What first sparked your interest in interior design, and how has your perspective evolved over the course of your career?

Both of my parents were creatives. We lived in a really cool townhouse that was just a shell when they bought it in the 80s for $1 as part of a program to revitalize downtown Baltimore. My dad designed and restored everything and even built most of the furniture, so it’s in my blood. As far as evolution, I thought that with age and practice I would hone in on a particular style, but instead I’m finding the opposite. I have become more curious and appreciative of different perspectives with more exposure.

Beyond interiors, which creative disciplines most inspire you—art, fashion, architecture, travel, film, or something else?

All excellent choices, but art and architecture remain at the forefront for me. I went to school for and practiced architecture for several years before being exposed to interiors as a profession. The two disciplines are inseparable, and we consider both wholly when starting a project.

You’ve designed both residential spaces and Saatva retail environments. How does your approach differ when designing for how people live versus how they experience a brand?

In retail design, we often communicate a precise point of view that drives every decision, whereas individuals have a more complex, layered story to tell in their homes. But overall, there are more similarities in process than differences. In both cases, we are trying to translate the client’s identity into a physical environment that feels authentic to them.

When designing a sleep space, how do you balance aesthetics with comfort and functionality?

We start with comfort and functionality and then layer in materials, lighting, and details in a way that feels calming and effortless. An uncomfortable or dysfunctional room is a failure.

Which Saatva sleep or bedroom products do you personally gravitate toward, and what makes them stand out from a design and lifestyle perspective?

I gravitate toward the core sleep essentials that feel elevated without being overdesigned. I love my Saatva Classic mattress, latex pillows, and organic sateen sheet set, which all balance material quality with thoughtful simplicity. I appreciate how everything Saatva designs is rooted in comfort, with an honest yet refined approach to materials.

What details do you think people most often overlook when designing or decorating their homes?

People overfocus on the furniture and finishes and underthink lighting, proportions, and how items age together in a home over time. Storage is another big one. When not integrated properly, it quickly undermines even the most beautiful rooms.

Where do you typically go, physically or creatively, for design inspiration in New York?

I tend to look at New York in layers rather than specific destinations. The contrast between old and new architecture, or how materials and proportions are handled in different neighborhoods. But if I’m feeling really stuck, I like to get lost in The Met for several hours, which always gets the creativity flowing again.

What books, magazines, designers, or digital platforms are currently inspiring you?

I am currently feeling refreshed and inspired by vintage design books published before the digital age. There are so many great details to be discovered that you won’t see on social networks. For digital platforms, we try to follow a range of studios, architects, galleries, and makers who are true to their unique points of view over trend-driven content.

What’s currently on your nightstand?

A gorgeous bedside lamp, a small stack of books, and my Saatva Silk Eye Mask. Everything else goes inside my nightstand. Visual clutter is not the way to prepare for restorative sleep!

If you had to choose one piece, whether bedding, furniture, lighting, or décor, that instantly elevates a bedroom, what would it be and why?

My answer will always be lighting. It sets the tone for everything else and can immediately shift a space from flat to intentional.