With over 15 years in woodworking and interior design, Emma brings expertise in natural materials and rustic aesthetics to every project she touches.
An old rocking chair has this quiet magic—part furniture, part story, part instant cozy. Soft Distressed Edges Softly sanded edges add natural, lived-in charm—like the rocker’s been loved for years. I lightly sand the arms, front edges, and rocker tips for that believable distressed finish where hands and feet naturally wear the chair. I’ve learned a little distressing makes an old rocking chair feel collected over time, not freshly “done.” Some ideas to consider: Fine…
A dark wood headboard can make a bedroom feel instantly grounded and cozy, but it can also look heavy if everything else is too dark. These ideas are my go-tos in the shop for keeping that rich wood vibe while still making the room feel balanced, bright, and super inviting. Layered Textiles to Add Softness Dark wood headboard, softened with linen layers, a quilt, and a chunky knit throw. With a substantial dark wood headboard,…
An open bathroom cabinet can make even a tiny bath feel lighter, calmer, and way easier to use day-to-day. Recessed Open Cabinet Niche Beside Vanity Recessed open niche beside the vanity—oak-trimmed storage for towels and jars, beautifully built-in. A recessed open cabinet niche next to the vanity is such a space-saver, especially for rolled towels and jars. I’ve trimmed a few niches with wood edging, and it makes the open bathroom cabinet storage feel built-in…
A dresser in the kitchen is my favorite shortcut to that collected, cozy look without ripping out cabinets. It gives you that furniture-style charm up top and hardworking storage down below, all in one good-looking piece. Glass-Front Upper Doors Glass-front upper doors keep your prettiest dishes visible—without the dust, and so airy. When clients want display without dust, I swap in glass doors on the top half of a kitchen dresser. I’ve done this with…
A mid-century modern headboard is one of those small upgrades that instantly makes your bedroom feel pulled together, especially when you let the wood grain do the talking. I’ve built and refinished a bunch of these in my Portland workshop, and the magic is always the same: clean lines, warm tones, and a little geometric flair. Room Divider-Style Extended Headboard Extended walnut slat headboard that doubles as a room divider—mid-century, calm, and crafted. Make the…
A painted Adirondack chair is basically the easiest way to turn plain outdoor seating into a whole vibe. Coastal Blue With White Accents Coastal blue Adirondack chair with crisp white accents—easy “vacation energy” for any yard. One of my go-tos is an Adirondack chair in coastal blue with white slats—it reads beachy without being theme-y. I’ve done this for friends who wanted “vacation energy,” and it always looks amazing next to greenery or gravel. Products…
I keep coming back to gray kitchen cabinets because they’re calm, classy, and way more flexible than people expect. Over the years in my shop, I’ve learned gray is the perfect backdrop for warm wood, stone, and those little details that make a kitchen feel like you. Classic Gray Shaker Cabinets Classic gray Shaker cabinet front with brass hardware—timeless lines for any kitchen layout. When I build or refinish gray Shaker cabinets, the clean lines…
A rustic living room in earth tones feels like the interior version of a deep breath—warm, grounded, and totally livable. I lean on wood texture, cozy neutrals, and a few nature-inspired accents to make the whole space feel collected instead of “decorated.” Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table Anchor Chunky reclaimed wood coffee table—earthy, rustic character that anchors a warm minimalist room. A chunky reclaimed wood coffee table instantly makes the living room feel rustic, especially against…
Wood paneling can totally change the vibe of a home office, from “cozy study” to “modern studio” in a weekend. Monochrome Wood “Cocoon” Office Monochrome wood paneling wraps the corner, creating a calm, cozy cocoon office zone. If you want maximum cozy, wrap multiple walls in the same wood paneling so the room feels like a warm little cabin. I did this in a reading-and-work corner and it totally improved my focus because it felt…
A dated china cabinet can feel heavy and old-school, but it’s honestly one of my favorite pieces to redo because the transformation is always dramatic. Paint It a Warm White Warm white paint and softly sanded edges turn a china cabinet into a cozy, airy focal point. My most-requested redo is painting a china cabinet a soft warm white because it instantly lightens up the whole room. I usually give the edges a tiny bit…
