Between the Layers | Design Guide Series

A Gift Guide for your Valentine ♥️

February 7, 2023

Derrick and I keep things pretty simple for Valentine’s Day. We love to make a yummy dinner and just enjoy the evening together. Now that two of our three kids are out of the house, we mail them each a little gift. Typically, it’s something I know they could use for school, but it’s also fun to give presents that show our love for them but that aren’t necessarily “useful.” If you’re looking for a gift for a loved one, check out the ideas below!

By the way, did you know you can follow us on Like To Know It?? You can find ALL the items featured in this post there on our Like To Know It page. We have an account on LTK where we share all the links of things we’re loving. We hope you’ll check it out and let us know if there’s something you would like to see more of. You can find us here!

1

Boy Smells Candle

I'll admit, I'm obsessed with Kacey Musgraves ... and this candle collaboration with Boy Smells has me very curious. I'll definitely be repurposing the glass container; it's a beautiful shade of red. I have one in my cart as a little gift for myself!

Kacey Musgraves x Boy Smells

2

Pink Carry-On Luggage

I'm already a fan of bold colors, and this BEIS suitcase will make finding your luggage in baggage claim so much easier! Isn't it cute? I've heard this brand is really really good -- in fact, it's all the rage right now. Our design assistant, Kaylei, took the carry-on version on our trip to Las Vegas Market and loved it!

Carry-On Luggage

3

Le Labo Santal 33

I'm not exaggerating when I say WHENEVER I wear this perfume, someone asks me what it is. And, the coolest thing is that it's unisex! This would make a great gift for your spouse or lover. It smells absolutely heavenly.

Le Labo Santal 33

4

Le Creuset Heart Cocotte

I've wanted a Le Creuset baking dish for sooo long! Although this may not seem super romantic, for the cooks out there -- well, if you know, you know. And this heart shape makes it even sweeter as a loving gesture to the chef in your life.

Heart Cocotte

5

"Loved" Socks

Our daughter is the queen of comfy clothing ... and these socks will go perfectly with her favorite sweats! She's always telling me that she needs cuter socks. Ha! But seriously, these socks make any outfit that much cozier.

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“Why bring in a designer when I could do it on my own?”

You absolutely can. Most people can get a space to look good but does it function and translate over time?

But what you don’t always see is everything happening behind the scenes: the planning, the sequencing, the material decisions, the scale, the problem-solving when something doesn’t quite work.

It’s not just about choosing pieces. It’s about making hundreds of small decisions that all need to relate to each other.

We’ve been doing this for years, we know what to look for (and what to avoid), we have access to resources you won’t find online, and we manage the chaos so you don’t have to.

If you’re ready to take that off your plate, you can inquire through the link in bio!

Because I know I’d be overwhelmed by this list if I wasn’t privy to the industry.

Send this post to someone who is considering hiring a designer!

7 1

“Why bring in a designer when I could do it on my own?”
You absolutely can. Most people can get a space to look good but does it function and translate over time?
But what you don’t always see is everything happening behind the scenes: the planning, the sequencing, the material decisions, the scale, the problem-solving when something doesn’t quite work.
It’s not just about choosing pieces. It’s about making hundreds of small decisions that all need to relate to each other.
We’ve been doing this for years, we know what to look for (and what to avoid), we have access to resources you won’t find online, and we manage the chaos so you don’t have to.
If you’re ready to take that off your plate, you can inquire through the link in bio!
Because I know I’d be overwhelmed by this list if I wasn’t privy to the industry.
Send this post to someone who is considering hiring a designer!

It gave us a lot of left hooks- but we are still standing. 💪

When I talk about holding our clients hands through projects- I sure wish I had someone holding mine on this one! There were plumbing debacles… we discovered pipes running every which way, structural issues, electrical wires that were a fire hazard, a layout that tested my creativity… the list goes on and on!

Feeling so grateful for all the trades who helped us get here.

The window coverings still need to get installed (the prettiest cafe curtain if you can picture it ) but I just couldn’t wait any longer to share with you…

Now tell me, what is your favorite detail? Because I truly can’t decide. And if you could share/like/save… all the things, to show her some love I would appreciate it so much. 🥰

117 49

It gave us a lot of left hooks- but we are still standing. 💪
When I talk about holding our clients hands through projects- I sure wish I had someone holding mine on this one! There were plumbing debacles… we discovered pipes running every which way, structural issues, electrical wires that were a fire hazard, a layout that tested my creativity… the list goes on and on!
Feeling so grateful for all the trades who helped us get here.
The window coverings still need to get installed (the prettiest cafe curtain if you can picture it ) but I just couldn’t wait any longer to share with you…
Now tell me, what is your favorite detail? Because I truly can’t decide. And if you could share/like/save… all the things, to show her some love I would appreciate it so much. 🥰

Life is too short to live in a flat, one-note space.
The details that don’t immediately stand out are often the ones doing the most work. This is one of those.

• Satin on trim
• Eggshell on walls
• Flat on the ceiling

Save this for when you’re picking paint... it makes more of a difference than you think.

74 7

Life is too short to live in a flat, one-note space.
The details that don’t immediately stand out are often the ones doing the most work. This is one of those.
• Satin on trim
• Eggshell on walls
• Flat on the ceiling
Save this for when you’re picking paint... it makes more of a difference than you think.

Nothing makes me happier than getting to reveal our long awaited upstairs guest bath!

Comment ‘BATH’ and I’ll send you everything to get this look.

This was the very first room we demoed at the Sixth Street Bungalow, and easily one of the biggest transformations. What started as a simple update turned into redoing floors, vaulting the ceiling, and completely reworking the plumbing.

Now it actually works for how we live and host. With proper storage, a place for guests to hang clothes, built-in linen space, and a layout that finally makes sense.

At the core of every project for us is this idea: designing for how a space feels and functions, not just how it looks on paper. Every decision here was about creating something that feels lived-in, thoughtful, and quietly layered.

The details are what bring that to life. The custom sink skirts might be my favorite. They’re slightly feminine, but grounded in a way that still feels tailored and not too precious.

A long time coming, but exactly how it was meant to be! Hope you enjoy it:)

1 0

Nothing makes me happier than getting to reveal our long awaited upstairs guest bath!
Comment ‘BATH’ and I’ll send you everything to get this look.
This was the very first room we demoed at the Sixth Street Bungalow, and easily one of the biggest transformations. What started as a simple update turned into redoing floors, vaulting the ceiling, and completely reworking the plumbing.
Now it actually works for how we live and host. With proper storage, a place for guests to hang clothes, built-in linen space, and a layout that finally makes sense.
At the core of every project for us is this idea: designing for how a space feels and functions, not just how it looks on paper. Every decision here was about creating something that feels lived-in, thoughtful, and quietly layered.
The details are what bring that to life. The custom sink skirts might be my favorite. They’re slightly feminine, but grounded in a way that still feels tailored and not too precious.
A long time coming, but exactly how it was meant to be! Hope you enjoy it:)

We are debunking a common misconception... people think that designing a room is picking out material things to go in them. But in actuality it’s about creating a feeling.

It’s something we see all the time. Because the focus is on the pieces, not the experience of living there day to day.

On Between the Layers, we’re diving into what it actually means to design from a feeling first. How to define it, why it matters, and how it changes every decision you make.

If you’ve ever felt like your space is close but not quite right, or you’re constantly second guessing what to add next to make it feel “better”... this is for you.

Live on Substack at 3:00 PST. Make sure you’re subscribed (link in bio) so it hits your inbox!

36 3

We are debunking a common misconception... people think that designing a room is picking out material things to go in them. But in actuality it’s about creating a feeling.
It’s something we see all the time. Because the focus is on the pieces, not the experience of living there day to day.
On Between the Layers, we’re diving into what it actually means to design from a feeling first. How to define it, why it matters, and how it changes every decision you make.
If you’ve ever felt like your space is close but not quite right, or you’re constantly second guessing what to add next to make it feel “better”... this is for you.
Live on Substack at 3:00 PST. Make sure you’re subscribed (link in bio) so it hits your inbox!

Don’t mind the current state of things... it’s a bit of a disaster in here right now. I shared the vision on stories, but I’m such a visual person that I wanted to pull everything together (both for you and honestly for myself) to see how all the elements will work together.

The first things I knew I wanted in this space:
A fun pop of color (Charlotte’s Locks by @Farrow&Ball)
A mosaic floor
An inset mirrored medicine cabinet

I think this is going to be such a fun space for when we have people over. A powder bath is the perfect place to do something a little unexpected (or a few things) and really lean into it.

I’ll share more as we go!

41 11

Don’t mind the current state of things... it’s a bit of a disaster in here right now. I shared the vision on stories, but I’m such a visual person that I wanted to pull everything together (both for you and honestly for myself) to see how all the elements will work together.
The first things I knew I wanted in this space:
A fun pop of color (Charlotte’s Locks by @Farrow&Ball)
A mosaic floor
An inset mirrored medicine cabinet
I think this is going to be such a fun space for when we have people over. A powder bath is the perfect place to do something a little unexpected (or a few things) and really lean into it.
I’ll share more as we go!