When Bad Design Leaves a Bad Taste

Listen, I can never decide what I want to eat. Thai? Chinese? Always a yes. Anything else? Debatable. So, when it was freezing outside last Friday night, and I really didn’t want to make a dinner decision, we defaulted to a local bistro. I remembered they had some great Mardi Gras specials last year, and my taste buds were already primed for a steaming bowl of gumbo.

Things started going sideways immediately.

There was a wait. Fine. Then the host offered us a table outside—in their “heated” patio, which was basically a plastic-walled wind tunnel with string lights and the illusion of warmth. Against my better judgment, I agreed. Mistake #1.

Then came the menu roulette. No gumbo without shrimp (which I’m allergic to, minor detail). No gluten-free bun for my husband (despite a whole separate gluten-free menu). And that jambalaya the hostess promised was gluten-free? ( It was not!) Mistake #2 - #4.

By the time we actually ordered, we were cold, annoyed, and reconsidering every life choice that had led us to this point.

This Is Exactly How Bad Design Feels.

A restaurant experience like this—where nothing is quite right and you can’t settle in—feels eerily similar to being in a space that wasn’t designed with intention. Because just like a restaurant should just work for its guests, so should a home (or vacation rental).

❌ Uncomfortable seating? People won’t linger.
❌ A space that’s too hot or too cold? No one’s enjoying it.
❌ Features that sound great but don’t deliver? Guests won’t be back.

Good design isn’t just about looking good—it’s about making life easier.

How to Make a Space Feel Effortless (So No One Wants to Leave)

1️⃣ Anticipate Needs – If a restaurant advertises a gluten-free menu, they should probably have…gluten-free food. Likewise, if you’re designing a home or rental, think ahead. Are the outlets where people actually need them? Is the furniture as comfortable as it is stylish? If a guest has to search for what they need, the space is already failing them.

2️⃣ Create Comfort in Every Season – If you’ve ever eaten dinner in a wind tunnel, you get why this matters. Heating in winter, cooling in summer, cozy layers like blankets and rugs—design should adapt to keep people comfortable year-round.

3️⃣ Details Make the Experience – The best spaces (like the best restaurants) get the details right. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s about usability. No one raves about a rental that looks great but has nowhere to put down a drink.

The difference between a forgettable space and a favorite one is attention to detail.

That restaurant? Won’t be in our regular rotation. But a home, a rental, a space that feels effortless? That’s the kind of place people return to again and again.

Want to make sure your space works as beautifully as it looks? Let’s talk.

Because no one should feel like they’re eating dinner in a drafty tent.