Design

The space is part of the system.

Operations don't only live in software — they live in how a room is organized, where people sit, what a space encourages and what it discourages. Design, for me, is where comfort, focus, and flow get built into the room itself.

Sensory Design

Spaces that soothe, spaces that serve.

Life is full of noise: traffic, junk email, itchy sweaters, endless to-do lists. After a busy day, we long to retreat from the stress of our daily demands and the countless forces vying for our attention. Even our home — our common refuge — can work against our efforts to relax and refuel. For some of us, this is particularly true: healing spaces are a need, not a luxury.

I craft spaces that soothe my clients' senses and let their unique vitalities emerge. From a few adjustments to a room or workspace to a full home or commercial remodel, I connect deeply to understand each client's needs for sound, texture, nature, air, temperature, color, space, and security. My clients may be neurodiverse — highly sensitive, autistic, ADHD — or may benefit from trauma-informed spaces. Or they may simply see the value of a space purposely designed to nurture all the senses in an increasingly taxing world.

La querencia refers to a place on the ground where one feels secure, a place from which one's strength of character is drawn… the idea itself is quite beautiful — a place where we know exactly who we are. The place from which we speak our deepest beliefs. Barry Lopez, The Rediscovery of North America

Sustainable Spaces

Not just another pretty space.

Fashion is fleeting. Solid design far transcends the veneer of temporary trends. It begins with function and pulls back the stumbling blocks of ordinary spaces. It echoes the soul of the built space — its environment, its history, its architecture, its people. It is a unique expression of the life within, and it is built to last.

I use natural, solid materials, sustainable technologies, and biophilic principles. I design to minimize exposure to modern toxins and allergens, to develop character as a space shows the gentle scars of life, and to reflect enduring beauty. I apply Occam's Razor to layout and materials — producing harmonious environments infused with my clients' personalities and built to serve them well.

Fashion you can buy, but style you possess. The key to style is learning who you are, which takes years. There's no how-to road map to style. It's about self-expression and, above all, attitude. Iris Apfel

What makes Cocoon different

Engineering applied to design.

What makes my work different is how much time I spend understanding how a client naturally wants to operate — so they're not overcoming little hurdles in daily life just to get work done, or spending their days in a space that's always a mess. Every small factor gets sussed out before anything is built.

The most important part: I get to know people who think and work differently, and help them find what actually works for them — instead of forcing them into someone else's idea of what a space or process should be. For people who struggle when they try to fit the mold, I design so they don't have to shove themselves into a container that was never made for them.

Thoughtful design lets daily life flow through a space like a gentle stream.

Selected work

Design portfolio.

A selection of interior architecture and design projects — residential, hospitality, and commercial — with the concepts and process behind them.

[ Weave Development
project render ]

Weave Development · Office CreationSpace

Sensory-smart office design for a software development team. Four zones — Code, Confer, Compete, Chill — each calibrated for a different mode of work. Playful culture meets intentional quiet.

Full portfolio coming soon. Round Hill Remake, Retreat Center ReCreation, Bent Hickory Hill, The Nook, and built architectural work are being added. Want it now? Ask for the portfolio PDF.

Reach Out

Let's design around how you live.

Tell me about the space — and how you want to feel and work in it. Let's talk.

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