Falling down the rabbit hole of Pinterest…

There’s nothing wrong with loving Pinterest or falling down a rabbit hole of perfectly styled rooms on Instagram — we’ve all been there. But as a designer working with clients across Danville, Alamo, Lafayette, Orinda, Piedmont, and the San Francisco Bay Area, I can tell you: real life doesn’t always look like a mood board. And it shouldn’t.

At Jeffrey Neve Interior Design, we believe the best homes aren’t just beautiful — they’re personal, functional, and grounded in how you actually live. That means creating spaces where muddy soccer cleats, a glass of wine at the end of the day, or your morning coffee ritual all have a place. It’s not about perfection — it’s about purpose.

Inspiration images are a great place to start. But what you don’t see in those photos is how the furniture feels, how the lighting works at night, or whether that gorgeous white sofa stands a chance in a house with kids and a dog. Our job as designers is to bridge the gap between inspiration and reality — and to make sure you love not just how your home looks, but how it lives.

We recently worked with a family in Lafayette who came to us with a beautiful Pinterest board of minimal, modern spaces. But once we started talking, it became clear they also wanted comfort, warmth, and plenty of room for their three kids to run wild. The result? A home that nods to that minimal inspiration — but with layered textures, durable materials, and soft lighting that made the space feel like theirs.

That’s what we love about designing custom homes and renovations in the East Bay. Every client, every space, every story is different — and we treat it that way. We don’t replicate; we collaborate. We ask questions, we listen, and we create homes that feel both refined and relaxed, elevated and entirely livable.

Because real design isn’t just about following trends — it’s about building a home that reflects you.