Design doesn’t have to be intimidating, expensive, or reserved for professionals—and Julie McAulay is here to prove it. With the launch of her new book, DIY Interior Design: A Step-by-Step Guide for Anyone to Create Beautiful and Functional Spaces, McAulay opens the door for homeowners, renters, and creative beginners to finally feel confident designing the spaces they live in every day.
At its heart, DIY Interior Design is an invitation. It invites readers to slow down, trust their instincts, and learn a proven process that removes the guesswork from decorating and planning a home. Rather than pushing trends or perfection, McAulay focuses on something far more lasting: function, comfort, and personal expression.
Drawing on decades of hands-on experience designing homes, offices, schools, and community spaces across Northeast Ohio and Canada, McAulay translates professional design principles into clear, approachable steps. From discovering personal style and planning layouts to working with colour, focal points, balance, and budget, the book walks readers through the same thoughtful process she has used with real clients for years.
What sets DIY Interior Design apart is its reassuring tone. McAulay understands the hesitation many people feel when making design decisions—the fear of costly mistakes, the overwhelm of too many choices, and the frustration of rooms that never quite work. Her writing feels less like instruction and more like guidance from a trusted mentor who has seen it all and genuinely wants readers to succeed.
Each chapter builds logically, allowing readers to move at their own pace while gaining practical tools they can apply immediately. Mood boards, space planning, sustainability considerations, and even modern tools like augmented reality are explained in plain language, making the process feel accessible rather than technical.
This is not a glossy coffee-table book meant to be admired from afar. It’s a working guide—dog-ear friendly, pencil-ready, and designed to be revisited as homes and lives evolve. Whether refreshing a single room or rethinking an entire home, readers come away with confidence, clarity, and a renewed sense of possibility.
Ultimately, DIY Interior Design reminds us that a well-designed space isn’t about impressing others—it’s about creating rooms that support real life. With warmth, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom, Julie McAulay empowers readers to stop second-guessing and start creating homes that truly feel like their own.
About the Author
Julie McAulay is a seasoned interior designer, consultant, and educator whose career has been shaped by a deep belief that good design should serve people—not overwhelm them. Her journey began early, experimenting with room arrangements and creative solutions long before formal training, guided by curiosity and the encouragement of her mother, to whom this book is dedicated.
After studying design and working in furniture retail, McAulay made the pivotal decision to leave the showroom behind and build an independent consultation practice. That leap allowed her to focus fully on clients’ real needs, lifestyles, and budgets. Over the years, she has designed residential, commercial, educational, and community spaces across Northeast Ohio and Canada, earning a reputation for thoughtful, functional, and highly personal design solutions.
Julie’s strength lies in her ability to teach. She doesn’t believe design talent is something you either have or don’t—she believes it’s a skill that can be learned with the right guidance. DIY Interior Design reflects that philosophy, distilling decades of experience into a clear, encouraging process that empowers readers to trust themselves.
Today, Julie continues to advocate for accessible, sustainable, and meaningful design, helping people create spaces that not only look beautiful but truly work for the way they live.