I didn’t become a designer because I loved pretty things. I became a designer because places held me long before I knew how to name them.

When people hear the word modern, I often see a subtle hesitation. “I don’t want my home to feel cold.” “I love warmth.” “I’m not a minimalist.” And I understand that reaction. Somewhere along the way, modernism became associated with stark white rooms, uncomfortable furniture, and spaces that feel more like galleries than homes. It can feel intimidating — even impersonal. I became a designer because places held me long before I knew how to name them.

When Monika and her husband Kunj purchased their new home in Decatur, Georgia, she reached out to designer Vinanti—whom she’d long admired on social media—to help transform the living, dining, and breakfast areas. What began with simple photos of the existing space soon evolved into a thoughtful redesign that celebrates personality, harmony, and cultural authenticity.