When life gives you lemons… you make lemonade. 🍋
But for us, it wasn’t just a saying.
For over 20 years, I had been designing our homes… but when Derrick lost his job, everything shifted. What felt like everything falling apart was actually the beginning of something new.
After years of being a stay-at-home mom — the role that meant everything to me — I stepped into something completely unknown and started my design business. I was terrified.
Somewhere along the way, Derrick and I found our rhythm, and what started as helping each other turned into building something side by side… Clouz Houz.
And then… we did it again.
We left everything familiar and moved to Tennessee, starting over in a place where no one knew us. No reputation. No safety net. Just a dream… and a lot of faith. And if I’m being honest, it’s taken more grit and determination than I ever imagined. Because starting over midlife hits differently — when so many around you are slowing down, you’re asking yourself to dig deeper, push harder, and believe bigger.
There have been moments I’ve questioned everything. Moments that felt heavy, lonely, uncertain.
But also moments that feel like… this is it. This is the life we fought for.
“Life is Short. Make it Beautiful.” came from one of those turning points — when we realized life wasn’t going to wait for us to feel ready. So we chose to begin.
Again.
And in this season of rebuilding, I’ve found myself being pulled toward something new… a different way of sharing what I’ve learned, what I see, and what I love. It’s stretched me in new ways — and in some ways, it’s been unexpectedly therapeutic.
I can’t wait to share more soon. 🤍✨
Right now I’m leaning into pieces that feel easy — good denim, a lightweight layer, a classic loafer, and statement accessories. The kind of outfit that works for a coffee meeting, a site visit, or wandering around town.
This one has been on repeat lately.
Outfit details:
• Jeans: @gap
• Loafers: @mango
• Cropped trench: @mango
• Purse: @the_horse
• Shirt: @ayr
• Scarf: @madewell
• Necklace: @janewin_jewelry
• Watch: @nordstrom
Comment “FIT” and I’ll send you the links.
And save this for spring outfit inspiration 🤍
Office reveal… but also a little life update.
We’ve been working from this space behind the scenes, and it finally feels ready to share. This is where client projects come to life…where we’re sourcing, planning, and building what’s next for both our Oregon projects and the ones we’re beginning here in Tennessee.
Oregon will always be home for our work. Our roots are there and very much staying, but we’re excited to now be creating in Tennessee as well, while continuing to serve clients nationwide.
We have three project openings this summer and are currently taking on new clients in both locations.
If you’ve been thinking about starting a project, you can inquire through our website…we’d love to work together. 🤍
What started as a “simple” fireplace update quickly turned into one of those classic renovation plot twists.😅
Here’s how it actually unfolded:
1. Planned to install tile over the existing fireplace tile — that was the original vision.
2. Began demo and discovered some serious structural damage to chimney. Immediate pivot.
3. Tore in further and uncovered the original brick hiding underneath.
4. Brought in the mason to re-mortar and clean everything up.
5. The brick went from dusty and rustic to bright red and very classic — and yes... I freaked out a little.
6. Lived with it for a bit to see if I could make peace with the new look.
7. Ultimately we applied a watered down lime grout (what was used by mason) to give it that old-world imperfect feel again.
8. Polished/stained the original stone hearth to refresh it without replacing it.
9. Stripped down the fussy details from the wood mantle and surround.
10. Painted the mantle and reinstalled it — and finally, it all felt right.
Renovations rarely go exactly as planned, but sometimes uncovering what’s underneath leads to something better than you imagined in the first place.
Omg this kitchen is so close I can feel it😭
The brick floors are in, the character is there, and the countdown to actually cooking in here (aka retiring the air fryer + constant takeout era) is officially on.
This one detail alone is making everything feel real and lived-in already... And I can’t wait to see it all come together.
If you’re into kitchens with soul + old-house energy, save this for later!
Special announcement coming soon…
We’ve been quietly working on something behind the scenes that I’m really excited about. Something that pulls back the curtain a little bit on how we design and in turn will empower you to do the same!
Think:
design philosophy
real project case studies
the reasoning behind the decisions
and the layers that go into creating spaces that feel not only beautiful, but intentional.
I’ve always believed good design shouldn’t feel mysterious or reserved for a select few. The more you understand why things work, the more confident you become.
This little project has been a way for us to share more of that — the thinking, the process, the lessons we’ve learned along the way.
Set your alarms for April 2nd.
We’re spilling the beans then. ✨
