wicker urn Archives - Interior Design Studio in Bend, OR

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.

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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!

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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. ✨

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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. ✨

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about how I run my business… so whether you are a prospective client or a new designer here’s something I wanted to share…

After 15+ years, I can tell you this: running a design studio is about so much more than creating something beautiful.

Most days, it feels like 80% of my job is understanding people—how they live, what they need, what matters to them and only 20% is the actual design. And honestly, that might surprise you.

A lot of how I operate comes from my early career as an Executive Assistant at Nike, where I learned the value of being organized, anticipate needs, and keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. That foundation shapes everything we do.

Because in the end, it’s not just about pretty homes… it’s about creating spaces that truly support the people living in them. And the process in getting there can completely change the entire experience.

So if you are questioning if you have what it takes to do this, or maybe you are considering working with us- know this: if you think designers are just “creatives” you are wrong- it’s also all the unsexy stuff - the process in which we create a beautiful space.

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I’ve been getting a lot of questions about how I run my business… so whether you are a prospective client or a new designer here’s something I wanted to share…
After 15+ years, I can tell you this: running a design studio is about so much more than creating something beautiful.
Most days, it feels like 80% of my job is understanding people—how they live, what they need, what matters to them and only 20% is the actual design. And honestly, that might surprise you.
A lot of how I operate comes from my early career as an Executive Assistant at Nike, where I learned the value of being organized, anticipate needs, and keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes. That foundation shapes everything we do.
Because in the end, it’s not just about pretty homes… it’s about creating spaces that truly support the people living in them. And the process in getting there can completely change the entire experience.
So if you are questioning if you have what it takes to do this, or maybe you are considering working with us- know this: if you think designers are just “creatives” you are wrong- it’s also all the unsexy stuff - the process in which we create a beautiful space.

If you want your home to feel more custom, look up.

One pet peeve is when electricians “swiss cheese” your ceiling with a bunch of recessed can lights. By strategically placing them you can get a beautiful and seamless look. Standard recessed lights have a visible trim that creates a subtle shadow line on the ceiling.

These 3” mud-in recessed lights are installed and finished directly into the drywall, so there’s no trim, no harsh edge, no visual interruption. Seamless.

A subtle ceiling detail I have never done before but I’m soooo glad we did!

It’s quieter. Cleaner. More intentional.

Save this and bring it up early in your planning phase. This is a detail WORTH considering! Also, If you want the exact lights we used comment ‘ME’ and we will DM you the link.

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If you want your home to feel more custom, look up.
One pet peeve is when electricians “swiss cheese” your ceiling with a bunch of recessed can lights. By strategically placing them you can get a beautiful and seamless look. Standard recessed lights have a visible trim that creates a subtle shadow line on the ceiling.
These 3” mud-in recessed lights are installed and finished directly into the drywall, so there’s no trim, no harsh edge, no visual interruption. Seamless.
A subtle ceiling detail I have never done before but I’m soooo glad we did!
It’s quieter. Cleaner. More intentional.
Save this and bring it up early in your planning phase. This is a detail WORTH considering! Also, If you want the exact lights we used comment ‘ME’ and we will DM you the link.

Happy St Patty’s Day! I used to love celebrating this holiday when I was younger… the excitement every morning coming into the kitchen before school and pinching my parents if they weren’t wearing their item of green. Did you do this too? So much fun!

I still love the color green. From rich paint colors to heirloom-inspired accents, garden textures, and even a fresh cocktail recipe (because obviously)… I pulled together everything inspiring me this month.

Green is a classic imo. It feels alive. It feels hopeful. It feels like the shift into spring.

Cover image is from a dear friend’s son’s bathroom and I absolutely loved that she wanted to go green in the shower. All the other images here are ones I found on Pinterest. Do you follow us yet? It’s become my obsession for getting inspired.

Later today we will be diving into the favorite color of mine on the blog. Live today at 3:00 PST!

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The April Edit: Embracing Outdoor Inspiration

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The April Edit:
Embracing Outdoor Inspiration