Growing up, my Barbie dolls never had that big pink plastic three-story Dream House, but that was A-OK with me because I loved spending hours pulling together stuff from around the house, yard and beyond, to create for them a house that had so much more personality.

Today I design much the same way, by using a mixture of old and new, investment pieces and thrift store finds, modern and antique, sentimental and disposable.

Vacation homes, of course are pure JOY to design. The “rules” are more flexible and there is always more leeway for a bit of whimsy. But I strive to make all of my projects, whether a vacation home, primary residence, restaurant, office, bar or hotel, just as rich, with a touch of JOY tucked into each room: book nooks, hammocks with views, patina’ed heirlooms, groupings of framed souvenirs…

I believe the key to joyful interior design is to elevate great design to a more personal level, creating surroundings that help you be you, not seem to others.