Behind the Design Part 2: All About the Details

This is part two of my Behind the Design series, where I focus on an extra-special project: the personal home remodel I’m working on with my fiancé, Drew. If you haven’t had a chance to read the first part, where I dive into the layout, history, and overall vision of the space, you can check it out here.

Now that you’re caught up, let’s talk about the creative layer of this remodel—the design inspiration, material selections, and how we’re thoughtfully weaving together the details to reflect both of our styles.

We knew early on we wanted the main living space, including the kitchen, dining, and living areas, to feel open, cohesive, and intentional. One of the biggest functional changes we’re making is raising the floor and ceiling in the kitchen so it’s level with the rest of the main area. Originally, there was a step separating the kitchen from the dining and living room, which chopped up the flow. By relocating that step to the hallway, we’re now able to create one seamless space where all three areas feel unified and uninterrupted.

One of my favorite design moments in this project is our kitchen countertop selection: Vadara’s Sakura. It’s inspired by Chinese blossom trees. You can actually see the “branches” in the darker veining and the soft “blossoms” in the cloudy gray base. There’s also a beautiful caramel-colored vein that runs through the slab, which ties perfectly to the cabinetry finish in our primary bathroom. The Sakura countertop won’t just live in the kitchen. It will also appear in the bar area and the primary bathroom, with a different cabinetry finish in each space. This repeating material helps create a sense of harmony across the home while still allowing each space to have its own personality. 👉 See the Sakura countertop here

Our bathroom design has evolved in fun ways too. While the original drawing showed vertical shower tile, we’re actually going with a herringbone pattern to add texture and a subtle nod to the herringbone oak floors in the main living area. The floor will be heated, which I’m personally thrilled about. It’s one of those luxurious touches that makes daily routines feel a bit more special.

The shower tile is another highlight. We chose Daltile’s Remedy in Herbal, which brings in the rich green tones from the upholstered bar area and echoes that color story in a fresh, organic way. The tile is full of depth, with hazel greens, natural variation, and in some pieces, a warm caramel accent that beautifully complements the cabinetry. 👉 See the Remedy tile here

Of course, no remodel comes without surprises. When we opened up the walls, we discovered that the load-bearing points weren’t where we expected. That discovery forced a layout redesign, but instead of fighting it, we adapted. By keeping the structural elements in place, we saved on costs and ended up with a better overall layout. We gained a larger primary bedroom, a more spacious walk-in closet, a new walk-in linen closet, and even added a walk-in closet to the guest bedroom and office. The trade-off was combining the guest room and office into one flexible space. And honestly, it feels like a total win.

We’ve also been incredibly fortunate to collaborate with the amazing team at Distinctive Cabinetry on this project. They’ve been instrumental in bringing our vision to life, from the custom cabinetry to the beautiful 3D visuals that helped us really see the layout before construction even began. I work with Distinctive Cabinetry often on kitchen and bathroom remodels, and they continue to be a go-to partner for both my personal and client projects. Their attention to detail and craftsmanship make such a difference in the final result. Click here to see the final designs!

As with Part 1, I’ve continued using my Couples Design Exercise, a process I developed for my clients, to guide Drew and me through these big decisions. It’s helped us stay on the same page, honor each other’s preferences, and avoid analysis paralysis. Whether it’s countertops or closet layouts, that kind of alignment makes all the difference. The goal is still to wrap up before the holidays and settle into this new chapter of our lives with a home that truly feels like ours.

Thanks again for following along. In the final part of the series, I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes progress, installation updates, and the design lessons we’ve learned. Stay tuned!