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I admit that I’ve come late to two popular and entertaining phenomena. One is BritBox, a massive collection of streaming British television shows. Now I don’t have to rely on Masterpiece Theater’s scheduling to watch my favorite sleuths. The other is Instagram, created in 2010 by twenty-somethings Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. It’s a photo and video sharing platform and, in fact, gets its name from the blending of “instant camera” and “telegram”. To date, Instagram has ove

I don’t want to be influenced or swayed by another designer’s work. I want my ideas to be fresh, original, and mine. I also don’t wait for a

I hear this phrase all the time, “bringing the outdoors in”. Today, I’m bringing the indoors … out. Design is about space, scale, balance, f

We belong to an HOA so much of the design is predetermined. But the interior style is completely up to us. Our last style was very mixed because neither my husband nor I knew how to choose one. We like many and want to do it right this time. We both are analytical and don’t have a problem with the logistics of a rebuild. My question isn’t about implementation but creativity. As a designer, where do you find your inspiration? Even if you use Houzz or Pinterest or watch televis

some things to update. I’ll be keeping a few of my current things but I need enough new ones that would allow me to create a new style. I like many different styles. How do I choose just one? (Originally published in the Napa Valley Register) Congratulations on your new home. And, good for you that you didn’t take the easy way out and call your style “eclectic”. An eclectic style is complicated and a topic for another day. Your question is a common one and many times, people

Asian style and don’t want to change. Our problem is the garden especially the front yard. We have about 30 rose bushes, a large climbing rose, camellias, hydrangeas, and a lawn. It’s like an overgrown English garden. What can we add to it so that it integrates better with the Asian style we have inside? (Originally published in the Napa Valley Register) The good news is that you don’t have to add anything. The bad news is that my answer probably won’t be satisfying. These tw