On Friday June 9th I had the opportunity to attend the Summer Artisan Home Tour from June 9 – 25, 2023. I only viewed 3 homes #11 construction2style, #6 Gordon James, and #2 Harrison Custom Builders, LLC due to the amount of detail and sensory overload. The one thing all 4 homes had in common was paint trends. They were all smoking hot and participating in the “quiet luxury” with paint.

Last month, I had the opportunity to embark on the Vacation Rental Design Summit before High Point Furniture Market in North Carolina. It was a two-day event learning from the best in this market.

So, here’s 5 Expert Vacation Rental Design Tips to boost your earnings…

My husband asked me the other day “What’s a Hood Liner? I see you have a class about it.” Yes, as a woman-owned small business and having elementary children we share calendars. My calendar is full of business & personal items. When he asked that I was speechless. I thought everyone knew about hood liners. I started telling him about it but then stopped mid-sentence. “I told him thank-you for inspiring me for my next blog.” So, let’s get down and dirty about hood liners 😍.

I have been touring the Parade of Homes for the last 25 years, ever since I graduated from SDSU with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, but this is the first time I blogged about it. I didn’t even think about doing it. It was my brother-in-law who told me I should write a blog about the trends I am seeing in the 2023 Spring Parade of Homes. I will be focusing on the trends I saw in most of the homes over a weekend, which were 15. Here’s the trends from my perspective (MN Certified Interior Designer)….

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to speak to my fellow colleagues on “Aging in Place.” It was a brunch & learn through ASID and Francis King graciously hosted us. It was empowering and scary for me at the same time for this was my first speaking event. Let’s just say it went amazing 😍. I was overjoyed with the positive feedback. We even had an ASID member join through Zoom from Brainerd.

We all have obstacles/things in our lives to grow or shrink from. I have experienced both…. Here are some lessons I have learned from a personal side & design side.

ASID MN Chapter once again held an amazing event sponsored by Select Surfaces. The challenge was to create something beautiful out of the mysterious item we receive in the white box. This year it was saw dust. Yes, Charles Cabinets provided the saw dust for the designers to make something seemly unattractive into something stunning.

I (currently came) returned back from Design and Construction Week 2023 which was held in Las Vegas, Nevada. “More than 200,000 house and design professionals from across the globe” came together for 5 different shows; NKBA – Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), NAHB – International Builders’ Show (IBS), The National Hardware Show, The International Surfaces Event and the Las Vegas Winter Market. These trade shows did a fabulous job collaborating for if you purchase a ticket from KBIS you were able to attend the rest of them. My focus was on KBIS & IBS.

A good day… Sometimes it’s easier to say than to do. I wanted to set some goals/intentions for 2023 around that, a good day. But how… When I set these goals, I still had a broken ankle, was wearing a boot, and was feeling sorry for myself. Bitter table for one please 😂.

Last year my husband & I saved and invested in a dishwasher. Not just any dishwasher we went with a Bosch, and I am SOOO happy we did and here’s why….

Traditions… Do you ever wonder how they got started? How long has it been passed down? Who started it? Well, our New Year’s Eve tradition was started last year and now my kiddos want it every year 😊.

The Midwest Home Design Award (MHDA) Show was once again spectacular. I caught up with colleagues and chatted with Lori Miller & Arthur Morrissey who were the MCs from the 2022 ASID Gala. I didn’t get a chance to chat with them there because I was part of the clean-up crew. What we made was so beautiful and stunning, but it had to be taken down. The MHDA was once again beautiful and a fun award show to attend. What made it different was me. Due to my broken leg, I realized it’s a lot harder to socialize.

I love Thanksgiving… Why? I am with my family and friends eating amazing food and being thankful they are here with me celebrating. My dad is 90 years old and still here enjoying life. I think about my eldest sister Renee who passed away summer of 2018 due to cancer. She was an amazing cook. She also embraced the craziness my family brings. I am now welcoming the silliness instead of hiding from it.

I had the wonderful opportunity to be the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) Gala Committee Chair. I was bragging to my family/friends/colleagues… anyone who would listen to me. Well, the laugh was on me. I did not realize all the elements that go into the ASID Gala otherwise I probably would have said “No” …

September was a whirlwind of trips. I originally had one trip planned for the end of September to Miami Florida for ASID (American Society of Interior Designers). I planned this out back in April with another colleague/friend of mine. We participated in a variety of traditional and unconventional education and networking opportunities; there were over 50 Pop-ups classes, 21 CEU sessions, 6 workshops, 3 keynote presentations, & 1 amazing party to round out the experience. And then possibilities came knocking….

Décor is the biggest question I get asked about on backsplashes… My clients want to know what backsplash will go with taj mahal quartzite? or what backsplash goes with brown granite? It’s so hard to answer this open-ended question because it depends on your décor and style. But just as my clients our getting out of their comfort zone, I am getting out of mine too… I will be answering these open-ended questions. Let’s Begin part two series of backsplashes….

Being a Certified Interior Designer, I have a lot of knowledge based on my education & experience. The month of May is devoted to backsplashes. There is so many questions I get asked I decided to do a two-part Q&A of backsplashes. Also, the timing is perfect because May starts graduation parties, high school or college. It’s the easiest way to spruce up your kitchen. Here is professional advice on backsplashes… your two-part series… Let’s Begin…

This past week was a whirlwind of learning. I went to Kohler, Wisconsin for, you guessed it, plumbing and design. Being a Certified Interior Designer it’s my job to know the latest and upcoming product, but more importantly to understand how it will function in your ever-changing lifestyle. So, I will discuss sinks, faucets, toilets, and design trends up to 2024.

You are probably wondering what’s the work hub of my kitchen. Well, that’s easy. It’s the appliances. They can become your hero or the villain. You will either be singing their praises or saying things you never knew could come out of your mouth. The home appliance industry is a multi-billion-dollar industry. I will be highlighting where appliances are manufactured (made), the top 3 questions, and appliance trends. So, let’s begin…

Have you ever wondered why you need a Certified Interior Designer? Here are the top 5 reasons… Read this blog to learn how a designer can change your space from Blah to Wow