With Americans spending more time than ever in their homes—for working, relaxing and socializing— it’s growing clear what’s important in their spaces: versatility. We sat down with three local design experts to talk trends, tips and how to turn any area in your home into a thirdspace sanctuary.
MEET THE DESIGNERS
Photos By Rineer Designs, Nick Gould, And Ashlee Zimmerman Photography
Heather Rineer
Rineer Designs
Photos By Rineer Designs, Nick Gould, And Ashlee Zimmerman Photography
Julie Estes
Carlisle Design Interiors and Consulting Group
Photos By Rineer Designs, Nick Gould, And Ashlee Zimmerman Photography
Cecilia Zagas
CECILIA Interior Design
Photos By Rineer Designs, Nick Gould, And Ashlee Zimmerman Photography
RINEER DESIGNS
Tell us about your business and what kind of projects you’ve been working on recently.
RINEER: Rineer Designs is a full-service interior design firm based in York, Pennsylvania, specializing in creating cohesive and thoughtfully designed spaces for both residential and commercial clients. I founded the business in 2009, drawing on my lifelong passion for design, and transitioned it into a full-service firm in 2019. Our recent projects span a variety of styles and scopes, including corporate offices; a master suite addition and home renovation; outdoor living space design with a pavilion, fireplace, and bar; a new modern home design; and kitchen and bathroom renovations. Each project reflects our commitment to “Crafting Sophisticated Spaces That Inspire and Uplift.”
ESTES: We are a full-service interior design firm with expertise in residential and commercial projects. Our approach is holistic, offering concierge consulting for DIY clients and luxury design services, including procurement, project management, and collaboration with architects and contractors. We are enjoying our projects, which include a kitchen renovation, home addition, corporate office remodel and helping a young family settle into their first home.
ZAGAS: CECILIA Interior Design was formed in 2022, and we specialize in custom residential interiors. Recent projects include full-scale furnishing jobs, custom window treatments as well as smallscale renovations.
Do you see any design or space trends in 2025, as more people work from home or spend more time in the home?
RINEER: With more people working from home and spending more time at home, I’m seeing a shift toward creating versatile spaces that cater to both personal needs and social connections. People are designing areas like calming library corners or spa-like workout rooms that can serve as retreats for self-care, while also allowing room for friends and family to gather. There’s also a growing focus on multifunctional spaces—rooms that easily transition between work, relaxation and entertainment. These trends highlight the need for balance: spaces that inspire creativity and productivity, but also offer comfort and opportunities for connection.
ZAGAS: I’ve found that because clients are spending more time at home, they tend to overthink potential design solutions, which creates anxiety and indecision. Enter CECILIA! I don’t use the word “trend,” however. It’s so fleeting and fast—and that’s not what interiors are. It’s more important to me to design a home my client loves versus following what the internet says is cool in 2025. If you go with what you love, and have always loved, chances are you will love it for years to come.
Photos By Rineer Designs, Nick Gould, And Ashlee Zimmerman Photography
CARLISLE DESIGN
What do you think defines a “sanctuary” within a home, and why is it important to have one?
"A HOME should be a sanctuary —a space where wellness + peace are prioritized."
RINEER: A sanctuary within a home is a space that offers a sense of peace, comfort and personal connection. It’s a place where you can escape from the demands of daily life, recharge, and truly be yourself. To me, it’s about creating an environment that feels calm and welcoming, whether that’s a cozy reading nook, a serene master suite, or even a thoughtfully designed outdoor space. It could also be a dedicated workout space with a sauna, an audio/media room, or a library—whatever allows you to feel centered and at ease.
Photos By Rineer Designs, Nick Gould, And Ashlee Zimmerman Photography
ESTES: A home should be a sanctuary—a space where wellness and peace are prioritized, offering refuge from the demands of daily life. Thoughtful design fosters a calming environment where you can recharge, connect, and support your overall well-being. This sense of sanctuary transforms your home " into a haven for balance and renewal.
Photos By Rineer Designs, Nick Gould, And Ashlee Zimmerman Photography
CECILIA INTERIOR DESIGN
What are some creative ways to utilize extra rooms and space within the home?
"CREATING A SAFE + WELCOMING space...can foster connection +create lasting memories."
RINEER: Extra rooms or spaces within a home present the perfect opportunity to get creative and make them truly meaningful. Often, these areas are underutilized, but with the right approach, they can become sanctuary spaces that inspire and fulfill. One unique way to use extra space is by creating a multipurpose room that can transform based on your needs. This could be a workout space with a sauna or a home spa for relaxation, an audio/media room for movie nights, or a library to immerse yourself in books. You could even design an art studio or a crafting space where creativity can flourish. Additionally, creating a safe and welcoming space for friends and family to gather—like a cozy game room or a home bar area—can foster connection and create lasting memories.
ZAGAS: The nook under a staircase is the perfect place to create a little haven—especially for kids! I once designed a staircase nook with a custom bench cushion, pillows, fun artwork and sconces for reading. Underneath the bench seat was a flip-top for storage. Win-win!
Photos By Rineer Designs, Nick Gould, And Ashlee Zimmerman Photography
RINEER DESIGNS
What are some tips for bringing peace and creativity into a space?
ESTES: An important first step is to know what colors make you feel good. Which colors draw you in? We often hear about “spa-colors” but we believe color, even lack of color, evokes different emotions in all of us. Even how color is used in a space can make it feel more inviting. Color has guidelines, but these guidelines might not be your calming vibe, and that’s just fine. Go with what feels good to you! A few steps that are more clear would be to arrange furniture to encourage flow and functionality, such as open layouts for creative projects or cozy groupings for relaxation. Incorporate natural elements like indoor plants, which improve air quality and create a sense of vitality, and use décor that inspires, such as personal artwork, books, or textiles with soothing textures. Layer lighting with dimmable options and add mindful accents, like a meditation corner or a creative display, to make the space both peaceful and energizing.
Photos By Rineer Designs, Nick Gould, And Ashlee Zimmerman Photography
Why is finding peace or comfort in your living space important?
ESTES: Finding peace and comfort in your living space is vital for reducing stress and supporting well-being. A harmonious home helps you recharge, connect and feel at ease in daily life.
ZAGAS: Finding peace in your living space is essential because your environment profoundly impacts your physical, emotional and mental well-being.
Rineer Designs
York
Carlisle Design, Interiors and Consulting Group
Carlisle
CECILIA Interior Design
Lancaster
