For a long time, I always said starting my own firm was my five to ten year plan.
It was something I would talk about like “yeah I’ll do that eventually” once I had more experience, more time, more confidence, all of it. I think I assumed there would be a point where everything just clicked and felt perfectly clear.
But over the past few months, I kept coming back to the same thought. Why not now?
Over the past few years, I’ve been deep in full service residential design, basically helping bring a home together from the ground up, and I learned so much from that. I got to see firsthand how much actually goes into creating a home that feels thoughtful, cohesive, and personal. And honestly, how many decisions are constantly being made and managed behind the scenes to get there.
People hire a designer for more than just a pretty end result. They want a home that feels like them, but they also want someone to make the process feel a lot less overwhelming. Because there are so many decisions. Way more than people expect.
That is something I’ve always felt really good at. I naturally step into being the person who helps make it all feel more manageable, thinking through the details, connecting everything, and keeping things moving so it does not feel like a second full time job.
And a lot of it comes down to things people are not even thinking about yet.
Grout color is a big one. No one is thinking about grout color, but it can completely change how a tile looks once it is installed. The same tile can feel totally different depending on the grout, the layout, and the scale.
Or working within a budget. It is not just about picking the most basic option and calling it a day. It becomes how can we take something simple, like a subway tile, and lay it in a way that still feels interesting and intentional.
Cabinet style is another one. Inset versus full overlay can completely shift whether a space feels more traditional or more modern.
Or a wood island with wood floors. Sounds good at first, but are the tones actually working together or is it too much? Does it feel layered or flat?
Exterior paint sounds easy until you are staring at five “almost identical” whites and somehow they all look different. The right creamy white versus the wrong one can completely change a house.
And hardware is honestly like jewelry for your home. Mixing metals can look really good, but only when it feels intentional.
Even things like door profiles. Some feel more coastal, some more European, some more modern. Those choices matter more than people realize.
None of these decisions feel huge on their own, but together they are what make a home feel really good or slightly off.
And if you are working with a full service designer, you should not have to carry all of that. You should be able to see the vision, give your input, and have someone else handle the heavy lifting instead of feeling like you have a second job. Because creating a home should feel exciting, not overwhelming.
That is a big part of why I wanted to start my own studio.
As much as I valued my experience working for other firms, I always knew I eventually wanted to step more fully into the creative side of the process. I’ve spent years in the details and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps projects moving, and that foundation is something I’m really grateful for. But at a certain point, I realized I wanted to be the one leading the creative direction and shaping how a space comes together from the start.
Right now, I’m building my portfolio and taking on a limited number of projects, which honestly feels like the best way to do it. It allows me to be especially hands on, thoughtful, and intentional with each project.
If you’ve been thinking about starting something, whether it’s a full renovation or even just a small refresh, I’d love to help.And if not, I’m still so happy you’re here and following along!
xx