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This blog is a collection of columns I wrote for the Lifestyles, Home and Garden Section of the Napa Valley Register. They were published in the newspaper from 2012 to 2021 under the headline, "Demystifying Design." I've divided this blog into categories as listed in the menu bar. Be sure to click on "More" to see the full list of topics. If you're looking for something specific, enter the word in the search bar. Most of the time, any pertinent column(s) will show up - as lo

Dear Readers, I’ve been graciously given the opportunity to make today’s column a personal one. After writing more than 300 columns in nearly ten years, this one is to be my last. You’ll never know how much I’ve enjoyed writing for you, sharing my work as an interior designer, and answering your questions. I never would have imagined that I would meet so many of you if only through a friendly email. Some of you became clients and some my cherished friends. I feel so fortunate

Today’s column is my very first prequel. My upcoming Home and Garden centerpiece will feature a renovation of a home on Napa’s Historic Landmark Registry. It’s a Dutch Colonial Revival built in 1907. This two-year long project weathered many challenges including out-of-state homeowners, a re-engineered foundation, leveling of floors, and oh, a global pandemic. But the homeowners and I enthusiastically agree that these challenges were well-worth meeting and well-worth the long

In October of 2019, homeowners, John and Janet German, asked for my help in renovating their newly purchased home. It was a home that John’s parents had previously owned for 45 years, in fact. They described it as a Dutch Colonial Revival on Napa’s Historic Landmark Registry. A San Franciscan named Mr. Mellis had built it in 1907 after fleeing the earthquake of 1906. The Germans had engaged Napa architect, Paul Kelley, to provide the design and drawings for the project which

RD Winery, the first Vietnamese-owned winery in the Napa Valley, has at long last opened its doors. The 1600-square-foot tasting room had just completed an extensive, two-year-long remodel this past spring when the pandemic prevented its celebratory grand opening. Since July, however, visitors have been able to enjoy food and wine pairings on its generous patio along with strolls through its bird-chirping garden. And now, restrictions have eased enough to allow interior seati

Have you been to a jewelry store, I mean an art gallery, I mean a tile store lately? I get these destinations mixed up. These days, I find tile that is so sparkly, colorful and faceted that I could wear it as an accessory. I also find tile that is so exquisitely hand-painted or sculpted with inlaid stone that it could be displayed as fine art. Given all these spectacular options, how do homeowners know what to choose? If you’re such a homeowner, I’ve put together an exercise

Nothing transports me to my childhood more than fresh, fragrant, sweet basil. It’s a leafy, green herb easily grown in Napa’s Mediterranean climate. Each summer, it was my duty to pick its leaves and give to my grandmother who would make pesto. Given its herbaceous, garlicky, cheesy flavors swimming in high-quality, extra virgin olive oil and a crunch of pine nuts, it remains my all-time favorite pasta topping. If this sounds tasty to you, it would be a pleasure to share her

This enduring color is Pantone’s Classic Blue 19-4052. It’s a true blue, a primary blue, the first blue you think of when you hear the word.

What does “less is more” really mean? It applies to various areas of life but usually enters a conversation when the topic is about style,

As published in the Napa Valley Register. A laundry room is more than a place to wash, dry and fold clothes. It’s a place where you can cut loose with color and style and decorate to your heart’s desire. Love a lime green and pink duo? How about a purple, magenta and orange trio? Want to surround yourself with murals of the Taj Mahal, Machu Pichu or the Champs-Elysees? No problem, a laundry room welcomes all such creativity. In my experience, clients worry about making design

I’ve often maintained that a one or two-color palette with a single-color accent creates the strongest design. Such an approach reflects focus and intention. But I’ve also maintained that there is a style that isn’t so disciplined. That style is cottage and, over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with a client who favors this very aesthetic. The pleasure does not just come from the person that Meg is, but also from the sense of color adventure that she has. When Meg

There are, quite literally, an infinite number of possible color combinations. Some have high contrast. Some are monochromatic or “tone on tone.” Others are complimentary (opposite each other on the color wheel), analogous (next to each other on the wheel), or triadic (three evenly spaced on the wheel.) I like all colors except rust. Love orange and melon but not rust. Also, not fond of forest green. If you had to choose just one combination, what would be your favorite? Many

Besides being the place where Cayetano Juarez died (while sitting at the bar in 1883), the Depot is known for its malfatti. Virginia, a nati

As published in the Napa Valley Register Not too long ago, I wrote a column titled “An adjustable solution to a common problem.” It was about Sietto’s Custom Cabinet Hardware, a Chicago-based, boutique company that produces handcrafted, glass pulls and knobs. The adjustable feature came in the form of pulls with a sliding base that can line up with the holes from any existing pulls that you want to replace on drawers or doors. Today, I’m happy to share another solution to ano

As published in the Napa Valley Register I never would have imagined that a column I wrote back in November 2019 would be so relevant today. I don’t mean to say that I usually write about fleeting topics. I want them all to have long-lasting value. But November’s has come to have even deeper significance. It was titled, “Are great rooms great?” (‘Great rooms’ combine multiple rooms into one.) I explained that they’re not great – if you’re an introvert. I described how introve

Luckily for us in the Napa Valley, any and all colors work. In fact, any and all parts of these philosophies can bring health and harmony to

As published in the Napa Valley Register If you’re thinking about giving your kitchen cabinets, or any cabinets for that matter, a makeover, it will probably include replacing the pulls on your old door and drawer fronts. This may be as easy-peasy as it sounds or you may run into a problem. Before I focus on this hiccup, I should say that I will also be sharing information that can apply to new, non-problematic cabinetry as well. What am I talking about? Typical pulls, especi

I meant to write today’s column sometime last year. I was going to do it after finishing a certain DIY project, and if I had done a good job, I was even going to take pictures. Well, I never accomplished my goal, never even started, but my procrastination should not prevent you from attaining yours. What were my lofty plans? I have two small pieces of furniture that I want to paint. One is a short, gray file cabinet that I’d like to change to deep, magenta pink. Yes, I really

At the risk of sounding cliché, art can feed our spirit. To compound my risk by sounding hokey, too, I’m inviting you to do an exercise. Tha

Ask Napa resident, Holly Quate, what her favorite design style is and she’ll answer, “Art Deco or Mid-century Modern or maybe Craftsman.” As