On October 1st, I grudgingly started to decorate for Fall and Halloween. I typically try to prolong summer for as long as possible and just deny the fact that it’s inevitably getting colder. As an interior designer, I’m drawn to brands that reflect similar values, goals, quality and that enjoy partnering with small businesses.

I had the opportunity to travel to Italy for an interior design trip. I was contracted to help manage an interior designer’s design and travel business. My weekly New York City trips allowed me to familiarize myself with the D&D showrooms where you go to find designer wallpapers, fabrics, and finishes. I created her two websites from scratch, using my knowledge from my degree. I interviewed 10+ website design companies to refine the look of the sites and ended up hiring an individual rather than a company. Since I was managing the entire business administration on my own, it became clear that a CRM system was necessary. I vetted several interior design based CRM platforms and ultimately selected Studio Designer.

September was a blend of travel, home projects, and design inspiration. I wrapped up small renovations at my multifamily home, built a retaining wall using mid-century breeze blocks, and refreshed the landscaping with River Jack rocks from Primex. My wildflower gardens went a little wild, but trimming them back left me with pretty flower bundles to decorate around the house. A weekend in Virginia and a Charleston getaway with Ryder & more!

August was another whirlwind month. We added new trim work and started prepping walls for paint. We finalized our deck plans and got the base built. Finally seeing it come together after all the planning is amazing. I sealed the shed floor with a rubber like coating and we started building shelving while I sorted through leftover renovation materials to throw out. Having organized storage is going to be sooo much better. We started adding river jack rocks around the yard. Used AI renderings to test out different deck extension options so we could visualize what makes the most sense long term.

July was a month full of renovations. We had to get a full roof replacement, including all new plywood. With a new paint sprayer we painted the exterior cedar shutters black (which my mom and I made ourselves a few years ago)…thank you Pinterest. Painted the shed, front porch railings, the backyard deck and the rental unit entrance railing. Added lighting inside and outside the shed and installed a ring camera and light. I also wanted power inside the shed so I had the electricians wire in a new outlet. Everyone told me I couldn’t vault the ceiling in such a short time… and that if I did, it would cost way over budget. I compromised and we vaulted part of the ceiling.

June brought so much prep for ~1000* incoming projects at my house! Everything we completed in June essentially laid the foundation for the entire summer. Hours of trim touch ups, painting, yard cleanup, weeding, and sketching out ideas for long term improvements. The outside and backyard will continue to be a work in progress…

As for vacation packing, I’ve become much better at it over the years. Homeownership has taught me to appreciate quality. Owning fewer, higher quality pieces is better than having a bunch of lower quality items that won’t last. Buying clothing I actually love and can wear on repeat without lowering the quality, just makes more sense. That being said. I’ve been eyeing up the Beis collection to upgrade my luggage. Shay Mitchell reminds me of myself and she’s just as into the power of manifestation as I am.

This blog is about my 1930’s multifamily home in Jenkintown, PA. Offering design-forward real estate insight whenever I feel like it. I write about home updates, interior design projects, and my real estate career. I cover areas across Montgomery County, Bucks County, and Philadelphia. Creating intentional, design-forward spaces while blending historic character and weaving wellness into intentional, modern living.