with love, from whitman

Hello there, and thank you for stopping by my digital doorstep. I'd love to welcome you in, hug you and share a cup of my favorite tea. Since it is likely our first meeting, I think it's best we start at the beginning.

I've moved through the world with an interest in interiors for as long as I can remember. My childhood bedroom was my expression through sponge paint and glow-in-the-dark stars. My college dorm room (or at least my half) was perfectly color-coordinated, and I was fortunate to have agreeable roommates in early adulthood. When I eventually co-habited with my partner, funds were tight since the economy had barely rebounded from the Great Recession. Our first home was an assortment of thrifted finds, DIY projects, and circular-economy scores.

We purchased our first home, and I mean, my partner purchased an "investment" home while I was out of town. He then informed me he spent more than planned, so we needed to move into the intended flip instead of renewing our lease on the quintessential Craftsman we were renting.

Less than a week later, my father unexpectedly passed away before closing the property, so I didn't see it in person until we got the keys. My jaw dropped when my partner proudly took me to our new home.

I was horrified.

Dumbfounded.

Overwhelmed even.

The 1901 Craftsman charm was buried so deeply under layers and layers of poor homeowner decisions I couldn't see then what she is now. We named the home Whitman, and the early months were spent clearing away strange enclosures over the front porch, demo-ing the serial-killer style basement apartment, and painting the interior back to neutral. We would eventually rent Whitman out, only to move back in, complete a full "Money Pit" style renovation and launch our first two-unit short-term rental. Whitman helped me uncover my creative vision, challenge my thinking, and test my skills (as well as my relationship). The would-be flip became the foundation of our investment portfolio, and I will forever be grateful to my partner for recognizing potential when he sees it.

It is extraordinary to be sharing the story of Whitman with you. In a few short days, we will be handing the keys to her new owners, a family of five, who will soon be filling her rooms with laughter and fun. Her teachings, both easy and challenging, have paved the way for the designer I am today. As I prepare to bid her a final farewell, I cannot help but be humbled to have been part of her stewardship team.

Now onward, there are more diamonds in the rough waiting to be transformed.

Coco