10 Things I Bring to Every Design Project

Designing a home is more than selecting beautiful furniture and choosing paint colors. It’s about crafting a space that tells your story, enhances your daily life, and feels naturally livable. Over time, I’ve developed a design philosophy rooted in wellness, artistry, and functionality. These are the 10 essential elements I bring into every project—and the reasons they make all the difference.

A childhood cabinet changed into a guest room headboard

1. A Sense of Story

Every project begins with you - your lifestyle, your history, and the way you want to live in your home. I see design as an opportunity to tell your story through your space. That might mean highlighting meaningful heirlooms, nodding to favorite travel destinations, or weaving in textures and colors that evoke comfort and joy. When a home tells your story, it instantly feels more authentic and inviting.

My client’s own artwork

2. Original Artwork

Art brings soul to a space. I work with local artists to source or commission original pieces that speak to your personality and the mood we want to create in the room. Unlike mass-produced art, these pieces become conversation starters, memory-makers, and focal points. Whether it’s a bold abstract painting or a serene landscape, the right artwork can transform a space from beautiful to unforgettable.

3. Layers of Texture

Texture is the secret ingredient that adds depth, warmth, and dimension to a room. I love to mix tactile materials—plush velvets, soft wool rugs, warm wood tones, cool metals, hand-thrown ceramics—to create spaces that feel rich and lived-in. Texture invites you to touch, linger, and feel truly at home. It also plays a big role in how the space feels, both visually and emotionally.

4. Color with Intention

Color affects how we feel in a space. I use it intentionally—whether that’s through a soft, tonal palette to calm the senses, or a bold splash of color to energize a room. I often draw from nature-inspired hues—earth tones, ocean blues, leafy greens—accented with richer or brighter shades that add life. The goal is to create a palette that supports the room’s purpose and your emotional experience within it.

5. Custom Furnishings

Custom furniture allows us to shape every detail around you—your comfort, your preferences, your proportions. From made-to-order sofas to tailor-fit built-ins, custom pieces ensure that nothing feels generic. It also gives us creative freedom to incorporate special finishes, fabrics, and silhouettes that bring character and cohesion to your home. Investing in quality craftsmanship also means your furniture lasts longer—and looks better doing it.

6. Well-Planned Lighting

Lighting isn’t just functional—it’s foundational to how a space looks and feels. I layer different types of lighting—ambient, task, and accent—so each room can adapt to different moods and times of day. I also pay close attention to the quality of light, choosing warm color temperatures and dimmable options that flatter both the space and the people in it. Decorative lighting also serves as sculpture, adding shape and style to a room.

7. Biophilic Design

I often describe my design style as “modern with the warmth of nature,” and biophilic design is how I achieve that. By integrating natural elements like plants, wood, stone, and nature-inspired forms, we create spaces that feel calm, grounded, and rejuvenating. Studies show that biophilic design reduces stress and improves well-being—and in practice, it makes your home feel more connected to the world outside your windows.

8. Smart Space Planning

A beautiful home has to work just as well as it looks. That’s why space planning is a key part of every project. I consider traffic flow, scale, conversation zones, and storage needs to ensure your rooms function intuitively and comfortably. A well-planned space eliminates clutter, creates a sense of ease, and allows you to fully enjoy your home.

9. Thoughtful Details

Great design lives in the details. I obsess over the things you might not notice right away but that elevate your experience over time—the way cabinet hardware feels in your hand, the precise hem of a drapery panel, or the finish on a switch plate. These details are what make a room feel refined and complete. They’re also what make a house feel like a home you truly love.

10. A Calm, Confident Process

I’ve designed my process to be both comprehensive and low-stress. From our first consultation to the final install, my goal is to guide you through each step with clarity, creativity, and confidence. My full-service process means I handle the heavy lifting—project management, procurement, trade coordination—so you can enjoy the transformation. It’s a seamless experience designed for busy people who want a beautiful home without the overwhelm.

Interested in seeing how these principles can shape your home?

Let’s schedule a consultation and start the conversation.