Everyday Palette is a passion project!

Love of Art, Design, and Creativity

For the longest time I loved color, texture, pattern, and design. As a kid I knew the name of every color in the crayon box and wasn’t satisfied with 8 colors. One color of blue just wasn’t going to cut it. I needed the box of 96 or 120 colors to really express my full creativity. From a young age I gravitated to creating beautiful things that were also useful, enjoying learning about ceramics or making jewelry. I would say “I don’t just want to make art, I want to make beautiful things people actually use everyday!”

Construction, Remodeling, and Decorating

Getting my first home was a turning point. I had some good apartments including a Victorian era studio with 12 foot ceilings, restored wood floors, and a wall of windows; or the modern 2 bedroom with cathedral ceilings, fireplace, and french doors. Yet, I dreamed of painting the walls, installing tile, changing the layout and more! I would think “If this were my real house I would add a screened in porch”, “I wonder if this window could be made bigger or if this ceiling could be vaulted?” When I got my first home I had my chance!

To this day, any time I am in friends’ and family’s homes, or even corporate and business settings; my brain is always going thinking “What if they painted that wall this color, then the room might really pop!” or “I think they could add a little something here to tie the space together - maybe a wall art, throw blanket, or new pillow?” I can’t imagine anything better than getting to help others decorate a space to be functional and beautiful.

Self-Discovery and Self-Expression

Our home says a lot about us and can be an arena to discover who we are more deeply. Understanding why do I like that color or decor? Asking “Do I want a cozy reading nook or maybe a home gym or maybe a bigger space for dinner parties?” After decorating rooms that looked nice, but I didn’t use, I started giving myself permission to ask “How do I really want to use this space in a way that brings everyday function and joy for me?” Noticing which parts of your home you spend time in and which parts of your home are neglected can be a starting point to reflect on how you currently use your home and how you really want to use your home to maximize opportunities making each space functional with your life goals and dreams.

Over time I slowly curated a collection of unique furniture and decor (mostly from thrift stores which fit my budget) that “felt like me”. It was an opportunity to notice what I like, what makes my heart lift, and what brings me small moments of joy so I could curate my home to maximize these experiences. I continue to regularly edit and declutter my home, bringing in new objects that bring joy and letting go of decor that no longer feels like me. This has been a transformative method for self-awareness and continued self-discovery at each life stage. When I feel '“stuck” in life, one tool I use to get “unstuck” is to reflect on each item in my home and if it fits with the current life I’m building.

Safety at Home

Like so many others, I have experienced, lack of safety at home. Growing up fearing domestic violence, stalking, and abuse; finding a way to feel safe in any situation (especially at home) is an important part of healing. A portion of all purchases are donated to Courage Connection in Urbana, Illinois.