I was born in Chicago, raised in the Midwest, and studied creative writing and journalism at the University of Iowa. I was quickly immersed in Southern culture when I moved to Birmingham, Alabama, and became a writer and editor for Southern Accents Magazine at Time Warner. The lavish interiors and grand architecture of the region inspired me to study interior design while working as an editor.
Today I am a lifestyle journalist, editor, brand strategist, and communications specialist with more than 25 years of experience managing and producing content for magazines, books, digital, television, and sales/marketing/PR assets. I am honored to put my skills to work creating lifestyle content for Lake Homes Realty and its ever-growing sister brands including Beach-Homes Realty and Mountain Homes Realty.
St-Germain has quietly become one of the most reliable bottles behind a well-appointed coastal bar. Launched in 2007 by distiller Robert Cooper, the French elderflower liqueur helped redefine modern cocktail culture with its light, aromatic profile. Historically speaking, its name …
Beachcombing along the Gulf Coast offers a distinct experience shaped by calm waters, expansive shorelines, and a surprising abundance of natural detail. For coastal enthusiasts, the Gulf presents a more measured rhythm than the Atlantic—gentler tides, warmer breezes, and long …
Outdoor living continues to evolve in 2026. Coastal homeowners across the U.S. are embracing relaxed, design-forward spaces that blur the line between indoors and out. This year’s trending outdoor décor styles lean into organic modernism, coastal minimalism, and layered natural textures. …
Designing a small bedroom or guest room in a coastal home has always required a careful balance between comfort, restraint, and utility—but in 2026, that balance is becoming more intentional. Across U.S. coastal regions—from the breezy Upper East to the …
If you own a coastal home, you know landscaping is as much about resilience as it is about aesthetics. A rock garden—often called a rockery—leans into coastal conditions. It uses stone, gravel, and a restrained mix of plants to create …
Designing a garden along the coast requires a different mindset than inland planting. Between salt spray, sandy soils, high winds, and intense sun exposure, coastal environments present a unique set of challenges that can quickly overwhelm less resilient plantings. Yet …
Transforming a coastal patio or porch for spring is less about seasonal décor and more about recalibration. Winter along the water—whether it’s a nor’easter in the Upper East, salt-heavy winds in the Southeast, or relentless rain in the Pacific Northwest—leaves …
Faced with intensifying climate pressures, fragile coastlines, and a growing desire for lower-impact living, architects are rethinking what it means to build by the sea. Coastal homes today are no longer simply glass boxes positioned for a view. Instead, they …
For coastal homeowners, pets are woven into the daily rhythm of beach walks, dockside mornings, and sandy returns at sunset. As residential design continues to evolve toward lifestyle-driven planning, the at-home pet spa has become less of a novelty. It …
Designing a kitchen for a coastal or beach home requires a different level of rigor than renovating inland. Salt air corrodes, humidity lingers, storms disrupt schedules, and many coastal properties—from Upper East shingle-style houses to contemporary California retreats—operate as seasonal …
