Beauty Tramp

03/15/2025

03/13/2025

Modena and a bit of Bologna, Italy. (A tasty bit.) It’s a good place to be when you want to pretend the world hasn’t gone crazy for a few days.

09/26/2024

I’m fresh off a handful of days at the London Design Festival where I wandered one of my favorite, beautifully luscious cities with curiosity and wonder in hand. Was it lovely? Quite.

08/30/2024

The entry to a house is so important as it sets the vibe for the entire place. When I first moved into this MCM beauty ten years ago I mixed old and new by combining the clean lined bubble lamp and Hang It All coat rack with modern Moroccan tiles which mimic the flower motif in the original banister. I love the patina of brass, so the bone and brass k***s on the original cabinetry were a must. Then I threw in my own altered vintage art welcoming visitors in with a happy “Hello!”. The pop of the orange doors pulled it all together. Yesterday was the last time I’ll walk into this happy space as the house has new owners. I hope they love it here as much as I did. 💗

08/29/2024

The combination of this ceramic planter I found in Mexico City with this crazy plant from brings me silly amounts of joy. Anthropomorphism for the win!

08/22/2024

Long time, no selfie! But I couldn’t waste a fresh cut and style by Adrian now could I?

05/07/2024

It may be pouring rain outside, but it’s hot & sunny inside my amazing client’s house. Just wait until it’s finished!

03/03/2024

I have a lot of work to catch up on this weekend so I thought DIYing curtains would be a good idea. Never underestimate the power of procrastination! I’ve been wanting curtains in my living room, but I have expensive taste: the ones I wanted cost $6k for two windows. Instead I spent $140 all in, including rods, curtains, and fabric paint. And now I’m happy. Behind in everything, but happy.

02/08/2024

I took a class in Ikebana—the Japanese art of flower arranging—while in Kyoto. I’ve always admired the ikebana style and loved every minute of the class, from the history, to the variety of styles, and mostly the hands on arranging. Thank you for a great morning in your ryokan. It’s a lovely space even without the flowers!

Photo credit:

02/05/2024

Does this look like 50° to you? I think my new packing strategy will be to consult astrology charts instead of weather apps. They have a higher chance of being right.

02/03/2024

Train rides with chai wallahs walking the aisles, a Hindu god festival (Theyyam) that lasts into the wee hours of the morning, a goldsmith who uses his breath and fire to make jewelry, a hand loom cooperative, a Hindu blessing ceremony, a bus at a Tibetan Monastery in Kerala, an architectural detail of a vacant, ancient King’s palace on top of the mountain where elephants and monkeys roam and coffee is grown, goats that wander freely in the streets of Fort Cochi, and the silhouette of people enjoying the coast. And this barely scratches the surface of Kerala, India. I need another word for amazing!!

01/26/2024

The colorful sights and sounds of Mysore, India are giving me whiplash. With all the omnipresent Hinduism, Indian pride, and traditions here, it’s an endless funnel of visual and chaotic beauty.

01/22/2024

India has had my heart since I fell in love with it after reading a book about monsoons when I was in college many years ago. I finally made it here and am pleased to report the love was not in vain.

01/07/2024

Remembering the installation in Milan at last April is sparking all the happy feels I need on this dreary winter day.

12/31/2023

2023 may have been the most difficult year of my life. Not may have been. It unquestionably was. But it was not without its beauty. There was an abundance of beauty, actually. Life is a fine balance. And it’s absolutely magnificent regardless of the pointy bits. So, instead of a “happy new year” I wish all of you a beautiful new year. And a reminder to say goodbye to those you love each and every time as if it’s the last time you’ll see them. Because why wouldn’t you?

10/10/2023

I saw these hand blown beauties in Colombia and they reminded me of a gracious client of mine who always makes me the most delicious tea when I’m at her house. I’m bringing them to her tonight and I hope she’s as delighted by them as I am!

10/07/2023

Love hanging with the beauty tramps in Chicago.

09/20/2023

Yesterday, my not inexpensive camera lens broke aided by a fallen tripod. I was feeling a bit sorry for myself. But then I remembered walking into my client’s living room last spring while he was out of town. Things could be worse.