Because online shopping is so frictionless, it’s easy to assume that when a design firm "sources" products for a custom build or remodel, we’re doing a version of that same thing. You might picture us scrolling through websites, picking out pretty items, sending an invoice, and clicking buy.

In reality? Sourcing and procurement is one of the most intricate, highly technical, and protective services we provide. It’s the bridge between a beautiful concept on paper and a healthy, high-performing home that stands the test of time.

Sometimes, people think that starting the design phase of a new build is just about getting "drawings" on paper; putting down a basic footprint with a box marked for the kitchen, a spot for the bed, and a placeholder for the bath. But if you’re building custom, generic placeholders miss the best part of the process!

I recently attended a Vashon-Maury Community Council meeting where Public Health presented their proposed update for the Vashon-Maury Marine Recovery Area (MRA). That meeting was such an eye-opener that I signed up as a council member right on the spot!

There’s a particular shift that happens at the end of summer here in the Pacific Northwest. The afternoons can still be warm, the windows are still open, and we’re not quite ready to admit that summer is winding down. But the signs start showing up anyway. Backpacks reappear by the door, calendars begin filling up, mornings become more structured, and the evening light starts disappearing a little earlier.

So, I had a bit of a fun weekend adventure that I wanted to share! I did an open house tour of a super sweet 1920s Craftsman over in Madison Park, and then decided to head right over to the Washington Park Arboretum to take a walk, clear my head, and check out the summer canopy.

I wrapped up my last volunteer shift for the Strawberry Festival weekend and snapped a quick, sunny selfie on my way out to celebrate, haha! Huge shoutout to the festival committee and everyone who put in endless hours to pull this off for our island. It’s always such a great reminder of how special this community is.

Every other Sunday, I meet my longtime friend, Emily, and we take a nature walk. We’ve been doing this for a few years now, and honestly, it’s done absolute wonders for my mental health. Having that dedicated time with a friend who is so warm, fun, and genuinely good to her core is everything.

Interior design and architecture projects rarely travel in a straight line. As we look critically at our homes, new pain points emerge, priorities shift, and sometimes the best design choice is knowing when to press pause.

We recently worked with a wonderful repeat client on a project that began with a straightforward scope but ended up teaching a textbook lesson on the boundaries of design, budgeting, and construction. Here is the story of the Quartermaster Bathroom Project, and why we consider it a major success, even if it currently remains on paper.

Let’s be honest: humans have a weird habit of defaulting to sterile, flat "white boxes." We paint walls bright, clean colors, throw up some great uniform lighting, and think, “Yep, looks awesome, we’re done here.” And sometimes, that crisp aesthetic is exactly what a home needs. But as designers, we're always dreaming up ways to bring the gorgeous, textured Pacific Northwest ecosystem inside.

The other day, our firm got a call from a colleague with a referral for a new architecture project. Even though I launched this firm thirteen years ago and operate as its managing partner, the message wasn’t left for me. It was left for my spouse, Sean, because he carries the title "Architect." It wasn't the first time, and it won’t be the last.