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Dear Design-Loving Woodswomen and Woodsmen, I’m sure all of you have heard of Yosemite National Park. It’s one of America’s treasures and was the first natural space set aside for protection by the U.S. government. It’s also my hometown. What most people don’t know about Yosemite is that people live there. There are about 1000 residents who live within the park boundaries. I lived there because my mom runs the little grammar school there and my father is the park’s dentist (because no matter where you are, you should never neglect your oral health!). As you can imagine, growing up there…

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Dear Readers, The other day I was walking down the street, minding my own business, when my friend Emily called me to tell me some exciting news. I was crossing a loud intersection (Crescent Heights and Sunset) when I heard her scream into the phone, “I bought a house!” I was both perplexed and livid, because I hadn’t heard a thing about buying a house. Emily is one of my best friends, so I was mad she bought a house without consulting me first. I get very excited about home buying, and sometimes force rich people to look at houses…

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Dear World, Do you want a chandelier that’s uniquely you, but don’t know where to start? Well, you’re in luck, because a few months ago I made a delightful Orb chandy I’m calling Orb-lando. AND SO CAN YOU! Emily, my secret lover, and I used this chandelier for one of my favorite Secrets From A Stylist makeovers. It was a contemporary makeover, infused with Japanese influence and a kick azz modern art collection. Anywayz, onto the chandy. Here is the initial drawing I made for inspiration: And here is how the actual Orb-lando turned out: So now that all that…

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Dear Diary, In 2007 I moved into a little studio apartment in Los Angeles. It was my first time living alone and only my second apartment ever. My little apartment was in an old Spanish style building in Hollywood near Runyon Canyon. For some reason my block was totally gross and disgusting, but every other block surrounding was gorgeous. Anyway, it looks a little cheesy now that I’m four years in the future, but I loved this shet out of that apartment. This is my kitchen. The floor was a DIY featured on Design Sponge a while back. I still…

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Dear Diary, If I could do one thing over again, it would be to go to college again. But this time, instead of just going to one college, I’d go to every single college in America for just one day. College campuses fascinate me because they become design museums of sorts. Most older universities are a collection of beautiful old buildings, starkly modern mid-century buildings, enthrallingly ugly 80s buildings, and 90s buildings (that always look like they are made from Legos). Colleges campus designs are meant to reflect the values of higher education: learning, community, safety, history, romance, and so on….

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Dear Movielovers, Of all people on a film set, those who work in the art department are the most underappreciated. Production Designers, Art Directors, Prop Masters, Set Decorators, Set Designers, etc, have to show up before everyone to make sure the scene is set and have to stay after to wrap everything out. If an actress knocks over a glass of wine or a curtain falls down, the art department is summoned by a shrill “ART DEPARTMENT!” screech from the Assistant Director. Then, when the film comes out, no one even notices what you did. The whole point of designing…

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Dear College, I hate to admit it, but lately I’ve turned into one of those people who thinks about my college days a lot. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not yearning for parties or lusting after a life of carefree fun. What I miss most about college is the library, where I spent my free time in lieu of having a social life. I was lucky enough to study at some of the prettiest libraries in America. This is my favorite library from my undergraduate years (Cornell’s Uris Library): And this is my favorite library from my years in graduate…

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Dear My Mom, During this glorious visit to Yosemite, I have been enjoying ogling all the tiny items you’ve collected over the years. I admit to thinking some of them were cheesy in the past, but now that I’ve entered into a world of object-seeking, I’ve gained a new appreciation for the nuance of your collection of artworks and objects from around the world. Let’s get started with your crazy sheep collection. Who could resist these cuties? I’ve always loved this old tansu that grandma got while you guys were living in Japan (sidenote to readers: my mother spent her…

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