Today we’d like to introduce you to Destiny Larsen.
Hi Destiny, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a self-taught designer. I didn’t go to school for it, but I’ve always paid attention to how spaces feel and how certain rooms just work while others don’t. After leaving the Air Force, I was in that weird in-between season where you’re figuring out who you are without the structure you’ve always had. Design became something I naturally leaned into during that time.
As I started noticing homes on the market, I realized most staging didn’t feel very thoughtful. It was functional, but it wasn’t emotional. It didn’t feel rooted in real design, and I couldn’t stop thinking about how much potential was being missed. That gap stuck with me.
I started small, learning as I went, trusting my instincts, and slowly investing in pieces I actually loved. Every home felt like a chance to tell a story, not just fill a space. Over time, that way of working turned into Brass & Batten.
Now, I still approach each home the same way. I care about the details, the feeling, and helping someone walk in and instantly see themselves there. I’m proud of how it’s grown, especially knowing it came from being self-taught, paying attention, and trusting myself.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges was trusting myself as a self-taught designer, especially early on. It’s easy to second-guess your instincts when you don’t have a formal background and you’re building something from scratch.
Another challenge was learning how to grow a business while still figuring out life after the military. There were seasons of doing everything myself, saying yes too often, and learning the hard way where my boundaries needed to be. Balancing creativity with the realities of running a business took time.
There were also moments of realizing that not every client or project was the right fit, even when I needed the work. Learning to protect my vision, my time, and the quality of my work has been a process.
Looking back, those challenges shaped how I work today. They taught me to trust my eye, value quality over speed, and stay rooted in why I started in the first place.
We’ve been impressed with Brass & Batten Home Staging and Design , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Brass & Batten Home Staging and Design is a West Michigan based staging and design studio focused on creating intentional spaces that help homes sell while still feeling personal and elevated.
I specialize in vacant home staging and new builds, working closely with builders and real estate agents to design spaces that feel thoughtful, cohesive, and natural. Every home is approached through an interior design lens rather than a formula. I do not believe in filling rooms just to fill them. Each piece is chosen with purpose, scale, and flow in mind.
I am most proud that the brand has grown organically from being self taught and rooted in a genuine love for design. The work is guided by paying attention to details, trusting intuition, and creating spaces that feel lived in without distracting from the home itself.
At its core, Brass & Batten is about helping people see the potential in a space and feel a connection the moment they walk in. Whether it is a new build or a vacant listing, the goal is always the same. Thoughtful design that supports the sale and respects the home.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I don’t really think about risk in a dramatic way. Most of what I’ve done has just felt necessary. Leaving the Air Force was scary because it meant walking away from stability. Starting a business without a formal design background was uncomfortable because there was no clear roadmap.
A lot of the risk has been practical. Spending money on inventory before I felt ready. Saying yes before I felt confident. Learning by doing instead of waiting until everything was perfect. There were plenty of moments where I didn’t know if it would work, but I kept moving forward anyway.
I think my approach to risk is trusting myself more than waiting for certainty. If I waited until I felt completely ready, I wouldn’t have started at all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brassandbattendesign.com
- Instagram: @brassandbattendesign
- Facebook: @brassandbattendesign
