Jen's Musings | September 2025
A monthly letter from the studio — a thoughtful way to share recent finds, glimpses behind the process, and sources of inspiration.
In the Studio
As summer slips behind us after Labor Day, I find myself leaning into the incoming fall. This season always feels like a time of renesting. I love using this time to refresh the spaces we live in, even in small ways. While it’s too late to begin a large-scale project before the holidays, there’s still room for meaningful updates: perhaps a powder room with new wallpaper and a striking mirror, or layering fresh textiles and accessories in living spaces to capture the warmth of the season ahead.
Design is often about these seasonal shifts — the small gestures that invite comfort and renewal.
On a personal note, you’ll notice a new headshot here. It felt like the right time to refresh not just my spaces, but how I show up, too. Just as our homes evolve with the seasons, so do we. And this photo feels like a reflection of where I am in my work and creative journey right now
What I’m Loving Right Now
Generational Living Concepts. Touring the Portland Metro Street of Dreams this month, I was especially taken by a home designed intentionally for four generations. The challenge and beauty of creating spaces that are both separate and together resonates with me. It’s a design philosophy that considers accessibility, safety, and shared community across all ages.
Handcrafted Wallcoverings. De Gournay’s murals from historical scenes to chinoiserie and even hand embroidery continue to take my breath away. They remind me how a single wall can tell a story and elevate an entire home.
Unexpected Finishes. I recently saw wallpaper finished with high-gloss shellac. It is a fresh twist that adds depth and sheen to a beloved pattern. It’s a reminder that sometimes the magic is in the layer we didn’t initially imagine.
A Detail Worth Sharing
This month, I’ve been reflecting on how seasonal décor changes often serve as a quiet design detail in themselves. When a living room shifts with autumn — richer textures, layered throws, perhaps candlelight on the mantel — it doesn’t just change the look of the space. It changes the way we inhabit it. These subtle shifts remind me that design details don’t always have to be structural. Sometimes, they’re the everyday choices that allow us to experience our homes differently.
Inspired By
Fall in Oregon is an inspiration all its own. A visit to San Juan Dahlias, open through September 28, offers a kaleidoscope of blooms to spark ideas for next year’s plantings. Weekend corn mazes and pumpkin harvest festivals — from Sauvie’s Island to Woodburn — celebrate the abundance of the season and remind us of the value of supporting local farmers. Even community events like Birch Community Services’ quirky car show, complete with raffle bingo, spark creativity through their spirit of gathering.
Looking ahead to October, I’m also inspired by the upcoming Art Harvest Studio Tours in Yamhill County — a perfect blend of original art, conversations with makers, and a touch of wine country beauty.
Until Next Time
As the season turns, I’m reminded that inspiration is everywhere — in the petals of a dahlia, the patina of handcrafted wallpaper, or the sounds of fun echoing through a corn maze. Thank you for being here and for sharing in these moments of design, discovery, and community.