Back in October, with autumn curling up like a cat against the chill, I began to plan yet another iteration for my design studio. The result is the yield of artisans throughout Appalachia and points beyond. People who are part of diverse communities, who show up to work with pride despite a host of nagging concerns. We are each a part of the tapestry of our country. Not every thread shows at a glance, but each of them matters. Human dignity matters. These thoughts are with me as I present to you our 2026 studio design.
Read moreHow To Get Started
Does the mere notion of a new design for your home flood you with uncertainty? Maybe you’ve looked at a dizzying array of ideas online and found your excitement fizzling? If you long for your dream home to become reality but find putting your ideas together overwhelming, this post was written to help you find clarity.
Read more2025 Wrapped
2026 is fast approaching, so we're taking a beat to luxuriate in the functional beauty we delivered in 2025. Enjoy the transformations!
Read moreWhy We Did That: The Edwardian Office
Through millwork and masonry, furnishings and finishes, lighting and leaps of faith, we transform the perception of spaces with intentional choices. In our ‘Why We Did That’ series, we break down the thinking behind some of these choices…
Read moreWhy We Did That: The Friendly Foyer
Through millwork and masonry, furnishings and finishes, lighting and leaps of faith, we transform the perception of spaces with intentional choices. In our ‘Why We Did That’ series, we break down the thinking behind some of these choices…
Read moreWhy We Did That: Modern Regency Bedroom
Through millwork and masonry, furnishings and finishes, lighting and leaps of faith, we transform the perception of spaces with intentional choices. In our ‘Why We Did That’ series, we break down the thinking behind some of these choices…
Read moreWhy We Did That: Drapery For The Win
Through millwork and masonry, furnishings and finishes, lighting and leaps of faith, we transform the perception of spaces with intentional choices. In our ‘Why We Did That’ series, we break down the thinking behind some of these choices…
Read moreWhy We Did That: Hearth Makeover
Through millwork and masonry, furnishings and finishes, lighting and leaps of faith, we transform the perception of spaces with intentional choices. In our ‘Why We Did That’ series, we break down the thinking behind some of these choices…
Read moreMakeNest Turns Twenty
The future may offer few certainties, but there are things about us that I feel are constant. With some notable exceptions, most of us want to build a life of joy and growth where there is always room at the table for just one more friend. Where the home we make for ourselves restores us and inspires the best in our nature.
Read moreDesign 101: Perfect Drapery
Every night as we prepare dinner, my husband and I move through the house and pull the drapery. It is a cherished ritual. While we live in a fairly secluded neighborhood, we both find that drawing the panels gives us a sense of coziness. Our stone house has thick walls and tall oak trees, features that we love, but which limit our natural light. Because of this, we do not like for the fabric to cover the glass during the day. Luckily, I am a seasoned designer and know the perfect scale to make the drapery hit all of our requirements. I also know that custom drapery is one of the most impactful changes a person can make in a room.
To help demystify these treatments, here are the factors I keep in mind as I design drapery for my projects.
Read more2023 Year In Review
Last year is only a few ticks back on the calendar, but 2024 is already off to a great start, with exciting new projects in various phases of development. Please enjoy our look back at some of our 2023 projects.
Read moreWhen To Hire An Interior Designer
Ten years ago, a client of ours purchased a prize lot in a beautiful neighborhood along the river. She always imagined the great room in the home she was building to be filled with sunshine and views of the sparkling water.
If only her architect had known.
Read moreCreating A Joyful, Honest & Fearless Home
At a recent house call, my client handed me a photo of a room from her childhood home. When it was taken, the shelving concept was not the subject matter. Instead the grainy snapshot from the 1980s was focused on a group of happy, good-looking people, sitting together in a family room on what might have been a Sunday evening after dinner.
As she looked at the photo and talked about adaptations to the design, she was suddenly overcome with emotion and we were both a little surprised when tears came to her eyes.
Read moreDesign 101: Kitchens
Whether your are an accomplished gastronomer or someone who catches meals on the fly, a kitchen that functions smoothly and pleases the senses is probably at the top of your design wish list. What design tactics should you follow - beyond the ‘work triangle’?
Read moreDesign Solutions: Furnishing Small Spaces
After almost two decades in design, I have become an expert at intelligent space planning, but as the owner of a modest home, the tricks I've learned for making the most of tight spaces are particularly close to my heart.
Read more2022 Year in Review
In the coming days, we wish you happy holidays and plenty of time with loved ones. Here we humbly offer our year in review, that these magical transformations will spark inspiration and make your next turn around the sun the most joyful, honest, and fearless one yet.
Read moreModern Luxury: Bringing Resort Style Home
Clients often say they want a design that reflects the stylish luxury of one of their favorite vacation spots. With this in mind, I’ve taken a virtual tour of some of the world’s most beautiful resorts to unpack what it is that makes these spaces so unforgettable.
Read moreThe Magic of Home
Like so many people considering a home renovation right now, you may be wondering if it is the right time, what with global supply chain shortages, transportation delays, and increased cost of goods. Even knowing that lumber prices have dropped recently, the prospect of delays and added expenses can be discouraging. The good news is that this moment is perfect for the most important aspect of your renovation: planning.
We are often asked when is the right time to begin engaging with a designer. The truth is twofold. On one hand, you should start working with your designer as soon as possible. However, it is just as important to live with your dreams and ideas for a bit on your own before you call in a professional. We do our best work when there is some certainty on your part about the kind of home you find appealing and what you envision when you imagine yourself in the setting that will comfort and sustain you and your family.
Read moreHero Fabrics: A Designer's Palette
One question I ask clients early is how do they want their room to serve them, support them, refill their cup. This allows us to avoid getting stuck on the details before we have fully come to understand the desired spirit of their home. It also celebrates that each client, each family, has unique expectations of home and what it means to feel at home.
Read moreUnsticking Your Home Transformation
We all have them, those unfinished projects that accumulate because we ran out of steam for one reason or another. Waning house projects, in particular, add to the figurative clutter in our lives.
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