what I do all day & five tips for running your own business
I will admit that my job isn’t a normal one. I often say to my boys, “I know it doesn’t look like I’m working, but this is what my work looks like today.” Sometimes it’s painting. Sometimes it’s doodling in a notebook, working on ideas or designs. Sometimes it’s doing photo shoots or editing photos. […]
organizing | ordinary, everyday makeovers
There are some makeovers that have more to do with how a room looks than how it feels. It feels better; it feels more like “you”, but when it comes down to it, the makeover was cosmetic. It was about preferences and aesthetics and taste. Then, there are makeovers that are more about how a […]
“you don’t know what you’ve got…”
I bet you thought I would finish the post title with “‘…til it’s gone”, but I’m not. While that’s the way the saying goes, I’m going to change it up a bit. Here’s my version, which is a little less catchy and will never be a song lyric… You don’t know what you’ve got […]
putting furniture pieces together
The piece of furniture I’m asked about most is the large antique cabinet in my studio. I totally understand why. It’s an impressive piece and one I would ask about if I saw it! If you read this blog regularly, you know its secret. It’s not one piece, but two. Not only is it two […]
front garden | summer of 2021
I know that many of you have summer gardens that are in their prime by this date on the calendar, but here in Rochester, Minnesota, I’m still planting! I admit to getting off to a bit of a late start this year, but I have learned that it’s okay to be a little late when […]
Building a Home Library
Let’s talk about books, shall we? On Instagram last week, I shared my latest out-of-control stack of new books to read. When I order new books, I’ll sit them on the low bookcase under the window of my studio until I take the time to sit down and read them. When I say “read”, I […]
design pivot & the entire family room
Let’s talk about those moments when design plans don’t work. You buy something, order something, you put it in place, and then you realize it’s not going to work the way you envisioned. You can ignore that gut warning and plow ahead or you can pivot. I’m about to pivot. The fabric I ordered from […]
my first completed sketchbook
For all of the talk I do about journaling and sketchbooks, can you believe that I have never fully completed a sketchbook?! Well, not until a few weeks ago. I have filled plenty of pages in plenty of sketchbooks over the years, but I typically end up abandoning a book, unhappy with many of the […]