Creating beautiful, welcoming spaces has always been a part of who I am. While you may not know it, my love for design goes back to my childhood. It’s a passion that has lived in me for as long as I can remember—let’s just say, forever.
As a young girl, I loved playing with dolls, but my favorite part wasn’t feeding them or tucking them in. It was designing their rooms. While I was careful to make sure no doll went hungry, their baby beds and play dressers were always perfectly arranged. When I think back to my early design days, I remember spending hours with my Home Economics teacher, Mrs. Sanders, who truly inspired me to pursue my passion further. I’d spend class time flipping through Sears catalogs, hunting for the perfect sofa to match a wallpaper swatch and carpet combination. That memory, from the early '80s, is one I’ll never forget. (See photos below!) I was creating dream spaces even before I realized how closely they’d reflect my own life—later, I’d have a baby girl and twin daughters, just like I’d envisioned in those childhood designs.
As I moved on to college at Ole Miss, my love for design didn’t fade. Though our dorm rooms in 1983 weren’t nearly as elaborate as the ones students create today, I still made sure our room felt personal. I painted our names above our beds, using the same color as our comforters, to make it feel like home. When Rusty and I got married, our first home in Macon, Georgia, became another canvas for my creativity. His parents purchased a charming 1920s house for us while he attended law school, and we transformed it into a space full of warmth and character. We painted the walls the most beautiful shade of peach, and the soft blue sofa with a peach print perfectly complemented the room. Design on a budget became a fun challenge in those early years, and I loved every moment.
From there, my design journey continued. I created nurseries for our daughters, Kaitlyn, Anna Leigh, and Rachel, and loved changing their bedroom designs every few years. As an elementary school teacher, my classroom also became a space for creativity. Each year, before my second graders arrived, I made sure the room felt inviting and comfortable, often with a new "theme" to make the space feel fresh and exciting. I also enjoyed helping the other teachers in the hall, which gave me so much joy. Design was simply in my heart.
In January of 2020, I decided it was time to finally share my passion with others. Over the years, many friends had asked me to help them create spaces they loved, and I was excited to bring that to life. I started designing and opened several booths at a local mall, where I had the opportunity to design different spaces and sell some of my favorite things. (See photos below.) Then, of course, COVID hit. The pandemic made it incredibly difficult to source products for clients, which was frustrating for everyone involved, so I decided to pause for a while.
But now, that pause is over. The creative energy I have simply won’t stop, and I can’t ignore the call any longer. My home is filled to the brim with new ideas, and it’s time to share them with you. This time, there’s no turning back. 2025 is the year I’m embracing this journey fully. I’ll be turning 60 this year, and one thing I’ve learned is that a passion—especially one as strong as mine for design—can’t be buried or ignored. I’m excited to share this next chapter with all of you, and I can’t wait to continue creating spaces that inspire and bring joy.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to the future of design!
My 1982 Germantown High School "Home Economics Dream Home" was brought to life giving my family a daughter and twin girls. The best compliment from my beloved teacher was "you have a good eye for color combinations".
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