Many times, I am brought into a home because the homeowner is frustrated with a specific space. When that space is a home office, I have often found the same mistakes happening over and over. These mistakes are not only made by homeowners, but also by many designers, consultants, contractors, and architects. Hopefully, this article will shed some light on a few of these and help you set up a home office that works for you, not against you. Most design professionals will agree that an office needs to address function, aesthetics, ergonomics, and beauty. I agree, but where I stand apart is that I also address the emotional and mental well-being of the person occupying the space.  This [...]

I’ve always loved working from home. From day one, in 1997, when I made a career shift, I’ve loved working from home. Back then having a home-based career was a rarity. So, I guess I was ahead of my time, but it wasn’t for long, because things are different today. Today, home offices are a part of most households, whether in a full-time or part-time capacity. The question is — are they getting the respect they deserve? (Or, are you getting the respect you deserve?) Home offices need to be thoughtfully designed. They need to support you as much, if not more, than an off-site office. It is the hub for your professional career, and since you are the [...]

We often think of art as something decorative—a final touch to a living room wall or a splash of color in a hallway. But the art we choose to surround ourselves with does far more than beautify our spaces. It quietly molds our perception of the world, influences our emotions, and even reflects our identity back to us. The art in our homes is not just a reflection of taste; it's a mirror to our minds. As you can see in the above photo, the art of artist, Brent Holland captivated us and our minds during his exhibit at a local social. Art has the ability to quietly intrigue the mind, toy with emotions, and tickle the eyes, while [...]

Hooray! Summer is here! The days are longer and warmer, and my inner voice urges me to open doors, windows, and sunroofs, as well as my arms to bathe my heart and soul in summer's essence.  It seems I'm not the only one feeling this way. I see others waving from their open car windows, neighbors saying 'hello' from their open garage doors, passersby smiling and saying 'what a beautiful day', and so on. It seems June days are perfect for friendly chats, family gatherings, camping excursions, neighborhood potlucks, BBQs, tailgating, gardening, and so much more. Summer invites us to bring friends together and gather on the patio. And whenever friends gather there always seems to be copious amounts [...]

  Many years ago, I had a gallery space that showcased the work of local artists. It was located in a charming, renovated district that had been saved from a sad decline. Not only was it a delight to be a part of bringing old architecture back to its glory and bringing area artists’ talents into public view, but it was always a delight to meet and chat with the people discovering this eclectic area of town. My gallery space had a loft, which allowed me to work on interior projects when no one was in the gallery. It was a partially open loft, so I could hear people enter and could quickly leave my desk [...]

I love the idea of a blog creating a place for us to gather; a place just waiting for us whenever we take a break from our busy day; a place where we feel at ease and welcomed, inspiring us with helpful tips, insights, and morsels of food for thought that we can savor along with our tea (or whatever drink we prefer); a place for friends to gather and have good conversations that honor the beautiful people we are. After all, we are all beautiful and, if you’re like me, yearn for more beauty and harmony in our life. But for that to happen, something must change and change can be challenging since it shakes up our routines as well [...]