How a RH Cloud Sofa Saved My Life
Trusting my gut during one of the lowest points in my life, I took a scary leap and bought a Restoration Hardware Cloud Sofa—and that single decision ended up changing everything.
Lately, the topic of following your instincts has come up repeatedly. It’s been a hectic few weeks as I help my neighborhood organize a home tour event to raise funds for our pocket parks. During this time, I’ve been listening to many podcasts about trusting your gut and finding your purpose. I can’t help but think about how much design stems from instinct— that feeling of "when you know, you know." Explaining it often feels like an impending doom; sometimes, you just can’t articulate why something will work—it just will!
Instinct is everything in art, and that’s one reason I love it so much. When it comes to decision-making in design, it feels effortless for me. That fire inside me glows and grows with every decision made, leading to a fulfilling final outcome.
They say instinct manifests as a pull, a tugging sensation, accompanied by a very positive reaction. For example, if you’re at an antique market and spot something you love, you might feel a strong attraction, a sense that this piece is special. Yet another voice may chime in, saying things like, “You don’t need it; it’s not your style; it’s a waste of money.” But then your instinct tells you not to listen to that voice—saying, “You don’t need to know; we’ll figure it out in the future.” It takes hope and belief to pull the trigger on something like that.
Back in the day, when I had little to no money, I visited an RH outlet in Long Beach, CA. I had decided I wanted to move back to Nashville after three to four years of living in Los Angeles. At that time, I was in my mid-thirties, feeling low in life, unsure if music was my ultimate path. I was seeking another avenue to earn money and climb out of a financial hole, so I considered starting a staging business. Before moving, I wanted to gather as much unique furniture as I could. That’s when I came across the Cloud Sofa for sale. This was back in the day when Cloud sofas weren’t as common. I found one for $5,000, which was a lot of money for me at the time. I must have circled the room for four hours, trying to decide whether it was a smart investment given my financial situation, but that little flame inside told me it would be okay—it would be a good investment. I took the plunge, feeling sick to my stomach, unaware of the future that lay ahead
While I was in LA planning my move back to Nashville, I got a call to stage my first home. With that booking, I shipped all my personal furniture from LA into that home. What had felt like a scary decision—spending a significant amount of money on a sofa—turned out to be the catalyst for my staging career and put me on the path to my future. At that time, I had no bed to sleep on or any furniture because I had rented it all out to save money. However, I was taking photos of my work and building my portfolio. To this day, I have reused my Cloud Sofa in so many configurations that I still have it!
It has served as chairs in a corner, been split into loveseats, transformed into sectionals, and even used as singular chairs. This sofa has adapted along the way and has been instrumental in building the career I have today. The moral of the story is to invest in yourself. If you feel that fire inside during a scary time, listen to it, take the risk, and believe that everything will be okay. With a little work, effort, and faith in your heart and purpose, the world can guide you in making these decisions.
Now, my decisions revolve around what colors to use on walls and what type of furniture should be present in a room. I help others find their flames, but that one sofa truly saved my life during a time when I didn’t know what my career would be or where it would lead. That investment still holds a place in my heart, and as I sit here on the sofa that saved me, I treasure it forever. At that time, my career as a musician was ending, and it wasn’t unfolding as I had hoped. Taking risks to find a path that leads to where I am today— I owe that sofa everything. I think the Cloud Sofa was staged in over 60-70 homes that year, allowing me to earn enough to invest in more furniture to keep my own.
We’re in an interesting time in life where people may be forced to make adjustments. However, I can assure you that sometimes these scary moments push us into high gear and help us return to the paths we are meant to be on. So, when it comes to design, find your flame and listen to it, rather than the negative voice that tells you no—perhaps it’s your husband or a friend. Find a way to tune them out. If your flame is strong, your partner should understand and trust your instincts. After all, if your other half doesn’t have a vision but you do, they should recognize that having a vision in the first place is special, and they need to trust that it’s right.
Sending everyone so much love today, and I hope this story inspires you to listen to your flames.
Much Love Today, XO MAROS