DOES DESIGN MATTER? 

Does design matter? Do art or beauty really matter? Yes, in a word!

Design is a way of relating to the world around us. We design to make our corner of the world more beautiful, more welcoming, and more manageable. We design to make sense of our world and to comfort our souls.

A cozy room with a fire lit and fascinating things to look at is a lovely place to be. 
You want to settle in with a drink and stay.

We all respond physically and emotionally to spaces we love. We feel beauty and comfort in our bones.

The best places are the ones that reflect the values and personalities of their occupants, and ones that feel lived in and welcoming. This can start as simply as noting beauty in the mundane moments of your day, be it the grandeur of a gigantic oak tree or the heavy feel of a nice doorknob. Recognizing something lovely is one of the easiest ways to be mindful, grateful, and happier.

In my home, my mother put beauty on par with food, water, and love. We had lean times and fat ones, but even in the leanest, she always lit a candle at dinner, and brought in flowers or branches to make the house feel fresh and alive.

My design firm is founded on the belief that beauty is essential in our lives. I love design because I get to witness the dramatic, emotional impact of design everyday. I get to prove how much beauty matters. And I get to help people make their corner of the world cozier, lovelier, and more welcoming – in short, not a house but a home.