Living in a small space doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style or functionality. With some clever design strategies and a dash of creativity, you can transform your compact abode into a spacious oasis. Say goodbye to claustrophobia and hello to a space that will leave your friends wondering how you managed to pull off such a magic trick. Buckle up and get ready to learn nine design tips to make a small space feel larger. Starting with… Light and Bright: Let There Be Natural Light! Maximizing natural light is essential for creating a sense of openness. If you dress your windows with c ..read more

In a world dominated by Pinterest algorithms and Instagram influencers, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of trends and lose sight of what truly makes a home special—your personal style. As an interior designer in Austin, TX, I’ve witnessed firsthand how many of my clients fear venturing beyond the realm of shiplap and subway tiles. Austin and Austinites themselves were once known for celebrating self-expression and being liberated from the shackles of conformity. Now, I challenge you to find one home in your neighborhood that doesn’t have the same faux-marble quartz counterto ..read more

Once upon a time, my big mouth on the Internets captured the attention of Matt Locke, one of the most talented designers you ever saw appear on HGTV shows like Design Star and Showdown, and we immediately forged a friendship that has spanned the past fourteen years. Matt Locke in his LA art studio. Photo courtesy of Matt Locke. Along the way, I’ve posted that in addition to being a gifted designer and meticulous craftsman, he’s also an accomplished artist who’s exhibited his sculptures at Dwell on Design in LA, and Colorado’s Cherry Creek Arts Festival, one of the best-attended arts festiva ..read more

There’s so much in the furnishings market to drool over lately—supply chain be damned! Like this art deco inspired 8-light chandelier from Shades of Light. Equal parts vintage vibe and modern forms, in a matte black finish. So lovely! And this super chic four poster bed from CB2? I can see it going elegant, but I can also see some kind of ridiculous art hung over it, to funk it up a bit. Lately, any time something catches my eye out in the world, chances are good it’s in some sort of wine color. Maybe I haven’t been drinking enough. Just look at how yummy this is! So dark and dramatic ..read more

I make no secret of my complete and total over-it-ness where all things “farmhouse” and the couple who begat the vintage red pickup buffalo plaid shiplap walls behemoth of home decor styles are concerned. Me, when a new client tells me they’re a big fan of Fixer Upper: If you are looking to zhuzh up your place for Valentine’s Day and don’t want any objets de LIVE LOVE LAUGH, you’ve come to the right place. I even have something special for those who aren’t fans of the holiday. Click through photos for purchasing info. Here’s a pretty tray in saturated red and white, perfect for corralling thi ..read more

Throughout my practice as an interior designer, I wish I’d been able to collect a dollar for every time a client came to me after they had already completed a remodeling project and I noticed sixteen things I would have done differently to improve the overall space, flow, or design of the project. It’s crushing to know that these homeowners didn’t get all of the bang they could have gotten from their buck. Those of you who don’t consult an interior designer beforehand? Y’all leave a lot of bang on the table, man! When you’re talking about remodeling projects here in Austin, TX, they cost tens ..read more

As I have mentioned previously, I am not such a huge fan of hyper-designed minutiae, as it applies to our collective psyche. While it’s awesome when anything in your life sparks joy—and I would absolutely advocate choosing the thing that brings more joy, when given a choice—to suggest that everything in our homes should spark joy or leave the premises is just too much pressure to put on folks. Applause to anyone who takes a moment to organize the junk drawer, tidy up the laundry room, donate your non-joy-sparking wardrobe to Goodwill Industries (RIP Savers), or any other home organizational e ..read more

Guess who made a New Year’s resolution to raise their website from the dead in 2022? This girl! And I wanna be all …but instead I’m all Instead of traditional resolutions, I’m repeating something I did the year before the pandemic hit us, and that is to create twelve challenges instead of resolutions and do one for each month. As a 30-day challenge, it’s so much easier to tackle, and I actually found myself looking forward to the things I chose to do, instead of shrugging them off after a few days or weeks. So January 2022? My challenge this month is to address my website and blog properly ..read more

Many a bathroom remodel starts with an unwelcome need to repair something major, like a shower pan that is leaking, or as with a current client here in Austin, her cast iron bathroom in her cute little French Place bungalow is threatening to fall through her pier and beam foundation. If a contractor is going to take a crowbar to your shower floor or your vintage bathtub, chances are overwhelmingly high that your flooring is going to get wrecked, at least in that immediate vicinity. That’s where the snowball starts gathering steam…first, you’re looking at new tile flooring. Then you think to yo ..read more

Here’s a controversial topic for you: I fucking loathe the whole concept of the new Netflix show, The Home Edit and strongly recommend that you don’t pollute your brain with that crap. An interior designer opposed to a beautiful home organization show? Gasp—clutch pearls. Yes. I am vehemently opposed. Please do not watch this show. Avert your eyeballs when the autoplay starts rolling the trailer. Believe me when I tell you that shows like The Home Edit are THE DEVIL and should go straight to effing hell. Why on Earth would I say such a thing? I am a person-slash-designer who adores a colo ..read more