My Passion for Design
"My goal is to make everything around me beautiful — that will be my life."
— Elsie de Wolfe
My love for design didn’t just happen—it was lovingly nurtured by my grandmother, Jewell, whom I affectionately called “Nene.” She had a remarkable gift for transforming everyday things into moments of beauty. Like me, she adored antiques, delicate decorative art, floral arrangements, and the birds and nature that surrounded her. Nene’s deep appreciation for nature was woven throughout her home, from floral-printed pillows to her fondness for birds, and her meticulously tended garden filled with unique decorative treasures. As I began researching eighteenth and nineteenth-century botanical prints, my thoughts immediately turned to her. This research became more than academic—it became a tribute to a woman whose small joys, like plants, trees, and beautiful collections, shaped my own creative spirit.
What began as a passion project eventually grew into my thesis—a labor of love that took me nearly two years to develop. This study aims to help interior designers and preservationists deepen their understanding and appreciation of decorative arts by exploring how nature—particularly floral and faunal motifs—influenced design in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Beyond aesthetics, the paper explores how natural elements in a space can impact our emotions and overall well-being.
Interior design is so much more than choosing colours or arranging furniture—it’s an expression of who we are, a way to create spaces that tell our unique stories. For me, design is deeply personal; it’s about crafting environments that not only look beautiful but feel like home.
I believe every space should reflect the passions and personality of those who live within it. If you have a special love—such as my affection for birds and flowers—that’s something to celebrate and cherish. Incorporating these elements into your décor brings warmth, character, and a sense of joy that can’t be bought.
My thesis, “The Influence of Nature on Design: A Focus on the Flora and Fauna Influence on 18th and 19th Century Decorative Arts,” explores these very themes. It reflects my passion for how natural motifs—especially birds and flowers—can inspire and elevate interior spaces.
Design inspired by your passions creates spaces that nurture your soul, spark happiness, and make every day a little more beautiful. That’s why my work is infused with natural motifs and touches of the things that speak to me, because when your space reflects your heart, it truly becomes your sanctuary.
If you’d like to dive deeper, you can view my full thesis here: View Thesis
A mood board inspired by an antique flora and fauna print, by John James Audubon.
