The Mood Board Challenge, Week 1
Are you ready for our first Mood Board brief? This week is all about YOU
Hello Dear Friend!
First of all, thank you so much for joining the challenge! I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to see a new subscriber email pop up and realise that the number of sign-ups has exceeded my expectations. Once again, thank you—it's truly an honour to have you on this journey with me.
If you are not already subscribed, let me remind you that when you do, not only you will receive each brief into your inbox on Mondays (and subsequently any related post) but you will also receive access to download the free guide to creating a mood board which is a step by step of what you want to consider to create your mood board, so make sure you sign up!
Table of Content
About the practicalities of creating a mood board
Let’s cover this quickly.
There are a couple of things to consider when creating a moodboard and it is up to you to decide which method you prefer, or if you will use always the same one or alternate.
Your moodboard can be physical
If you decide to create a physical mood board, you'll need either a large art pad or cardstock pages. You'll also need glue, scissors, and a collection of images—either cut from magazines or printed yourself—to stick onto your board. There’s not much else to add, except that you may want a designated place to store your mood boards and remember to take a photo to share online if you'd like.
Your moodboard can be digital
You can also go digital, which, let’s be honest, is much more flexible. It’s easy to copy and paste images onto a blank page and rearrange them freely until you’re happy with the result. The best part? It’s much easier to make changes later.
Here are some tools you can use to create your digital mood board: Canva, mattoboard, Milanote, or, for a simpler approach, just open a blank page in Word or Pages (set to landscape) and create your collage.
These are simple ways to start and as we evolve through the challenge we can cover this in more details if we need to.
A note on copyrights
Always remember to credit your sources if you’re sharing your mood board with others, especially online. It’s important to acknowledge the original creators of the images you’re using. If you really want to include something but don’t know the source, make it very clear that it’s unidentified.
Giving proper credit is not only respectful but also essential.
Reminder of what a Moodboard is and isn’t
A moodboard is a visual tool used to capture the overall vibe, style, and inspiration for a design project.
It focuses on the feeling of the space, using colours, textures, patterns, and abstract imagery to communicate the desired atmosphere.
What it isn’t is a detailed plan — it doesn’t include specific furniture pieces, layouts, or final decisions. Instead, it serves as a creative starting point, guiding the direction of the design without locking anything in.
And before we begin, last couple of things
I wouldn’t normally get into so many details on how to tackle this task but today I want to do it for a couple of reasons:
This is the first brief and therefore some of you may need a bit of guidance to get you started.
I know how overwhelming the question “what is your signature style?” can be when you are not even sure what it is and trying to figure it out.
Don’t let this intimidate you and also know that the results of your mood board is not setting anything in stone.
It is a starting point to this journey and you will have all the freedom, space and permission to evolve and change. So let your heart and inspiration speak and flow with it.
This Week’s Brief: It’s All About YOU
Your style is what transforms a house into a home, telling your unique story. This week’s challenge is all about defining and celebrating the home that feels authentically you.
How do you want to feel in your own home? What style and colours do you gravitate towards?
I want you to create a mood board that reflects the type of home you dream of living in and maybe you’re already in your dream home, or perhaps you’re still figuring out what that looks like.
Either way, this is your chance to explore and express the colours, textures, furniture, art, and accessories that speak to your soul.
What makes a space feel like home to you?
Is it the cosy warmth of earthy tones, the drama of bold colours, or the calm simplicity of natural materials?
Is it a colourful maximalist environment or a minimalist universe? Or maybe it is a bit of both?
Use this mood board to inspire yourself—or to reaffirm what already feels right.
This is about tuning into what feels natural, what you gravitate towards, and what lights you up. Let your instincts lead the way, and don’t hold back—this is your chance to design for you.
Consider These Prompts to Guide Your Moodboard:
Go on a hunt for images that capture the feelings, emotions, and overall vibe you want your home to embody—both in how it looks and how it feels.
Now consider:
Colours:
What colours do you naturally gravitate towards? Are you drawn to bold, saturated tones, or do you prefer muted, calming shades? Think of your favourite colour combinations — the ones that bring you joy.Textures & Materials:
Do you love the warmth of natural wood, the softness of velvet, or the sleekness of metal? Consider how textures can add depth and character to your style.Era & Style Influences:
Are you inspired by a particular design era (e.g., Victorian, Mid Century Modern) or a blend of styles (like eclectic, boho, or minimalist)? Your signature style may be a fusion of influences, so highlight how you mix them.Statement Pieces:
Think of those standout items you love in a room — a bold piece of art, a statement chair, a unique lamp. These pieces can anchor your moodboard and show what you value most in your space.Mood & Feel:
How do you want your space to feel? Cosy and warm? Airy and light? Playful and colourful? Choose images that evoke the mood you want your home to have.
Creating your first mood board is an exciting step towards bringing your vision to life. I’ll be encouraging submissions this Friday, so start gathering your ideas and get creative! If you have any questions or need clarification in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m here to help.