Introduction: Life in Constant Motion

Lately, life has felt like a continuous act of caring.

Doctor’s appointments.
Grocery store runs.
Eyeglass fittings.
New shoes.
Daily check-ins.

Construction is rarely the clean before-and-after we imagine.

It's the middle.
The noise.
The dust.
The quiet question that creeps in: Will this ever end?

Right now, the road outside my home is under construction.  To be fair, the city did provide notice that our water would be shut off.  A person came to our door the day before.

But there's a catch.

We don't talk about feet enough.  Not in wellness, not in aging, not in everyday life.  Yet our feet carry us through every step, every errand, every season of our lives.  They're the foundation of mobility, independence, and long-term health — but they're also the first thing many people stop caring for.

There's a quiet moment that happens right before a trip when everything slows down.

The suitcase—or in this case, a well-loved backpack—sits open on the bed.  Every zipper, pocket, and compartment feels full of possibility… and potential overwhelm.  Packing always looks simple from the outside, but the process tells a deeper story about decision-making, priorities, and restraint.

My eldest son bought an SUV in Arizona 2 years ago —an incredible deal that still makes me smile.  Since he covered the cost of the car, I offered to pay for his one‑way flight to pick it up.  Simple enough, right?

Well… not exactly.

What stood out most about the 2026 Minnesota Parade of Homes wasn’t one specific finish or feature. It was the overall mindset.

These homes were designed to be lived in — messy appliances, busy routines, changing bodies, sensory needs, and all — the best examples balanced beauty with usability and intention with flexibility.

Kitchen remodeling is a transformative experience—not only for your home, but for how you live in it every day.  And while the design selections and the final reveal get most of the spotlight, the truth is that the real success of a remodel comes from something far less glamorous: trust.

As a Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer, Accessibility Specialist, and Interior Designer with 27 years in the industry — and as a mother of autistic children and caregiver to aging parents — I have learned that thoughtful design is far more than aesthetics.

This blog post is authored by my 10-year-old son.  Recently, Zeke and Izzy felt inspired to create something truly magical as a gift for their teachers to express their gratitude.  In our family, we often enjoy crafting personalized gifts, and this idea is one of my favorites.

Over the past 6 months, I've had the privilege of working on numerous projects at Carpet Court. One remarkable trend I've noticed is the growing interest in owner's suite bathroom remodels. My clients seek to transform their bathrooms from outdated, cramped spaces into havens of quiet sophistication.

Creating a home oasis is an important concept for our homes. I first realized this during my second honeymoon in Hawaii for our 10th anniversary. The experience was so magical and memorable that I wanted to embrace the idea of creating a home oasis. Even my husband, Michel, commented on how we were acting like it was our first honeymoon.

I had the pleasure of being a part of the Minneapolis Home + Remodeling Show with Carpet Court at the beginning of February. The event was a great opportunity for me to engage and interact with homeowners and assist them in making informed decisions about their flooring, kitchen, and bathroom projects.

Colors have a powerful impact on our moods and emotions. As a parent of autistic children, I have observed that my daughter is extremely particular about the colors and textures of fabrics. She strongly prefers bright colors, with her favorite colors being red, white, and yellow in that specific order. She even distinguishes between colors to wear based on who likes what. For instance, if I present her with a blue shirt or pants with her favorite animal on it, she immediately assumes that it is for her brother since he likes blue. When it comes to home decor, selecting the right colors is crucial in creating a welcoming and comfortable space that reflects your personality and style. In this article, I will share my expert tips for using color psychology to create a home you love.

In the ever-changing world of interior design, the latest trend that has been gaining momentum in the design community is the minimalist approach to casing and baseboards. This approach brings a fresh and contemporary look to any space by focusing on clean lines and simplicity, which enhances the interior aesthetics, functionality, and overall design.

When it comes to creating a well-designed interior, we often overlook the importance of the stairway. However, a thoughtfully designed staircase can do wonders for enhancing the overall aesthetic of your home. Not only does it captivate the attention of anyone who enters, but it also sets the tone for your interior design style. That's why revamping your stairway should be a top priority.

Jury Duty is hard. It’s an honor to do it but it’s a huge ask to put your life on hold for the trial period. Well, it happened to me just last week. I didn’t realize it would be a healing process for me. I know you are probably thinking healing and jury duty don’t mix. It did for me due to my past.

August always seems to fly by, doesn't it? There's just so much going on with my business, events, family activities, and more. And now that it's back-to-school season, you might be thinking about tackling those projects you didn't have time for over the summer.

I had a wonderful opportunity to tour Cambria with Select Surfaces earlier this month. It was an amazing experience to tour the one and only manufacturing plant right here in Minnesota (Le Sueur). Cambria is privately held and owned by the Davis family. Marty Davis took the time out of his full schedule to speak to us “the designers” who spec and create beautiful designs with their product.

My eldest son recently purchased an SUV in Arizona. It was an amazing deal, and I couldn’t believe he scored it. Since he is paying for the car, I decided to pay for his one-way ticket to retrieve it. My husband & I had some flights we had canceled from Southwest Airlines previously. I wanted to use the reservation number from the canceled flights to pay for my eldest son & his girlfriend’s flights. Little did I know it would take 1.5hrs and I still didn’t get what I wanted because I DIDN’T ask the right question 🙄. I was beyond frustrated at this point because what the previous CSR’s (customer service representatives) told me would not work with according to CSR #4. This personal experience reminded me how important it is to ask the right questions. The problem is if you are not in the industry | business | service, how do we know what questions to ask?

Last weekend we embraced my Uncle’s Mark Celebration of Life. He passed away Wednesday November 23, 2022. My Uncle was caring and giving person who would give you his shirt off his back. He helped me through my divorce.