1. What inspired you to become a designer? What has your journey been like?
My soul. My eyes. My brain. They are just made happy and at ease when fixed on beauty. Whether it’s a mountain view, a beach sunset, an art gallery filled with creativity, or a beautifully designed kitchen. My journey, as far as interior design goes, began in my preteens, free of outside influence, days when my mom gave me the green light to make my bedroom “my own”. I’d crank up the top 10 hits station and organize and redecorate monthly.
Every home I’ve been in since, I’m unable to contain the drive to enhance the aesthetics and function. Even now, without thinking, I study the carpentry, design and workmanship in every building I enter. Whether I’m taking ideas I love or revamping the space in my head, it’s my happy place and something that just happens naturally.
2. How would you describe your design aesthetic?
You mean my design aesthetic this year? Haha. I have had to learn discipline when styling a space. I’m a lover of ALL things design and literally ALL different design styles. So in the beginning, I would mix and match styles making everything eclectic. I’ve enjoyed learning how to pin down a specific style and create boundaries when designing a space.
I would definitely describe my current favorite design aesthetic as French modern. The tufting. The classic wall treatments. The shine of a white tile and the straight clean lines along with a minimal pattern that makes subtle statements. At this time in my life (with a two and three year old) the “clean” feeling of modern design brings a sense of serenity and control to balance out the beautiful mess that the season of energetic toddlers bring.
3. What was your favorite project(s)? Why?
My favorite project as of late is absolutely our stairwell wall. Our new build came very standard and basic as a blank canvas, so my husband (and DIY partner in crime) and I have been having a lot of fun adding character. I chose to do picture frame molding from stair to ceiling and a semi gloss white paint to match the rest of the trim and casing in our home. It gave the space such a modern French/Victorian feel that just brings me joy and the house, so much character and comfort. Absolutely a top bang-for-your-buck idea that any home improvement budget can handle. We loved it so much, we decided to do a bedroom accent wall and chair rail with the same treatment.
4. What’s your favorite trend right now?
I don’t tend to follow trends. They move too quickly. I will say, I’ve noticed the “white” theme seems to be very popular, and I hope it’s here to stay. During my 20’s I always leaned toward white-everything. Decor, vehicles, you name it. I fought it for awhile, telling myself it wasn’t practical and even boring, but the popularity of the white design “trend” now has allowed me to embrace those tendencies to choose white and freed me to just do what I love. So regardless of the life of the trend, white will always be a part of my style. Long live the white pallet with wood accents!
5. Apart from designing/decorating, what is one hobby or interest that you can’t live without?
This is a great question, because I believe the answer comes back full circle. I wouldn’t make it in a world without bicycles, oars, hiking trails and beach days. As I mentioned in the first question, nature inspires me. Sight-seeing on a bike ride, rowing on any body of water in any form, hiking steep trails and burying little baby feet in the sand on a warm summer day gives me life. Creation in all of its glory.
