Kelli Ellis, an expert in design psychology, star in The Design Network’s Extravagant Spaces, Design Therapy, and MidMod: Then and Now, discusses her work with real estate and interior design. Kelli shares insights on staging properties for sale, emphasizing the importance of understanding buyers’ emotional connections to spaces. Her advice on creating welcoming environments through color, texture, and flow, prioritizes the emotional impact of a space, over strictly following design rules. She touches on trends like biophilic design, bringing nature indoors, and provides practical tips for setting up homes for sale while allowing potential buyers to envision their own memories in the space. This episode underscores the intersection of design psychology, real estate, and creating spaces that resonate with people on a personal level.

This episode features an interview with Shaun Tomson, Montecito resident, world champion surfer, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and environmentalist. We discuss Shaun’s fascinating life journey, from his origins in South Africa to his career transitions. Shaun’s unique story of purchasing his Montecito home after a chance encounter, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities and being open to unexpected possibilities. Throughout the conversation, Shaun speaks about the significance of purpose, commitment, and hope in shaping one’s life. Shaun has developed a 12-line code of commitments, reflecting on his experiences speaking to diverse audiences, from schools to corporations, and how this simple exercise can empower and motivate individuals to live with intent and purpose.