Designing a beautiful home is part inspiration, part intuition—and a lot of intentional decision-making. In today’s episode, Ashley, along with her friend and fellow designer, Alexis Frost Huff, pull back the curtain on the most common design mistakes they see (even in luxury homes!) and offers clear, timeless tips to avoid them.

Whether you’re working with a designer, decorating on your own, or dreaming up your next renovation, this episode is packed with practical advice from two seasoned experts. From scale and layout to color and lighting, you’ll leave with a fresh perspective—and a few “aha” moments that just might change how you see your space.

If you’ve ever looked around your home and thought something feels off—this one’s for you.

The #1 mistake homeowners make when choosing paint colors

How improper furniture scale can throw off an entire room

Why lighting is the most overlooked (and most important) element in design

The design “trend traps” to avoid if you want a timeless home

How to avoid the “matchy-matchy” mistake and create layered visual interest

The importance of negative space (and why more isn’t always better)

Great design isn’t about perfection—it’s about balance, beauty, and function. And a few smart choices can elevate your home in ways that truly reflect your lifestyle and personality.

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Episode 8: Lighting 101: Ambiance, Layers, and Luxury

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✨ Because creating a well-designed home isn’t just about what you put in it—it’s about what you choose to leave out.

In this special milestone episode (yes, we're counting 10 as a milestone!), Ashley opens the pages of her personal reading life and shares the 10 books that have shaped her most—spiritually, professionally, and personally. These are the titles she returns to in seasons of growth, grief, transition, and reinvention.

From books that challenged her to dream bigger to those that offered rest, perspective, and emotional clarity, this episode is a curated journey through wisdom that lasts. If you're looking for inspiration, encouragement, or your next great read, this list is for you.

Whether you’re navigating motherhood, midlife, entrepreneurship—or simply searching for deeper meaning—these books offer something timeless: truth told beautifully.

📚 Download the full printable reading list: Top 10 Books

If one of these books has shaped you, I’d love to hear about it. Message me on Instagram or tag the show @Charm_And_Circumstance to join the conversation 🤍

In a world that celebrates busyness and productivity, rest often feels like a luxury - or even a guilty pleasure. But what if rest wasn’t a reward, but a rhythm?

In today’s episode, Ashley shares how she’s reshaped her weekends to include more intention, slower pace, and space to breathe. From family rituals and boundary-setting to creating margin for reflection, she unpacks the practices that help her feel centered and restored before a new week begins.

Whether you’re navigating motherhood, entrepreneurship, or simply craving more balance in your life, this episode offers both inspiration and actionable ideas for reclaiming your weekends as a time of purposeful rest- not just a pause between obligations.

Rest doesn’t have to mean doing nothing—it can be a proactive way to reset, reflect, and return to your life with more clarity, presence, and joy. Give yourself permission to slow down.

🎧 Tune in, and let this be the invitation you need to embrace rest with intention.

Welcome to Charm & Circumstance! In this episode, Ashley shines a spotlight (pun intended) on one of the most transformative yet underestimated elements of interior design: lighting. From the golden glow of a cordless lamp to the subtle elegance of picture lights, lighting is more than just illumination—it's emotion, atmosphere, and elegance rolled into one.

In this episode, we cover:

Whether you're refreshing a room or rethinking your entire home, this episode will help you see lighting in a whole new… light.

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In a world of mass production and instant gratification, what makes something worth waiting for? In this episode, Ashley dives into the world of custom design—why bespoke matters, how it elevates a home, and why one-of-a-kind pieces aren’t just beautiful, but deeply personal.

From the craftsmanship behind custom furnishings to how Ashley Morgan Interiors creates tailored pieces that reflect our clients' lifestyles, Ashley pulls back the curtain on the timeless allure of going custom. Plus, she shares real-life examples of how thoughtfully made items transform both space and spirit.

In this episode, Ashley explores:

If you’ve ever craved a piece that feels made just for you—this episode is for you.

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Work with AMI: https://www.ashleymorgan-interiors.com

In this episode of Charm & Circumstance, Ashley sits down with her dear friend Julie to explore how small, intentional daily rituals can shift our mood, mindset, and the way we move through the world. Together, they talk about the power of tiny joys, what makes a ritual different from a routine, and why these sacred little moments matter—especially in midlife.

Whether you’re craving more calm, more connection, or simply a reason to slow down and savor life, this episode will meet you right where you are.

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. And it’s a conversation you won’t want to miss.

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In this episode, Ashley unpacks what luxury truly means in today’s design world. Forget flash and excess—true luxury is quiet, intentional, and completely personal. Ashley shares how her firm interprets luxury for clients and why simplicity, comfort, and craftsmanship matter more now than ever.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Mentioned:

✨ Listen and share! And don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and future episode previews @charm_and_circumstance and at @ashley_morgan_interiors for design inspiration

Some decisions feel bigger than others—career changes, business leaps, creative pivots, life transitions. They carry weight, uncertainty, and often… fear.

In this episode, Ashley shares how she approaches decision-making when clarity feels far away and fear tries to take the wheel. Through personal stories and reflection-based strategies, she offers encouragement for anyone standing at the edge of a choice that feels overwhelming.

Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is decide—and trust what unfolds from there.

If you’re in a season of transition or standing in the “what if?”—this one’s for you.

📸 Instagram: @ashley_morgan_interiors

💬 Share the episode, leave a review, or send it to a friend who’s on the edge of a leap.

What if midlife wasn’t something to fear—but something to celebrate?

In this heartfelt and empowering episode, Ashley Bruggeman explores what it means to evolve in your 40s and 50s with intention, joy, and grace. From personal pivots to professional growth, she shares candid reflections on identity, confidence, and how this season of life can actually be one of the most powerful chapters yet.

If you’re navigating transitions—empty nesting, career shifts, or redefining your purpose—this episode is your permission slip to embrace what’s next, even if it doesn’t look like what came before.

Why midlife is often misunderstood—and why it deserves a rebrand

Her personal journey of reinvention through career, motherhood, and mindset

How confidence and clarity tend to increase in your 40s and 50s

Practical questions to ask when you feel stuck or unsure what’s next

Why reinvention is less about a radical change—and more about coming home to yourself

This episode is for anyone in the middle of a life pivot or personal evolution. You’re not behind—you’re just becoming more you.

📸@ashley_morgan_interiors

🎧 Listen, share, and leave a review to help this community grow.

Trends may come and go, but true style lasts. In this episode of Charm & Circumstance, host Ashley Bruggeman shares her philosophy on timeless design—what it really means, how her firm approaches it, and why it has nothing to do with playing it safe or sticking to beige. You'll learn how to blend classic foundations with personal flair, and hear how timeless spaces are as much about emotion and energy as they are about materials.

If you’re craving spaces that feel current and enduring—this one’s for you.

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Find more information on Ashley Morgan Interiors at https://www.ashleymorgan-interiors.com