For a family with five children living in a small house, space was both precious and limited. My father, an Engineer, understood this. Likely influenced by my mother, he transformed the garage into a den, complete with a neat little loft tucked up in the rafters, the farthest earshot from the other side of the little house.

Years later, we moved away from that house, and through many more, over the years. Each home presenting a different set of challenges for a large family. Cosmetic changes, additions, new rooms, even new homes at times, were necessary. My parents encouraged us to make our spaces our own so we painted murals on our walls and hung artwork. My dad helped us make furniture that would accommodate siblings in shared spaces. All in an effort to make the spaces most comfortable to us and undoubtedly ours.

Even before high school, I was working summers for a family-friend, a home builder and General Contractor. While I was just helping hands and clean up mostly, he always took time to explain the process and show me how it was done. And, over the years he gave me more and more responsibility. This inspired me to take the Construction track at my high school where we learned more of the trade and built small structures to sell.

After school, I got a job designing kitchens and bathrooms at the home improvement center. As ‘the young one’, I was the only one who had any interest in learning the auto cad design software. That also made me a valuable resource as the desire to show clients a space in 3D (I laugh at that now) was becoming a new value. This was my introduction to designing on the computer. One that led to decades working as a graphic designer, art director and creative director at a number of agencies. All that culminating in my last venture, Chartreuse Moose, a creative studio in Raleigh. I loved creating art installations, interiors, brands, campaigns, materials and more for companies of all sizes. 

While the space around me has fluctuated greatly over the years, making the most of the space has remained paramount. Smart design is essential, but right behind it comes beautiful execution. I love stepping into a space that makes me stop and think, or even speak, “oh damn, this is cool”.

When other people walk into a space I’ve designed and have that same reaction, it’s instant gratification and that’s cool. Even more rewarding though, is when they explore and discover the thoughtful efficiency and care to detail.