Interior and exterior confidence
Create Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of inform...
Harvey
Jun 10, 2026
Understanding your space
with REENA SIMON — Acclaimed author, designer, and founder of Hygge for Home.
Lesson 3 of 12
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Before undertaking any renovation project, Reena emphasises the importance of taking the time to really understand the space you have and to think about how you want to live in it. From floor plans to the atmosphere you want to create, she suggests where to begin and offers tips to help clarify your thinking.
From the Lesson Workbook
Understanding Your Space
Before diving into any design project, I emphasize the importance of thoroughly understanding my space.
If I already live in the home I'm designing:
- I take time to observe how I use each area.
- Identify what's working or not.
If I'm designing a space I haven't moved into yet:
- I rely more on precise measurements and drawings.
I advise homeowners to clearly define their personal style before making any major design decisions. Whether I'm drawn to minimalist, rustic, vintage, or Scandi design, having a clear sense of what resonates with me helps streamline the process.
The Importance of Mood Boards
Creating a mood board is an excellent way to visualise my style. I prefer physical mood boards made from magazine clippings and fabric swatches, which allow me to play with different textures and colour combinations.
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Read moreAbsolutely love Create Academy
Absolutely love Create Academy! The instructors are extremely informative, and it is beautifully filmed. Create Academy is great value for money and plan on renew...
SG
May 31, 2026
Magic in small spaces
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
Carla
May 30, 2026
The best adventure
The best adventure. I like all the courses, but my favorite are both Rita Konig interior design courses and Anna Jones. Excellent!
Karolina Kluczewska
May 20, 2026
Interior and exterior confidence
Create Academy has been such a great resource. I'm in the middle of renovating a bungalow with a very large garden and the courses have offered a wealth of information to dive into and explore new ideas. I'm...
Harvey
Jun 10, 2026
Absolutely love Create Academy
Absolutely love Create Academy! The instructors are extremely informative, and it is beautifully filmed. Create Academy is great value for money and plan on renewing my subscription yearly because there are ...
SG
May 31, 2026
Magic in small spaces
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
Carla
May 30, 2026
Your Instructor
Reena Simon
Acclaimed author, designer, and founder of Hygge for Home.
Known for her modern Scandinavian aesthetic, Reena has gained a huge social following through her online lifestyle journal Hygge for Home where she shares advice on how to create beautifully designed, joyful living spaces. Documenting her cosy lifestyle Reena shares her journey of building and remodelling a 1960s bungalow into her dream family home, a black-clad cabin-style propoerty with a backdrop which could easily be mistaken for a Swedish landscape and an interior that you could find in any of the Nordic countries. Alongside co-writing a bestselling book, Scandi Rustic, which has sold over 75,000 copies worldwide, her acclaimed substack offers Scandinavian inspiration and innovative design ideas.
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