Hi! I’m happy you are here! I was born and raised in Georgia, growing up in the suburbs of Atlanta, but I spent a month every summer visiting my parents’ family in New York. From a young age, I remember sneaking into my grandmother’s linen closet and jewelry box to admire her old Eastern European linens and costume jewelry, blossoming an early love of textiles and unique accessories. On the weekends, I would go into Manhattan with my mom, where I would take in all the architecture, design and creativity of the city. During the rest of the year, back in Georgia (before Atlanta was a sprawling metropolis), I would beg my mom to go take me to the small towns “in the country” to go antiquing and find my favorite historic home on the way. I can definitely say a love of design, antiques, historic architecture, and the thrill of the hunt have always been a love of mine. My surroundings have always influenced my mood and I remember so well the butter yellow walls of my bedroom painted by my father and the pink and white dogwood trees he planted that bloomed outside my window; cherished memories of my childhood home. I’m telling you all of this in order to let you know the reason I believe in the importance of design; it has the power to create core memories and bring joy to your day. It’s from these homegrown memories that The Dogwood Home was born. I also believe that it isn’t necessarily the most expensive house on the block that is the most charming and welcoming one.

I received a degree in Studio Art from the University of Georgia, and went on to work in a school for children with special needs and later receive a master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. While this degree is very different from my art background, its focus is on the study of how environments affect behavior, something that clearly can support the importance and influence of home decor. After years of working, getting married and having children, my desire to return back to a creative field would not stop nudging me. I found myself exploring the world of vintage rugs and began selling them online successfully for about three years. Helping people choose a one-of-a-kind rug for their home reminded me of my love of interior design and I slowly began helping friends decorate their homes. Over the past few years, I have continued to have my name recommended to people who are looking for a friendly, unpretentious designer to help with anything from room refreshes to larger home renovation projects. I have also personally managed and designed renovations in my own 1984 Cape Cod.

I listen intently while you explain your family dynamic and the hopes for your space, as well as what will work best for you financially. I love many different design styles, but I personally tend to lean more traditional, with a focus on interesting and playful patterns, peaceful colors (but love a fun pop of something bolder here and there!), functionality, and a hint of whimsy. I draw inspiration from historic Southern design found in the quaint Blue Ridge Mountain towns that I love to explore, my travels to Italy and Portugal, and even my trips out West. I will always work in family heirlooms over new store-bought items. I believe there is a need for ‘real life’ design that does not expect you to purchase everything new or follow every design trend. Whenever possible, I work with what you already have. I also encourage my clients to take part in the design process, because it’s your home after all, and decor should be chosen that reflects your personal style, interests, and lifestyle. It makes me immensely happy to create spaces for families to enjoy and make memories in, because family is what matters most. Just like you, your home should be wonderfully made. Let’s see what we can create together!