places

One brilliant sky-blue day when I was walking the streets of Santa Fe, a wedding procession emerged from the doors of the Loretto Chapel. Smiling broadly while holding hands the jubilant bride [...]

I closed last week’s blog about pattern with my favorite mantra – good design repeats itself – and that’s where I’d like to start this one about shape.

In my years of experience working with clients, I have concluded that the thing that most strikes fear into their hearts is choosing and combining patterns.

I am often asked by clients how to begin the process of designing their homes. In my Eye for Beauty e-course coming this fall, I will answer that question with another question: Who are you? What [...]

In my effort to come to terms with the tragic fires that are potentially becoming part of our weather pattern in California, I can only console myself in the knowledge that they are a part of [...]

I spent last Saturday afternoon in the heart of the Valley of the Moon having dinner with treasured friends on a beautiful stone patio surrounded by lush, lime green vineyards. As I admired the [...]

Thanks for all your wonderful comments about the transformation of Casita Alegria and the ghost story that accompanied it. Your insights inspired me to close this allegory with an expression of [...]

Although Casita Alegria had been transformed into a lighter, happier little house, I had to face the fact that I was sleeping in a haunted adobe. While lying awake during my first night alone [...]

In retrospect, not only did the downstairs of Casita Alegria feel creepy, so did the upstairs. The curved steps in the entry that wound their way up to the second level ended at an empty, shallow [...]

The magical remodel of Casita Alegria’s lower level was finally complete. The old adobe allowed me to remove both walls of the creepy hallway to expand the tiny kitchen and family room on either [...]