Make yourself
at home.
Home & style coaching in the Philadelphia region providing fresh perspective, practical guidance, and a helping hand to create spaces that feel calm, cozy, and curated.
It's your corner of the world. Let's make it feel like home.
Whether you're staring at a blank wall after a move, going through a life transition, overwhelmed by clutter, or simply want help decorating or restyling a room that just isn’t quite right, I'd love to help.
Together, we'll sort out the spaces and design details that make up how you feel about your everyday life at home, creating a home that feels welcoming, functional, and a reflection of you. No judgment. No perfection. Just someone in your corner to listen, provide inspiration, and help you make home feel a little more like your home.
Think of gussi as the friend you call when you need help rearranging a room, or making sense of the pile that's somehow become part of the decor.
I'm not a professional interior designer, cleaning service, or contractor. And I'm not here to create a magazine-perfect home and convince you to spend your 401k on a sofa.
I am here to help you see your space through fresh eyes. As a team, we'll uncover what's working, what’s possible, and what's standing in the way, then make thoughtful decisions that help your space feel calmer, easier to live in, and a joy to come home to.
Along the way, I'll share tools and perspective to help you make confident decisions long after our work together is done. Because the best outcome isn't hearing, "You did this." It's hearing you say, "I did this."
In 2017, I bought an almost 100-year-old Dutch Colonial in Philadelphia’s Mt. Airy neighborhood after years of living in a small condo nearby. As much as I loved that little place, I discovered that what I really wanted in life was a giant dollhouse I could rearrange, redecorate, and rethink to my heart’s content.
After more than 20 years as a designer and art director, using creativity to solve problems and tell stories, I realized I was doing the same thing at home: experimenting, rearranging, figuring out what feels more efficient, and what’s more pleasing to the eye. And while I will never call this home perfect, it’s a home that feels welcoming, functional, delightfully eclectic, and uniquely mine.
It brings me so much joy to see friends enjoy my home, then have them call me to get ready for a party, for advice on paint colors, where to find a great rug, how to hang a gallery wall, or even the best spot for the dog crate.
Gussi is my way of helping others create that feeling for themselves, whether that means finally tackling a cluttered room, making a bedroom feel like their own retreat, or hearing someone walk through the door and say, “Your house is amazing.”
Christa Hackenberg
Owner & Operator
Meet gussi
A fresh approach to home styling
Who gussi can help
Everyone needs a little help sometimes and everyone deserves to feel happy in the space they call home.
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You walk by your guest room several times a day and cringe. Let’s get in there and make some magic.
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A blank slate can be overwhelming. Let’s unpack who you want to be in this new space and make it a reality.
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You’ve suddenly realized that dreamcatcher above your bed isn’t serving you anymore. Let’s figure out who you are now and go from there.
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Ready to host house guests or have a party but your home isn’t quite guest-ready? Let’s create a space that's inviting, relaxed, and ready for get-togethers of all kinds.
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You want to look and feel your best as you tackle the world or your 5th video call of the day. Together we can create a space that feels good to come home to or work from.
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Starting fresh can be scary. Whether you're settling into a new home, ready to put yourself back out there and want to prep your home for a special guest, or just need to figure out your own style, I'll help you and your home show up with confidence.
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Still active but need a little help getting those Christmas ornaments up from the basement? I can help you maintain beauty and dignity in your home no matter the challenges.
“Gussi helped me see the potential in the under used spaces in my home. She has a knack for translating my vision for a space into an actual plan. And she is gifted at finding just the right colors to style up everything from my tiny bathroom to our traditional dining room. Gussi helps you bring out the best in your home.”
How gussi can help
Here are just a handful of ways I can help you and your home. Need something done but don’t see it here? Shoot me a message with your project and I’ll see if I can assist.
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Decluttering assistance
Organization & storage help
Closet & decor editing
Donation & trash removal guidance
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Room layout
Interior decorating
Re-styling
Art & gallery wall placement
Accessorizing
Finishing touches
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Paint color selection
Wallpaper guidance
Hardware recommendations
Fixture selection
Flooring & rug advice
Finish coordination
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Guest-ready home
Dinner party styling
Table settings
Shopping guidance
Floral support
Entrance styling
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Container gardens
Porch & Patio styling
Outdoor entertaining ideas
Garden layout ideas
Seasonal planters
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Decorating buddy
Tablescapes
Shopping buddy & guidance
Holiday guest prep
Christmas tree styling
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Personal brand consulting
Home office guidance
Routine editing
Dating profile coaching
Wardrobe editing
Shopping guidance
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Downsizing
Light staging
New home decorating
DIY guidance
Paint selection
Sometimes all it takes is a fresh perspective, a little encouragement, and someone willing to say…
Let’s start here.
What it’s like working with gussi
Meet & Greet
We meet virtually to talk about your wants and needs, your pain points, what feels stuck, what’s getting in the way, and decide if my services can help you get where you want to go.
Make a plan
Together we define your priorities, budget, and a timeline, then create a list of things that need to happen before our first in-home session.
Do the work
Based on our discussion and your location, we’ll meet virtually or in person to tackle your project together. Depending on the length of our session, I may provide you with a to do list to complete on your own or before a second session.
Follow up
After our first session, we will decide on next steps, such as additional sessions, shopping and resource guidance, or a personal plan for keeping up the momentum.
Practical, accessible home styling for real homes and real budgets.
In-home and virtual sessions start at $150.
gussi is based in Philadelphia and offers in-home services throughout the city and surrounding communities, generally within about an hour of Philadelphia.
Virtual sessions are also available for projects near and far. Have a question? Don’t hesitate to reach out.
What’s going on?
Tell me a little about what sort of help you are looking for, and I’ll get back to you as soon as humanly possible! Can’t wait to meet you.