A Thoughtful Job Posting
Platemark has a job opening for a studio assistant. Here are the qualities and qualifications that best align with the position. Does it sound like you or someone you know?
On Speaking Up (When It’s Much Easier Not To)
Often times we see flaws, oversights and potential improvements that no one else sees. Should we speak up and point them out?
Everyone Always Wants What (They Regret) Their Parents Threw Away
You name it, someone will always chime in saying “Oh, my parents had a pair of those and I regret if they'd only kept them!”
20 Questions I Don’t Know the Answer To
There's a lot I know – and a ton I don't. Here's some questions to ponder with me.
I Make Decisions for a Living
A decorated home that consists of, say, 350 elements is actually 3,500 decisions. Or more. Probably more.
Before Company Arrives, Review This Checklist
Our homes never looks as good as when company arrives. Or as worse as just a few hours before. Here's my “fluffing” routine, as I…
What I’ve Learned From Professional Photo Shoots
It's Not All Smoke and Mirrors My first assumption was, when flipping through shelter and home magazines, that nothing was "real". Objects were dropped in…
Things I Wish I’d Known Before Becoming a Designer
This isn't a post steeped in regret, pause or grudge. Rather, I entered this business quite deliberately, with much enthusiasm and energy. I never imagined…
Ignore Sunk Costs When Making New Decisions
We hold on to decisions from the past. Usually, I imagine, because there's a complicated series of (emotional) connections we have to the value of…
Luxury Cushions for your Tush
Let's face it, regular 'ole foam cushions are basic. And admittedly it's my job to shed light on things you never knew you needed until I…
I’m Also a Furniture Designer
I'm many things, apparently. Originally (and I mean teenager-originally), chef tendencies shaped my future. If you follow my blog, you can see that is apparent…
Video Killed the Radio Star
And customization is killing the luxury mass production stars. Is an $8K purse really luxury? Really? Is it even made out of leather? Are they…
Here’s My Design Bucket List
I get to dream up a lot of fun creations from project to project. I keep an informal list of all the fun things I'd…
The Ultimate Luxury: Lack of Choice
We now spend most of our time ... clicking the "compare" button so we can ruminate over decisions within our decisions. Until we're paralyzed by them.
Our 450° Dinner Party
Since we entertain a lot, I'd say we're getting to be pro's at orchestrating dinner parties. We even keep a dinner party journal to log…
Don’t Let Pets Discourage Your Decorating Dreams
No one understands the love for pets as much as we do. And I'd say about half of our clients have pets and nice things at…
Getting Your “Pillowscape” Right
No room is completely styled without an essential symphony of pillows. It's a key opportunity to pull together all the colors and textures that the furnishings,…
Why Does Everything Take So Long?
We're so impatient. Trust me, I'm the worst in that regard. Though ironically I'm perfectly suited for this job because I aim my shepherding powers directly at…
Shut Up About Marble Countertops Already
I love marble. Everything about the natural, ancient quality of its surface. The porous, timeworn signs of a material that has endured hundreds of millions…
Doubt, Apprehension and Skepticism
Ideas for topics can hit me at any time. In this case, mid-sentence with a friend during a recent gallery opening, my mind interjected and I blurted out,…
How Unsubscribes Make Me Feel
Is attention a commodity? It seems to ebb and flow based on interests, moods and sometimes intentions.
Why You Can’t Get a Good Contractor (Hint: It’s not the Economy)
Answers to this age-old question are staring you in the face.
Off-The-Wall Fabric Applications for your Home: My Obsessions, Passions and Compulsions on this Topic
I could wrap anything in fabric. It's my favorite aspect of design, to think up clever new uses for textiles.
16 Surprising Gizmos & Gadgets of an Interior Designer
I'm a bit of a product junkie. I love tools that do the job efficiently and make life more satisfying in the process.
Just Bought a Fixer-Upper? Feeling Lost?
We understand. We get lots of calls from homeowners eager for us to solve this very problem. It's overwhelming, but we're going to break it down into some simple steps to guide you on your way.
