Thermal comfort refers to how consistently warm, stable, and draft-free a home feels throughout the year. In the Pacific Northwest, where winters are long, damp, and low-light rather than extreme, thermal comfort depends less on high-output heating and more on thoughtful design.

Material warmth in interior design uses natural materials, light, and biophilic principles to improve comfort, wellness, and long-term performance. In the Pacific Northwest, where darker seasons and damp conditions shape how homes are experienced, material choices play a critical role in supporting both physical comfort and mental health.

Hi everyone! It's Rachel here, back again to talk about those pesky winter blues. In 2014, I wrote a post called "Living with the Blooz" where I shared some tips on using interior design to combat the seasonal slump. (You can check it out here)

Since then, there's been a lot of new research and understanding around Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). So, I thought it would be helpful to revisit the topic with a fresh perspective and some updated strategies.

Grey is in right now, and I am digging this trend. While grey is known as a cold color, I cannot disagree more. When I see grey, I think of cozy knit blankets, furry kittens (what?), and fuzzy mittens. Of course, if everything in my home was suddenly white or grey with no accents and cool lighting, I'd have to offer my guests a blanket or robe at the door to make them feel at ease! But, there are so many wonderful ways of warming up a grey space.