Design in Real Life Podcast

About Design in Real Life Podcast

Design in Real Life is a podcast for homeowners who want to feel confident tackling everything from paint colors to full-scale renovations—without the stress or second guessing. I’m Maria Bowers, an interior designer who’s spent the last decade helping people create homes they actually want to live in—mess and all. In each episode, I share real-world design tips, behind-the-scenes stories, and simple ways to make your space feel more like you. Whether you're styling a bookshelf, redoing a kitchen, or just trying to make your house feel more like home, you're in the right place. Let’s take the pressure off and design in real life—one decision at a time. bdesigndinteriors.substack.com (https://bdesigndinteriors.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Maria Bowers, NJ Residential Interior Designer

Category

arts · leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 May 2025

Latest episode

2 Dec 2025

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   2 Dec 2025

   How to Plan Home Projects After the Holidays: Your 2026 Renovation Guide

   Subscribe to not miss anything! (https://mariabowers.myflodesk.com/freeguide) Once the holidays are over and the decorations are finally packed away, the house always feels a little strange — kind of empty, kind of refreshing, but also like you’re seeing everything for the first time again. And honestly, this is usually when I start noticing all the little things that need attention. In this episode, I’m talking about how that post-holiday “blank slate” can actually help you figure out what home projects make the most sense for 2026. I’m also sharing what we’re planning over here: we’re finally redoing our master bathroom and bedroom. We did quick fixes years ago, but it’s definitely time for a full do-over… and we’re actually tackling this one ourselves after a year of contractors in our house. (Check back in a few months to see if I regret that decision, haha.) I’m walking through the simple questions I ask clients when they’re trying to figure out where to start, what most people get wrong this time of year, and a couple things you can do right now that make planning way less overwhelming. If a home project is on your mind for the new year, this episode will help you look at your space with clearer eyes — and maybe even get excited about what’s possible. If you’re enjoying these conversations, make sure you’re subscribed. You’ll get my monthly newsletter, new palettes, blog posts, podcast episodes, and all the real-life design updates from our own home — right to your inbox. Come join the community! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bdesigndinteriors.substack.com (https://bdesigndinteriors.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

2. 

   30 Oct 2025

   The Real Side of Renovation

   Want more real-life design inspiration? Subscribe to Design in Real Life and never miss an episode or update. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering whether to move or renovate, this episode is for you. Renovations are exciting — until they’re not. There’s dust in places you didn’t know existed, a million decisions to make, and days where progress feels nonexistent. But there’s also creativity, transformation, and that quiet moment when everything starts to come together — and you finally remember why you started. In this week’s Design in Real Life episode, I’m sharing the real side of renovation — the emotional middle, the lessons learned, and the truth about what happens behind all those glossy before-and-after photos. Whether you’re knee-deep in a remodel, planning your first project, or simply dreaming of one, I hope this conversation helps you feel a little more grounded — and a lot less alone — in the process. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bdesigndinteriors.substack.com (https://bdesigndinteriors.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

3. 

   29 Sept 2025

   From Chaos To Calm

   Our homes shape the way we feel every single day. In this episode, I’m sharing how clutter, color, and atmosphere affect our mental health—and simple ways you can make your home feel more calming and supportive without a full makeover. This coincides with a post I wrote-read it here (https://bdesigndinteriors.substack.com/p/when-your-home-feels-overwhelming). If you don’t want to miss an episode or newsletter, head over to BDesign’D (http://www.bdesignd.com) (http://www.bdesignd.com)and sign up—I’d love for you to be part of the community. 💛 Thank you for listening, Maria This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bdesigndinteriors.substack.com (https://bdesigndinteriors.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

4. 

   5 Aug 2025

   Why Did We Think This Was a Good Idea?

   So… remember that breakthrough I had? The one where I felt like I was finally shaking off my work slump? That was, what—four weeks ago? I came up with this solid plan: rotating blog posts, podcast episodes, focused time for client work and my own home. I was feeling organized, inspired… grounded. And then—Aurora happened. We’ve been talking about getting a dog for years. But my youngest was hesitant—first scared, then flat-out resistant to change. Eventually, he softened, and we found the sweetest little bulldog puppy. The timing felt perfect: the boys are older, my husband works from home a couple days a week—it all seemed manageable. What we didn’t factor in? We are way out of newborn/toddler mode. Like, a decade removed. And somehow we forgot the most important detail: puppies = chaos. To top it off, we timed it perfectly (read: terribly). The same night we came back from our annual beach trip, Aurora arrived. Oh, and we also kicked off our kitchen project while we were away—starting with the ceiling (more on that in a future post). So yeah, we came home to drywall dust and a 12-week-old puppy. I honestly have no idea what we were thinking. 😆 We’re about a week in now, running on fumes—no sleep, no routine, kids heading back to school—and it’s giving me major flashbacks to the baby years. I remember counting down the days until they could sleep through the night, feed themselves, and not need to be carried everywhere. And now, here I am… the parent who tells younger parents, “It goes so fast. Treasure these moments…” Looks like I need to take my own advice. Here’s a quick glimpse at my garden visits lately—short and sweet. I’ll share more soon, including a proper kitchen update. Life’s a little chaotic right now, but I wouldn’t trade it—even the sleep deprivation—for anything. Speak soon, Maria This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bdesigndinteriors.substack.com (https://bdesigndinteriors.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

5. 

   16 Jul 2025

   The White Paint Illusion

   You’d think white paint would be the easiest choice, right? It’s just white. But if you’ve ever stood in front of a wall of swatches—or even worse, painted a wall thinking it would look one way only for it to go full yellow or blue—you know how frustrating it can be. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bdesigndinteriors.substack.com (https://bdesigndinteriors.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

6. 

   20 Jun 2025

   Is It a Full Moon or What?!

   The host reflects on a chaotic week of school events and unpredictable weather, observing the garden's slow progress and anticipating warmer weather to stimulate growth.

7. 

   11 Jun 2025

   The Questions I Get Asked Most as a Designer (and the Real Answers)

   Host Maria discusses the common questions she receives as an interior designer, revealing the realities of pricing, timelines, and sourcing in the design process.

8. 

   2 Jun 2025

   Introducing the Design in Real Life Podcast 🎙️

   Host Maria discusses the purpose of the Design in Real Life podcast, which aims to help homeowners navigate design choices and feel less overwhelmed.

9. 

   11 May 2025

   The Garden Chronicles Week 2

   The host discusses transplanting pepper plants and sowing seeds for lettuce, flowers, and onions, anticipating the challenges of pest control in a natural garden setting.

10. 

    7 May 2025

    The Garden Chronicles

    The host shares insights from the first week after transplanting, offering a glimpse into the garden's progress.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 2 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

4

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

0