From Pinball to Pending: A Marysville Story of Teamwork and Trust

Every home sale has a story, and this one began in the most flattering way, with a call from my pinball team captain connecting me with his Mom. She was ready for a big change: relocating from Marysville back to West Seattle, downsizing a whole house, and getting closer to family. She needed someone who could not only guide her through the sale but also help manage the transition with care and precision. I was honored he thought of me to help his Mom. I loved being her trusted partner and am so excited to have her as a neighbor in West Seattle. 

The steps in getting her home ready took a team of amazing people: 

Step 1: The Clean-Out

The first step was the most daunting: a whole house to downsize. My seller had a strong team of family and friends who rolled up their sleeves to help sort every room. Together, they made the big decisions:

• What can be moved to her new home

• What goes into storage

• What gets donated or sold 

It is always an emotional process, but one made lighter with the support of people who care and a good plan and system. 

Step 2: Dialing It In

Once the house was empty, it was time to make it shine. We took care of a few small repairs, touch-ups, and those little details that make a big difference. This stage is where preparation meets vision, setting the scene for buyers to imagine their own life in the space.

Step 3: Staging with Joy

We brought in a wonderful staging company who outfitted the home in a way that felt fresh, inviting, and joyful. Their design brought out the best features of the property and created a warm, welcoming atmosphere. 

Step 4: Photography & Marketing

Next came professional photography to capture the home in its best light. Once those images were in hand, it was time to share the story, online listings, targeted marketing, and open houses that invited buyers to experience the space in person. 

Step 5: Two Days to Pending

All that preparation and teamwork paid off. In a market that’s been unpredictable and challenging, this home went pending in just two days. With other houses in Marysville sitting this home was prepared and ready for its new buyer. 

Step 6: A Smooth Close

Finally, we partnered with Ticor Title to handle the closing. Their professionalism and attention to detail helped ensure the final steps of the sale were as smooth as the rest of the process.

The Power of Teamwork & Trust

This sale was a true reminder that real estate is never just about bricks and mortar, it’s about people. From the family and friends who helped with the clean-out, to the stagers, photographers, marketers, open house visitors, my amazing cleaner, all the way through closing,  every person played an important role in bringing this to the finish line.

I’m so thankful for those who entrust me with big moments like this, especially in times of transition. It’s an honor to guide people through change, to connect the right resources at the right time, and to watch all the pieces come together.

Here’s to community, teamwork, and homes for creating your next memories. 💫

I am a licensed agent and would love to help you navigate your housing needs. 

Rachel Jarvis
503-998-6406 

Beanie Babies to Backyard Cottages: What Housing Trends Can Learn from Fads

Remember the rush of finding your newest Beanie Baby? Or the constant attention a Tamagotchi needed to stay alive? What about the sudden rise of pickleball? And now, the craze of Labubu mystery boxes, where people spend big just for a chance at a rare item?

Housing isn’t all that different.

Like any cultural phenomenon, real estate is driven by scarcity, timing, and emotional connection. From the styles we crave to the way laws shape what can be built and how spaces can be used, the housing market often feels like chasing the rare Labubu, demand is sky-high, supply is limited, and getting the “rare one” (your dream home) requires strategy, timing, and sometimes just a little luck.

🧱 Style & Structure: Building Trends with Staying Power

Just like platform sneakers and butterfly clips, design fads in housing come and go but each one reveals the mood of the moment:

• 2000s: Beige everything, heavy granite, and tiled counters.

• 2010s: Farmhouse chic, barn doors, and shiplap galore.

• 2020s:

• Warm neutrals & texture replacing stark gray.

• Japandi style blending minimalism with comfort.

• Sustainable, natural materials like reclaimed wood and cork.

• Bold colors returning — earthy greens, matte blacks, terracotta.

Like Labubu buyers hoping for the rare design, homeowners today are chasing something unique, something that doesn’t look like every other home on the block.

🧩 Function and Flexibility: The Modern Home Fad

In the same way that Tamagotchis required constant attention, modern homes are being designed to work harder for us. They’re not just a place to sleep they’re often becoming multi-purpose - gyms, classrooms, rental income streams, and creative hubs.

• ADUs/DADUs are booming as cities loosen zoning restrictions.

• Flex rooms are built to pivot between Zoom calls and guest stays.

• Pickleball courts and play spaces are showing up in backyards, community centers, and even rooftop developments.

• Shared amenities are becoming a selling point, co-working lounges, rooftop decks, community gardens.

These trends reflect what people value most: adaptability, connection, and fun.

📜 Laws always in flex 

Cities like Seattle and Portland are rewriting old rules:

• Rezoning single-family neighborhoods for triplexes and fourplexes.

• Incentivizing ADUs/DADUs to add density.

• Supporting live/work spaces and mixed-use zoning.

The policy shifts are much like the limited runs of Labubu drops, they create opportunities for those who are ready, but leave others waiting for the next wave. 

🌀 The Labubu Housing Parallel

The frenzy around Labubu boxes is almost the perfect metaphor for today’s housing market:

• You don’t know what’s inside until you open the door. (Home tours can feel like opening mystery boxes!) Having an agent to help guide you is important. 

• The rare ones - prime locations, move-in ready homes, or beautifully updated properties, are fiercely fought over even in this ever changing market.

• The supply is low(er) and when something rare appears, competition drives prices higher.

• Everyone wants to “win” the right home, but unlike a collectible, a home has lasting utility and its value is shaped by how you live in it.

🏁 Final Thoughts: Chasing the Rare One

From Beanie Babies to Labubu, these trends teach us something: we love the hunt. But while fads fade, homes grow in value, both financially and emotionally, when they’re thoughtfully chosen, cared for, and adapted over time.

Today’s most desirable homes are the ones that stand out for their uniqueness:

• A custom-built ADU that generates income.

• A restored Craftsman with modern updates.

• A home with both charm and functionality (and maybe a pickleball court in the driveway).

Don’t just chase the hype. Look for homes with long-term “collectible” value the kind that won’t just be rare today, but will still matter years from now.

Also - nothing wrong with having a collection and leaning into community, which I think is part of the fun with trends like Beanie Babies and the current Labubu (or fufu) trends. I also think having a trusted Real Estate agent is critical in navigating what is trending in the market.

As always if you are interested in chatting Real Estate or the newest trends, reach out, I love connecting. 

Rachel Jarvis

503-998-6406 

Where Art Meets Home: A Weekend of Inspiration from Portland to the Puget Sound

This weekend, I took a step out of my daily rhythm and into a journey that reminded me why I love calling the Pacific Northwest home. It was a few days filled with creativity, repurposed beauty, and the kind of thoughtful design that tells a story of people, of place, and of what’s possible when we allow inspiration to guide us.

Staying on my parents' floating home just outside Portland, gently bobbing in unison with the river. It's a space unlike any other, equal parts serene and inventive. Living on the water brings its own perspective, and every detail of their home reflects the care and creativity that went into making it their own. We took an evening boat ride down the Willamette Slew with the sounds of nature and the excitement of seeing our concert venue for Sunday via the water. 

From there, we ventured out to Dundee for some wine tasting (always a favorite), but it was Artist Block that truly captured my imagination. A natural wine bar and gallery space where the lines between wine, art, and connection blur beautifully. I joined their wine club because when you find a place where natural wine meets natural conversation, you stay awhile. There’s something about sipping a pét-nat next to a wall of beautifully sculptured doughnuts that makes you want to dream bigger. Adding they were safe for a celiac like me :) 

This weekend also included a stop in Tualatin for lunch with my favorite new family member at a restaurant that will soon be a host to the pumpkin regatta. Another curious example of using space in creative ways to create connection and community. What is usually just a simple pond surrounded by apartments, hotels and restaurants brings a crowd that watches people race in giant hollowed pumpkins. Which made me think that good design doesn’t always mean new; this pond has been around since I was little. Somewhere along the way someone thought lets start a pumpkin regatta and bring our community together. It’s about what we can reimagine with what spaces we have. 

Which brings me to one of the most inspiring stops of the weekend: the Linnton School. We explored two open houses, just outside of Portland. This historic schoolhouse has been thoughtfully converted into condo’s, each one a true original. I toured two available homes, one of them the former boiler room. Now it’s a dramatic canvas with soaring ceilings and a view of the river, just waiting for the right artist or dreamer to make it their own.

There’s something deeply meaningful about turning an old school into a place to live and create. In a world that so often throws things away, repurposing materials and honoring the bones of a space feels radical and right. These walls once held chalkboards and children’s laughter, and now they invite light, creativity, and reflection. 

And then, the evening crescendo: a concert on Sauvie’s Island, Topaz Farm. If you’ve never been, picture beautiful summer wild flowers, delicious food offerings and refreshing open air. This gathering on an island again moments away from the city, music dancing through the trees, people barefoot on the grass, community at its finest. It’s the kind of gathering that strips away pretense and lets art and nature do the talking.

Returning home to Beach Drive in Seattle, the tide was out and the golden hour stretched long. Neighbors were lowering crab pots from kayaks off Weather Watch Park, savoring every bit of summer’s light. I stood there for a moment, watching the scene unfold, and realized what I’d brought back with me: a renewed appreciation for the way a space can reflect the soul of the people who live in it. Whether it floats on water, is wrapped in ivy, or moonlights as an art gallery, when a place is lived in with care and intention, it shows. And it matters.  

Takeaways: 

🌿 Get out of your own way: Creativity and connection show up when we loosen control and stay curious.
🏡 Unique properties have soul: A home isn’t just walls and a roof it’s energy, intention, and sometimes a view of ducks swimming past your window.
♻️ Repurposing is powerful: The most beautiful spaces are often the ones with history in their bones schools turned homes, boiler rooms turned blank canvases.
🎨 Design is personal: Whether it’s a floating home or a wine bar that doubles as a gallery, design should reflect your values, your vibe, and your sense of wonder.
🤝 Connection is the point: Through art, music, wine, or conversation spaces should bring us together.

If you’re dreaming about a creative space to call your own, floating home, converted warehouse, tiny studio with massive light, let's talk. The Pacific Northwest is full of hidden gems waiting to be loved. Let's seek them out together!

Rachel Jarvis

503-998-6406

How Preparation, Superstition, and Good Vibes Set the Stage for a Successful Home Sale

Before every big soccer game growing up, I had a routine. The same playlist; a mental replay of my biggest saves, starting the game touching the goal post… visualizing the field, the win, the celebration.

Not much has changed when it comes to preparing for the win. Only now, the goal post is a successful home sale, and the field is someone’s living room and the win is protecting their investment and purchase. 

There’s something universal about how we prepare for big moments. Whether it’s a wedding, job interview, performance, or launching a home on the market people have their go-to rituals. For me, getting a listing ready is its own version of game day. It’s strategic. Emotional. Intentional. And yes, just a little bit superstitious.

So what does it take to get a home truly ready for market?

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at my real estate prep routine, complete with process, purpose, and a few good luck charms:

🎯 Step 1: Dial in the Details

Like pre-game stretches, this stage is all about setting the tone. Before we ever take a photo or open the doors, we:

• Deep clean every corner, from windows to baseboards

• Declutter and organize to create breathing room

• Coordinate vendors for small repairs and final touches

Buyers notice when a home feels cared for. These early steps are critical to that first impression. If you must stay in your home while selling we can come up with a strategy. A staged home in my opinion always shows the potential for a home in the best way.  

🛋️ Step 2: Stage with Purpose

Staging isn’t about perfection, it’s about possibility. It helps buyers see themselves in the space, feel at ease, and imagine making it their own.

Whether we use your existing pieces or bring in a pro, we create moments that make people pause and feel something. It’s storytelling with furniture and light. Remembering that you as the seller are the only people who is not going to buy the house. This is the part we get the home ready for the largest audience. 

📸 Step 3: Capture the Energy

Photography is more than documentation, it’s a home’s first handshake. We focus on light, flow, and emotion. From video walkthroughs to social media reels, the goal is to inspire action, driving as much traffic from the online world to come see your home in person. 

🔮 Step 4: Add a Little Luck

Now, this part isn’t in the listing contract, but it’s real to me. Before launching a new listing, I bury a St. Joseph statue upside down, facing the home. It’s a long-standing real estate tradition, and one I’ve come to love. And where do I get my St. Joseph statues? Archie McPhee, of course, the beloved Seattle shop known for its quirky charms and unexpected magic. It’s not just about superstition, it’s about intention. Good vibes matter. Supporting local is also a bonus. 

🎶 Step 5: Set the Soundtrack

Sometimes I still play the same songs I used to warm up to before soccer games. The music gets me in the zone. It’s my reminder that big things happen when preparation meets energy and that the emotional part of selling a home deserves space too. But stop by one of my open houses to see the DJ set I have created. 

📝 Step 6: Offer Reviews with Care

Once offers start coming in, the real teamwork begins. I walk clients through every detail: price, terms, financing strength, contingencies, and timelines. This isn’t just about numbers, it’s about strategy, trust, and protecting your best interest.

🔐 Step 7: Smooth Sailing to Closing

From inspection to appraisal to final paperwork, I stay by your side. I coordinate timelines, communicate with all parties, and make sure you feel supported all the way to the finish line and beyond.

In Summary

Selling a home is personal. It’s also a process. It takes more than a sign in the yard, it takes thoughtful preparation, skilled marketing, strategic guidance, and a touch of that “game day” magic.

Whether it’s lucky charms, custom playlists, or just the right team in your corner, the best outcomes happen when we bring intention and care to every step.

If you're thinking about selling or just want to talk real estate, I’d love to connect. Let’s build your custom game plan, good vibes included.

Rachel Jarvis

503-998-6406

Where the Music Lives – From Stages to Neighborhoods in the PNW

Live music isn't just a night out, it’s a feeling you carry home. Whether it’s a lawn full of dancing strangers or a packed ballroom where you know every lyric, these moments shape how we experience place and community. This month’s records are all ones I’ve seen come alive on stage and artists that have helped me understand what it means to feel at home through their sound.

Here’s my June collection of records that echo across the PNW with a nod to the neighborhoods that surround the venues, and the homes where these sounds settle in.

🌌 SYML – Infinity

An introspective album that sounds like a walk through foggy woods or a moment of stillness before sunrise. I have had the opportunity to see SYML live and each time it's a completely special experience. 

Pair it with:

• A quiet cottage in the forested corners of Olympia or the Columbia River Gorge.

• Neighborhoods like Capitol Hill or Southeast Portland for creative solitude with coffee close by.

🌊 Blind Pilot – We Are the Tide

Seen live at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and Easy Street Records and upcoming this summer at Topaz Farms. It's safe to say Blind Pilot is an all time favorite. This record always feels grounded in place, honest, and deeply local. 

Where to live that feeling:

• Oregon coast towns like Manzanita or Astoria, where art and slowness are core values.

• Cottage-style homes or converted live/work artist spaces.

🌻 Ruston Kelly – The Weakness

Rustin’s storytelling hits hard. This album wrestles with hope and heartbreak, and finding strength in the vulnerability. I loved seeing him  perform at the incredible Showbox. A venue that is so cool everyone must see a show there. 

Where this sound lives:

• Portland’s East side, especially neighborhoods like Montavilla or Sellwood where musicians and misfits make space for healing.

• Rural outskirts of Washougal or Bend. Acreage homes where creativity can echo.

🌵 Dope Lemon – Kimosabe

A desert dream in vinyl form. Groovy, laid-back, and strange in the best way. Seeing him live would feel like stumbling into a neon dive bar in the middle of nowhere or in our case the Crystal Ballroom downtown Portland. 

Home pairing:

• Bungalow-style rentals in North Portland or quirky Seattle pads in Fremont.

• Neighborhoods with personality and porch swing potential.

🐎 Orville Peck –  Stampede

I had the opportunity to see him at Château Ste. Michelle last year under the pouring sky, surrounded by swaying fans and the smell of puddles. Drama, depth, and style, I have never seen so many people ignore sideways rain. 

Where it makes sense:

• Wine country homes near Woodinville or Dundee.

• Converted barns or modern farmhouses with fire pits and wide open skies.

💛 Still Woozy – Loveseat

Still Woozy’s style is part indie, part dancey daydream. I saw him in Troutdale at Edgefield, where the crowd's energy matched the playful charm of the record.

Ideal neighborhoods:

• Inner NE Portland or Ballard in Seattle.

• Think high walk scores, creative, and full of houseplants, vintage shops, and good vibes.

✨ Bonus: Taylor Swift – 1989 

From her show at Lumen Field in Seattle to the energy that radiated through the entire city, this album feels like movement, transition, and glittering imagination. I am happy to listen to both the OG and Taylor’s version this month. 

Where she lives (figuratively):

• Modern condos in Seattle’s Belltown or First Hill.

• Anywhere you can hear the city, but still find quiet for a journaling session on the balcony. I think my sunroom on Beach Drive is the perfect backdrop for this album.

🎤 Why Music and Housing Matter

This month I lost my cat of 15 years. Part of my home. One of our favorite things to do together was listen to vinyls. She really did listen to music differently when it was started on the record player. The month of June I have taken a break from starting my day with music as I missed our routine so much. As I make new routines without her I hope to return to this one in July. A slow start to the day with an appreciation of good music and the sense of being home. All these albums I have seen the artist live in my community and shared them with my cat Jazzy girl in our home. 

Concerts help shape identity and community. They bring people together and the neighborhoods around those venues carry that joy long after the last encore. As someone who helps people find homes and build roots, I see the parallels clearly: finding the right place to live is like finding your favorite song. You feel it when it fits. Concerts connect us. They bring a sense of community.

I can’t wait for this summer's shows. I am hopeful to hit all my favorite outdoor venues… What is your favorite venue in your community? 

I am a licensed agent and love connecting. Whether we talk about what makes neighborhoods special or your favorite music, let’s set up time to chat today. 

Rachel Jarvis 

503-996-6406

Inspections Are Just the Start: Why the Right Agent Matters

Buying a home isn’t just about falling in love with a kitchen or imagining your furniture in the living room, it’s also about doing your due diligence. Inspections are where dreams meet details, and having the right real estate agent by your side can make all the difference.

Whether you’re buying your first home or your fifth, inspections are a crucial step in understanding what you’re investing in and what issues may lie beneath the surface.

It’s More Than a Checklist: 

A good inspection goes beyond just checking boxes. Depending on where you’re buying, there are area-specific tests and inspections that might be crucial, here are a few to consider:

• Radon Testing – In many parts of the Pacific Northwest and across the country, radon is a naturally occurring gas that can pose serious health risks. It’s often invisible—literally—and overlooked.

• Roof & Structural Assessments: With our rainy seasons and varied elevation, roofs and crawl spaces can tell you more about a house’s history than a listing ever could.

• Pool Inspections: If you’re lucky enough to be looking at a home with a pool, don’t skip this step. A pool inspection ensures safety, code compliance, and lets you understand the ongoing maintenance costs.

• Sewer Scopes: Tree roots, aging pipes, and hidden damage can lead to costly repairs. This one’s especially important in established neighborhoods with mature landscaping.

• Mold & Air Quality: Not just about allergies, these can be deal-breakers or negotiating tools if discovered early.

• Pest & Dry Rot: The silent damage. This is especially important in wood-framed homes and humid environments.

• Floating Homes - the logs and stringers are very important considerations. What is the log rating? Let me help you find the right inspectors for the job.

The Value of Trusted Partners: 

As an agent, one of my most important roles is to connect you with trusted professionals, from inspectors and sewer scope specialists to electricians, roofers, and HVAC pros. These relationships mean you’re not just pulling names from a search engine, you’re working with people who show up on time, deliver honest assessments, and care about the work they do. Referrals are powerful and I have great vendors. 

Why I Show Up to the Inspection and when I refer I expect them to also:

You shouldn’t be left to figure out the inspection report alone. I attend inspections with my buyers because I want to hear what the inspectors are saying in real-time, ask the right questions, and help you determine what’s a red flag versus what’s a reasonable repair.

Being there matters. It’s how I help my clients feel confident, protected, and well-informed during what is often the most expensive purchase of their lives.

Don’t Hire a Hand-Off Agent: 

There are agents who outsource almost everything and that’s not always a bad thing. But when it comes to inspections, negotiations, and understanding the bones of a house, you want someone who is in it with you. Someone who doesn’t just open the door but opens conversations with inspectors, contractors, and you.

I’m proud to work with full-service agents, who walk with you every step of the way from first showing to final signature and beyond.

As a licensed agent I would love to start a conversation about your home buying, selling or renting process. Call me today. 503-998-6406

For Jazzy Girl, my sweetest friend

My cat, Jasmine Jarvis, has been with me for 15 years, through moves, milestones, pandemics, and joy. Today, my heart is heavy as yesterday was our last day together here in this world.

Jazzy came into my life as the most perfect Christmas gift. A little adventure with my mom and dad that led us all over Portland in search of the right cat, only to find her back in Lake Oswego at a new cat sanctuary downtown. Someone was holding her, and I remember thinking, that is the sweetest little cutie. They set her down, I picked her up… and I never let her go. 

From our tiny studio on 24th and Raleigh, where she learned to love bird watching, to the mid-century oasis where she ruled the cupboards, and gave us all a scare on moving day as she used her flattening skills and hid on the bed when we moved, Jazzy made every space home and more fun.  We lived on the water in many different places, like Lava Drive and Waverly Place, and eventually moved to Pigeon Point in Seattle. That first night there, we had nothing but an air mattress, which she popped in 30 seconds flat. I was homesick and scared about starting something new but she curled up on top of me, reminding me I wasn’t alone and we could do anything, she was my home. I think her favorite spot was Beach Drive, where she whale watched and enjoyed the sounds of the crashing waves. Jazzy girl made my house home and that gap will be felt.

She’s taught me so much. She was truly smart.  She could sit, high five, pirouette, reverse, lead me to her bowl, and always knew when it was time to get cozy. She loved Nong’s poached chicken, her troll toy, soccer balls, and showing off all her tricks to earn a treat.

She played hard to get with Zack (which I loved). Watching these two bond was special. He was so caring to her and I’m thankful to have him as comfort in this heartache. 

She loved having Reed watch her when I was gone and saying hi when they visited us in Seattle. She loved messing with my Dads feet. She loved FaceTiming with my Mom. She was excited for Macey and Reed to welcome Lucy into our world. She was my best friend during the pandemic, keeping me safe when I couldn’t be with the people I love. She was so special.

Letting go is the hardest thing. But I’m endlessly grateful for the years we shared, the lessons she gave, and the love she poured into my life. Her soft fur and sweet purr may leave this world, but her spirit will never be far.

Thank you, Jazzy Girl, for choosing me. I miss you deeply already.

Roses, Unicycles, and Community: A Portland Tradition in Bloom

Every June, Portland comes alive with petals, pageantry, and pride. The Portland Rose Festival—a beloved tradition since 1907—celebrates not just the city’s nickname, the "City of Roses," but the heart of the community that’s grown alongside it.

The main Grand Floral Parade is world-renowned, but for many of us locals, it’s the Junior Rose Parade that holds a special place in our hearts. I still remember the thrill of riding through the streets of Northeast Portland with my elementary school’s unicycle club, grinning from ear to ear as we wobbled our way past cheering neighbors and waving families. There’s something about the joy of that parade that sticks with you—it’s not about perfection, it’s about showing up, supporting one another, and celebrating the creativity and spirit of Portland’s youth.

The Junior Parade, first held in 1936, is the oldest and largest children’s parade in the country. It’s a testament to how deeply Portland invests in its young people—and in traditions that bring us together.

This season also reminds me of the beauty and symbolism of Portland’s International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park, a space blooming with over 10,000 roses from around the world. Originally established during WWI to preserve European hybrid roses, today it’s a fragrant, free, and peaceful place to walk, reflect, and admire the variety and vibrancy of what can grow when nurtured with care.

From marching bands to bike brigades, clowns to court princesses, the Rose Festival and its many events are reminders that community is built through participation, pride, and joy—and sometimes, a good wobble on a unicycle.

This year, whether you’re watching the floats or just stopping to smell the roses, I hope you’ll take a moment to reflect on what makes Portland home: the people, the stories, and the traditions we pass along. 

If you are looking for your next home in the Portland area, let’s connect. I would love to hear what kind of community you are looking to be a part of. 

Rachel Jarvis

503-998-6406

Designing Your Personal Sanctuary: How Your Home Reflects You

When we think about design inspiration, it’s easy (and fun) to focus on trends or Instagram-perfect spaces. But what if the best inspiration is already within us? Our homes are an extension of who we are—filled with memories, stories, and pieces that reflect our lives.

For me, curating my home has been a deeply personal process. It’s an evolving collection of items that tell stories and capture moments. There’s the rug that brings me back to our family home on Knaus Rd in Lake Oswego—a nostalgic reminder every time I step on it. The art on my walls—many pieces from my talented mom—fills the space with warmth and creativity. My brother’s gift of elephants, brought back from his travels, adds to a collection rich in stories, my dad’s Grateful Dead posters and records add a musical flair. Together, these family connections make my home uniquely mine, surrounding me with purposeful memories.

But it’s not just about family. My home is also filled with pieces from friends and travels—each item a small snapshot of a time or place. Every print, sculpture, or little memento holds a story, whether it’s a gift from a friend or something I picked up while exploring the world.

Curating a home takes time and intention. While my personal style leans toward maximalism, I’ve come to appreciate the simplicity of clean, minimalist design. When creating the vibe of my current space, I found inspiration in a book called Surf Shack. It encouraged me to embrace a beachy, relaxed aesthetic that blends functionality with beauty.

Incorporating 2025 Design Trends

Adding fresh design elements can breathe new life into your home. For 2025, several standout colors have been highlighted by design experts:

• Cherry Red: A bold, timeless shade that can add energy to any room.

• Satin Warm Caramel: A cozy, earthy tone perfect for creating warmth.

• Mocha Mousse: A rich, warming brown with sophistication.

• Cinnamon Slate: A heathered plum with velvety brown undertones.

• Quietude: A soft sage green with a hint of blue—calm and serene.

• Rumors: A ruby red shade offering comforting warmth.

• Encore 8002: A deep blue evoking peace and tranquility.

• Violet: A whimsical, transformative purple.

• Mapped Blue: A medium-tone blue with soft yellow undertones.

Incorporating these colors doesn’t require a complete overhaul. For example, adding Cherry Red accents with throw pillows or Quietude as a wall color can instantly transform a room. I recently added a Cherry Red Grateful Dead print to a previously blank wall, and it brought a vibrancy I didn’t realize I was missing!

My Favorite Pieces

In my current space, some of my favorite design elements include:

• A Grateful Dead art print that brings life and personality to my walls.

• A round table from West Elm paired with timeless white chairs for a clean, modern feel.

• A white rocking chair from Ballard Consignment that’s both breezy and irresistibly comfortable.

• A leather couch from Dania, which adds warmth, luxury, and a cozy spot for relaxation.

These elements work together to create a space where I not only feel at home but also love hosting others. There’s nothing more rewarding than inviting people into a space that feels authentically you.

How Do You Design Your Space?

How do you approach designing your sanctuary? Do you pull inspiration from family connections, meaningful experiences, or favorite places? Is your style bold and eclectic, or do you prefer clean and simple lines? There’s no right or wrong answer—just what feels like you.

Whether you’re drawn to maximalism, minimalism, or somewhere in between, the key is to let your personality shine through every piece. Find inspiration in your past, in books, and in the people and places that mean the most to you.

Ready to Find a Home That Tells Your Story?

Your home is more than just a place—it’s a reflection of who you are and the life you want to create. Whether you’re looking for a space to design from scratch, a cozy spot filled with character, or the perfect blank canvas to tell your story, I’m here to help.

Let’s find a home that truly feels like you. Reach out today, and let’s start building the next chapter of your real estate journey together. As a licensed agent I am here to help.