Ideas often take shape when we give them space instead of rushing to define them. I’m reminding myself that part of creating is also not creating: letting things sit, trusting they’ll return when they’re ready, not when I force them.

Creativity often asks for room to wander. It unfolds with permission, not pressure.

This week, I’ve been honoring that break. Leaving open moments unfilled and letting my mind run loose. Because creativity doesn’t always come when called. It often returns on its own once we clear our minds and space and take time to recharge.

A quiet morning.

A looser structure.

Fewer expectations.

Space to breathe.

Subscribe now

What’s been supporting me lately:

• Blocking my mornings for open, generative time – I usually wake up with ideas or at least a planned direction, but I let this window unfold based on how I’m feeling. No meetings, no distractions. Just creating as it comes. My head is normally the clearest before noon.

• Letting content come to me – I’ve stopped trying to plan perfect ideas and started noticing when they naturally appear, often while walking, listening to a podcast, resetting my space, or not thinking about content at all.

• Theme-based days – Designating creative work to its own days helps me approach it with more focus, rather than feeling like I have to tackle everything every day.

• Not forcing journaling – I’ve been softening my approach to journaling, using it as a tool rather than an obligation. When I feel reflective, I write. On other days, I just need to feel and live. Letting go of the need to explain everything has allowed more space and clarity.

• Accepting quiet spells – I’ve stopped pushing myself to create when I’m not ready. Quiet spells are no longer something I try to fix or push through. I take them as a cue to listen, observe, and recharge.

• Leaving things unfinished on purpose – A caption, a draft, a mood board - I’ve been stepping away before it’s “done,” trusting that clarity will come later. Letting it breathe helps ideas evolve.

• Lowering expectations to meet my energy – I’ve been setting goals that honor where I am, not where I think I should be. It’s helped me move forward without feeling pressured or burned out.

• Permission to change my mind – If something no longer feels supportive, I let it go. What worked last week might not work now, and that’s okay. It’s just a shift in rhythm. Routines are meant to serve us, not the other way around.

This week, I listened to Business of Home’s episode, “Why Nicola Harding Started Her Own Brand Dedicated to ‘Quiet Hero’ Pieces,” and two lines stayed with me:

“An interior might look its best 10 minutes after you leave it, but a garden almost definitely does not… Mother Nature is the bigger hero here, and you’re a facilitator.”

“It’s about setting the stage for someone else to pick up the reins and breathe and bring more life to it.”

It reminded me that not everything is ours to shape from start to finish. Sometimes, our role is to prepare the space, lay the foundation, and then step back. To trust that what we’ve set in motion will evolve, whether through timing, nature, or someone else entirely.

What if you approached your space, your body, or your work like a garden?

Not as something to perfect, but something to tend to.

Something to plant with care, then allow to grow in its own rhythm.

Where might you be trying to shape the outcome too soon?

And what could shift if you planted it with intention and let it take root in its own time?

~

I hope something here sparks a shift or leaves you feeling more inspired.

xo,

Chloé

So, I’m taking a step back.

I’ll still be posting Light Shift content, just not every week - likely once a month. I also want to share more of my day-to-day life, design things I’m loving (or not loving), and anything else I feel like sharing.

Here’s a little update from the last two weeks:

Over the weekend, Rosemary Home (vintage homewares) had a pop-up at clothing store Rixo on Prince St. Some pieces that caught my eye…

• I’m obsessed with olives (shaken, slightly dirty martini with 3 olives, please), so the Olive Cocktail Picks immediately caught my eye.

• The hue of red in the Hand Painted Italian Alabaster Cherries.

• The texture of the dessert candles.

• The detailing on the vanity mirror.

• The bamboo frame chairs’ sculptural structure instantly drew me in. I love the bold mix of red and pink stripes. The tension between the organic, tropical rattan and the candy-striped coastal cushion creates an unexpected harmony that works so well.

• The beautiful handwoven quality of the table and chairs adds texture and character. The open-weave base gives them a light, breathable feel that leans bohemian/coastal, while the natural rattan allows the pieces to blend seamlessly into the colorful, eclectic environment. That said, the table setting could benefit from being more centered or styled with a few additional objects to feel a bit more effortless and lived-in.

—

Stumbled upon Never Fully Dressed (women's clothing store) based out of London…

• The entire store is filled with bright colors and fun patterns, which I’ve been craving recently.

• Love the pattern and colors of this oyster and lemon blouse - it would be such a fun wallpaper in a powder room.

• The vintage-style brass hook rack in the changing rooms, paired with celestial accents, creates such a playful, curated moment. These vibrant bathing suits have me counting down the days until my Mediterranean trip. Sadly, didn’t love them on me.

• This whimsical chair is such a standout. The surreal, hand-drawn illustrations pair beautifully with the boutique’s curated, fashion-forward vibe. There’s so much power in leaving the bottom portion unadorned, giving it room to breathe. The structured mid-century frame adds contrast to the fluid illustrations, with its clean legs grounding the piece.

• Another great bohemian and fun entrance set-up!

—

Some pictures I pulled for my July vision board…

—

Spent a long weekend home in San Francisco…

~

I hope something here sparks a shift or leaves you feeling more inspired.

xo,

Chloé

Green

Green shows up in all kinds of ways - painted on wallpaper, climbing a wall, tucked into a planter.

It brings light to structure and movement to small, still spaces.

Even if you don’t have any outdoor space (like me), adding just one leafy element, such as a plant, a print, or even a green-toned fabric, can easily shift a room’s energy and mood.

Ornate

Ironwork is everywhere in NYC, from stair railings, to gates, and window grilles.

Even when something’s made purely for function, there’s always potential to make it visually interesting, softening rigidity.

If you’re decorating or renovating, small details go a long way - hardware, handles, lines that add subtle personality. Like how cute is this fish as a door handle?!

Greens I Ate - High-Protein Egg + Veggie Bake Recipe

One of my favorite easy, healthy breakfasts to have on hand. I’m always looking for ways to minimize dishes/cleaning since I don’t have a dishwasher in my NYC apartment! Skipped the goat cheese crumbles this time for a dairy-free version. Recipe below!

Ingredients:

• 10 whole eggs

• 1½ cups egg whites

• 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese

• ¼ cup goat cheese crumbles

• 2 cups spinach, chopped

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced and roasted

• 1 tbsp olive oil (for greasing dish)

• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

• ¼ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.

   *You can also line it with parchment paper if you’d rather skip the greasing.

2. Crack eggs directly into the baking dish.

3. Add egg whites, cottage cheese, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until combined.

4. Stir in chopped spinach and roasted cherry tomatoes.

5. Sprinkle goat cheese crumbles and red pepper flakes evenly on top.

6. Bake for about 30 minutes or until set through the center.

7. Let cool, cut into 4 servings, and store in the fridge for easy reheating.

~

I hope something here sparks a shift or leaves you feeling more inspired.

xo,

Chloé

What keeps you inspired? What holds you back? There is so much value in checking in with yourself regularly. Whether it's multiple times a day or once a week, understanding what’s helping or hindering you can make all the difference in moving you forward.

As I’ve started to build my online presence, I’ve been thinking about the tension between having a clear, unique POV and staying relevant. In our visually hungry, rapidly evolving digital world, it’s easy to feel pulled in multiple directions. But this is where showing your process really matters.

Design is messy. Creativity is nonlinear. Our thoughts, decisions, mess-ups, and revisions are all part of the work. That’s what makes it real.

Nature isn’t perfect or uniform. It’s textured, layered, and ever-changing. That’s what makes it feel alive, and the same is true for design. As designers, we often look to nature for inspiration, yet we rarely question its rawness.

I’ve found myself caught up in wanting everything to look perfect, especially in the early stages, as I try to make my personal brand feel refined. But the reality is that I’m still finding my voice. Not everything will be seamless. And that’s okay! The beauty lies in the evolution, the growth, and the becoming of an interior designer.

What’s working: following my intuition and trusting my perspective

What’s not: obsessing over doing everything “right” or presenting a version of myself that feels too curated

Where are you holding back? And what would it look like to show up just 10% more as yourself?

Subscribe now

There’s something to be said about old buildings and antiques. A weathered wall. A frayed upholstered chair. The emotions they hold, the time passed, and the stories they carry.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how easy it can be to chase newness in design. But these two shots remind me of just how compelling history can be. The feeling of something that’s been through something has been really resonating. There’s a richness there that doesn’t come from something new.

Architecture has always caught my eye, but I haven’t always felt the same about antiques.

It reminded me that good design isn’t always about curating new pieces. Sometimes, it’s about finding the piece that adds soul, weight, or memory.

Right now, I’m drawn to that kind of layered, lived-in beauty.

Spaces that feel grounded.

Objects that feel like they’ve always belonged.

I love podcasts. On an average day, I listen to two, usually while cleaning up, cooking, or on a walk. One of my favorites is Business of Home.

Yesterday, I listened to an episode featuring Stellene Volandes and Elisa Lipsky-Karasz, the editorial leaders of Elle Decor, on the magazine’s next chapter: bold, irreverent, and international.

They talked about why there is no one-size-fits-all approach to media and how designers who stand out are those who bring a clear narrative alongside their visuals.

A line that stuck with me:

That design is everywhere.

That’s exactly what I’ve been noticing lately. I feel more tuned in to not just what’s in style but also to what sparks deeper emotions and resonates more deeply.

They also mentioned that their goal is to inspire readers and the design community, and you inevitably will if you’re bold.

Shaping your design style starts with noticing what moves you.

P.S. Something new lands Wednesday.

Studio Notes - a weekly glimpse into what’s been catching my eye: objects, textures, and colors that move me, plus peeks into my world.

If you’ve been craving a more visual scroll, this one’s for you.

~

I hope something here sparks a shift or leaves you feeling more inspired.

xo,

Chloé

There’s so much I want to take in, from finding inspiration and learning to attending events, having conversations, and hearing different perspectives. I want to absorb as much as possible to feel prepared and well-informed. But at the same time, I’ve been feeling a strong pull toward making. Toward actually creating something.

What I’m craving right now is production over development. Not because development isn’t valuable, but because production is a form of development. The trying, the doing, the messing up, the starting over - that’s where real growth happens.

It’s easy to stay in the comfort of absorbing, but the real work doesn’t come from waiting until I’m “ready.” It comes from starting, seeing what works, and learning from that.

This week, I added a playful print to my kitchen wall. It was one small shift with a not-so-small impact.

Products: Bon Appétit Print, upsimples 8x10 Picture Frame, Display Pictures 5x7 with Mat or 8x10 Without Mat , Printed Café Curtain - Set Of 2

The red lettering and soft blue lines in the drawing complement the floral curtains perfectly. The cream background warms up the green tile, picking up on the tones in the curtains. And the playful lines add just enough whimsy to soften the sharper lines of the stove and espresso machine.

It’s such a subtle change, but it made the whole space feel more intentional, cohesive, and pulled together. Previously, I had a light brown cutting board leaning up there… and it just doing much.

One or two thoughtful tweaks can make such a difference. It doesn’t always take an overhaul to feel supported by your space. Sometimes creating flow isn’t about clearing things out but adding something in. A little character can go a long way.

I recently came across this article about how AI is shaking up the job market, especially for software engineers.

(It’s already writing 30–90% of company code.)

Honestly, I wasn’t surprised. It’s wild how quickly tools like ChatGPT have integrated into and reshaped the flow of our daily work.

Could AI shake up interior design?

I’m not convinced that AI will ever be able to take over our jobs, designing a space that feels truly personal. One that’s lived in, not just aesthetically pleasing.

While design, at its core, is about form and function, interior design is also meant to evoke emotions.

What makes good design great is its ability to evoke something: a sense of presence, comfort, or connection that can’t be generated, only felt.

Because great design doesn’t just look good.

It supports the people who live inside it.

~

I hope something here sparks a shift or leaves you feeling more inspired.

xo,

Chloé

Someone recently told me that we are in control of our lives - that we get to design our own reality. That reminder landed deeper than I realized at the time. It was a subtle nudge that subconsciously started stirring deep.

Obviously, I’d heard it before. But sometimes a message needs the right moment to land. This time, it stuck like glue (in the best way). It cracked something open in me, giving me the nudge I needed to really get honest about what I want and the confidence to go after it.

For so long, I held back from pursuing a career in design. There was this small, persistent voice telling me I wasn’t creative enough and that I didn’t have what it takes.

But the truth is, it’s always been in me. From sketching and sewing as a little girl to photographing architecture that moved me, I had just lost touch with my creative spark.

Spending years in a world so misaligned with who I was made me not only forget but no longer believe that I was capable.

They say we’re a product of our environment, but the beautiful part is that we get to choose our environment.

We get to design our lives.

And when you immerse yourself in beauty, in possibility, in the things that light you up, everything shifts. Your mindset. Your creativity. Your sense of self.

That is what I love about design.

And that is what we’re here for.

A shift I’ve noticed in how I think about home…

You know that feeling when you’ve been away on a trip or vacation and, by the end, you can’t wait to get back home? Sure, if you’re on the Amalfi Coast having the time of your life, I get not wanting to return to the grind of work, chores, and reality. Not the daily grind, but that feeling of returning to a space that’s yours.

Lately, I’ve noticed how much joy I get from entering my apartment, even if I’ve only been gone for a couple of hours. That definitely wasn’t the case when I first moved in, full of someone else’s furniture and energy. But over time, I’ve been slowly pouring intention into every detail, creating something that reflects me, supports my mindset, and fuels my creativity.

With no day job at the moment, I’ve been spending a lot of time at home, head-down in interior design. But lately, I’ve been making an effort to get out more, to work from coffee shops, explore showrooms, and soak in everything this city has to offer while I’m still here.

What I didn’t expect was how much more I’d appreciate home after spending time away.

Sometimes it really does take stepping away to see a space clearly. Time away sharpens my awareness. Home feels less like something I occupy and more like something that holds me, bringing me peace in this big, bustling city.

Inspiration Spark

The Thursday Show: Does the design industry need more critics?

Growing up around parents who have a deep appreciation for art, then taking a few classes in college and briefly working at a gallery, I learned to pay attention. To ask what something is saying, not just how it looks. In that world, critique was about context: understanding why a piece moved me and what it revealed about a time, place, or feeling.

We tend to critique art and architecture with more confidence than interior design because they’re framed as public, academic, and conceptual. There’s precedent, theory, and a shared vocabulary.

Interior design, on the other hand, is personal. Intimate. It’s shaped by the idiosyncrasies of a client’s taste, budget, lifestyle, and emotional needs. It exists within the privacy of the home, making it harder to see, evaluate objectively, and separate from subjective context.

And yet, there’s a tension.

Like fine art, interior design is also deeply subjective and shaped by lived experience, personal preference, and cultural perspective. But that doesn’t mean it’s beyond critique, only that the critique has to evolve. It needs to be slower, more nuanced, and more attuned to the design’s core: the people, the function, and the feeling. It requires intentionality.

Interior design isn’t just visual. It’s spatial, sensory, and emotional. Unlike art on a wall, you live inside it. What we need are critics or interpreters who can read between the lines of a room and articulate what it’s really doing and how it supports (or doesn’t support) the lives lived within it.

Beauty will always be subjective. Not every artwork or designed room will resonate, even if it follows every “rule” in the book.

So maybe the better question is…

Not to tear it down but to understand what it’s trying to do and whether it’s successful.

Design doesn’t necessarily need more critique, just more thoughtful interpretation and conversations.

Studio Notes

I’m loving patterns and florals more than ever.

I went to a vintage fair this weekend (more on that soon) and left feeling bright and inspired by all the bold prints and colors that caught my eye.

Maybe it’s the stretch of gloomy weather we’ve had in NYC, but my eyes have been craving color.

I’m eyeing these matching coastal 9" Stoneware Dinner Plate Shells & 69 fl oz Stoneware Serving Bowls. Clearly, I’m missing the ocean and craving a beach vacation.

It’s making me rethink how much visual nourishment really matters.

I used to gravitate toward neutrals and minimalism, but lately I’ve been craving pattern, movement, and sun-drenched hues. It’s a reminder that design isn’t only about calming tones, neatly styled shelves, and serene palettes but also about play.

A floral napkin, a scalloped plate, a vintage print layered over another - each one holds energy, the potential to spark joy, and the power to shift a space and the feeling it evokes.

A Simple Upgrade

Try this: faux flowers.

I know; I never thought I’d be the one saying that. But my dad recently sent me a gorgeous bouquet for my birthday, and when they wilted, I just wasn’t ready to say goodbye…so I bought fake ones.

They don’t smell like the real thing (obviously), and they could use a little fluffing and shaping. But I’m not at a point in life where I can afford a fresh bouquet every week, especially not of this size. So, at $30, flowers that never die and brighten up my space every day are honestly a steal. There’s just something about seeing flowers the moment you step into a home that instantly makes it feel more warm and welcoming.

Listing(s) I Love

Two this week because my original pick from earlier this week already sold, not to mention for over-asking (SF market is hot right now)!

📍1792 Green St, San Francisco, CA 94123 - 2 bed & 2 bath

Why I love it…

• Classic SF Edwardian character

• Spacious layout with good flow

• Recently renovated with modern updates

• Beautiful bay windows bring in natural light

• Large shared garden and outdoor space

• Built-in coffee and breakfast bar

• Prime location

What I’d tweak…

• Use color to highlight the crown molding and baseboards

• Bring in wallpaper in the bedrooms for added character

📍142 Diamond St, San Francisco, CA 94114 - 2 bed & 1 bath

Why I love it…

• Tons of natural light throughout

• Great airflow with windows and doorways that create a cross-breeze

• Blue accent details

• Open kitchen and dining area that flows out to the back deck

What I’d tweak…

• Design a corner breakfast nook

• Add panels to conceal the washer/dryer in the kitchen

• Swap out the black kitchen light fixtures

• Build a movable kitchen island with storage

• Create a small garden with flowers, veggies, and berries

• Install an awning over the deck for shade and year-round use

*Both of these listings have parking and in-unit laundry, which isn’t a guarantee in San Francisco.

~

I hope you’re finishing this feeling inspired and creatively recharged, because I’m officially wrapping this up at 11:59pm!

xo,

Chloé

This space grew from a desire to explore the connection between how we live and where we live and to celebrate design that’s both functional and beautiful.

It’s a place to reflect, observe, and reconnect with home, with beauty, and with the quiet shifts that shape our everyday lives.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been drawn to the built environment. I’m constantly attuned to how a space feels, from the way architecture shapes your presence to how light moves through a room or how the energy shifts with others in the space.

To me, design isn’t just about how something looks. It’s about how it affects your mood, your focus, and the way you move through your day. The smallest elements - light, scent, sound, and movement - shape how we experience space.

I’ve always noticed the little details: the color of a wall, the placement of an object, or a wrinkle in a piece of fabric. And while I’m a perfectionist at heart, design has never been about perfection. It’s about resonance and the subtle, intuitive choices that make a space feel like home.

The Light Shift is a home for those sensory impressions. A personal journal of design thoughts, subtle shifts, and reflections on living with more intention.

It’s about spaces that meet you where you are and quietly evolve with you.

Whether you’re reimagining your space or simply learning to see it more clearly, I hope something here resonates with you.

What to Expect

Every Sunday, you’ll receive the Sunday Scroll - a curated note to start your week with intention. Inside, you’ll find:

📝 Notes on Home, Style, or Self

A quiet reflection or moment from the week

🔗 A Spark of Inspiration

From a podcast, book, or visual detail that stirred something

🎨 Studio Notes

A design find, material, idea, or hot take

⚡ A Simple 5-Minute Fix

One small shift to try in your own space

🏠 A Listing I Love

And why it caught my eye

💭 A Closing Prompt

To linger with you through the week

From time to time, expect separate, standalone posts on topics like a design deep dive, a real estate moodboard, a look behind the scenes, or a lifestyle edit inspired by the rituals that make a space feel like home.

~

More to come, and I’m so glad you’re here.

xo,

Chloé