Design Inspiration and Other Stories

International Women’s Day 2017: Today, I celebrate the dreamers, the schemers, the writers, the fighters, the leaders, the feeders, the carers, the sharers, the lovers, the mothers. Today, I celebrate the beautiful, strong, resilient spirits who continuously strive to make our world better for the next generation. Today, I celebrate the ceiling-breakers and the home-makers.

It has been an unseasonably cold, wet winter here in San Diego. Not at all what we Southern California dwellers like to brag about! But just because it’s nasty outside, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a boho beach vibe inside. A few interior decorations, a favorite photograph, or a can of paint can be all you need to transform your home into a sophisticated beachside oasis. Read on for five ocean inspired ideas for modern beach decor that works with any design style.

I couldn’t wait to give you a preview of my latest cure for the winter doldrums...hot peppers! Yep, you read that right. I discovered that a few strategically placed hot peppers can add just the right amount of spice to you life. A little pop of fun to lift your spirits and bring the heat back to your home. I hope you’ll agree that spice is most definately nice!

In the non-so-distant past I wrote a rather strongly worded post about my desire to live a colorful life. That said, I’ve recently noticed my drawn to rooms with a simpler vibe. Crisp white spaces with clean lines and lots of light that make you feel as if you’ve just taken a giant breath of fresh air. I decided to do a complete 180 and explore the virtues of all white decor. My goal is to pinpoint techniques for making bright white rooms feel welcoming.

My, how time flies when you are having fun (and working your buns off!) 

It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since I started this crazy adventure called Narrative. Last January, I was just another frustrated executive and exhausted mom searching for meaning in my work and balance in my life.

Fueled by an unshakeable belief in the power of creative expression and a deep delight in homes with personality, I set about building a new kind of business. I hope you will join me on this walk down memory lane!

I’m convinced that procrastination is a sign of a creative mind. But come holiday season, my “wait until the last minute” mantra leads to some very "bah humbug" anxiety. To help you beat the present pressure this year, I’ve pulled together a roundup of the best last minute gifts for everyone on your shopping list.

If you’ve followed the Narrative story from the beginning, you probably know that my daughters were a big motivating factor in starting this company. I wanted to show them by example that you can build a business driven by meaning and purpose. In the most direct way, Narrative does this by giving our customers a new way to memorialize the special moments and artistry in their lives. But as a company, we want serve a broader community than just our wonderful customer base. And so, I am pleased to introduce the beginning of Narrative’s corporate giving program.

If you are anything like me, holiday shopping angst is beginning to creep into consciousness. Now, I'm no Scrooge. It's not that I dislike gift giving. It's just that the pressure of weeding through so much stuff to find presents my loved ones will actually want feels daunting. How to find those unique, thoughtful gifts for friends and family? You can't go wrong with something personalized. To give you a head start on your holiday shopping, I've collected a few of my favorite customizable gift ideas for every member of the family.