SWEET LIFE OF A DESIGNER

Sweet life of a designer barn is the story of my life right now. Trust me, it’s not always as glamorous as it sounds! After a long day of meetings and caring for a sick kid, I finally managed to make dinner. I also filmed a quick update to share with all of you. You can catch the full barn tour and life update on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/kjAeHq2iIyc.

What’s New in the Barn?

First of all, the sweet life of a designer barn includes a lot of construction dust these days! Right now, my house is completely filled with supplies waiting for their forever home in the barn. This includes a stove, refrigerator, microwave, and even a toilet. It’s a bit like living in a storage unit!

Secondly, I’m excited to share that vinyl paneling is officially up! This not only looks great but also helps soundproof the barn so I can work and create in peace. Plus, all the piping has been installed in the bathroom, so we are making progress — even if slower than I hoped.

Additionally, the lights are now installed, giving the barn a much more finished feel when you walk through. Some areas of the ceiling also have drywall completed — both on the bottom level and the attic ceiling. Still, there’s plenty of drywall left to hang, so that’s next on our list.

Beautiful View & What’s Left to Do

Also, one of my favorite parts of the barn is the attic window, which has an amazing view of the mountains. Every time I look out, I get a burst of creative inspiration — it’s such a peaceful spot.

However, even though we had hoped to have the barn completed by March 1, 2025, there are still some key pieces left unfinished. The bathroom isn’t done, and we are waiting on electrical work, flooring, and baseboards to be installed.

Real Talk: The Sweet Life of a Designer Barn

The sweet life of a designer barn comes with delays and challenges. However, I’m still so grateful for how far we’ve come. Soon, this barn will be a creative haven — but for now, it’s a good reminder that every big dream takes time (and a lot of patience).

If you want to see all these updates and walk through the barn with me, watch the full YouTube video here: https://youtu.be/kjAeHq2iIyc. I’d love for you to join me on this journey. Come see the process behind the scenes.

Thanks for following along, and stay tuned for the next update!

Let’s Talk About 2025

The sweet life of an artist date is my focus this year. Life often feels chaotic and hectic, doesn’t it? It’s easy to lose track of time for yourself. But in 2025, I’m changing that.

I’ve started a personal endeavor called my artist date. Inspired by Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way, this weekly practice is my gift to myself. Each week, I’ll take time to explore, create, and enjoy art without any pressure or expectations.

Finding Inspiration Through Artist Dates

These artist dates are all about sparking creativity. Some weeks, I’ll try something new to challenge myself. Other times, I’ll visit a new place or experiment with a medium I’ve never used before. It could even be as simple as sketching outside in the sunshine.

This isn’t about creating something perfect or productive. It’s about reconnecting with the joy of art and letting creativity flow freely.

Kicking Off with Fresh Art

For my first artist date of 2025, I chose to make physical art. As a designer, I spend a lot of time creating digital work. My usual projects are large and often time-sensitive, leaving little room for experimentation or long-term endeavors.

This year, I’m carving out time for projects that may take weeks to complete. I’m also allowing myself to create without a clear purpose—something that feels backward to my usual approach.

Breaking My Own Rules

If you’ve taken my Design Suite program or a business class at the University of Arts & Design, you know I value purposeful creativity. For over 17 years, I’ve built my career around designs that serve meaningful goals.

But I’ve learned that stepping away from that mindset can be refreshing. Creating for joy, not purpose, helps me recharge and reignite my passion for art. It’s where new ideas form, and creativity has the freedom to breathe.

Overcoming Challenges and Perfectionism

One challenge has been letting go of perfectionism. I rely on digital tools for precise designs, and shifting to physical art feels daunting. Yet, this discomfort pushes me to grow and embrace imperfections.

In my bootcamps, I encourage others to let go of perfectionism (www.designsuitecourses.com/designbootcamp). While I’m not a perfectionist, I tend to be critical of my work. Creating physical art challenges me in new ways and helps me embrace flaws as part of the process.

Sharing Art with My Family

Another reason I love these artist dates is that I get to involve my kids. It’s a chance for us to explore creativity together, especially in ways their school might not provide. While I’m not great at structured art time, these moments nurture their imagination and ours as a family.

Pushing Boundaries in 2025

This year, I’m embracing discomfort to grow as an artist. Physical art feels unfamiliar and messy compared to digital work, but it’s worth the effort. For fine artists who avoid digital creation, I’d suggest trying the thing that feels most uncomfortable—it’s often where growth happens.

Watch my full episode on YouTube to see how I’m embracing the Sweet Life of A Designer: https://youtu.be/N80iGEISJIc

It’s 2025, and I’m excited to share something new: building my new barn designer office! This year, I want to pull back the curtain and let you see what it’s like to be a designer, CEO, artist, and creator. Along the way, you’ll meet my team, experience the challenges, and enjoy the sweet moments of my journey.

To kick things off, I’m thrilled to show you a project that’s been in the works throughout 2024: transforming my backyard into a brand-new workspace.

The New Barn Designer Office

I can’t wait to reveal the details of my new barn designer office! This project has been a dream for years. When I started as a designer, my workspace was a tiny desk in my bedroom. (I even went scrolling through my old Instagram feed to find photos, but no luck!)

At the start of 2024, I hired a contractor and dove into permits. By summer, the backyard was a construction zone. We dug up the yard to run electrical and plumbing lines and moved old sheds to make room for the barn.

Getting Started

Early on, we poured concrete for the foundation. I also decided to add an outdoor shower for the pool—a fun and practical touch. The groundwork took up most of the summer, but progress felt rewarding.

In the fall, construction on the barn began. The structure, built from a kit, measures 24 ft by 16 ft and even includes an attic area. Seeing it come to life made all the groundwork worth it.

Overcoming Delays

As with many construction projects, delays crept in. What was supposed to finish early turned into a months-long extension. Still, the excitement grew as the barn took shape. The attic, taller than expected, became a pleasant surprise!

This project is far from over, but I’ll keep sharing updates. I can’t wait to show you the final reveal of my new barn designer office!
Watch the full video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oTdUZLnExnM