When I first heard about Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), it sounded intimidating. Actually, make that even a little threatening. I’ll admit it. I had images of robots taking over jobs and invading my privacy. And it felt a long way away from my world of decorating, personal style, and helping people create homes they love.

But here’s the thing: after trying A.I. for myself, I realized it wasn’t just not scary—it was an incredible tool. I kid you not. It’s like having a personal assistant who’s always there to help you stay organized, make decisions, and even spark some creative juices.

Now, I use it daily for everything from planning our new home build, researching a topic I’m interested in, finding a recipe for dinner that uses ingredients currently in my fridge, and helping me prioritize my to do tasks and schedule.

So why am I sharing this with you here, on a style blog? It’s a fair question. The truth is, this tool has become such a GAME CHANGER for me—not just for my business, for our new home build but also in everyday life—that I feel compelled to share it with you. I know many of you feel hesitant, even intimidated, to try it, but I want you to know this: it can help you, too. And learning how to use it now, while it’s still accessible and evolving, can be incredibly empowering. And you know how I feel about feeling empowered!

How A.I. Helped Me Create My Dream Kitchen Design

Let me give you a real-life example of how A.I. turned what felt like an overwhelming task to me into an organized, enjoyable process. As part of our new home build, I needed to prepare for a kitchen design meeting. The kitchen is the heart of our home, and I want it to be super functional, beautiful and also have this old world charm. Plus ample storage and tailored to how our family lives.

The problem? My thoughts were everywhere. I had sticky notes, Pinterest boards, and a long list of hand written “must-haves” that felt impossible to organize. I didn’t even know where to start.

So that’s when I turned to ChatGPT who I now affectionally call “Chattie“.

Here’s What I Did:

Brain Dump:

I typed everything I could think of into ChatGPT—my must-haves, storage needs, how I use the kitchen daily, and even things like my Vitamix smoothie station and baking supplies.

Prompting for Clarity:

I asked ChatGPT to suggest questions I should consider for the meeting. It asked things like:

• Do you need hidden storage for small appliances?
• What’s your family’s flow in the kitchen—where do people naturally gather?
• What finishes and materials align with your aesthetic?

Creating a Plan:

• It organized my scattered ideas into a clear, cohesive written document that I sent to my designer before our meeting.

The result? The meeting went smoothly. My designer already understood what I wanted, so we spent our time refining details instead of going over the basics. I left feeling confident, prepared, and excited—not overwhelmed. YES! Huge win for me.

A.I. Isn’t Just for Big Projects—Here’s How It Can Help You Every Day

A.I. isn’t just for tackling major projects like designing a kitchen or planning a renovation. It’s also amazing for the small, everyday things that can simplify your life and make it more enjoyable.

Here are some ways I use ChatGPT regularly:

Time Management:

• From helping me manage my daily to-do lists to planning meals or organizing a busy week, “Chattie” kind of acts like my own personal organizer who is available to me 24/7!

Shopping Decisions:

• Whether you’re comparing kitchen appliances, researching reviews on a new sofa, or shopping for the perfect pair of boots, ChatGPT can help you make confident choices while sticking to your budget.

Meal Planning and Recipes:

• Struggling to come up with dinner ideas? Chat GPT can suggest recipes based on ingredients you already have at home or help you plan a week’s worth of meals that meet your dietary preferences.

Trip Planning:

• Planning a weekend getaway or a family outing? ChatGPT can suggest itineraries, help you pack efficiently, or even find kid-friendly activities in a new city. I used it to plan our last three trips and it was soooo beyond helpful! And when we were away on the actual trip I then switched to using the ChatGPT App which was helpful if I needed to change our itinerary.

Holiday Prep:

• Say you need some help organizing your holiday menu, or finding a unique gift for your sister-in-law who has everything, or you want some tablescape ideas to make it look festive. Yup, Chat GPT can help you with this too.

Quick Answers to Random Questions:

• THIS IS THE BEST PART! Random questions that are now quickly answered in real time by Chattie in a conversational manner. I use this WAY more than Google search now. For example: What’s the best way to clean a delicate fabric? How do I convert 200 grams to cups for baking? How long should I boil eggs for a soft centre?

The possibilities are endless—and the best part? You don’t need to be tech-savvy to get started. It’s all about typing in your questions or thoughts and letting AI guide you.

How to Get Started with ChatGPT

If you’re totally green at using A.I., I would recommend getting started with ChatGPT because it is simple and straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Create an Account:

• Go to chat.openai.com and sign up for a free account using your email address, Google account, or Microsoft account.
• You’ll need to verify your email to activate your account.

2. Is It Secure?

• ChatGPT takes your privacy seriously. It doesn’t store or use your personal data beyond your active session. Still, it’s a good idea not to share sensitive or private information (like bank details) in your chats.

3. Do You Have to Pay?

• ChatGPT offers both free and paid versions. The free version is more than enough for most tasks, but the paid version, which I use for my business, called ChatGPT Plus, costs around $25 per month and offers these perks:
  • Faster response times.
  • Priority access during peak hours (no waiting in line).
  • Access to the latest AI model, GPT-4, which is more advanced and accurate.
• If you’re just starting, the free version is a great way to dip your toes in and see how it works.

4. Accessing It:

• You can use ChatGPT on your laptop or mobile phone—just open the browser and log in. Once you’re in, simply type a question or request, and let ChatGPT do the rest.

Simple Prompts to Get You Started

Once you’re set up, here are a few easy prompts to try. These will help you see just how versatile and helpful ChatGPT can be:

Meal Planning:

• “I have chicken, broccoli, and pasta—what can I make for dinner?”
• “What’s a simple, crowd-pleasing menu for a holiday dinner party?”

Travel and Outings:

• “Plan a day trip to a nearby town with fun activities for a family of four.”
• “What are some must-visit spots in Paris for a first-time traveler?”

Everyday Questions:

• “How do I remove a wine stain from my carpet?”
• “Convert 200 grams of sugar to cups for baking.”

Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid of Artificial Intelligence

Let’s address the elephant in the room: many people are nervous about A.I.. I’ve heard it all—“It’s going to steal my job,” “It’s a privacy risk,” or “It’s too complicated to learn.”

But here’s what I have recognized since using it: A.I. could never replace you. It’s here as a way to empower you. Instead of spending hours researching or second-guessing your decisions, A.I. helps you get clear, organized, and confident. It’s just another tool in your tool box!

And here’s a fun fact:

if you use Google, you’re already using A.I.! Many search results are powered by A.I. to bring you better answers faster.

The key is to shift your mindset. Instead of seeing A.I. as a threat, think of it as a tool—just like Pinterest, Canva, or even your smartphone. When you frame it as something that helps your creativity and productivity, it becomes a game changer.

Why A.I. Is a Tool, Not a Replacement for Human Creativity

When I used ChatGPT to prep for my meeting with my kitchen designer, it was a total game changer in terms of getting organized. It helped me sort through my must-haves, my nice-to-haves, and even articulate in words the “look and feel” I’m after. It was invaluable for clarifying my thoughts and making sure I could communicate them effectively.

But let me be super clear—never in a million years would I think A.I. could replace the creativity, experience, and education that a designer brings to the table. What she offers as a human being—her ability to connect with me, understand the way my family functions, and help me to design a kitchen layout that not only looks beautiful but feels authentic to us—is irreplaceable. Plus, just having that human interaction, the exchange of energy, the smiles and laughter. That can never be replaced with a robot! The same goes for my interactions with my own decorating clients! It’s about that human interaction, the authenticity, the being together and working together towards a shared goal that makes it so meaningful and valuable.

A.I. is an incredible tool, and we should absolutely take advantage of it, but it’s just that—a tool. It can help us get organized and clear on our vision, but it’s the human touch that turns that vision into something meaningful, functional, and entirely our own!

My Challenge to You

If you’ve been hesitant to try A.I., I want to challenge you to take that first step. You know what I always say: START SMALL to avoid the overwhelm. Use one of the prompts above, or ask ChatGPT something simple, like planning a family meal or organizing your day.

And if you’re still feeling unsure, be sure to keep following me because as I learn more about the power of A.I. and using Chat GPT I’ll be sharing more tips and ideas you can use too.

Because here’s the truth:

this technology (just like the computer, the cell phone, wifi and so on) isn’t going away. And the sooner you learn to use it, the more empowered and confident you’ll feel in every area of your life.