I’ve been dreading 2024 in earnest since 2022. This is the year our one and only child (almost adult) graduates high school and heads to college. I’ve spent multiple walks giving myself pep talks about how great it will be for her, how ready she is and how I can find a new chapter for myself. Change is constant and inevitable and some days I embrace my inner Buddhist and feel at peace with the upcoming change. At the moment however, I seem to be fixated on drop-off day and feel worried that I’ll have a complete breakdown in front of an entire, judging campus. I am aware that if this is the only thing that’s occupying most of my personal fears for this year, I’m a lucky person. Here are some fantastic interiors to help distract you from your fears for this year. I’m supposed to say Cheers to 2024, but how about – Let’s get through 2024 together and not judge any middle aged mothers who break down crying at the grocery store, oh and also, let’s not elect a maniac.
I love all the color in this eat-in kitchen. That is a masterful gallery wall! Note the mix of art and objects and the nice balance of larger art with smaller pieces. I picture people more artistic and cultured than me sitting here, laughing, dining and talking about world travel late into the evening. (Photo Source)
I can’t get enough of this warm white on these kitchen cabinets. I want to wrap my entire home in that white. (Photo Source)
Look at that island – it’s glorious! The floors! The arches, the skylights – it’s too much. Why would you ever leave this home? (Photo Source)
Love the repetition of the arch and that checked floor….I picture a cool, Hitchcock blonde owning this place. Does anyone under the age of 45 get that reference? (Photo Source)
Doesn’t this look like a fantastic Rom Com could be filmed here? Maybe she’s a best-selling writer with writer’s block who’s renting a cottage to finish her novel and he’s been hired as her “minder” to try to help get her to finish the novel. Frenemies to Lovers! Sparks Fly! To add a little spice, maybe the cottage is owned by a drug dealer and there’s a case of mistaken identity with the rival drug dealers who think the writer and her minder are the king-pins. You’re right, I should rush straight to Hollywood and pitch this idea.
I love this beach house aesthetic. I would junk this space up with weird art, vintage rugs, shedding pets and spilled coffee in a hot minute though. Look at those arched openings! (Photo Source)
I like retro-fitted residential spaces. This one is a converted barn, but it could be a converted industrial building – love this ramshackle “Oh this? We just put this together with things we had” – look. I picture outdoorsy, healthy people dining here and discussing their treks in Tibet in well worn, still attractive, Patagonia pieces. (Photo Source)
“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” ― William Faulkner
Laura is a Denver Interior Designer who runs an Interior Design Studio based in sunny Colorado with a strong commitment to livable and interesting interiors. She also runs The Colorado Nest, a Denver blog about Design, Art and Life in the Mountain West and co-hosts the book podcast "The Inside Flap" on iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play.
View all posts by Laura Medicus Interiors
4 thoughts on “7 Glorious Interiors to Ring in 2024 (and temporarily forget your personal dread for the year).”
LOVE your photos, especially the “beach house aesthetic. Thank you for sharing and always inspiring! Cherish every moment with your daughter, and know that she will not be leaving forever, but rather just spreading her wings and trying out her own nests, yet she will be sooooo happy to return to yours.
3 times… though with my first (stepson), I had a 4 year-old and was pregnant when we dropped him off. I cried. With my second and third sons, I cried as we drove away…and cried. My grandmother had warned me that I would, as she could remember dropping off each of her children decades before. After a few days (and not allowing myself to visit their bedrooms (and cry), I started thinking about all the great things about being an empty nester. I didn’t HAVE to cook – ever – if I didn’t want to. I only had my laundry to do. The house stayed just the way I left it. I could talk on the phone and be private anywhere in the house at any time. PLUS it is soooooo fun when they come home! In the meantime, texting is wonderful. Just a few words or a photo and it is like you are a part of their lives. You can do this!
This is so helpful to hear, thank you so much. It’s nice to hear that yes, there’s tears, but it gets better and there’s positives. Change can be tough – but that’s all it is – change. Thanks Tammy.
The Colorado Nest 
LOVE your photos, especially the “beach house aesthetic. Thank you for sharing and always inspiring! Cherish every moment with your daughter, and know that she will not be leaving forever, but rather just spreading her wings and trying out her own nests, yet she will be sooooo happy to return to yours.
Aw, thanks Tammy! Sounds like you’ve been here before? 🙂
3 times… though with my first (stepson), I had a 4 year-old and was pregnant when we dropped him off. I cried. With my second and third sons, I cried as we drove away…and cried. My grandmother had warned me that I would, as she could remember dropping off each of her children decades before. After a few days (and not allowing myself to visit their bedrooms (and cry), I started thinking about all the great things about being an empty nester. I didn’t HAVE to cook – ever – if I didn’t want to. I only had my laundry to do. The house stayed just the way I left it. I could talk on the phone and be private anywhere in the house at any time. PLUS it is soooooo fun when they come home! In the meantime, texting is wonderful. Just a few words or a photo and it is like you are a part of their lives. You can do this!
This is so helpful to hear, thank you so much. It’s nice to hear that yes, there’s tears, but it gets better and there’s positives. Change can be tough – but that’s all it is – change. Thanks Tammy.