A Lifetime in the Pacific Northwest
I consider myself lucky to have grown up in the Pacific Northwest, and when I say Pacific Northwest, I mean a little island in the middle of the Puget Sound. Vashon Island was my home for the first 18 years of my life.
My mom and dad were both active individuals with a love for the outdoors, which meant that my brother and I were constantly immersed in nature. Our vacations consisted of backpacking, hiking, and kayaking trips along the Washington Coast, Olympic Peninsula, and San Juan Islands. Looking back, I appreciate the way my parents chose to raise us, as it has given me a true love for the area we live in.
At a very early age, I was also exposed to interior design and contract work. My stepfather was a general contractor, specializing in finish carpentry, and as a family, he, my mom, my brother, and I built our dream home on the south end of the island. Although my mom eventually decided to sell the home and relocate off the island, I still enjoy the occasional visit, admiring our vision and handiwork.
By the age of 18, Vashon began to feel a little cramped, and I headed off to Southern California, where I completed my undergrad work. During my final college term, I was afforded the opportunity to study abroad in Mallorca, Spain. There, I fell in love with the people, culture, food, and especially the architecture of Madrid.
Although I felt more at home in California than Washington, I migrated back north to be closer to family. Portland seemed like a nice in-between: accessible to family, while maintaining my independence; a beautiful landscape, similar to the Puget Sound area; and a slightly more forgiving climate. For the past ten years, I’ve considered Portland my home. Here, I’ve completed a master’s degree, refined my love and passion for interior design and contract work, and established a wonderful community of family and friends. It’s my hope to continue to enjoy the outdoors, further my skill set in interior design, and remain accessible to my incredible community.