Let’s start from the beginning! Tell us a little about the journey that led you to where you are now.

I feel like so many things led me here without me realizing they were stepping stones at the time. Looking back now, it feels like all of those experiences were quietly preparing me for what has become my dream career.

My dad is a general contractor, and my brother became a general contractor as well. Construction and renovation were always part of my world, so home projects never felt intimidating to me. Through pure osmosis, I absorbed a baseline understanding of how projects come together and, more importantly, who to ask when I didn’t know something.

When my husband and I bought our first home, I started making small changes and constantly called my dad and brother with questions about how to bring my ideas to life. I loved the process. One house turned into another, and before long we had bought, renovated, and sold six homes in six years. What started as simple cosmetic updates eventually became full-scale renovations.

As I lightly documented those projects, people began reaching out and asking if I would help with their homes. At the time, I was modeling but looking for a way out, and design had quietly become my greatest passion. In 2021, I decided to say yes to my first project. I haven’t looked back since.

You’ve said design should feel “fun and lighthearted.” How do you incorporate those elements into the spaces you design and into your overall design philosophy?

I think design is ultimately a vehicle for self-expression. Our homes should reflect who we are, and I want people to feel free to take chances on the things that genuinely excite them while still making thoughtful decisions that will age well over time.

For example, I have a pink plaster dining room in my current home. The reason is very simple: I love pink, and it makes me happy. That’s it. Sometimes “I like it” is a perfectly valid reason.

We’re not performing brain surgery. I think people can take design a little too seriously. At the end of the day, we’re all just trying to connect with ourselves and with others. Our homes should bring us joy and give us a place we’re proud to welcome people into.

From a design perspective, I naturally gravitate toward elements that feel playful and unexpected. Maybe it’s an interesting-shaped table, a whimsical light fixture, a colorful stone, or a plaster finish that initially feels like a risk. Often, those choices only feel risky because they’re personal.

The key is balance. I love mixing timeless, classic elements with a few moments that feel expressive and fun. That contrast allows those special pieces to shine without making a space feel overdesigned.

Tell us a bit about how you find inspiration. What factors have played roles in the development of your design style and evolving aesthetic?

Jewelry inspires me constantly, especially when it comes to lighting. I’ve always thought of lighting as the jewelry of a home, so I’m drawn to pieces that feel sculptural, elegant, and special.

Vintage shopping is another huge source of inspiration for me. My heart genuinely starts racing when I stumble across a piece with an incredible stone top I’ve never seen before or a beautifully restrained detail that makes a simple silhouette feel unforgettable. I often look to vintage furniture for ideas that influence both my furnishings and my architectural design decisions.

Fashion is another major influence. I love studying the color palettes, textures, and proportions used by my favorite fashion houses and translating those ideas into interiors.

More than anything, though, travel and research have shaped my aesthetic. Visiting places with centuries of architectural history is both humbling and inspiring. Whether I’m walking through a historic building in France or wandering the streets of Italy, I’m constantly studying what has stood the test of time. Those experiences remind me to prioritize craftsmanship, restraint, and longevity over trends.

Between design meetings, project installs, photoshoots, and everything in between, you juggle so much! Tell us what a typical day-in-the-life looks like for you.

It’s a lot.

Most mornings start with coffee and chaos. My husband is an early riser, so he’s usually up with our twins before I am, but mornings are focused on getting everyone ready and getting my six-year-old out the door for school.

After drop-off, I usually grab a matcha and head straight to job sites. We currently have several projects in active construction, so a good portion of my mornings are spent walking projects, meeting with trades, reviewing drawings, and solving problems in real time.

From there, I shift into design mode. Depending on the day, I might be in showrooms, at stone yards, or working through selections for projects in the design phase. Because we’re typically managing projects in both construction and design simultaneously, I’m constantly switching between creative work and project management.

Somewhere in between, I’ll carve out time to film content for social media, answer emails, review proposals, and tackle the endless behind-the-scenes tasks that come with running a business.

Around 4 or 5 p.m., I try to be home with my kids. Once they’re in bed around 8, I start my second shift and work through whatever still needs my attention. Most nights that takes me until midnight or later.

Then I wake up and do it again :)

How do you find balance within it all?

Honestly, I don’t think I’ve mastered balance yet.

What I have learned is that balance isn’t something you find. It’s something you intentionally create. I’m constantly taking inventory of what’s working, what’s not, and where I need support.

If I start feeling overwhelmed, that’s usually my signal that it’s time to hire help or delegate more responsibility so I can get back to a healthier baseline.

One boundary that’s important to me is being present with my kids when they’re awake. I don’t always get it perfectly right, but I try very hard to protect that time because it allows me to fully enjoy both motherhood and my career.

I’m also incredibly grateful to be doing something I genuinely love. There are certainly long days and late nights, but knowing that I’m building something meaningful makes the hard work feel worthwhile.

What’s the best professional advice you’ve ever received?

Everything is ‘figureoutable.’

It’s become one of my life mottos. Whenever I hit a roadblock, whether it’s a design challenge, a business decision, or something in my personal life, I remind myself that there’s always a solution. You may not know it yet, but you’ll figure it out.

I think so many people wait until they feel ready before taking the next step. I’ve found that most of the growth happens when you take the step first and trust yourself to figure it out along the way.

What is a design-related trend or element you’re loving right now? And not so much?

I’m currently obsessed with moiré. I’m using it in my own forever home in a way that feels unexpected, and I cannot wait to share it. There’s something about the movement and softness that feels both classic and a little magical at the same time.

More broadly, I’m loving the return of personality in interiors. For a while, it felt like everyone was designing for Instagram. Now I see people embracing color, antiques, interesting materials, and spaces that feel much more reflective of who they are. I think homes are becoming more individual again, and that’s exciting.

As for what I’m not loving, I’ve never been a huge fan of heavily book-matched marble on large surfaces. I can appreciate the craftsmanship behind it, but it often feels too symmetrical and manufactured for my taste. I tend to prefer stone that feels organic and natural, where the beauty comes from the movement, imperfections, and unpredictability that nature created on its own.

In general, I don’t love anything that feels overly perfect. The spaces I’m most drawn to have a little tension in them. They feel collected, personal, and slightly unexpected rather than overly polished or designed for a photo.

What’s next for you? How do you hope your work continues to shape the industry and inspire others?

Over the next year or two, I’d love to continue growing the studio thoughtfully by adding one or two key team members, potentially including a COO. As much as I’ve learned to wear all the hats, I find that the business side of things can pull me out of my creative flow, and my best work happens when I’m focused on design, storytelling, and the bigger vision.

I’m also really excited to continue growing my social platforms. I genuinely love connecting with people online and bringing a little humor into an industry that can sometimes take itself too seriously. Creating videos has become one of my favorite parts of my job because it allows me to educate, inspire, and be a little silly all at the same time. That levity is important to me.

A podcast is also something I’m actively exploring. I love design podcasts, but I often find myself wishing there were more that felt educational, inspiring, and genuinely funny. Design should be approachable and entertaining, and I think there’s room for more conversations that reflect that.

More than anything, though, I want to continue building a studio that is intentional. I never want to take on projects just for the sake of growth. I’d rather stay relatively small and be selective about the work we take on. The goal is to work with clients who are aligned both aesthetically and financially so that our team can be excited about what they’re creating every day. I think the best work comes from that kind of alignment, and I want to protect it as we grow.

Favorite place to visit to spark inspiration?

I’m a bit of a freak when it comes to this. One of my favorite things to do is grab a coffee and slowly drive through neighborhoods looking at architectural details on people’s homes. I’ve taken so many photos of front doors, windows, gates, and exterior details that I feel like I’m probably on a neighborhood watch list in Hancock Park and Sunset Plaza.

I also love Italy for inspiration. Every time I visit, I come home with a million ideas for how to reinterpret old-world details in a way that feels fresh and relevant today.

One product that’s always in your bag?

My Lawless Lip Liner in Nude Honey. I am completely obsessed. It is perfection.

Favorite space in your home?

My bedroom. It’s incredibly calming, but it still has a few unexpected moments that make it feel interesting. I love that juxtaposition of relaxing and refined with just enough personality. My favorite feature is the fireplace bench. It’s one of those little moments that makes the room feel special.

Current go-to interior paint color?

I’m so boring, but Cloud White by Benjamin Moore will always have my heart. It’s such a beautiful, versatile white and we use it all the time.

A design “rule” you always follow — or always break?

I always trust my gut. Even when I’m unsure, my first instinct is usually right. I’ve learned that overthinking rarely improves a design decision, so the knee-jerk reaction almost always wins.