Intentional Design
Denis FilippiniCreating spaces that truly reflect who you are.
In a world overflowing with stuff, it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. Our homes—once sanctuaries—often become storage units for things we don’t use, don’t need, and don’t love. But what if your space only held the pieces that made life easier, calmer, and more inspiring?
That’s the philosophy behind intentional design: creating homes where every choice has purpose, and every object has meaning.
What Is Intentional Design?
Intentional design isn’t about buying the most expensive furniture or sticking to a single aesthetic. It’s about making deliberate choices. Instead of filling your space with thoughtless pieces, intentional design asks:
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Does this object serve me—functionally or emotionally?
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Does this piece reflect who I am and how I want to live?
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Does it contribute to the story I’m telling in my home?
It’s not minimalism for the sake of less. It’s about more meaning, less clutter.
Why Intentional Design Matters Today
The rise of intentional design in the U.S. isn’t an accident—it’s a response to how we live now.
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We want calm in the chaos. With work, screens, and responsibilities pulling us in every direction, people crave homes that restore clarity and focus.
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We’re rejecting disposable culture. “Fast furniture” may be cheap, but it’s costly in the long run—for our wallets and for the planet. Intentional design encourages buying better, not more.
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We want identity, not uniformity. Your home should feel like your space, not a catalog. Intentional design ensures every choice reflects your values and lifestyle.
Ultimately, intentional design helps us reclaim our homes as places of peace, purpose, and joy.
How The Perfect Bookshelf Embodies Intentional Design
When Alain and Odile Chennaux created The Perfect Bookshelf, they weren’t just making furniture—they were creating a framework for intentional living. Here’s how:
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Customization: With TPB, you don’t compromise. You design shelves that fit your exact space, style, and needs—whether it’s a Brooklyn apartment or a Paris family home.
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Sustainability: Each bookshelf is made with eco-certified wood and is built to last a lifetime, not a season. That’s intentional design at its core: buy once, cherish forever.
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Storytelling: A bookshelf is more than storage. It’s where you showcase your favorite books, family photos, artwork, or souvenirs. TPB designs are modular canvases for your life.
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Craftsmanship: Every bookshelf is designed in Belgium—a country with a proud design legacy—and crafted in the U.S. for local reliability and shorter lead times.
With The Perfect Bookshelf, intentional design becomes more than an idea. It becomes part of your daily life.
5 Ways to Bring Intentional Design Into Your Home
1. Start With Meaning
Before adding new furniture or décor, take a moment to ask: What do I truly want to showcase in my home? Maybe it’s your favorite novels, family photos, or the pottery you collected on a trip. Let those meaningful objects guide your choices.
2. Think Modular
Life changes—your furniture should too. Modular pieces, like TPB shelves, adapt as your needs evolve: from holding novels in your first apartment, to storing toys and artwork in a growing family home.
3. Balance Beauty and Function
A well-designed piece should make life easier and more beautiful. Intentional design isn’t about sacrificing style for practicality—it’s about merging the two.
4. Buy With Purpose
Instead of filling your space with quick fixes, choose pieces that last. Quality furniture may cost more upfront, but it saves money, stress, and landfill space over time.
5. Celebrate Your Story
Intentional design isn’t about following someone else’s rules—it’s about creating a space that feels authentically yours. A home filled with personal meaning will always feel timeless.
From Chaos to Calm
At its heart, intentional design is about living with clarity. It’s about moving away from clutter and disposability, and toward spaces filled with meaning, quality, and care.
With The Perfect Bookshelf, we invite you to practice intentional design in the most personal way: by creating a home for the stories, objects, and memories that matter most.
Because your home isn’t just where you live—it’s where your story unfolds.