@lilswalty
Instagram · Speaker address
@lilswalty Do you agree? #interiordesigner #denverinteriordesign #interiordesign #interiordesigntips #interiordesignideas
Trending short videosInterior designer lists design don'ts
The edit1 shot · 6 text
Shots Text1:01
Performance
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- Likes
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- Comments
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- Engagement
- 3.2%
- Outlier
- 1.9×
- Length · 7 May 2026
- 1:01
Video #29319 · Speaker address
Interior designer lists design don'tsfrom @lilswalty
[01]
Overview
An interior designer presents a list of four specific design choices she refuses to use for her clients. For each item—matte black hardware, 12x24 tiles, washable rugs, and leggy sofas—she explains why she dislikes it, shows visual examples, and often suggests a preferred alternative, concluding with her overall philosophy of avoiding things that feel flat, flimsy, or are trying too hard.
[02]
Simple outline
- 1State contrarian premise
- 2Discredit popular choice
- 3Propose elevated alternative
- 4Reveal core philosophy
[03]
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Classification
[05]
Hook analysis
What stops the scroll in the first 3 seconds
Title hook · 55%
Things I NEVER put in my clients houses
Verbal hook · 40%
Things I never put in my clients' homes.
Visual hook · 5%
A woman with an engaging, smiling expression speaks directly to the camera, holding a small microphone, against a textured, artistic wall.
[06]
Hook template
Steal this for your own video
Things I NEVER put in my '
- — Things I NEVER put in my clients' wedding invitations
- — Things I NEVER put in my customers' meal prep plans
- — Things I NEVER put in my patients' skincare routines
[07]
Hook and payoff
The promise the opener makes, and how the video pays it back
Hook
A bold, polarizing declaration of items the creator will 'never' use or endorse, establishing immediate authority and creating curiosity about what common choices are considered mistakes.
Payoff
The viewer is left with a clear, actionable principle they can apply themselves, elevating the video from a simple list of 'no's' to a valuable lesson in discernment.
[08]
Narrative framework
The structural pattern this video runs on
Framework
The Expert's Gauntlet
An expert systematically rejects a series of popular or common items within their niche, explaining the core flaw of each and presenting a superior, more thoughtful alternative. The list culminates in the reveal of a unifying philosophy that underpins all the choices.
- 1
The Credibility Claim
The creator briefly states their professional title or expertise to justify the strong opinions that will follow.
- 2
The Classification Gauntlet
A repeating sequence where the creator introduces a popular item, condemns it based on a core principle, and offers a superior alternative with justification. This is repeated for 3-5 items.
- 3
The Unifying Principle
The creator concludes by summarizing the overarching philosophy or rule that connects all their rejections, transforming a list of opinions into a teachable framework.
Themes
Techniques
Trends
Post caption
Do you agree? #interiordesigner #denverinteriordesign #interiordesign #interiordesigntips #interiordesignideas
Text overlays
title · beginning
Things I NEVER put in my clients houses
contextual · middle
Matte black anything
contextual · middle
12x24 tile
contextual · middle
Washable rugs
contextual · middle
Leggy sofas
informational · end
I try to avoid flat, flimsy, or trying too hard
Transcript
Things I never put in my clients' homes. Hi. I'm Lily. I'm an interior designer, and these are the things you're just not getting from me. Matte black. I refuse it. It has zero personality. It's just flat. If you want that look, do iron instead. It actually has texture, depth, and it feels like a real material. 12 by 24 dial. You are not getting that from me. It is the fastest way to make a space feel builder grade. It flattens everything out and kills any personality. There's just nothing interesting happening there. Washable rugs. I know people are obsessed. I just don't believe in them. They feel like plastic. They don't age well, and no one is actually washing a nine by 12 rug. Even if you do, it's not the same. Leggy sofas. You know the ones where the tiny peg legs look like they're trying to be mid century? To me, they look like they're trying to leave the room. I want something that actually has weight and looks like it's trying to stay put. There's always nuance. Worst of the time I'm steering clients away from anything that feels flat, flimsy, or like it's trying too hard.