Designing WithPurposeAndProof
We create wellness-focused, research-driven spaces that blend science, sustainability, and design to enhance well-being and comfort.
Services
Research & Evidence-Based Design
Specialized offerings designed to attract developers, architects, and organizations seeking a data-driven approach to design.
Evidence-Based Design Consulting
Leveraging research to optimize interior and architectural designs for health, well-being, and functionality.
Programming and Space Analysis
Conducting in-depth assessments and conceptual layouts informed by human-centered design principles and environmental quality research.
Post-Occupancy Evaluations
Evaluating and refining completed spaces to ensure they meet performance and user satisfaction goals.
Sustainability Consulting
Integrating WELL, LEED, and Living Building Challenge principles into projects to create sustainable, health-focused environments.
Grant Writing and Compliance Assistance
Helping secure funding for sustainable projects.
Commercial Design
Tailored for developers, businesses, and organizations, with a focus on creating distinctive, functional, and research-driven spaces.
Multifamily Housing Design
Comprehensive design for luxury apartments, condominiums, and co-ops, blending thoughtful layouts and finishes with a focus on community and well-being.
Hospitality and Mixed-Use Spaces
Designing cohesive interiors for med-spas, boutique hotels, and retail spaces, combining luxury and functionality with an emphasis on creating memorable user experiences.
Healthy and Productive Workplaces
Applying evidence-based design principles and place attachment theory to craft workplaces that inspire productivity, foster connection, and support employee well-being.
FF&E Specification and Procurement
Curating furniture, fixtures, and equipment tailored to the specific needs of each project, ensuring durability, comfort, and style.
Outdoor and Recreational Spaces
Designing outdoor living areas, community plazas, or recreational facilities that integrate seamlessly with their surroundings and enhance usability.
Collaboration with Architects and Contractors
Partnering seamlessly with design and construction teams to bring projects to life, ensuring innovative solutions and alignment with financial goals.
High-End Residential Design
Crafting bespoke, luxurious interiors for primary residences, second homes, and clients transitioning to new spaces.
Interior Renovation and Upgrades
Transforming builder-grade finishes and fixtures into elevated, custom interiors. Specializing in enhancing existing homes and second properties with timeless, stylish updates.
Furniture and Moving Plan
Assisting clients in creating furniture layouts and transition plans, particularly for those downsizing from single-family homes into condos.
Relocation and Second Home Design
Providing tailored design solutions for out-of-state clients relocating to Minnesota or creating a second home. I blend personal style with regional charm, offering climate-adaptive designs, virtual consultations, and curated furnishings to make the transition seamless.
Custom Furnishings and Draperies
Offering expert guidance in selecting and ordering custom furniture and draperies to achieve a personalized, cohesive design.
Color Palette and FF&E Master Plans
Developing comprehensive color palettes and furnishing plans to guide the entire design process, ensuring harmony and balance in every detail.
Decluttering and Organization
Helping clients curate their spaces with an approach that prioritizes thoughtful editing and organization, inspired by principles of mindful living.
Sourcing Art, Furniture, and Accessories
Assisting clients in finding the perfect pieces to complete their spaces, including furniture, accessories, and art that align with their aesthetic.
Specialized Services
Providing unique, tailored services to meet diverse client needs.
brand-aligned commercial Services
Helping businesses and developers craft interiors that reflect their brand identity and values.
Daylighting and environmental analysis
Incorporating tools like sun path diagrams, wind roses, and walkability studies into design strategies.
Community Impact Assessments
Ensuring that commercial developments contribute positively to the surrounding environment and community.
Boutique Hospitality Spaces
Designing unique, intimate spaces like boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, and med-spas that provide unforgettable guest experiences.
Specialty and Recreational Spaces
Creating designs for distilleries, breweries, or unique spaces
Retail and Showrooms
Developing high-impact designs for retail spaces, pop-up shops, and showrooms that elevate brand presence and customer experience.
Tiny Homes and ADUs
Designing efficient, stylish small-scale homes or accessory dwelling units that maximize livability and charm.
Short-Term and Vacation Rentals
Crafting unique, Instagram worthy interiors for Airbnb and short-term rental properties to maximize bookings and guest satisfaction.
Unique Approach
While the end result is always a beautifully designed space, it’s the process that sets my work apart. From the first conversation to the final walkthrough, I take a thoughtful, methodical approach to understanding your needs, habits, and aspirations. This includes:
Discovery and Planning
Residential Design: In-depth consultations to learn your lifestyle, goals, and the unique challenges of your space. Commercial & Multifamily Design: Strategic planning that aligns design with user needs, brand identity, and financial objectives.
Concept Development
Evidence-based research paired with creative vision to develop tailored design solutions.
Implementation and Evaluation
I blend sustainability, human-centered design, and environmental quality metrics to create spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful. By gathering user feedback and analyzing performance data, I refine designs to continually support health, productivity, and success.
Research
Published Work
Upcoming book
Building, A Relationship – A deep dive into place attachment, duality of environments, and their influence on identity and well-being.
Can Buildings Make Teachers Leave? The Complex Relationship Between Teachers and Their School Building: From an Interior Designer’s Perspective
Investigates how school environments influence teacher retention and professional satisfaction. (Leadership and Policy in Schools, 2024)
Breathing Uneasily: Employees’ Stories of Coping With Poor Indoor Air Quality in the Workplace
Examines the personal experiences of employees navigating workplace air quality challenges. (HERD: Health Environments Research & Design, 2024)
COVID-19 and the Adoption of Wellness Themes in Interior Design Education.
Stafford, G. E., Carter, H. C., Cole, L. B., Loraas, D. M., & Gulwadi, G. B. (2023). COVID-19 and the Adoption of Wellness Themes in Interior Design Education. Journal of Interior Design, 48(3), 45-61.
Toxic Schools? Teacher Perceptions of Indoor Air Quality and Negative Place Attachment (2022)
Explores how poor indoor air quality affects teacher well-being and workplace attachment.
Research in Practice
By merging research and design, I ensure that every space I create is not only aesthetically compelling but also grounded in scientific principles and real-world usability. Evidence-based design is at the core of my practice. I integrate data-driven insights into:
- Post-occupancy evaluations to measure the success of designed spaces.
- Daylighting and indoor environmental studies to enhance comfort and sustainability.
- Human-centered design solutions that support physical and emotional well-being.
- User research through surveys, focus groups, and interviews to uncover behavioral patterns and preferences.
- Ethnographic studies to observe how people interact with and move through spaces in real-world settings.
Ongoing Research
I actively engage in research collaborations that examine how design impacts well-being, including:
- SHAPE Study (Spatial Habits Advance Personal Excellence)
- Investigating how elementary school environments affect student wellness in collaboration with the University of Oklahoma.
- Editorial Contributions
- Associate Editorial Board Member: Journal of Architectural and Planning Research (APR)
Projects
Commercial, retail, and hospitality environments
Featured in: DNT, Howie Hanson, and Star Tribune
