Designing the space around the user, not the other way around

I do an initial design of the space, and take note of how I live in it. What areas tend to get messy, what areas do I not really use, does any place feel claustrophobic or too empty? What’s working for me and which pieces of furniture do I adore? Then, I redesign, reassess, and redesign. I’ve fallen in love with the iterative process of updating my space to serve the way I live.

Adding interest with mixed patterns, woods, and materials rather than objects

I can appreciate maximalism, but I don’t think the way to go is by collecting more stuff. Instead, mixing patterns and textures for functional items can achieve the maximalist look without overwhelming the space with unnecessary decorative objects.

Integrity with materials

I have strong opinions about mass-produced furniture stores like Wayfair and Target. They make polyester to look like velvet, painted particle board to look like wood, and price items low in comparison to quality furniture so consumers can keep up with trends and afford to replace their furniture every 5 years. If I want a velvet chair, I will buy a velvet chair, not a polyester lookalike. If I can’t find it or can’t afford it, I seek out other options.

Designing for the locale

I allow the local environment to influence my design decisions. For my San Francisco apartment, my design choices were informed by the surrounding redwood forests, my San Diego apartment was designed to feel like a beach bungalow, and my Boulder apartment was inspired by the mountains and snow. This extends to materials, I believe in sourcing woods locally and color design inspired by the local environment.