If I had to make a shortlist of my all-time favorite stores, Home Goods would land right at the top without question. I’ve been loyal to them since the very beginning—back to my very first apartment right out of college, when I had more enthusiasm for decorating than budget. A stroll through those aisles always felt like a treasure hunt, where a single lamp or throw pillow could completely change the feel of a space. Fast forward to today, and that same excitement has carried me into a new chapter: our very first home, which we moved into this past November.
So when the opportunity came along to collaborate with Home Goods on decorating some of our untouched spaces and refreshing the ones we had already started, I couldn’t have been more thrilled. Truly, out of all the projects and partnerships I’ve been lucky enough to work on, this one instantly became a top-three highlight. It felt less like “work” and more like teaming up with a brand I’ve loved for years—almost like coming full circle. When I told close friends about it, the reaction was unanimous: “You’ve basically been their brand ambassador for years already.” They weren’t wrong.
A Project With Heart
The best part of this collaboration was how personal it felt. Home Goods wasn’t just a name on a project brief—it was a store that had been part of my life through so many milestones. From furnishing my tiny first apartment to layering in cozy accents as Kevin and I built a life together, it had been with me every step of the way. So to walk into this project with them was more than just about decorating; it was about creating a home that truly reflected our family, our story, and our style.
Our focus was split between two types of spaces: the “untouched” rooms, like the nursery and bedroom, which needed a complete vision, and the “in-progress” spaces—our living room and dining room—that already had a foundation but needed that extra layer of polish. Each space carried its own challenges and excitement, and it was such a joy to see them evolve.
Enter: Matthew Cane
To kick off the project, Home Goods brought in the insanely talented designer Matthew Cane of Homepolish. From the moment we met, I knew we were in good hands. He completely understood our aesthetic and vision—without me having to over-explain or show a million Pinterest boards. You know that rare feeling when you meet someone and they just get it? That was Matthew.
He had this uncanny ability to walk into a space and see its potential instantly, layering in both practicality and style in a way I hadn’t thought of before. Beyond his obvious design expertise, he was a joy to work with—easygoing, collaborative, and just the right mix of creative and grounded. The more I got to know him, the more grateful I felt that this project had aligned us.
Decorating With Home Goods
One of the things I’ve always loved most about Home Goods is the thrill of the hunt. You never quite know what you’ll find, but you can guarantee it will be stylish, high-quality, and affordable. That magic translated beautifully into this collaboration.
For the nursery, we leaned into a calming yet playful atmosphere—soft textures, warm neutrals with pops of personality, and little details that make the room feel special. The bedroom transformation was about balance: creating a retreat that felt serene but also connected to the rest of the house.
As for the living and dining rooms, it was all about layering. We already had a base, but Matthew used Home Goods pieces to elevate the spaces with thoughtful details: statement lighting, accent chairs that doubled as conversation starters, and those finishing touches that make a house feel lived-in and loved.
Every time I walk through those rooms now, I see not just beautiful décor, but memories of the process—the excitement of hunting for pieces, the laughter while brainstorming with Matthew, the quiet satisfaction of seeing it all come together.
Why This Project Meant So Much
Looking back, I think what made this collaboration feel so special was how natural it was. Home Goods has been a constant in my personal life for years, so having them play such a major role in shaping our first home as a family felt perfectly aligned. It wasn’t just about styling rooms; it was about creating spaces where milestones will happen—birthday breakfasts in the dining room, bedtime stories in the nursery, lazy weekend mornings in our bedroom.
It’s funny how décor can be both surface-level and deeply meaningful at the same time. A beautiful lamp or cozy rug may just look like “a thing” to some, but to me, they’re the elements that help set the tone for daily life. They make ordinary moments feel a little more intentional.
Full Circle
If someone had told twenty-something me, wandering the aisles of Home Goods with my first apartment key in hand, that one day I’d collaborate with them on designing my family home, I wouldn’t have believed it. But here we are. It feels like such a full-circle moment—proof that sometimes, the things you love the most end up becoming even bigger parts of your story than you imagined.
This collaboration wasn’t just a dream project. It was one of those rare experiences that reminded me why I started sharing about home and lifestyle in the first place: to connect with others who love the process of creating a home as much as I do. And while I might not carry the official title of “brand ambassador,” in my heart, I’ll always feel like one for Home Goods.
