home can play a central role in making that possible.

And, if you’re ready to create spaces that align with the ways you want to unwind and replenish, my team and I would love to help design environments that support your tranquil lifestyle year-round.

House-hunting is about more than finding the right address—it’s about imagining the life you’ll live inside those walls. Whether you’re moving across town or relocating from another state, the decisions you make before you buy will shape how your home looks, feels and functions for years to come. As a luxury interior designer specializing in both in-person and virtual interior design, I help clients plan for their dream home from the very first showing, making smart, beautiful and lasting choices—so when move-in day arrives, every detail feels intentional and perfectly you.

Focus on architecture, light and layout—not the seller’s furniture. Capture measurements and quick videos so your designer can evaluate the home’s potential, even from afar and help you visualize the home’s potential.

Factor in updates like flooring, lighting and built-ins from the start. Designing and implementing construction-related projects before move-in often saves time, money and stress, not to mention avoiding unnecessary disruption to your everyday life.

Pinpoint the rooms or features most important to you—whether it’s a chef’s kitchen, statement foyer or functional home office. Discuss those with your designer to ensure the home will lend itself to your goals and start making plans to bring those dreams to fruition.

Our Relocation Interior Design services let you start designing your Texas home before you arrive. We manage everything—from virtual consultations to full-service furnishings and construction design, procurement, installations and on-site oversight—so it’s ready the day you move in. We even arrange for the home-related services you may not have already arranged: house cleaners, landscapers, organizers and more!

Luxury design takes time and planning ahead is EVERYTHING!! While we can design all phases at once, if you’re not able to take on the entire project altogether, you’ll want to consider essentials before move-in (particularly any construction, paint or other “messy” updates), core furnishings next and finishing touches last for a more manageable transformation.

When design and house-hunting work hand-in-hand, you’re not just buying square footage—you’re investing in a home that’s tailored to your lifestyle and aspirations. Whether we’re walking through properties together in person or collaborating virtually from miles away, my role is to ensure that when you cross the threshold for the very first time, it already feels like home.

Ready to start collaborating? Contact us today and let’s get dreaming up that new home together!

This room was once used as the son’s gaming room, now it’s a dining room with a purpose.

Our intentional residential interior designs not only reflect how our clients live but also provide strong emotional connections to their spaces.

Ever walk into a space and it just feels good…?

Luxury interior design is not just about aesthetics—it’s about how a space makes you feel. A thoughtfully designed home can ground you, energize you, soothe you and even elevate your sense of purpose. At our firm, we create spaces that do more than function beautifully; they resonate—deeply and personally—with the lives of those who live in them.

Designing for well-being requires an understanding of lifestyle, emotion and experience. Here are three of our recent projects that demonstrate how our designs created rooms that foster comfort, connection and creativity.

One of our clients came to us with a beautiful intention: to design a home that could accommodate the couple day to day as well as welcome their large extended family with relaxed refinement. We created a layout where the kitchen, dining room and family room flowed organically—each space unique in its own right, yet designed to be open, inviting and interconnected.

Multiple custom seating zones, a large kitchen island, a functional bar and thoughtfully layered textures make these rooms feel simultaneously grand and cozy. Sound-absorbing materials and soft tonal palettes reduced sensory fatigue, so family gatherings could feel lively but never overwhelming.

The result? A home that didn’t just house family—it embraced them. This space now hosts everything from Sunday suppers to milestone celebrations, each one a testament to how design can foster togetherness and a deep sense of belonging.

For another client, joy came in the form of a private retreat—a bourbon lounge tailored for moments of personal indulgence and reflection. We transformed an unused room into an immersive, masculine sanctuary where refined comfort meets sensory richness.

The vibe is moody and mysterious, and the finishes are highly sophisticated. The extensive bourbon collection deserved all the best highlights, including custom bistro shelving, ambient lighting and both beautiful and functional cabinetry. Every detail, down to the knurled cabinet hardware and bar faucet, the hammered nickel sink, the metal mesh-clad cabinet fronts and specifically commissioned artwork, was chosen with the client’s affinities in mind. Cork metallic wallpaper, cozy seating, deep-hued paint and the mesmerizing quartzite countertops all culminate into this long-awaited dream come true.

Here, our client finds space to unwind, sip bourbon, savor fine wines and enjoy a smooth cigar with intention.

Our designs are also about celebration—marking life’s transitions with spaces that feel emotionally aligned to new beginnings. One of our favorite projects was for a long-time client entering a fresh season of life, who wanted her space to reflect optimism, energy and creativity.

We brought that vision to life with a playful mix of bright, joyful colors, unexpected textures and curated artwork that spoke to her personal journey. Every corner of the home was designed to spark delight—from vibrant accent walls and jewel-toned upholstery to unique lighting that added a sense of artistry and charm. The study features elegant wallpaper in blush-toned swirls that bring a quiet sense of sophistication and a touch of soft glam. Just down the hall, the media room takes on a cozier vibe with rich, moody hues designed for ultimate relaxation after a long day.

The space has become a reflection of her inner joy, designed not just to be lived in, but to inspire—daily. In this case, the design represents her self-expression and empowerment. She says she has to pinch herself sometimes to remember that this is all real.

Each of these projects illustrates an important point: interior design has the power to transform how we feel every day. Whether it’s fostering connection, encouraging rest, or igniting joy, well-considered design supports the way we live—and the way we want to feel.

If you’re ready to enjoy a space that not only looks good, but truly feels good, we’d love to help you bring that vision to life! Contact Nicole Arnold Interiors today! (214) 326-1160

Photography by Dan Piassick