One of the things I love most about interior design is that the best spaces aren’t created overnight.
They evolve.
They’re layered slowly. Pieces are added intentionally. Some items come first, others later. There’s room for editing, experimenting, and letting a space grow alongside the people who live in it.
That’s the kind of design I believe in — thoughtful, collected, and deeply personal.
Starting with a Vision
Every project begins with a mood board. It’s where the tone is set and the story starts to unfold.
For this space, Little Folk Lodge became the jumping-off point — a cozy, collected living room grounded in warm woods, soft textures, playful pattern, and soulful vintage touches. The goal wasn’t perfection. It was character. Comfort. A space that feels welcoming and lived in.
Mood boards help translate feelings into visuals — warmth, softness, contrast, depth — and guide every decision that follows.
Real Homes Happen in Phases
Designing my own upstairs den is a perfect example of how spaces evolve over time.
We purchased the rug right when we moved in — both to dampen sound (since it’s upstairs) and to introduce pattern right away. We already owned the lounge chair. Then came the vintage coffee table. Later, the sofa. The side tables shifted over time. The floor lamp was an estate sale find. And just within the last six months, we added the poufs.
Each layer made the room feel more complete — but none of it happened all at once.
That’s real-life design.
You don’t need everything immediately. Great rooms are built piece by piece, allowing space for discovery and refinement along the way.
Materials That Age Beautifully
I’m always drawn to materials that get better with time — soft velvets, textured rugs, warm woods, patinated metals, and layered textiles.
These are the elements that create depth and soul in a space. They hold history, show wear in the best way, and make rooms feel grounded rather than precious.
This flat lay is a snapshot of my design process — pulling together fabrics, finishes, and textures to build palettes that feel rich, tactile, and timeless.
Designing for Real Life
Great design isn’t just about how a space looks — it’s about how it functions day to day.
In this client hallway, we started with a blank slate. Over time, we added a runner to ground the long corridor, a bench for seating, baskets underneath for shoes and mail, layered family photos for the gallery wall, and a large art piece anchoring the end of the hall.
The transformation didn’t require major construction — just thoughtful selections and intentional layering.
Small changes can make a huge impact.
A Home That Tells Your Story
My own dining room is another example of design evolving over time.
We already had the bar cart, then added a buffet and side table to showcase our collections. We waited patiently for the right dining table, invested in new dining chairs, and layered in drapery, art and vintage accessories. Since then, we’ve continued to add pieces — a vintage curio cabinet, a taxidermied duck, estate sale books, and oil-painted tiger artwork (also an estate sale find).
The side table is vintage and an estate sale find as well, and the artwork on the left wall is by local abstract painter Suyao Tian — an artist I love and have specified for clients before.
Some pieces you find immediately. Others take time. That’s part of the beauty.
Together, they create a space that feels personal, layered, and completely lived in.
That’s always the goal.
My Design Philosophy
I believe homes should be:
✨ Built slowly
✨ Layered intentionally
✨ Designed for real life
✨ Filled with pieces that matter
Ready to design a space that grows with you?
If this approach resonates with you, and you’re dreaming up a home that feels elevated but still you, I’d love to help.
You can book a complimentary design discovery call here.
Let’s create something beautiful together.
