Beauty is easy to admire; living with it is where the real design work begins. We sit down with San Clemente’s Terri Brien with Terri Brien Interiors to explore how thoughtful interiors can smooth daily routines, tame clutter, and turn busy mornings into calm, repeatable rituals. From a measured approach to storage to finishes that stand up to real life, Terri shows why “pretty” is just the start—and how function reveals the kind of beauty you actually feel.
Terri traces her path from a childhood love of old Hollywood set design to leading a boutique interior design studio serving renovations, new builds, and multi-room furnishings projects. Along the way, she shares a practical case study: a kitchen reimagined around morning workflows, complete with an appliance garage wired for a 17-inch Vitamix, coffee, and toast, plus a craft ice maker and freezer drawers positioned exactly where they’re needed. We talk about designing for kids without sacrificing style, the tradeoffs of unsealed white oak, and how measuring the real tools you use leads to cabinetry and outlets that fit your life instead of fighting it.
We also cover who benefits most from full-service design—busy professionals who value expertise and are ready to invest in lasting results—and how Terri’s work and insights have been featured in Cottages & Bungalows, Homes & Gardens, The Spruce, AD Pro, and more. Her community roots run deep through local chambers, home tours, and industry boards, and her inspiration flows from food, travel, and the textures of everyday places. If you want a home that works as hard as it wows, this conversation will help you map routines, choose durable materials, and build storage that keeps counters clear and stress low.
If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s planning a renovation, and leave a quick review so others can find conversations that make their homes—and their days—run better. Visit terribrieninteriors.com or call 949-245-8923.