Get To Know Me

Now that you’re here, let’s get to know each other a bit better! If you love all things design, we have a lot in common. If you’re exploring what design can offer you in all areas of your life, you’ve come to the right place too! The energy of our spaces affects us in every way and if our spaces don’t work for us, then we feel blocked in other ways. This is why I love approaching design holistically, tailoring solutions for supporting the whole person and family. I’ve in Southeast Asia, Europe, and both coasts of the United States, but am now happily nesting away in the Pacific Northwest. I’m a proud mom to an adventure-loving Boston Terrier named Monte, and live with my significant other in the Seattle area.

Time for some Q & A!

Q: What are some fun facts about you?

A: I love to cook. I bake with alternative flours. I’m passionate about photography. I’m a book nerd. Wine and whisky are definitely two favorites, but I used to work at a distillery so cocktails are in there too. I love dogs and animals in general, and will someday have a shirt that says, “Tell your dog I said hi.” I was a singer in a band in Indonesia. I need a daily dose of nature and love hiking and outdoor adventures, including traveling to new places. I love painting with watercolors.

Q: What is a design project you’ve been following that’s out of the norm?

A: Château de Gudanes in Château-Verdun, France. I’ve been following the restoration for years! The Waters, an Australian family, purchased the long neglected 13th century château and have been lovingly restoring it in the most amazing way. It will take your breath away. They’re on Instagram too.

Q: What was the best thing you baked this year?

A: It’s hard to choose because like so many of I did a lot of quarantine baking this year. Baking is a major stress reliever for me. If I have to choose one, I’d say it was the Marscapone Tart with Tayberries from The Bojon Gormet. Alanna Taylor-Tobin’s cookbook, The Alternative Baker, was a revelation.

Q: What was the last book you read?

A: “The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry” by Gabrille Zevin - it was so wonderful. Lately, I find myself listening to Deborah Harkness’s All Souls Trilogy on audible when I need to relax (I’ve read the series a million times).

Q: What was the last concert you went to?

A: Tank and the Bangas in 2019 at the Neptune. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen.

Q: What’s the best backpacking trip you’ve done recently?

A: Definitely the most recent one in the Alpine Wildnerness. In part this was because we finally switched everything over to ultralight gear. What a difference! And we got to swim in three different alpine lakes, which was pure bliss.

Q: What led you to become a designer?

A: I love it! The short version is that during a big period of change in my life, I was helping friends redesign their homes and decided to finally take the leap and get my degree. It took me a while to get there though. I’ve had nine lives like a cat. But I’ve always been involved in creative fields in one way or another, even when it was just a side gig. I love architecture and interiors, the ingenuity, beauty, history, and the effects on people and communities. I’ve lived in various countries, did a dance and arts fellowship in Indonesia, worked in international policy at the State Department, managed grant programs, have been a consultant and research fellow, worked in animal welfare, and am a business owner and shaman. Interior Design felt like a wonderful way to encompass it all.

Q: How has your international experience influenced you as a designer?

A: Design has such a complex and connected global history. So experiencing it throughout the world informed me very early on in my life. I was fortunate to travel a great deal early on and that changed my world view and got me hooked on architecture and design. Seeing how different people experienced their environment and expressed their place in it, and how that connected into their spirituality, identity and grounding in the world, was so important. Understanding how it can affect health and well-being was important. I love working with clients who want to showcase or articulate specific pieces, photography or elements from their own travels or influences in the overall design because it often means that the space really resonates with them in a way nothing else can.

Q: What are design styles?

A: Design styles help you narrow in on your aesthetic and style, and are often a good starting point. Some people love one style and that is their thing, and some clients want a balanced mixture. Other styles come into play when you want to complement the architecture. Recent trends like the Global style was created to address an interior design style that includes global elements such as rugs, textiles, and signature pieces from around the world. It can be both colorful and also neutral depending on the design. Design styles are interesting because one of the things I love as a designer is being able to design in various styles for my clients, but I do love interpreting through a modern lens with a variety of elements. In one project, my client wanted to design the interior to honor the mid-century architecture of the house but also bring in their love of Morocco - how fun! Another client wanted a kitchen that reflected their Okinawan heritage but also their love of the Pacific Northwest. My choice of wood, the direction of the grain, the hardware and crown molding, the furniture - all of it told that story in a mindful and modern way.

Q: What is a common misconception about Holistic Design?

A: Holistic does not mean boring or bland. It doesn’t have to look like a spa zone unless you want it to. For me, it’s about the parts of a whole coming together. How something looks is just a part of it. How you feel, what you need to be healthy, productive, happy, connected, and calm in your space are all parts of the design equation. And that equation is solved using techniques and methodologies that are both inside the box and well outside of it. 

Q: Why is sustainability important?

A: In a way sustainability is about balance, and our spaces need to be in balance too. A misconception about sustainable sourcing or sustainability in general is that it’s more expensive. We’ve come so far in that area and I’m always excited to see more of it becoming the norm in our market. Using sustainably sourced products and materials changes the energy you bring into a project and space, and means you’re conscious about the impact you’re having through your purchasing power. Ultimately it’s better for everyone involved from the manufacturer to the consumer, to the planet, and it’s so important we support a more sustainable model for our industry. We’re also spending more time in our homes these days, so it’s important to really understand indoor air quality, off-gassing and what you’re using from paint to upholstery to flooring. That’s what consciously beautiful design is all about.

Q: What is biophilia and how do you integrate that into your work?

The premise of biophilia is that people have a deep biological connection with nature. Biophilic design creates spaces for people as biological organisms, respecting the mind-body system as indicators of health and well-being. It’s not about copying nature, but connecting to it through design in various ways. Terrapin Bright Green established 14 patterns of biophilia and looks at how each pattern can interact and then positively impact cognitive, psychological and physiological well-being. So designing with biophilia as a tool means we approach the design of a space with all of this in mind.

Q: What does it mean when you talk about the energy of a space?

When we walk into a room, we immediately feel a certain way. We’re all energetic systems, so paying attention to how a space is communicating and what it feels like it so important. Looking at the why of it is the next step, along with how to change it. As a designer I use a lot of different tools, many are modern design principles and techniques, and some others more ancient. There are a lot of times a client will tell me they don’t know why but their bedroom never feels good. So I look at the layout of the room - can something be moved? Is the furniture the right scale? What about color - color affects our psychology and if it’s a hot mess, that also has an impact. Is there enough natural daylight? If not, what can we do about that? Is there clutter that’s causing stagnant pockets in the room? As a shaman, I work with energy all the time so I can look at a room and tell a client what feels like it needs to shift. I also love bringing Feng Shui principles into my design work, for example bringing in color and shape to incorporate elements like Water, Earth, Air and Fire.

Q: What’s one thing you’d want people to know about your design philospophy?

A: Your home, your space wherever and whatever it is, should really reflect you. It should support your needs and lifestyle. It should also be a place where you can rest, restore, and also be productive and create. I like to call it Loved, Layered and Lived-In. It doesn’t matter what HGTV or a social media account tells you about what you should like or feel good in if it doesn’t work for you. This is your home and it’s your story - I’m kind of like a magical editor of that story. As a designer, I love helping clients uncover all of this, and deliver a show-stopping space in the process.