H&M Food & Friends Kitchenware Collection

So last month, one of the things that made me happy & made my favorites list was H&M's new fall kitchenware collection, Food & Friends. Even the dangone name sounds awesome, so in hidnsight, I shouldn't have expected anything less than epic happiness delivered to my door when I ordered some of the collection items.

When I first saw the launch email, the first thing that excited me about the collection was the palette -- woon tones, rich navy blues, and lots of gold ✨ it was like someone from H&M snuck into my home & decided to create a collection curated around my actual palette...

Mood Board Monday: Quirky Coastal Half Bath

This half bath was a renovation of a closet -- yes, closet! This really excited me because this closet was flanked by her daughters' bedrooms, and so the new bathroom would be for them to use.

Talk about making use of the space you have to create the space you need!

Watchlist, StudioAlbie KnowsOctober 30, 2017national kitchen & bath month, bathroom, renovation, nyc living, edesign, small spaces

September Favorites in Design, Biz, and Motherhood

September was definitely filled with a lot of shifts in my professional, personal, and academic life -- I find myself really trying to focus on very intentional & specific launches; both my husband & I were now both in school again (I had the summer off, he didn't), so managing our time was a lot of trial & error; and just being back in school, although taking 1 less class than I usually do, really forced me to adjust the rest of my life to make sure nothing fell to the side of the road.

Watchlist, Vibe CheckAlbie KnowsOctober 5, 2017favorites, west coast transplant, design intensive, summertime, youtube, coming soon, mompreneur, shoppingComment

Elegant Boho Living Room

The foundation was already laid with a new sofa & rug, however, we needed to break up all that gray; so I created a design, anchored by those gray tones & featuring organic fibers & metallic accents for a cozy & eclectic setting. By introducing woods, leathers, and other natural materials, we would make the space feel pulled together & inviting, while still maintaining a modern appeal with clean silhouettes. As we worked through this design & brought this mood board to life, we were ultimately able to create the perfect setting for relaxing, working, and entertaining.

Watchlist, StudioAlbie KnowsSeptember 11, 2017nyc living, edesign, small spaces, shoppingComment

5 Steps To... Love Your Space

Most people have no problem celebrating love and milestones in their relationships... Valentine's Day and anniversaries get recognized, yet most of us don't give a first, second, or third thought to loving up our homes. Now, yes, we may decorate, but what are we really doing to show the place we live, rest, and spend our lives that same love we show to the people in our lives. Here are my 5 ways you can love your space every day.

Watchlist, Vibe CheckAlbie KnowsSeptember 7, 2017design therapy, design intensive, style quiz, free resource, self care, edesign, small spacesComment

August Favorites in Design, Biz, and Motherhood

Another month gone! It's funny how, as I evolve as a person, it manifests in all the different areas of my life. For example, I resolved not too long ago to go through life with a more grateful spirit, really taking stock of my blessings & victories, big & small. At the top of the year I'd even started a gratitude & happiness board (although I haven't kept up as I should) where at the end of each day, I'd write down on a post thought 1 thing that happened that day that made me happy or that I was thankful for -- everything from a new amazon package to a new client. I've decided to take it a step further, and now, at the end of every month, I'm going to share with you a round up of things that brought me happiness, clarity, and peace -- one for each day of the month -- in hopes that they'll do the same for you.

Watchlist, Vibe CheckAlbie KnowsSeptember 1, 2017favorites, west coast transplant, design intensive, summertime, youtube, coming soon, mompreneur, shoppingComment

Why I Don't Haul... And You Probably Shouldn't Either

By definition, when you really think about it, even the idea of hauling for the home can be dangerous! A bit dramatic but still true. Hauling almost instinctively triggers impulse buying which can result in buyers remorse. No one wants to bring home a crap-ton of stuff, only to feel like crap about it later. I don't know about you, but I don't like returning ANYTHING much less an online and/or large purchase.

Everyone has their own of executing (and showing off) a haul but there are a few things that all hauls will (or should) have in common. For me, these end up being reasons that hauls and I just aren't a right fit.

Watchlist, Vibe CheckAlbie KnowsAugust 31, 2017design therapy, favorites, small spaces, shoppingComment

Outdoor Space & Patio Refresh

The client was looking for help with layout and furniture selection for the outdoor patio; and hoping to incorporate an eating area, with some casual seating if possible.

Watchlist, Look BookAlbie KnowsAugust 21, 2017outdoor, summertime, west coast transplant, dining room, youtube, nyc living, edesign, shoppingComment

5 Tips For Decorating a Rental

Whenever the debate of renting versus owning comes up, one of the biggest points of differentiation is how much you can do with your home -- home owners LOVE to remind renters of what they can't do to elevate the design in their rental. As a lifelong renter, I promise you there are so many options available to you, if you know where to look. Good interior design isn't limited to home renovations, so let's talk about 5 quick and easy ways you can step it up in your rental.

Watchlist, Look BookAlbie KnowsAugust 17, 2017lighting, wallpaper, shopping, reversible designComment

New York City To Hong Kong Living Room & Home Office (Guest Bedroom) Design

One of the biggest reasons I began to really started doing online design was the fact that I'd be able to reach people I'd otherwise never have access to and in the past year, I've worked on so many projects throughout the country. When I initially got the brief for this project, I read their location -- NYC -- and said, "Oh cool, someone from back home" (because I'm geeky & weird like that); silly me for thinking that's where the design was actually located...

Watchlist, Look BookAlbie KnowsAugust 14, 2017international design, nyc living, edesign, small spacesComment

What I Won't Be Doing On Youtube

Most people on YouTube who are into home decor & interior design (translation: my people) expect to see very specific content; so it stands to reason, as an interior stylists & designer, they're expecting to see that from me. Please don't. So what are the 5 things that most home decor enthusiasts are typically looking for on YouTube that I just won't do?

Watchlist, Vibe CheckAlbie KnowsAugust 10, 2017youtube, west coast transplant, shoppingComment

8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Decorating or Designing Your Space

If you're that design enthusiast who isn't afraid to tackle your own decorating and/or designing, I want to remind you that there are certain things you still want to keep top of mind before jumping head first into creating your "dreamscape". Here's a compilation of some questions you absolutely should ask yourself before ever tackling a decorating or design project...

WatchlistAlbie KnowsAugust 4, 2017youtube, design intensive, free resource, design therapyComment

July Favorites in Design, Biz, and Motherhood

Another month gone! It's funny how, as I evolve as a person, it manifests in all the different areas of my life. For example, I resolved not too long ago to go through life with a more grateful spirit, really taking stock of my blessings & victories, big & small. At the top of the year I'd even started a gratitude & happiness board (although I haven't kept up as I should) where at the end of each day, I'd write down on a post thought 1 thing that happened that day that made me happy or that I was thankful for -- everything from a new amazon package to a new client. I've decided to take it a step further, and now, at the end of every month, I'm going to share with you a round up of things that brought me happiness, clariity, and peace -- one for each day of the month -- in hopes that they'll do the same for you.

WatchlistAlbie KnowsAugust 2, 2017favorites, west coast transplant, design intensive, summertime, youtube, coming soon, mompreneur, shoppingComment

Cozy Chic Beauty Room 3D Design

There are YouTube "beauty gurus" have built brands from sharing their wealth of makeup knowledge and although that isn't my particular jam, I am here for ALL OF IT. So when this next client reached out to me to create their beauty room, to help grow their brand, I'm not ashamed to say I squealed with excitement.

Watchlist, Look BookAlbie KnowsJuly 31, 2017youtube, beauty room, nyc living, edesign, small spacesComment

Welcome to The Journal

A cozy collection of stories, reflections, and inspiration for creating a life (and space) you love — one quiet moment at a time. Brew a cup, get comfortable, and stay awhile.

Talk about making use of the space you have to create the space you need!