There is something uniquely inspiring about walking through a home that has been so intentionally designed. The Artisan Home Tour offers that opportunity—not just to see beautiful spaces, but to experience how design, materials, and layout come together to shape how a home feels.

This year, I toured Homes #2, #6, and #8. Each offered a different perspective—and together, they revealed not only standout craftsmanship, but also several important design trends worth paying attention to.

Chapter Narrative

There was a time I thought strength meant endurance at all costs.

It looked like saying yes when my body was asking for rest.
It sounded like "I'm fine," even though I clearly wasn't.
It felt like holding everything together so no one else had to feel the weight I was carrying.

For a long time, I wore that version of strength like a badge of honor.

Until it didn't feel like strength anymore… it just felt exhausting.

Introduction: The Moments I Don’t Talk About Enough

There are parts of this journey that are easier to talk about.

The routines.
The lessons.
The perspective shifts.

And then there are the quieter moments.

The ones where patience feels thin.
Where emotions feel closer to the surface.
Where I don’t feel as steady as I want to be.

And if I’m being honest—that’s been happening more lately.

Introduction: When Everything Shifts

There are moments in life when everything changes—quietly, but completely.

Yesterday was one of those moments for me.

I found out my uncle has weeks to live.

Even writing that feels heavy.

And suddenly, everything I've been doing—the appointments, the schedules, the decisions—feels different.

Introduction: The Pause That Feels Uncomfortable

Slowing down doesn't come naturally to me right now.

Not because I don't need it—but because life doesn't seem to leave space for it.

There's always something to do. 

Someone to check on. 

Something that needs attention.

Introduction: The Strength No One Sees

There’s a kind of strength that doesn’t get talked about enough.

It doesn’t show up in big moments or dramatic decisions.
It lives in the quiet, everyday responsibility of being the one others rely on.

Introduction: Life in Constant Motion

Lately, life has felt like a continuous act of caring.

Doctor’s appointments.
Grocery store runs.
Eyeglass fittings.
New shoes.
Daily check-ins.

Construction is rarely the clean before-and-after we imagine.

It's the middle.
The noise.
The dust.
The quiet question that creeps in: Will this ever end?

Right now, the road outside my home is under construction.  To be fair, the city did provide notice that our water would be shut off.  A person came to our door the day before.

But there's a catch.

We don't talk about feet enough.  Not in wellness, not in aging, not in everyday life.  Yet our feet carry us through every step, every errand, every season of our lives.  They're the foundation of mobility, independence, and long-term health — but they're also the first thing many people stop caring for.

There's a quiet moment that happens right before a trip when everything slows down.

The suitcase—or in this case, a well-loved backpack—sits open on the bed.  Every zipper, pocket, and compartment feels full of possibility… and potential overwhelm.  Packing always looks simple from the outside, but the process tells a deeper story about decision-making, priorities, and restraint.

My eldest son bought an SUV in Arizona 2 years ago —an incredible deal that still makes me smile.  Since he covered the cost of the car, I offered to pay for his one‑way flight to pick it up.  Simple enough, right?

Well… not exactly.

What stood out most about the 2026 Minnesota Parade of Homes wasn’t one specific finish or feature. It was the overall mindset.

These homes were designed to be lived in — messy appliances, busy routines, changing bodies, sensory needs, and all — the best examples balanced beauty with usability and intention with flexibility.

Kitchen remodeling is a transformative experience—not only for your home, but for how you live in it every day.  And while the design selections and the final reveal get most of the spotlight, the truth is that the real success of a remodel comes from something far less glamorous: trust.

As a Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer, Accessibility Specialist, and Interior Designer with 27 years in the industry — and as a mother of autistic children and caregiver to aging parents — I have learned that thoughtful design is far more than aesthetics.

This blog post is authored by my 10-year-old son.  Recently, Zeke and Izzy felt inspired to create something truly magical as a gift for their teachers to express their gratitude.  In our family, we often enjoy crafting personalized gifts, and this idea is one of my favorites.

Over the past 6 months, I've had the privilege of working on numerous projects at Carpet Court. One remarkable trend I've noticed is the growing interest in owner's suite bathroom remodels. My clients seek to transform their bathrooms from outdated, cramped spaces into havens of quiet sophistication.

Creating a home oasis is an important concept for our homes. I first realized this during my second honeymoon in Hawaii for our 10th anniversary. The experience was so magical and memorable that I wanted to embrace the idea of creating a home oasis. Even my husband, Michel, commented on how we were acting like it was our first honeymoon.

I had the pleasure of being a part of the Minneapolis Home + Remodeling Show with Carpet Court at the beginning of February. The event was a great opportunity for me to engage and interact with homeowners and assist them in making informed decisions about their flooring, kitchen, and bathroom projects.

Colors have a powerful impact on our moods and emotions. As a parent of autistic children, I have observed that my daughter is extremely particular about the colors and textures of fabrics. She strongly prefers bright colors, with her favorite colors being red, white, and yellow in that specific order. She even distinguishes between colors to wear based on who likes what. For instance, if I present her with a blue shirt or pants with her favorite animal on it, she immediately assumes that it is for her brother since he likes blue. When it comes to home decor, selecting the right colors is crucial in creating a welcoming and comfortable space that reflects your personality and style. In this article, I will share my expert tips for using color psychology to create a home you love.

In the ever-changing world of interior design, the latest trend that has been gaining momentum in the design community is the minimalist approach to casing and baseboards. This approach brings a fresh and contemporary look to any space by focusing on clean lines and simplicity, which enhances the interior aesthetics, functionality, and overall design.