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🤍
“Designers are expensive.” That’s the public opinion... and sometimes, it’s true. But it’s also the reason we exist.
A designer’s fee is almost always less than the cost of redoing things that weren’t done right the first time.
We see it all the time. Clients come to us after plans are finalized, materials are ordered, and the space is already under construction. By then, it’s much harder (and more expensive) to course-correct. Details like lighting placement, ceiling heights, tile layout, and even outlet locations all impact the final design. And when we’re part of the process early, those decisions work together instead of against each other.
Working with a designer isn’t just about how your home looks.. It’s about how it feels and functions. Our role is to bridge the gap between vision and execution, to make sure every decision supports the next one.
If you’re in the early stages of building or renovating, this is your sign to bring design in from the start. It’s an investment in doing it once, and doing it beautifully.
Inquire through our site (link in bio) to start your project!
Me... sees cabins trending and immediately decides to throw cabin content at you all month😂 But honestly, this isn’t a trend for us. This is core CH DNA.
Cabins and mountain homes were some of the first projects we ever designed back in the PNW, and that look and it’s still one of my all-time favorites. It’s lodgecore, but refined. Less kitschy “theme cabin,” more elevated mountain retreat that still feels like home.
And if you’ve seen our Mountain Modern Ranch Design Guide (plugging it lightly because I’m proud of her), this is exactly the vibe (with maybe a few more twists). A curated roadmap for getting the look without falling into the cliché traps.
This style is trending again because people want homes that feel cozy and lived-in but still intentional. Life feels busy... lodgecore slows it down. It brings in warmth, nostalgia, nature, and structure all at once.
If you’re shopping the look this month or just gathering inspo, comment ‘ASPEN’ for all the deets (and if you want the fashion links… you’ll hav to read the blog tonight or shop our LTK). Aspen Lodgecore Refined is officially the theme, and I can’t wait to show you how approachable (and fun) it actually is!
Headed back to Oregon today and scrolling through old Christmas clips like the nostalgic, obsessed person that I am.😂 It truly never fails to be the coziest place during the holidays.
We chose the PNW this year partly for the peaceful vibes... partly because our renovation is unhinged right now. And MOSTLY because I wanted to put up a tree.
Luckily we have a fake one in storage. No ornaments, just twinkle lights and vibes. I’ve got a few simple tricks to make it feel special for our family.
Where are you celebrating this year? Traveling? Staying home? I love hearing what this season looks like for everyone.
Until then, I’ll just be on the Tennessee backroads with my coffee, gathering design inspo from every pretty home I drive past!
Design in progress✨
We’re currently in the concept phase for a full furnishings and light refresh project at our ‘Tetherow Timber House’ project. A home with mountain modern roots, lots of reclaimed wood, and a natural warmth we want to preserve. This one doesn’t need a full remodel; it just needs the right updates in the right places.
In the kitchen, we’re keeping the existing cabinetry but introducing new counters, new paint for cabinetry, updated lighting, and refined hardware to give it a fresh, elevated feel without losing its character. Just off the kitchen, we’re designing a new bar area — a small but impactful space we’re making “its own moment” with moodier materials, rich finishes, and layered textures to make it feel collected and intentional.
Sometimes it’s not about reinventing the space, it’s about revealing what’s already there and bringing it to life in a new way.
