Doen Rhodia Holiday Dress

Here’s a peek inside the mood that’s shaping our #SixthStreetBungalow. We’re still in demo mode (dust everywhere), but this is my favorite part of the process (when the house starts whispering what it wants to be).

Before we ever order a single piece, I’m on Pinterest saving anything that makes me pause... sometimes it’s an entire room, sometimes it’s one random detail. Like a leg shape, a wood tone, the way a lamp light hits the wall. I gather it all, sit with it, and then start pulling out the threads that feel right for this home.

This project has me sourcing way more vintage. I’ve been deep in Facebook Marketplace lately (found enough good pieces it deserves its own video), and I love how those older, storied items shift the whole vibe.

Let me know if I should share BTS of my finds!
(All imagery from Pinterest)

One thing I’m always designing for: what actually happens in your house when no one’s looking.

I care less about matching lamps and more about where you drop your keys, how many shoes pile up by the back door, and which chair your dog has secretly claimed as their own. That’s the real brief.

When we start a project, I’m asking questions like:
Where does everyone land after school or work?
Do you eat at the island or the table (or the sofa... be honest)?
Do you host big, loud groups or two friends over for a glass of wine?

Those answers shape everything from the fabrics I’ll fight for, how much storage we build in, where we splurge and where we save.

Because a pretty room is easy.
A home that can handle real life, get lived in hard, and still feel like you in ten years?
That’s the hard work I love doing.

Merry Christmas Eve, friends! I’m sharing this from the archives (since our home is still a construction zone 🤪)... wishing you all a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones.❤️

20k. Wow. Feeling a little surreal over here (and right before Christmas!). Emma surprised me with this cake today and it honestly made me pause and take it all in. This journey has been nothing without you all (this community) showing up, supporting, growing with me. I’m so grateful for every message, interaction, and tiny bit of love along the way.

And I’ll be honest... it’s not always easy showing up here every day and sharing so many pieces of our lives. You don’t see everything, and that’s okay. But what’s real is this connection and the people on the other side of the screen.

Here’s to all of you. Thank you for being here, for cheering us on, and for making this space feel like something worth building.❤️

After designing and remodeling so many bathrooms, here are 5 mistakes I’ll never make again:

1. Stopping tile too low on the wall.
Tiling only part way up can make a bathroom feel choppy and visually shorter. Taking tile higher (or all the way up in key areas) instantly feels more custom and elevates even the smallest space.

2. Choosing form over storage.
A pretty pedestal sink with nowhere to hide anything... I’ve learned my lesson. Vanities with drawers, medicine cabinets, and smart niches keep your counters clear and make your bathroom actually livable. For example, pretty pedestal sinks have my heart — but they have zero secrets. If you truly love the look, add a tailored sink skirt to hide essentials, or do what we’re doing in our own project: bringing in an entire wall of IKEA PAX built-ins for overflow storage. Desianers think hard about lifestyle... because a beautiful bathroom that doesn’t actually work never stays beautiful.

3. Using the wrong grout color.
Bright white grout on a busy floor or in a shower is a cleaning nightmare. A softer, mid-tone grout is more forgiving, ages better, and lets the tile shine instead of the lines.

4. Cheap, overly shiny hardware and fixtures.
Nothing dates a bathroom faster than ultra-shiny, lightweight hardware. A tip I give clients: always look for weight and finish depth. Polished nickel with a warm undertone, unlacquered brass that patinas beautifully, or even aged bronze instantly elevates a space. Spend once and avoid upgrading again in two years.

5. Relying only on overhead lighting.
One can light = harsh, flat, unflattering. Layered lighting changes everything. Add sconces at face level (ladies... this is a game changer for getting ready), plus a decorative fixture or even a candle for a softer, moodier feel.

If you’re planning a remodel or want help avoiding these mistakes in your own home, send me a DM — we’d love to help you design a bathroom you’ll love for years🤍