The Language of Space: Communicating Value Through Design

space talks

What’s it saying?

Most people underestimate the power of interior design. The truth is, it can make or break an experience…therefore it can make or break a business…even a home.

Whether you notice it or not, the impact is happening. Good or bad.

In the blog below, I outline the fundamentals of good design. You may not know what makes it “good” or understand what’s happening behind the scenes that’s shaping your experience…but you certainly know when something feels off. Maybe it feels cluttered, mismatched, or just…unmemorable. That’s design at work on the negative. Good design is building on a momentum from the time you walk through the door. It invites you in, leads you through, taking you on a journey rooted in harmony and integrity, igniting your senses and endorphins. It’s the place you reflect back on barely out the door…and can’t wait to get back to.

Concept as the foundation

In my opinion and my experience, the foundation of good design lies in the concept and should be established in the very beginning…even before schematic design and bubble diagrams are sketched on paper. Based on the project, some examples of the concept could be the demographic fashion sense or local culture, it could be the geography…by the water, a landmark like a current project we are working on, the concept is the ‘Tobacco Trail’.

If the project is not in the hospitality or clubhouse amenity sector and is a commercial project type, then the concept would almost always be the brand itself, so the design matches the brand culture. Whatever your project is, a well-defined concept will be working in the background guiding decisions. Every block of space, every color, texture, layout, and detail. It’s the identity of the space. It’s the pulse behind the ‘why’ of every decision.

Whatever the project type is, if the concept is at the core, then the foundation is strong.

What’s more important than what everything is standing on?

More than a pretty space.

Yes, we love creating beautiful interiors. I live for it. But beauty isn’t the whole story. Everyone has different tastes, so aesthetics alone will always miss the mark for someone. However, when the design is fundamentally solid. When the bones of the space are speaking to the context, and all elements within the space are speaking the same language, the space is harmonious, and the message is integrity. With that in place, people will love being there… even if it isn’t their personal style or taste. They will appreciate it for what it is. Good honest design.

It also clearly must function or all the above is toast. The key ingredient to this is just thoughtful planning. Then you have design elements and movement both seemingly effortless. It has that casual flow for social interaction, indoor to outdoor, work and play. Its creative, provides hidden intuitive wayfinding cues that help people feel confident in their surroundings. It flows seemingly effortlessly in both materiality and movement. A big piece of pretty.

the thoughtful space

A thoughtfully designed space lifts people up and makes them feel better just by being there. It evokes emotions and has the power to inspire creativity, curiosity, and a sense of possibility. This happens again through thoughtful understanding of the needs, the activities & interactions…al rooted in the same narrative. At this stage, we grab the interior designer’s toolbox of ‘fundamental principals’ like scale, proportion, repetition, harmony…and begin to use them to inspire and ignite space. (Design Development) The tools get to work in light and shadow, bold or minimal material choices, layered forms, and textures, focal points, views from every angle, subtle creative details, and all of these communicating the very same thing. The concept.

Form + Function or Function + Form?

Both. Don’t leave people confused about where to go or noticing incongruities in the design style and elements. Circles on the ceiling but angles everywhere else? Clashing patterns and colors that aren’t contributing to the concept? I could write a book on bad design so we will just leave it there. Even if the average person can’t see it, even if they can’t identify why it feels off…they will still feel off. Create space that functions in the design elements and functions towards the activities that the space is meant for. Function isn’t just meant for activities. The form itself needs to function and should support the emotions and intellect of who it’s for. They should be working in unison.

Connections between people and place

When this thoughtful concept and thoughtful planning is successful, how can the space not be? The strength is now in numbers. This is also design integrity.

And where there is integrity, there is trust. With trust, connection follows. It’s my belief and theory that trust naturally allows us to feel more free. Free to move, free to feel, and interact at a deeper level…the formula for connection.

From the front door down to the smallest details. Materials, lighting, furniture, those petite perforated metal candles at the bar. When they are all saying the same thing and speaking the same language then these little ‘notes’ have a profound voice that resonates with people and invites connection…the very reason people venture out in the first place.

design for endurance

Design for longevity. Choose materials and ideas that age well. Even the most modern space should feel timeless in its own way. Bring in materials people have loved forever. Brick, stone, wood. Even if you want the space ultra-modern I think this is one of the most important things honestly. And having wrote that I would say honesty is a good word to describe these timeless nostalgic finishes and materials. If you want it ultra-modern or contemporary, then just find a way to reinterpret them with a fresh twist. I wouldn’t leave them out if it were me. They’ve been with us since the beginning of time for a reason.

what’s this interior rendering saying to you?

The 3D rendering below is from a project we’re currently designing. Take a moment: What does it make you feel? What is it telling you?

If this weren’t my project and I just scrolled past it on Pinterest, I’d get instant lodge vibes. The fireplace is doing most of the heavy lifting with that, but imagine swapping it out for white high-gloss slabs in your mind’s eye. Suddenly it shifts from cozy mountain lodge to sleek coastal contemporary…with just one change.

The image also reads modern thanks to those clean lines, white walls, and minimalist approach, yet it stays timeless through raw wood, steel, and stone. The generous ceiling heights bring a sense of grandeur, but not in a stiff, formal way. It feels warm, inviting, and distinctly residential.

The art and furniture add personality and are inviting me to engage…like curling up with an iPad by the fire on a cool day, or soaking in those sunrays. The only clues this isn’t a private home? The expansive second-level room overlooking the lounge, the dramatic spiraling light fixtures, and the storefront seems commercial or public space.

Put it all together, and this is most likely an apartment clubhouse."💡😏👀

For current trends on bringing these timeless principles into 2026 clubhouse designs, see our latest post:

10 Multi-Family Amenity & Clubhouse Design Trends That Will Dominate 2026.

Legacy Cary clubhouse design 3D rendering ~ currently in design development for 2026