The Journal
Thinking out loud.
On design, materials, place, and the particular way homes shape the people who live in them.
August 5, 2026
HVAC Systems Explained: A Homeowner's Guide to Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation
A plain-language comparison of the primary residential HVAC systems -- forced air, radiant, mini-splits, geothermal, and…
Read →
July 31, 2026
Cost of Interior Design in Upstate New York (2026)
What it actually costs to work with an interior designer in Upstate New York — hourly rates, project bands, pricing mode…
Read →
July 29, 2026
What Good Millwork Actually Costs and Why It's Worth It
There is a moment in almost every renovation budget conversation where the millwork line item becomes the target. The pr…
Read →
July 8, 2026
ERV Systems: The Invisible Upgrade That Changes How Your Home Feels
There is a particular kind of fatigue that sets in around February in a Northeast home. The air has been recirculating f…
Read →
July 1, 2026
A Designer's Guide to Tile: Materials, Shapes, and Where to Use Them
Tile is one of the most consequential decisions in any renovation or new build. It sets the tone of a kitchen, defines t…
Read →
June 17, 2026
Eco-Friendly Home Materials: From Hemp and Reclaimed Wood to Mycelium and Biocement
Every material in your home has a story. Where it came from, what it cost the earth to produce, how it was processed and…
Read →
June 3, 2026
Why the Hudson Valley Is One of the Most Interesting Places to Design Right Now
I grew up in the Berkshires. Living in a particular way that shapes how you see the landscape for the rest of your life.…
Read →
May 27, 2026
Embodied Carbon vs. Operational Carbon: What Every Homeowner Should Know Before They Build
When most people think about the environmental impact of their home, they think about energy bills. The electricity it c…
Read →The Curio Club
A weekly letter from Savannah — on design, materials, and the work of living well.