I was born in Jamaica and raised by my grandparents until the passing of my grandfather, after which I migrated to the US. As a child, I enjoyed watching educational how-to and home-improvement shows on TV. Though these shows seemed like worlds away from my reality, I enjoyed learning the right way of doing things and being raised by an old Jamaican grandma, matters of the house were what I gravitated to.  The idea of a “designer” home seemed out of reach – a luxury when housing and basic furnishings were more of a need. Still, I was a little sponge soaking up info, for what I wasn't sure at the time; but would later be revealed.

A pivotal moment came in my teenage years when we had a chance for a fresh start with the purchase of a new home. The house was a fixer-upper, but it had potential. My mother paid a contractor to renovate the house; instead, he demolished everything and left the job incomplete. With no means to fix or continue the work, we had to put up with a barely livable house. The TV home dream was shattered.

This disappointment and the feeling of just existing in a space were not ones I wanted to experience again, so as an adult I was determined to take control and create the environment that felt like home, wherever that was. In the apartments I shared with my husband, I tapped into all the design knowledge I absorbed as a child. I painted walls, refinished furniture, and added personal touches, transforming the space into a home that we felt good in and that would be welcoming and comfortable for others. This environment sparked togetherness, entertaining, and celebrations … at home. Friends and family admired the work done and encouraged me to expand past my home, and so I did.

The purchase of our first home was an opportunity to turn my passion into a career. The house was a fixer-upper that we would renovate and use as my design and construction portfolio. We completed most of the construction ourselves and hired out for specialized tasks. However, after experiencing setbacks with contractors, I realized there was a need for quality construction services and I wanted to provide that to my clients—one rooted in reliability and expertise. This desire led me to deepen my construction knowledge through an apprenticeship with This Old House, the multi-Emmy-winning home improvement TV show; I eventually became a producer on the show.

This invaluable experience allowed me to be part of high-quality projects and learn from some of the best and most trusted in the industry. Now, after years behind the scenes, I am committed to bringing that expertise, and applying the skills and insights gained to help others realize their best homes.