by Kate Jonuska
a design theory—messy and bold—for sensory input
DESIGN BOOKS rarely come with a suggested soundtrack, but “Dopamine Design: Creating a Home That Makes You Happy” is intentionally unconventional, arguing that homes should be highly personalized and multisensory experiences, and that colorful, bold authenticity in the home can inspire more joy in life at large. The argument is convincing, given that it’s impossible not to see the spirit of “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles in a featured maximalist Atlanta home, impossible not to smile at the bubblegum pink apartment inspired by Lizzo.
“For years, design trends worshiped minimalism …,” writes Mody, who was trained in fashion and came to interior design by way of social media as @honeyidressedthepug. “Dopamine design flips the script. It’s not about following rules or trends. It’s about creating a home that celebrates your quirks, your story, and your joy. It’s messy. It’s bold. And yes, it’s totally personal.”
In these bright pages, Mody takes the reader inside the highly personalized homes of artists, musicians and other colorful characters who have bold tastes and no fear, whose self-described design aesthetics include “Pantone Punk” and “time-traveling Pee-wee Herman living in the Sims.” The latter home boasts a wall-sized novelty receipt, one of many comically large, featured pieces—giant cherries, massive lips—that can’t help but spread a bit of whimsy to all who see them. Truly, joy pops off every page.
Alongside that eye candy, the designer interviews in “Dopamine Design” are breezy, witty and accessible. For even more creativity, the author scattered quizzes and matching games reminiscent of 1990s teen magazines throughout to help readers explore their playfulness and personal style.
All smiling notwithstanding, real neuroscience backs up the idea that our environment can affect our mood, showing that color is processed through the limbic system and sensory input can trigger the release of dopamine. More than just an art book meant for inspiration, Mody uses science to explain how finding the perfect vintage treasure can be a literal high and how DIY personalization projects are a form of self-exploration.
“When I painted my first pink wall … I wasn’t thinking about brain chemicals or design theory,” she writes. “I just wanted a space that made me happy. (But) looking back now, I get it: That pink wasn’t just a color—it was a permission slip. It was me saying, ‘This is my space, and I get to decide how it feels.’”
