The Amado was built in 1955 as a long term apartment complex with five units and six bedrooms. It is a beautiful example of mid-century architecture and centrally located in Palm Springs it was love at first sight.

When I first viewed the property in 2012 it was badly in need of a renovation both mechanically and aesthetically but it captured my imagination. I could see its potential as a boutique hotel for design-lovers and creatives.

I acted as general contractor and designer. My team ripped out layers of tile to reveal the original exposed concrete floors. We updated the plumbing, electric and HVAC and kitchens with clean, white cabinetry, new fixtures and appliances. We painted the interior and exterior paying special attention to the color of the front entry doors. Outside, we completely revamped the landscaping and installed a fire pit.

I added layers of warmth throughout using natural materials, textures, color and art.

The Amado has been featured on the cover of Sunset Magazine and in many other publications including Architectural Digest, Wallpaper, Vogue, Elle, and Goop.

The Amado operated as a five star boutique accommodation for eight years hosting thousands of guests before I sold it in 2021.

This beautiful three-bedroom Meiselman in Palm Springs, California was my home for six years. This was a true fixer-upper. I purchased the home as a short sale and it had run into disrepair on all levels - aesthetically and mechanically. I had never seen such bad nicotine stains - all the walls were stained yellow and the smell of cigarette smoke permeated everything! The trees and landscaping in the backyard were all dead.

I updated the HVAC system and plumbing, replaced the kitchen and bathroom cabinetry using Semihandmade fronts, stripped away the carpet to reveal the original concrete flooring, re-tiled the bathroom and kitchen using Commune and Tabarka tile, wallpapered the entryway and dry bar, installed a vintage Malm gas fireplace, installed a sliding glass door in the guest bedroom to open it to the backyard, reconfigured the hallway and converted the garage that was falling down to a clean, bright studio space for my photography work.

Outside, I designed a custom driveway that organically connected with the breezeway using geometric poured concrete pavers. I installed beautiful hanging lights in the trees, hand selected large boulders for both the fountain and to place throughout the yard as a sculptural focal point, replaced the old metal gate with a handmade geometric dutch door, replaced the decomposed granite with a custom mix to inspire a feeling of the Mediterranean, hung hammocks from the trees, planted a mix of succulents, cactus and bougainvillea throughout, painted the fence and exterior of the house a soft warm grey, buried the electric cables, installed a fire pit and upgraded the salt water pool system.

The Junipero is a six room boutique hotel I was commissioned to design, brand and manage for a client who wanted to create a retreat similar to The Amado.

My goal was to create a tranquil space that drew influence from Mediterranean architecture, a relaxed Moroccan lifestyle and Palm Springs artistry.

This beautiful Spanish Colonial compound is comprised of a historic main house and an additional three suites, each curated with natural and organic textiles, high-quality furnishings and original art. I used a beautiful palette of blue inspired by the large swimming pool and integrated wall murals and ombre doors throughout.

The property was frequently used for editorial and commercial photoshoots including the cover of Palm Springs Life Magazine (featured at left), a campaign for Target, and as a location for the beauty brand Urban Decay.

Built in the 1840’s, The Ferg is a heritage home located 2.5 hours east of Toronto in the town of Picton, Ontario, Canada. I viewed the property with my a childhood friend in 2015 and we quickly saw the potential for a gorgeous boutique rental. The property has three self-contained suites boasting a rich history and unique country charm.

We replaced the knob and tube electric, installed a central air system and updated the plumbing and landscape systems. We installed heated floors in the kitchen and bathroom in the Garden Suite and gutted that bathroom installing a waterfall shower head, new sink and tile. We replaced kitchen appliances throughout, installed two new gas fireplaces and repaired crumbling supporting walls in the basement. We carefully renovated each kitchen and used chalk paint to freshen up the cabinetry in The Loft and Heritage Suite. 

We sanded and sealed the original wide plank floors and painstakingly restored the heritage trim around the doorways and floorboards throughout.

We overhauled The Loft removing the upstairs balcony and demolished the original front entry and closet to reveal a large, airy open space. We added insulation and sub-flooring, re-designed the fireplace surround and replaced a number of small windows with two sets of double french doors and a large picture window so that natural light now pours into the space. I designed a unique custom balcony that would add a modern element to the space and commissioned a local artist to build it. We added layers of warmth throughout using natural materials, textures, color and art, much of it sourced locally from a number of fantastic vintage shops and boutiques.

The Wilk is an expansive property spanning 15 acres of gorgeous countryside in the heart of Prince Edward County, Canada. My business partner Aaron David and I purchased and re-designed this turn of the century farmhouse in 2017. We saw the potential for an incredibly gorgeous and private boutique rental property in ‘The County’ - Canada’s booming wine region just a 2.5 hour drive from Toronto.

This 2100 sq foot home features three queen bedrooms, a full kitchen, living room, dining room and great room with soaring 30 foot cathedral ceilings.

The house needed a major overhaul. We demolished a large and overbearing brick chimney positioned in the middle of the ‘Great Room’ that blocked the views of the backyard. We blew out the original enclosed kitchen to open it up and complete the spacious feel. We reconfigured the open-concept master bedroom for privacy, and created a beautiful landing at the top of the stairs that peeks over into the Great Room. We re-designed the third bedroom on the main floor removing the door between the bedroom and bathroom to better utilize each space and maximize the layout in both rooms. We refinished the original floors, wallpapered accent walls throughout, freshened up the dining room using drywall to minimize the wood accents on the ceiling.

We were inspired by the 70’s and sourced local, vintage and antique furniture to create an original throwback experience for guests, complete with a vintage turntable.

The project has been featured in House + Home Magazine, Hunker Magazine and the design show Handmade Hotels.

In 2019 my husband David and I discovered our dream property and set on 10.7 acres in Hyde Park, Vermont—just a short drive from the mountain town of Stowe which featured a cluster of fully furnished, turnkey buildings, including a three-bedroom main residence.

The estate features five buildings: a 2,385-square-foot main house, a two-story artist’s studio, a writer’s workshop or office, a detached two-car garage, and a canoe or kayak shed. The land also features 5,000 square feet of beautiful mature perennial gardens; a giant, thriving vegetable garden; and a meditation trail which David built that winds through the forest.

Originally designed in 1986 by Milford Cushman the main residence was completely rebuilt in 2012. This home didn’t need much renovation but I decorated it with carefully curated art and furniture to maximize harmony with the natural surroundings and provide sustainable quality and comfort.

The property was featured on dwell.com in 2021 and we sold it fully furnished.