Designing in 5D

Budget is the word most people want to avoid when they start a renovation, new build, second home project, or furniture plan.

But here’s the truth: your budget is not what kills the dream. Starting without a real plan does.

In this episode of Designing in 5D, Jodi breaks down why budget planning should happen before construction, before contractor pricing, before allowances, and before you start making expensive decisions without knowing how they all connect.

This is not about being cheap or cutting everything you love. It is about knowing where your money should go, what matters most, what can wait, and how to protect yourself from the expensive surprises that happen when design decisions are made out of order.

Jodi walks through how the 5D process helps clients design first, price real decisions, value-engineer with intention, and move forward with more confidence instead of reacting once the money is already gone.

If you are planning a remodel, building a home, updating a second property, or trying to make smarter home investment decisions, this episode will help you understand why your budget is not a restriction. It is part of the blueprint.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why working off allowances can lead to expensive surprises
• How design-before-construction protects your renovation budget
• Why every dollar should be tied to real scope, real products, and real priorities
• How to decide where to invest, where to pull back, and what can wait
• Why budget planning creates confidence instead of killing the fun

CTA:
Download the complimentary Decision Confidence Toolkit on the Elizabeth Erin Designs website to start mapping out your priorities before you begin making major design or construction decisions.

This is one of those conversations that is hard to have… but too important not to.

In this episode of Designing in 5D, I sit down with Sarah Trop for a very real and deeply personal conversation about online safety, grooming, trafficking awareness, and what protection can actually look like in everyday life.

Sarah shares her family’s story with incredible honesty and courage. What happened unfolded fast, and it’s a powerful reminder that situations like this don’t just happen somewhere else or to someone else.

They can happen in loving, involved, attentive families too.

That’s why this conversation matters so much.

This episode is not about living in fear. It’s about awareness. It’s about having real conversations with our kids, building trust, and understanding how important it is to create support systems around them before something turns into a crisis.

In this conversation we talk about:

• how quickly grooming can happen online
 • why this is not just a “bad parenting” issue
 • the role of mentors and trusted adults
 • how to stay aware without raising kids in panic
 • rebuilding confidence after a traumatic experience
 • ways families and communities can support survivors

Sarah also shares about Her Song, the organization supporting survivors of trafficking and raising awareness about how prevalent this issue really is.

This episode is for parents, grandparents, mentors, youth leaders, and anyone who wants to be more aware and more equipped to protect the people they love.

If this episode speaks to you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Resources Mentioned

Her Song
 https://www.facebook.com/HerSongHQ/posts/human-trafficking-in-the-us-isnt-rare-its-rampantsome-estimates-say-there-are-ov/1328534145979385/

Connect with Jodi Koch

Elizabeth Erin Designs
Designing in 5D Podcast

And remember to design a life you love with intention, grounding, passion, and that little sprinkle of magic.

What happens when life forces you to slow down… and you finally listen?

In this episode of Designing in 5D, I sit down with Veronique Ory, an Intuitive Movement and Mindfulness Guide, yoga teacher with over 500 hours of training, retreat leader, and author of Shine On and Off the Mat.

Veronique’s journey into yoga didn’t start in a peaceful retreat setting. It started in the middle of the chaos of New York City during an intense season of acting, nonstop movement, and burnout. When a hurricane shut the city down and the subways stopped running, everything came to a halt. That unexpected pause led her into a yoga studio that would completely change the direction of her life.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• How yoga becomes more than a practice — it becomes a transformation
 • Why slowing down is often the doorway to clarity
 • The connection between movement, emotional release, and nervous system regulation
 • How intention shapes both our homes and our lives
 • The power of grounding when life feels chaotic
 • Manifestation, energy awareness, and listening to the signals life sends us

We also talk about Veronique’s book Shine On and Off the Mat, and how her work blends movement, mindfulness, storytelling, and daily practices that help people reconnect with themselves.

Because the truth is, whether you're designing a home or designing your life, the same principle applies:

When you slow down enough to listen, everything starts to align.

Learn more about Veronique Ory
 https://yogawithveronique.com/about

Explore the Designing in 5D process at Elizabeth Erin Designs
https://elizabetherindesigns.com

And remember…

Design a life you love with grounding, passion, intention, and that little sprinkle of magic.

What happens when interior designers stop competing and start supporting each other?

In this episode of Designing in 5D, I sit down with Sarah and Melissa of Salt Water Snow Design Studio for a real conversation about integrity in the design industry. Not the polished version you see on Instagram — the real behind-the-scenes stories every designer lives through but rarely talks about out loud.

We talk about how they met while working at Restoration Hardware, the moment they knew they were meant to start their own design firm, and the wild story behind the name Salt Water Snow. (Yes… it involves snow on the beach in Florida.)

But the heart of this episode goes deeper than origin stories.

We dive into:

• The truth about collaboration vs. competition in the design world
• What integrity actually looks like when working with clients and other designers
• How designers can support each other instead of tearing each other down
• Why communication and boundaries matter more than people realize
• What homeowners should look for when hiring a designer

We also share some very real stories about miscommunication, difficult projects, and what happens when designers pick up the pieces when another project falls apart.

Because the truth is — great design is never just about beautiful spaces.

It’s about people.
Trust.
Communication.
And showing up with integrity even when things get messy.

If you're a homeowner, builder, realtor, or fellow designer, this conversation will give you a behind-the-scenes look at how collaboration actually works when it’s done right.

And if you’ve ever wondered what really goes on in the design world… you’re about to find out.

Connect with Salt Water Snow Design Studio
https://saltwatersnowdesignstudio.com/contact-us/

Learn more about Elizabeth Erin Designs and the Designing in 5D Process
https://elizabetherindesigns.com

And remember…

Design a life you love with grounding, passion, intention, and that little sprinkle of magic.

What if the real luxury in your home wasn’t the finishes… but the feeling you get when you walk through the door?

In this episode of Designing in 5D, Jodi Koch dives into one of the most important shifts happening in design right now: intentional design. After more than 22 years in the industry, Jodi shares why great design has never been just about how something looks. It’s about how your home supports you emotionally, physically, and energetically every single day.

Instead of chasing trends or working off allowances, intentional design starts with a much more powerful question: How do you want to feel in your space?

From there, everything changes.

In this episode, Jodi walks through how slowing down the design process creates homes that actually work better for the people living in them. She shares real examples from client projects and explains how thoughtful planning can transform not just a room, but the entire flow and energy of a home.

You’ll hear about:

• Why intentional design is becoming one of the biggest priorities for homeowners in 2026
 • How to create primary bedrooms that feel like a peaceful retreat or spa
 • Small ways to bring wellness into your home—even if you don’t have a lot of extra space
 • Kitchen design directions that are gaining momentum right now
 • Why designing with intention helps you avoid expensive remodeling regrets
 • How the Designing in 5D process helps clients create calm, clarity, and connection in their homes

Jodi also shares why she believes the new definition of luxury is peace—a home that allows you and your family to exhale the moment you walk in.

If you’re planning a renovation, building a new home, or simply trying to create a space that supports the life you want to live, this episode will give you a completely different way to think about design.

Because great design isn’t just about beautiful rooms.

It’s about creating a home that truly supports the people living inside it.

To learn more about working with Jodi and the Elizabeth Erin Designs team, visit:
 https://elizabetherindesigns.com

You can also book a consultation directly with Jodi here:
 https://portal.elizabetherindesigns.com/schedule/6509ebd9f5c4200199fd007c

Follow along for more design inspiration and behind-the-scenes insights:
 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabetherindesigns/

Vacations feel calm for a reason — fewer decisions, softer visuals, intentional sensory cues.
 At home, we often overload our spaces with function and forget about how they feel.

In this episode of Designing in 5D, Jodi Koch breaks down how intentional design can support regulation, not just performance. From layered lighting and natural textures to scent, sound, and editing your space with purpose, this conversation reframes what it really means to create a home that feels restorative.

This is the Design Reset — where homes stop impressing and start regulating.

If you’ve ever wished your home felt more like a vacation rental retreat (without packing up and moving), this episode will show you how small, thoughtful shifts can create powerful emotional change.

🎧 Listen, reflect, and start designing your space with intention.

In this episode of Designing in 5D, Jodi koch sits down with Marsha Babe—a 20-year real estate veteran known as “The Real Estate Babe,” with deep roots in construction (her dad built for 50+ years in Arizona). Together, they unpack what homeowners wish they knew before a remodel, renovation, or new build—because HGTV timelines and budgets aren’t reality.

You’ll hear the behind-the-scenes lessons from a full-property transformation (including the surprises you only find once the walls open), why function has to come first, and how a strong realtor + contractor + designer team keeps decisions aligned, budgets protected, and value prioritized.

They also talk design trends that actually matter right now—being inspired by the coast, not defined by it, warmer tones returning, using black the right way, and why wellness-driven spaces (lighting, calm zones, scent, and “your zen”) are becoming non-negotiable.

Connect with Marsha Babe
📞 850-803-9498 (call or text)

Want clarity before you renovate?
 ✨ Download our free Decision Confidence Toolkit or book a discovery call at https://elizabetherindesigns.com/toolkits/

What if wellness wasn’t about guessing — but about listening to your body with clarity?

In this episode of Designing in 5D, Jodi Peterman sits down with Christie, co-founder of Innovative Wellness Center, to talk about wellness that’s measurable, sustainable, and deeply personal.

They explore how the nervous system, hormones, cellular health, and faith intersect — and why so many people feel “off” even when labs come back normal. This conversation breaks down functional medicine, quantum testing, and practical lifestyle shifts in a way that feels accessible, grounded, and empowering.

If you’re tired of one-size-fits-all wellness advice and ready to understand what your body is actually asking for, this episode offers clarity — not overwhelm.

In this episode of Designing in 5D, Jodi Koch sits down with Nicholas of Zenith Design + Build to unpack what actually makes a remodel successful — beyond pretty plans and Pinterest inspiration.

A well-designed space isn’t just about the vision. It’s about how that vision comes to life. Nicholas shares how strong designer–builder partnerships, clear pricing frameworks, and intentional processes reduce chaos, minimize change orders, and create better outcomes for homeowners.

Together, Jodi and Nicholas explore why design and construction should never be “oil and water,” how early collaboration prevents budget surprises, and why tools like 3D renderings and transparent pricing help clients make confident decisions — even when pivoting is part of the process.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why the designer is the bridge between client vision and builder execution
• How early design + pricing alignment prevents budget stress later
• The role of 3D visuals in reducing indecision and change orders
• Why “free estimates” often lead to apples-to-oranges comparisons
• How measuring process, communication, and timelines improves client experience
• What homeowners should ask before hiring a builder or design team

Whether you’re planning a remodel, building a home, or working in the design or construction industry, this episode offers practical insight into creating projects that feel clear, collaborative, and well-executed from start to finish.

🎧 Listen now and follow Designing in 5D so you don’t miss what’s next.

Clarity is the ultimate luxury—and it might be the one thing saving your remodel from chaos.

In today’s episode of Designing in 5D, Jodi Koch is joined by Anna Hackathorn, an award-winning interior designer based in the South Bay of Los Angeles with 30+ years of experience, and the creator of Plan and Elevate, a course designed to help homeowners plan better when they can’t (or don’t want to) hire full-service design.

They dive into the real behind-the-scenes of design:

• Why expectations must be set before demo
• What happens when clients try to “split the difference” (some DIY + some designer)
• How designers and contractors should divide responsibilities (without double markup confusion)
• The hidden reason timelines slip (and how to reduce it)
• Decision fatigue, scope creep, and the psychology of projects
• Why your project needs more front-end planning time than you think

Connect with Anna Hackathorn:
Website + course info: artsandhomes.com

Free download from Elizabeth Erin Designs:
Decision Confidence Toolkit: https://elizabetherindesigns.com/free-confidence-tool-kit-for-homeowners/

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