The Curated Edit #32 Crows, Windows & Other Things I Noticed Hej, Design Lovers! I just returned from Denmark, inspired, slightly jet-lagged, and still sorting through hundreds of photos while diving back into all the projects that carried on while I was away. It was my first trip to Denmark, and I am resolved that it will not be my last. There was so much to see and, as always, far too little time to see it. Travel has a way of sharpening the eye. Sometimes it introduces an entirely new...
21 days ago • 8 min read
The Curated Edit #31 Made in Portland (or more precisely, Oregon City) Greetings to my Design Lovers, Anyone else around here LOVE fall? As I’m writing this, it’s a pleasant 70 degrees and might hit 80, but there’s a beautiful breeze that smells distinctly like fall. And I am not upset about it. The last couple of weeks have been packed with education, new and exciting projects, and planning for Denmark 🇩🇰. (if you missed it, I wrote about it last edition) Early last week found me in...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
The Curated Edit #30 Hello my design-loving friends, September always feels like the beginning of a transition, even when the temperature has not received the memo. While I am not ready to go full blown fall, I am starting to want the house to feel a little warmer, more layered and ready for the season ahead. That does not require changing everything. Usually, the most effective seasonal shifts are also the smallest ones. Design Dispatch: The Fall Shift A home does not need to announce fall...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
The Curated Edit #29 Design Dispatch: Before You Start Your Next Project, Ask Yourself This Before you choose a paint color. Before you start pinning inspiration. Before you compare countertops or cabinet styles. Ask yourself one question: How do I want this room to feel and function? Not what color. Not what style. Not what's trending. The answers to those questions come later. Start with the experience. Maybe you want your kitchen to feel like command central, where everyone naturally...
2 months ago • 3 min read
The Curated Edit #28 What is it about August? Every year, I find myself wanting to squeeze every last bit out of summer. Maybe it's because we know the seasons are about to change, but the rhythm shifts. Morning coffee outside. Later dinners that turn into lingering conversations. Watching the sun set and finding any excuse you can to be outside before heading in. Even though we don't have school-age kids at home anymore, I still feel that familiar transition. Summer isn't over, but you feel...
3 months ago • 4 min read
The Curated Edit #27 The Art Of Layering Some homes have an undeniable presence the moment you walk through the door. They feel warm, inviting, and put together. Others; sometimes even with beautiful furniture and quality finishes, don't quite feel complete. The difference often comes down to one thing: layers. And this is what creates depth to a space. Layering begins at the foundation, created long before the finishing touches are added. Furnishings and styling complete how a room comes to...
3 months ago • 5 min read
The Curated Edit #26 Design Dispatch: What's the Most Common Design Mistake I See? It isn't a paint color. It isn't a decorating style. It's scale and proportion. It's the quickest way to make a room feel "off." Get it right, and you've already done a lot of the work. A room with good scale and proportion feels balanced, cohesive, and pulled together. One thing I've learned over the years is that almost nothing in design is ever truly "done." Good design evolves. Even elements that have...
4 months ago • 5 min read
The Curated Edit #25 Design Dispatch: What This Hawaii Resort Gets Right Every other year for the last 20 years, my extended family has gathered at the same resort in Hawaii. At this point, we know the property by heart. We know which pool gets the best afternoon sun, which buildings offer the quickest beach access, and what time you need to get down to the pavilion if you want first pick of the barbecues for dinner. After all these years, I have come to appreciate something important: the...
4 months ago • 5 min read
The Curated Edit #24 Design Dispatch: Subway Tile Isn't Dead. It Just Needs A Fresh Perspective I have noticed some clients growing tired of subway tile. For the record, I am not. Subway tile remains one of the most timeless materials available because it is simple, versatile, and adaptable enough to work in nearly every style of home. Traditional. Modern. Farmhouse. Spanish. It can do all of them. The problem isn't the tile. The problem is that for years it's been installed the same way:...
4 months ago • 5 min read