Designing in 5D

A retreat isn’t about luxury amenities or square footage — it’s about how a space makes you feel.

In this episode of Designing in 5D, Jodi Koch breaks down the five essential principles of outdoor retreat design and explains why the most successful outdoor spaces don’t impress — they invite you to soften.

We’re talking about:

• Creating intentional thresholds between inside and outside
• Designing for privacy so spaces feel held, not watched
• How to build meaningful zones for rest, ritual, connection, and solitude
• Choosing comfort-first materials that actually invite lingering
• Using consistency in color and materials to create seamless indoor-outdoor flow

From vacation rentals and hospitality spaces to multifamily communities and private homes, this episode explores how intentional outdoor design increases emotional connection — and why that connection directly impacts ROI.

If you’ve ever wondered why some patios feel cozy and memorable while others fall flat, this episode will shift how you see outdoor spaces forever.

✨ Because great outdoor design doesn’t have to be grand — it just has to be intentional.

What if your backyard wasn’t an afterthought—but a fully designed extension of how you live?

In this episode of Designing in 5D, Jodi Koch sits down with Matt Kaldenberg of PBS Landscaping and Victoria Buldhaupt of Nature’s Palette to talk about a new, collaborative approach to outdoor living in the Des Moines area.

From pools and pickleball courts to landscaping, lighting, furniture, and future-phase planning, this conversation breaks down what it really looks like to design backyard spaces intentionally—without chaos, rework, or surprise expenses.

We cover:

• Why one integrated team changes everything
• How thoughtful planning protects both vision and investment
• The biggest mistakes homeowners make when starting pool projects
• Outdoor trends focused on connection, wellness, and everyday enjoyment
• What realistic timelines and budgets actually look like in Iowa

If you’re considering a pool, outdoor entertainment space, or long-term backyard plan, this episode will help you think bigger—and smarter—about what’s possible.

✨ Because the best spaces aren’t rushed. They’re designed.

Matt Kaldenberg PBS Landscaping: https://kaldenbergslandscaping.com/

Victoria Buldhapt Natures Pallet:https://www.naturespalettelandscape.com/about

Luxury isn’t marble countertops or oversized chandeliers — it’s how a space makes you feel.

In this episode of Designing in 5D, Jodi breaks down the difference between homes that look good online and spaces that actually feel like a five-star retreat. After more than two decades designing residential, hospitality, and vacation rental spaces, she shares three out-of-the-box design moves you can apply right now — without a full remodel.

You’ll learn:

• Why the most luxurious spaces reduce friction and support your nervous system
• How to design like a host, not a decorator
• The “exhale moment” that sets the tone the second you walk in
• The simple two-touch rule that makes luxury tangible
• Why five-star spaces never send you on a scavenger hunt

This is a pen-and-paper episode — practical, actionable, and grounded in real life. If you want your home (or rental) to feel intentional, elevated, and deeply cared for, this one’s for you.

✨ Ready to apply this to your own home with clarity and confidence?
Download the Decision Confidence Toolkit to get clear before you spend money on choices that don’t align with your lifestyle or intentions.
👉 https://elizabetherindesigns.com/free-confidence-tool-kit-for-homeowners/

In this episode of Designing in 5D, Jodi Peterman sits down with Haylee Meador to talk about the part of design that changes everything — the floor plan.

Because any designer can make a space look pretty… but if the layout doesn’t support your daily life, your home will never feel calm, functional, or “right.”

Haylee breaks down what she looks for the moment a floor plan hits her screen — from traffic patterns and entry points to furniture planning, kitchen clearances, window alignment, and the tiny details (like light switch placement) that most people don’t think about until it’s too late.

You’ll hear real examples of how “final” architectural plans still need interior design eyes — and why catching layout issues early can save major time, money, and change orders during construction.

In this episode, we cover:

• What designers notice first when reviewing a floor plan
• Why furniture planning should happen before you build
• Common flow mistakes that make homes feel awkward or cramped
• How designers, architects, cabinet designers, and trades work together
• Why clients often “sacrifice space” on paper… and regret it in real life
• How the 5D Process creates homes that feel aligned, not just styled

If you’re planning a remodel, new build, or you’re living in a home that just doesn’t flow — this episode will change how you think about your layout.

🎧 Listen now, and if you want a plan that supports how you live (today and years from now), connect with us at ElizabethErinDesigns.com or follow along on Instagram + Facebook @ElizabethErinDesigns.

Until next time — design with purpose, lead with love, and always achieve your vision.

If you’re heading into 2026 craving a clean slate—but refusing the pressure-based January hustle—you’re not alone. In this episode of Designing in 5D, Jodi Peterman shares how she builds her annual vision board with intention, grounding, and love instead of trends, timelines, or performative goals.

Drawing from her background as an interior designer, Jodi walks you through vision boarding the same way she designs spaces: using mood, energy, themes, and feeling as your true north. She opens up about personal transitions, rebuilding joy after major life changes, and why her year doesn’t start in January—but in alignment.

You’ll learn:

• Why choosing a word for the year matters more than a long goal list
• How to create vision board “genres” like sanctuary, play & learn, travel, and service
• Why spring energy—not winter pressure—is where real momentum begins
• How to anchor your vision with intentions that gently guide your subconscious
• Ways to keep your vision board present so it actually shapes your year

This episode is an invitation to slow down, plant seeds, and design a life you actually want to live inside—one rooted in joy, embodiment, and clarity.

A downloadable prompt is included in the show notes to help you begin your own vision board, whether you’re starting fresh or rebuilding with intention.

✨ Design your year on purpose.
 ✨ Build from love, not pressure.
 ✨ And remember—joy is a direction.

Hit Follow on Spotify so you don’t miss what’s coming next, and if you create your vision board, tag or DM Jodi on Instagram @elizabetherindesigns.

AI is already in your client’s hands. The real question: are you leading the conversation, or letting it lead your projects?

Recorded live from KBIS, I’m joined by Jenna Gaidusek — designer, educator, and founder of AI for Interior Designers — for a practical, real-world conversation about where AI elevates the client experience, where it falls apart, and how designers stay in the driver’s seat with integrity.

We talk about:

• Why “good enough” AI visuals don’t replace professional design leadership
• How to use AI to streamline the parts of the workflow you never want to do again
• Keeping your voice intact so your marketing still sounds like you
• The client-trust play: disclosure, education, and using AI as a communication tool
• Tools designers should explore now (Gemini + Nano Banana, Canva AI, Perplexity, Copilot, Claude)
• The one thing you never hand over to AI: sensitive financial/client info
• What luxury firms are doing right now to stay ahead

This episode is for designers who want to stay creative, profitable, and in control — while the industry evolves in real time.

Guest Information:
Jenna Gaidusek
Founder, AI for Interior Designers
Website: www.aiforinteriordesigners.ia

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Home is never just a backdrop — it’s the atmosphere that shapes your mood, your energy, your rest, and your relationships.

In this episode of Designing in 5D, Jodi Peterman sits down with interior designer, repurposed artist, and author Sarah Trop, founder of Fun Cycled Design Company. Together, they explore why beauty is not vanity, but language — and how faith, creativity, and intentional design can transform the way we live inside our homes.

Sarah shares the heart behind her book, Designing Spaces That Renew the Soul, unpacking how our environments impact us emotionally, physically, and spiritually. From trauma-informed design and natural light to decluttering with purpose, meaningful repurposing, and creating spaces that invite peace, hospitality, and rest — this conversation bridges science, faith, and practical design in a way that feels grounding and accessible.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your space, overwhelmed by clutter, or unsure where to begin, this episode offers gentle guidance and permission to start small — one corner, one surface, one intentional choice at a time.

✨ Get Sarah’s book here:
Designing Spaces That Renew the Soul
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3959WK9?utm_source=chatgpt.com

🎁 Plus, stay tuned for a signed book giveaway — details shared in the episode.

Listen now, follow on Spotify so new episodes land automatically, and remember:
 Design a life — and a home — you love, with intention and a sprinkle of magic. ✨

If I could sit down with the 2004 version of myself — fresh into business with a whole lot of passion and very little preparation — this is exactly what I’d tell her.

In this episode of Designing in 5D, I’m sharing the real lessons that only 21 years in the design industry can teach you — the ones you don’t learn in design school.

We’re talking about:

• Why interior design is 20% visuals and 80% psychology and communication
• How miscommunication costs time, money, and energy — and why concierge-level advocacy matters
• The truth about boundaries, burnout, and learning when to say no
• Why not every client is your client (and why that’s a good thing)
• How pivoting, patience, and trust are non-negotiable if you want longevity
• The shift from being the doer to becoming the vision-holder
• Building a business around the life you want — not the other way around
• Why starting messy is better than waiting for perfect

This episode is for designers, creatives, business owners, and anyone standing at a crossroads wondering if they’re doing it “right.”

✨ Want help applying these lessons to a real project?
If you’re planning a remodel, new build, or design project and want to avoid decision fatigue, budget spirals, and miscommunication, download our free Decision Confidence Toolkit. It’s designed to help you clarify your vision, ask better questions, and move forward with confidence before construction begins.

https://elizabetherindesigns.com/free-confidence-tool-kit-for-homeowners/ 

Good design starts long before demo day.

You don’t need perfection to be powerful.
 You need presence, persistence, alignment — and the courage to keep going.

If this episode resonated, like, share, and pass it along — and don’t forget to grab the toolkit to start designing with clarity.

In today’s episode of Designing in 5D, Jodi sits down with Russell Van Brocklin—founder and dyslexia researcher—whose work has helped students make jaw-dropping progress in reading and writing in a matter of months.

Jodi opens up about feeling like she may have undiagnosed dyslexia and the “spaghetti brain” experience so many creatives relate to. Russell breaks down what dyslexia can look like in real life (and why it often gets missed), why motivation matters more than most people realize, and the simple shifts that can help kids (and adults) learn faster—without years of expensive intervention.

You’ll also hear practical guidance for parents and teachers, including:

• Why dyslexic learners often thrive when you start with their specialty (and what happens when you don’t)
• The “specific-to-general” learning approach that helps ideas finally organize
• A short, repeatable writing method that builds grammar + spelling through read-it-out-loud correction
• How the right environment—less clutter, warm dimmable light, fewer distractions—can support focus
• How Russell thinks about AI as a tool for efficiency (without replacing human connection)

If you’re a parent, educator, creative, or someone who’s always felt like your brain works differently, this conversation will leave you with clarity, language, and tools you can actually use.

Learn more + download Russell’s free guide: dyslexicclasses.com
And if you want to explore intentional design that supports real life (and real brains), learn more about Elizabeth Erin Designs and our process.

Remember to like, share, and follow the show—because you never know who needs this episode.

The spaces we live in aren’t just walls and furniture — they’re containers for our healing, our rituals, and the relationships we hold most dear.

In this episode of Designing in 5D, Jodi Peterman sits down with Rachael Grochowski, architect, designer, and founder of RHG Architecture + Design, to explore what it really means to design with intention — not just for beauty, but for energetic alignment, wellness, and truth.

Together, they unpack:

• Why Rachael says “design is spiritual” (and how she found the language for it)
• How truthful materials impact the body — and why “wood that looks like wood” isn’t the same
• The difference between routine vs. ritual and how design can invite mindfulness back into daily life
• What happens when a home is misaligned with your values (and how it affects the nervous system)
• How to stop designing to impress others and start designing for what grounds you
• One simple shift you can make today to bring more calm and clarity into your space

If you’ve ever walked into a room and felt “off” without knowing why… this conversation will change how you see design forever.

Learn more about Rachael’s work at rhgdesign.com.

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