MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY

Planting the Seeds

My connection to both the natural world and the built environment has been a part of me from a very early age. I grew up in a charming one-story 1920s bungalow, filled with the warm, inviting elements typical of homes from that era—beautiful wood beams and built-ins that reflected the craftsmanship of the time. Nestled in the middle of a quiet street in small-town Iowa, this was the home where I spent my first 18 years, in a town where both my parents grew up and my grandparents lived.

This town and home were more than just a backdrop to my childhood; they were deeply connected to the essence of my family. My father and paternal grandfather were both natural creators, each with woodworking shops in their basements. I spent countless hours watching them work, absorbing the rhythms and intricacies of their craft. In a similar fashion, my mother and grandmothers embodied the art of caregiving, effortlessly tending to their families (though I now know better how much effort and sacrifice that truly required). My grandmother, in particular, was ahead of her time when it came to food. I recall accompanying her to farmers' co-ops and listening to her passionate lectures on the importance of nutrition. She even tried to convince me that carob-coated raisins were better than milk chocolate-covered ones, a notion I laugh at now.

These early experiences, shared with my family and their unique crafts, planted the seeds for my lifelong appreciation of design, craftsmanship, and the joy of creating something with your hands.

Establishing Roots

Despite my natural inclinations toward architecture and design, I initially chose a different path. After high school, I pursued a degree in Business Management at Central College in Pella, Iowa. Reflecting on that decision now, I realize I was drawn to the structured, measurable world of business—seeking safety in a field far removed from the uncertainties of creativity.

The highlight of my four years at this small liberal arts college (aside from the meaningful friendships I made) was my junior year semester abroad in London, England. That semester opened my eyes to some of the world’s most extraordinary architecture—buildings and structures that could never be replicated in the United States. From Westminster Abbey and Durham Castle in England to La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and the Louvre Museum in Paris, I was in awe of the craftsmanship and history around me. Yet, it wasn’t just the architecture that captured my heart; the landscapes were equally breathtaking. I fell deeply in love with the Highlands of Scotland, spending several days on the Isle of Skye and immersing myself in the rural life of highlanders. This experience also reignited my passion for the mountains, especially when I met extended family from ancestral lands bordering France and Switzerland.

Growing and Changing

After graduation, I began my career at Principal Financial Group in Des Moines, Iowa, where I lived for a couple of years, before moving to Colorado and accepting a roll with MetLife. Shortly after moving to Colorado, I became fascinated by a master-planned community being developed on the site of the old Denver "Stapleton" Airport, now known as the Central Park neighborhood. The combination of mixed-use spaces, green areas, and a neighborhood plan designed to foster connection ignited an interest in the field of urban planning and design. This interest ultimately led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Colorado, which I pursued in the evenings, while continuing to work full-time at MetLife.

A month after completing my degree, I became a mother, which significantly shifted my priorities. I soon realized I couldn’t "do it all"—at least, not all at once—and had to make sacrifices. The financial reality of urban planning roles didn’t match the salary I had grown accustomed to in the finance industry, so I chose to return to a corporate role, at Janus Capital Group.

During my time at Janus Capital Group, I became a mother a second time and also slowly began reconnecting with my creativity and passion for design. This period marked the beginning of a new chapter when I had the opportunity to collaborate with Redeux Developments, a custom homebuilder in Denver. Over the next two years, I moonlighted with Redeux as an in-house designer and selections coordinator for their spec homes. At the end of 2015, after almost a decade at Janus, I made the decision to leave my corporate job and focus entirely on design. I founded my own company, Urban Selections & Design, and continued to work with Redeux, where I quickly began working with all of their clients, from custom homes to pop-top additions and historical renovations. In this role I was often involved in design, space planning as well as managing all finish selections, from budget to vendor relationships to communication with project managers. The hands-on nature of this work, combined with my passion for design, was deeply fulfilling. My time in the residential construction industry was a stark contrast to my corporate background, but I learned quickly and deeply enjoyed many aspects of the work.

Weathering the Storm

In 2017, due to my father in law's diagnosis of Alzheimer's, my family and I made the decision to leave Denver, moving to West Des Moines, Iowa where we would be closer to family. This decision wasn’t easy, as I had built a life in Denver and leaving meant leaving behind my support network as well as a design career I had just begun. However, it was the right choice for my family, and another adventure began. In Iowa, my husband and I purchased a home on a two-acre property close to town and embarked on a whole house remodel. This project rekindled my passion for design, as I once again worked on a space that was deeply personal to me. The project was a success, although not without it's challenges along the way.

During this time, we also faced some unexpected financial stress, which led to my decision to return to the financial industry—back to Principal Financial Group, the company where my career had first begun. Looking back, I now realize that this abrupt return to an industry I had longed to escape from became the catalyst for some of the darkest moments of my life. Anxiety and depression began to cloud my days, leaving me feeling lost and overwhelmed. However, in the midst of these challenges, I found solace in nature. I spent countless hours on my back deck, surrounded by towering oak and maple trees, allowing the stillness of the natural world to quiet my mind. These moments in nature became a sanctuary, offering me the space to reflect on the interconnectedness of all things. In hindsight, I now recognize this period as the beginning of what I call my "unbecoming"—a time of shedding the old layers of self that no longer served me.

Replanting

In 2019, my family and I made the decision to return to Denver, settling once again in the Central Park neighborhood, though this time in a different home and part of the community. Since our return, I’ve had the opportunity to lead several whole-house remodel projects, acting as the lead designer and selections coordinator. I’ve collaborated closely with my husband on some projects, and with a local developer on others, each experience expanding my expertise and design perspective.

In addition to these projects, I spent two years working at a local showroom, where I served as both a designer and sales consultant, specializing in cabinetry, countertops, and tile materials for home remodels.