Welcome to The Journal

A cozy collection of stories, reflections, and inspiration for creating a life (and space) you love — one quiet moment at a time. Brew a cup, get comfortable, and stay awhile.

House or Home?

We’ve all heard the adage, “home is where the heart is”, and I don’t know anyone who’s ever disputed that to be true.

So besides “the heart” what makes a home, a home?

What does that even mean? Okay let’s think about it this way…

Have you ever gone to someone’s house and it’s simply beautiful? It’s so beautiful, it’s breathtaking? Yet it didn’t feel “homey”? Well that’s the difference right there — a house is a structure; walls, beams, paint, fixtures, etc; a home, however, is much more than that…

Home isn't a place; it's a feeling.

It's where we love, create memories, laugh endlessly, and build relationships.

Vibe CheckAlbie KnowsSeptember 14, 2017creative entrepreneurs, my homeComment

Elegant Boho Living Room

The foundation was already laid with a new sofa & rug, however, we needed to break up all that gray; so I created a design, anchored by those gray tones & featuring organic fibers & metallic accents for a cozy & eclectic setting. By introducing woods, leathers, and other natural materials, we would make the space feel pulled together & inviting, while still maintaining a modern appeal with clean silhouettes. As we worked through this design & brought this mood board to life, we were ultimately able to create the perfect setting for relaxing, working, and entertaining.

Watchlist, StudioAlbie KnowsSeptember 11, 2017nyc living, edesign, small spaces, shoppingComment

5 Steps To... Love Your Space

Most people have no problem celebrating love and milestones in their relationships... Valentine's Day and anniversaries get recognized, yet most of us don't give a first, second, or third thought to loving up our homes. Now, yes, we may decorate, but what are we really doing to show the place we live, rest, and spend our lives that same love we show to the people in our lives. Here are my 5 ways you can love your space every day.

Watchlist, Vibe CheckAlbie KnowsSeptember 7, 2017design therapy, design intensive, style quiz, free resource, self care, edesign, small spacesComment

August Favorites in Design, Biz, and Motherhood

Another month gone! It's funny how, as I evolve as a person, it manifests in all the different areas of my life. For example, I resolved not too long ago to go through life with a more grateful spirit, really taking stock of my blessings & victories, big & small. At the top of the year I'd even started a gratitude & happiness board (although I haven't kept up as I should) where at the end of each day, I'd write down on a post thought 1 thing that happened that day that made me happy or that I was thankful for -- everything from a new amazon package to a new client. I've decided to take it a step further, and now, at the end of every month, I'm going to share with you a round up of things that brought me happiness, clarity, and peace -- one for each day of the month -- in hopes that they'll do the same for you.

Watchlist, Vibe CheckAlbie KnowsSeptember 1, 2017favorites, west coast transplant, design intensive, summertime, youtube, coming soon, mompreneur, shoppingComment

Why I Don't Haul... And You Probably Shouldn't Either

By definition, when you really think about it, even the idea of hauling for the home can be dangerous! A bit dramatic but still true. Hauling almost instinctively triggers impulse buying which can result in buyers remorse. No one wants to bring home a crap-ton of stuff, only to feel like crap about it later. I don't know about you, but I don't like returning ANYTHING much less an online and/or large purchase.

Everyone has their own of executing (and showing off) a haul but there are a few things that all hauls will (or should) have in common. For me, these end up being reasons that hauls and I just aren't a right fit.

Watchlist, Vibe CheckAlbie KnowsAugust 31, 2017design therapy, favorites, small spaces, shoppingComment

Outdoor Space & Patio Refresh

The client was looking for help with layout and furniture selection for the outdoor patio; and hoping to incorporate an eating area, with some casual seating if possible.

Watchlist, Look BookAlbie KnowsAugust 21, 2017outdoor, summertime, west coast transplant, dining room, youtube, nyc living, edesign, shoppingComment

5 Tips For Decorating a Rental

Whenever the debate of renting versus owning comes up, one of the biggest points of differentiation is how much you can do with your home -- home owners LOVE to remind renters of what they can't do to elevate the design in their rental. As a lifelong renter, I promise you there are so many options available to you, if you know where to look. Good interior design isn't limited to home renovations, so let's talk about 5 quick and easy ways you can step it up in your rental.

Watchlist, Look BookAlbie KnowsAugust 17, 2017lighting, wallpaper, shopping, reversible designComment

New York City To Hong Kong Living Room & Home Office (Guest Bedroom) Design

One of the biggest reasons I began to really started doing online design was the fact that I'd be able to reach people I'd otherwise never have access to and in the past year, I've worked on so many projects throughout the country. When I initially got the brief for this project, I read their location -- NYC -- and said, "Oh cool, someone from back home" (because I'm geeky & weird like that); silly me for thinking that's where the design was actually located...

Watchlist, Look BookAlbie KnowsAugust 14, 2017international design, nyc living, edesign, small spacesComment

Target's Pillowfort Collection

Whenever I'm in Target, I make a point of walking by the home section, even if what I'm there for as nothing to do with home, much to the chagrin of my husband. My local target has a fairly large home section smack in the middle of everything so that makes it easy, and one of the feature displays is this amazing teepee by Pillowfort. Every time I see it I get all the feels and I start imagining my daughter in her "big girl" room (and of course I start designing said room in my head, with this teepee).

Vibe Check, The EditAlbie KnowsAugust 13, 2017target, shopping, mompreneur, favorites

What I Won't Be Doing On Youtube

Most people on YouTube who are into home decor & interior design (translation: my people) expect to see very specific content; so it stands to reason, as an interior stylists & designer, they're expecting to see that from me. Please don't. So what are the 5 things that most home decor enthusiasts are typically looking for on YouTube that I just won't do?

Watchlist, Vibe CheckAlbie KnowsAugust 10, 2017youtube, west coast transplant, shoppingComment

Interior Design 101

What's supposed to be a fun & inspiring experience can easily and quickly turn into an anxiety attack in the making. But I don't say any of this to scare you -- actually the opposite. So often armed with their Pinterest boards & favorite HGTV episodes, people dive head first into designing & decorating their space. No plan. No strategy. And that's where things can go really wrong, really fast.

Albie KnowsAugust 8, 2017design therapyComment

Organic Glam Dining Room 2D & 3D Design

Working on this dining room, from beginning to end, definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone & challenged me because I hadn't necessarily encountered a client with this aesthetic before... much less 2.

What was a design that I'd originally intended to submit for a 3rd party project bid -- but didn't -- turned out being the exact inspiration someone else needed, helping them arrive at their exact style & aesthetic.

Look BookAlbie KnowsAugust 7, 2017dining room, youtube, nyc living, edesign, mompreneur, small spaces, shoppingComment

Where Art & Interior Design Come Together: Hannah Lowe Corman Partnership

Now y'all already know my feelings on aesthetic & well-being, so I am always looking for ways to bring feelings of happiness & balance alive through my designs for my clients. That's exactly what Hannah Lowe Corman's art is all about -- creating art that inspires tranquility & peace -- so meeting her was almost like kismet.

Vibe CheckAlbie KnowsAugust 6, 2017artwork, national friendship day, mompreneur, sponsored postComment

8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Decorating or Designing Your Space

If you're that design enthusiast who isn't afraid to tackle your own decorating and/or designing, I want to remind you that there are certain things you still want to keep top of mind before jumping head first into creating your "dreamscape". Here's a compilation of some questions you absolutely should ask yourself before ever tackling a decorating or design project...

WatchlistAlbie KnowsAugust 4, 2017youtube, design intensive, free resource, design therapyComment

Home Makeovers: Basement Apartment

Vibe CheckAlbie KnowsAugust 3, 2017bathroom, renovation

July Favorites in Design, Biz, and Motherhood

Another month gone! It's funny how, as I evolve as a person, it manifests in all the different areas of my life. For example, I resolved not too long ago to go through life with a more grateful spirit, really taking stock of my blessings & victories, big & small. At the top of the year I'd even started a gratitude & happiness board (although I haven't kept up as I should) where at the end of each day, I'd write down on a post thought 1 thing that happened that day that made me happy or that I was thankful for -- everything from a new amazon package to a new client. I've decided to take it a step further, and now, at the end of every month, I'm going to share with you a round up of things that brought me happiness, clariity, and peace -- one for each day of the month -- in hopes that they'll do the same for you.

WatchlistAlbie KnowsAugust 2, 2017favorites, west coast transplant, design intensive, summertime, youtube, coming soon, mompreneur, shoppingComment

Cozy Chic Beauty Room 3D Design

There are YouTube "beauty gurus" have built brands from sharing their wealth of makeup knowledge and although that isn't my particular jam, I am here for ALL OF IT. So when this next client reached out to me to create their beauty room, to help grow their brand, I'm not ashamed to say I squealed with excitement.

Watchlist, Look BookAlbie KnowsJuly 31, 2017youtube, beauty room, nyc living, edesign, small spacesComment

Where Design and Dressing Collide: My Take on Retail Spaces

The highlight of my experience with L&W, however, was when I was asked to submit a piece for their blog, featuring my insights on where merchandising meets design. Go back in time with me and see what 10 years of visual merchandising and just over a year of interior design had taught me? Full piece HERE.

Vibe CheckAlbie KnowsJuly 27, 2017visual merchandisingComment

My Story in 2017

I'm excited for the journey ahead because I'm defining my path in a way that feels good versus a way that simply looks good -- the irony. I can't lie -- it's been super hard balancing my 8 million ideas, my responsibilities as a mom & wife, going back to school... ALL on top of the business. I got a little fatigued just typing that all out. Sheesh! But I can see, even though I've been probably the most exhausted I've ever been in life, I am also probably the most inspired I've been in a very very long time!

Vibe CheckAlbie KnowsJuly 26, 2017mompreneurComment

How I Created My First Home Office Back in New York City

Aside from needing a place for work, working from home with a newborn baby, I needed some semblance of order and normalcy, and a work space was critical in creating that. I see this come up A LOT where entrepreneurs, especially, get it in their head that they need huge amount of space or a dedicated room for their office. Add a child to that equation, and the thinking is that any additional space should be for the tots, as though wanting that spapce for yourself makes you selfish. Lies & fibulations!

Look BookAlbie KnowsJuly 20, 2017home officeComment