https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal daily 0.75 2026-09-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/b6515bc0-6957-480d-9543-af70b23b5744/functional-nest-mill-pond-living-room-04.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787672733357-BQ2RNZWGO8SK5090MINE/functional-nest-mill-pond-laundry-room-01.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1e7c2a84-432f-4816-a1a2-5beaea2bb692/rachel-anderson-functional-nest-interior-designer-home-01.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/650ef44d-029c-454f-9fbb-d95c7023b01f/functional-nest-scandinavian-kitchen-10-gallery-wall.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/3ed98e67-b25a-4934-a20e-393c8e15fc20/Screenshot_30-8-2026_11323_allstora.com.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/cca78890-674e-4f9d-a9c0-3792928ca7ab/pattern-09.jpg https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/a-gallery-wall-is-more-than-framed-art monthly 0.5 2026-09-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/8bb3836b-16b0-4208-b2ca-fed768394e41/functional-nest-mill-pond-living-room-05-gallery-basket-wall.jpg The Journal - A Gallery Wall Is More Than Framed Art - Make it stand out All interiors in this story are original work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, photographed by Evernew. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/897ae170-f35f-41cd-80c2-dc84798f39e4/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-02.jpg The Journal - A Gallery Wall Is More Than Framed Art - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788316790563-XBVNAZDADONSAW2Y67UE/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-04.jpg The Journal - A Gallery Wall Is More Than Framed Art https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788316819201-9IMUSJ154NYGU5FRWA78/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-07.jpg The Journal - A Gallery Wall Is More Than Framed Art https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788316786768-DJHOZ3699IEK25N4UMZP/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-14-gallery-wall.jpg The Journal - A Gallery Wall Is More Than Framed Art https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/8825ebfc-76dd-4f5d-acd9-a59215c0d48d/functional-nest-scandinavian-kitchen-10-gallery-wall.jpg The Journal - A Gallery Wall Is More Than Framed Art - FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS + LIVING GREENERY A Collection of Memories A gallery can also become a visual record of life. Family photographs are especially meaningful when they're allowed to become part of the design rather than relegated to a tabletop frame here and there or an album tucked out of sight in a cabinet. For this wall, photos from different moments and generations were gathered into a loose composition, with small wall-mounted plants breaking up the angles, adding movement and life to a static spot. Keeping a simple palette of white frames and mats atop a crisp, white wall helps the images to leap off the backdrop with personality. The result is cohesive without feeling formal. It is dynamic and playful, but there is room for the eye to rest between images. One of the best things a gallery wall can do is make the people who live there visible in their own home. And to celebrate all the changing seasons of our lives. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/308a5824-04d4-4152-b45b-46c4c385cf7e/functional-nest-mill-pond-living-room-06.jpg The Journal - A Gallery Wall Is More Than Framed Art - FOUND + COLLECTED PIECES Objects as Art The real fun in gallery wall design is thinking outside the frame. A set of objects in relation to each other creates a new form of wall art. Tilting everyday objects at a new angle brings a new point of view. Textures and patterns normally lost in a space seem to pop off a blank wall with vibrancy. How can you look at the objects or collections in your home and see them with new eyes? A set of hats displayed in harmony blends function and art. An inherited set of plates gets its moment instead of disappearing inside a cabinet. No matter what you choose—small trinkets from world travels, vintage tools that delight, or musical instruments at the ready—your favorite items can become your own personal wall of meaning and memory. Gathered together, ordinary functional objects become a sculptural installation. Before looking outside your home to fill that blank wall, try shopping what you already have to find what is worth seeing more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/8bb3836b-16b0-4208-b2ca-fed768394e41/functional-nest-mill-pond-living-room-05-gallery-basket-wall.jpg The Journal - A Gallery Wall Is More Than Framed Art - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787789097323-LE6X0GNKT23LN63FUBN9/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-11.jpg The Journal - A Gallery Wall Is More Than Framed Art - FUNCTIONAL OBJECTS A Collection with Purpose Both space saver and natural conversation starter, displaying a group of your own items as a gallery gives them new purpose. Rather than hiding this collection of guitars in a guestroom or taking up vital space on floor stands, hanging them turned something practical into a wonderful visual moment. These clients now host many lively parties where they and guests can break into music as the mood arises. When not in use, the guitars evoke nostalgic memories of gatherings of the past. They give this funky corner a function and personality a simple plant could not. On their own they are just objects, but together they tell a story about the souls who live here. Sometimes you don’t need more stuff to make a beautiful home, you simply need a way to enjoy the items you already love to the fullest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787789641790-WXM3KUY26I7FQJE7BF50/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-09.jpg The Journal - A Gallery Wall Is More Than Framed Art - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788317793413-Y4JNGB3MZJ5KZKPD8Q3H/functional-nest-flower-nursery-02.jpg The Journal - A Gallery Wall Is More Than Framed Art https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788317793286-78DTT7J25Q7E64N044M1/functional-nest-forest-nursery-03.jpg The Journal - A Gallery Wall Is More Than Framed Art https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/b8516f3b-18dd-4209-af9f-9a324f5db90a/rachel-anderson-functional-nest-interior-designer-portland-18.jpg The Journal - A Gallery Wall Is More Than Framed Art - UNIQUELY YOURS The Beauty of the Mix There really aren't rules about what belongs in a gallery. A child's drawing can hang beside an original painting. A family photograph can live next to a plant. Something inherited can sit beside something found at a flea market. A guitar can be art. A basket can be sculpture. A decal can become part of the story. With a little planning and patience, nearly any everyday item you love can be incorporated into a wall of meaning. It can be an exciting opportunity to express yourself—the things you love, the places you’ve been, the people you’ve shared life with—and to personalize your home further. They can even be designed to grow alongside you. On this expansive playroom wall, the pieces were installed from the middle out. Room remains at the top and sides for more treasures to join. The wall is a living collection that evolves along with the people around it. Acting as a personal canvas, gallery walls reflect the life we’ve lived, are living, and are building. They can hold vast meaning and be a beautiful, uplifting reflection of what you hold dear. That’s a lovely way to navigate everyday life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/b52a6db8-068d-432a-81c4-7cd11843e2eb/ChatGPT+Image+Sep+5%2C+2026%2C+08_40_06+AM.png The Journal - A Gallery Wall Is More Than Framed Art - Make it stand out Save it for later - pin this graphic for the next time you’re planning a gallery wall. https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/design-that-feels-like-a-velvet-hug monthly 0.5 2026-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/18889e9a-36c9-43b4-a4c2-4d2c1e6e8746/functional-nest-mill-pond-laundry-room-05.jpg The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug - Make it stand out All interiors in this story are of original work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, photographed by Evernew. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787781053604-PLPC4ZII6EH7G4NZT6YZ/Laundry+1.JPG The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787781069693-EAAKTCN7ODPNMYH3EMH9/Laundry+5.JPG The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787781053630-LE1JNKQEXK89ORXB7D58/Laundry+4.JPG The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/5b036416-df32-4975-9c3f-e8bbbff649aa/functional-nest-mill-pond-laundry-room-02.jpg The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug - A DEPENDABLE WORKHOUSE RETIRES From Dysfunctional to Beautifully Efficient I have to confess. Doing laundry is actually one of my top favorite chores, if not the favorite. I know not all will agree with me on this, but after several years of retail in my youth and a quaint obsession with organizing things since childhood, I have amassed some astonishing folding skills… just ask my family. For me, the process is peaceful and meditative. Often in the silence and stillness of neatly folding a pile of shirts, new ideas or distant memories bubble up. On more anxious days or when I need to pass time in anticipation, folding clothes helps to channel the extra energy and settle my mind. Given all this—and that this was my first house with a dedicated laundry room—I was intent on designing a space that felt a little unlike a traditional laundry room. One that would feel welcoming and add a magical quality to an otherwise mundane task. I guess you could say I wanted to give the room the old Mary Poppins once over. Boring chores be gone. POOF! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787793330327-TBW4BLXV5YTAI5HOL1TK/functional-nest-mill-pond-laundry-room-06.jpg The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788395024456-DFXQXWFO7G2IGGIW284F/Laundry+1.JPG The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787793481163-1DSSKAEYHR70AKWTXCS8/functional-nest-mill-pond-laundry-room-07.jpg The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788395024466-99UWIUOBR66DEGR5HV4E/Laundry+5.JPG The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788395192404-JOM0I6229VYRG96BPOFU/functional-nest-mill-pond-laundry-room-02.jpg The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788395223482-ZVUHI6HPS4TE8D8GKCIU/Laundry+3.JPG The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788395332804-OCSDVLKTC1N7XZSFC0XN/functional-nest-mill-pond-laundry-room-04.jpg The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/da89acb5-fbd5-4c02-902a-c50ecd1c9861/rachel-anderson-functional-nest-interior-designer-home-03.jpg The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug - ROOM FOR LIFE TO HAPPEN Utility Can Be Beautiful and Fun Who says hardworking rooms have to look utilitarian? Small spaces like powder baths, mudrooms, and laundry rooms are great spots to take bigger risks in your design. Make a brave color decision, splurge on a smaller scale, or try out a new finish with little worry. We kept this space affordable by shopping at a local big box store, but my one indulgence was this wall drying rack. Paying for itself in functionality alone, it had the dual benefit of looking like a piece of art above the machines, filling out this wall nicely. To the right, a block print by one of my favorite artists—Jen Ament—depicts a set of magic hands at work, adding a playful touch when life’s chores become tedious. A wheeling laundry cart adds a delightful aesthetic to the space, while also being the most fun and functional piece of decor in my home (also the fav of our cat, Otto, who can often be found napping inside). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787793794184-TIJQCLYQ61SVOY5BZ14X/rachel-anderson-functional-nest-interior-designer-home-02.jpg The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787793794071-TWD5XAXE8S9B3D45E8HJ/functional-nest-mill-pond-laundry-room-08.jpg The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/45f384fc-a74b-4dc9-a622-2b0e1f0a41cb/functional-nest-mill-pond-laundry-room-01.jpg The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/4c046e99-bbfd-47c6-82ae-d0ba0fb7eca3/functional-nest-mill-pond-laundry-room-06.jpg The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug - WRAPPED IN GREEN Playing With Color Drenching This room receives a blast of intense afternoon sun. Conventional design advice might suggest using pale colors to make a utility room feel fresh and bright, but brightness is not what this room needed. Inspired by another sunny space that I had color drenched in charcoal black, we went for a deep shade of forest green to coat not just walls, but ceiling, trim, and baseboards as well. This color drenching technique creates the feeling of being wrapped by the room when you enter. Now, as the sun moves across the south-facing window, the color changes in spectacular fashion—from rich and shadowy to warm and luminous, and then back again. What once felt harsh now feels otherworldly and magical. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788395332939-VTCKNNLPQKMP145ACGYJ/functional-nest-mill-pond-laundry-room-03.jpg The Journal - Design That Feels Like a Velvet Hug - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/a-little-more-grown-up monthly 0.5 2026-09-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787760732565-SSERLXZHSVB7672RREX2/functional-nest-mill-pond-kids-bath-05.jpg The Journal - A Little More Grown Up - Make it stand out All interiors in the story are original work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, photographed by Evernew. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787761667215-R6PVRAVI6W4YRXAZBA0O/Girls+bath+1.JPG The Journal - A Little More Grown Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787761667508-5M84PJGULOF8JLO0FPYB/Girls+bath+2.JPG The Journal - A Little More Grown Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788394405098-CCNMX9L24QZZAZNFAEFA/Girls+bath+3.JPG The Journal - A Little More Grown Up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/8910f4a8-bdc9-4573-acb9-9eb6d8f1d588/functional-nest-mill-pond-kids-bath-02.jpg The Journal - A Little More Grown Up - BEAUTY THAT WORKS Sweetness Without a Theme Designing for children doesn’t have to mean choosing a theme they will eventually outgrow. Here, playfulness comes through shape, color, and small moments of surprise. The softly scalloped mirrors bring a graceful sense of movement, while the green backplates on the sconces add an unexpectedly charming detail. Pale green walls envelop the room in a fresh, gentle color that feels youthful without feeling juvenile (a request by the girls). A floral shower curtain, vintage-inspired artwork, and whimsical little storage containers add layers of personality. Together, these details give the bathroom sweetness and imagination while allowing the permanent elements to remain timeless. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788394502807-U4N4BXES07YQ21LPZBHV/Girls+bath+2.JPG The Journal - A Little More Grown Up - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788394516029-AAW14EY2JMFTLJFE0VFO/functional-nest-mill-pond-kids-bath-07.jpg The Journal - A Little More Grown Up - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/abfec3c4-077b-4601-9b7f-57f1362b9427/functional-nest-mill-pond-kids-bath-01.jpg The Journal - A Little More Grown Up - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/6ce1309c-c4b2-42f0-bd7d-382acb1e4ae9/functional-nest-mill-pond-kids-bath-03.jpg The Journal - A Little More Grown Up - DESIGNING FOR TWO Two Girls, One Shared Routine Shared spaces like bathrooms ask a great deal from their designs—especially during busy mornings and bedtime routines. A long double vanity in a waterproof finish gives each sister her own sink and mirror, while the generous counter allows them to share the room without constantly competing for space. Drawers and cabinets provide designated homes for the many small things a bathroom collects, helping everyday routines feel a little calmer and easier to manage. Soft green walls, scalloped mirrors, floral details, and charming little touches keep the space youthful and playful, while classic stone surfaces and matte-black fixtures give it the polish and durability of a much more grown-up room. The result is a children’s bathroom that doesn’t feel childish: sweet without being overly themed, elegant without feeling precious, and practical enough for everyday family life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787760803964-1RS0T47K573LMSXIIP7G/functional-nest-mill-pond-kids-bath-06.jpg The Journal - A Little More Grown Up - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788394637978-DMXD52V492KE1CATOBVR/Girls+bath+1.JPG The Journal - A Little More Grown Up - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/f0bc5d5d-22a8-405b-8a9d-c183f29271b4/functional-nest-mill-pond-kids-bath-04.jpg The Journal - A Little More Grown Up - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/a-nursery-in-full-bloom monthly 0.5 2026-09-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787801333763-AZCI6JW8O7TP4OP2ZFDZ/functional-nest-flower-nursery-04.jpeg The Journal - A Nursery in Full Bloom - Make it stand out All interiors in this story are original work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, photographed by Evernew. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/11bb51d1-1bec-4ed0-8b3b-a55e3708fab2/functional-nest-flower-nursery-05.jpg The Journal - A Nursery in Full Bloom - FOUND WITH INTENTION A Place for Pieces with a Story Anytime someone reaches out to me for help designing a nursery, I am delighted. Preparing for and welcoming a new baby is often personal and full of emotion, so it feels special to be sought for guidance. I am grateful to be invited into the home and to become part of the story, as it unfolds. That’s why these designs are some of the most memorable. And this one had the added bonus of being for two of our closest friends—people who are more like family. It was a collaboration made in heaven. What made it extra fun was my friend’s love for thrifting. And she is known to find some real gems. It made this project exciting as new pieces made their way into the design concept and we adapted. The result is a room that feels personalized and collected. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787865372700-BKNM13I95553IAOVMDRM/functional-nest-flower-nursery-07.jpg The Journal - A Nursery in Full Bloom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787865372603-LUBGGNKG8XQ9JC96JC41/functional-nest-flower-nursery-08.jpg The Journal - A Nursery in Full Bloom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787865025851-6LBI0FHBZUUM5YMVM8IW/functional-nest-flower-nursery-06.jpg The Journal - A Nursery in Full Bloom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787865025905-EX37AIPBQNIRMBSLNCAZ/functional-nest-flower-nursery-03.jpg The Journal - A Nursery in Full Bloom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/e84e1e53-da4b-425c-89a7-b24e9b83a753/functional-nest-flower-nursery-02.jpg The Journal - A Nursery in Full Bloom - THE SWEETEST REVEAL Designed For Someone Dear The floral wall decals became the defining feature of the nursery. Rather than following a fixed pattern, I arranged each bloom individually, scattering larger bouquets and smaller flowers across the wall until the composition felt organic and balanced. Lavender, plum, and blush petals appear to float behind the pale wood crib, bringing movement and playfulness to the room while preserving the light, open feeling the parents wanted. Because the flowers are removable, they also allow the nursery to evolve as this little girl grows. This nursery began as a true blank slate, but through thoughtful choices, collected finds, and a garden of purple blooms, it became a joyful space to welcome their first baby girl. Years later, the family has moved. They left the garden of blooms behind, but I still like to imagine someone new gets to enjoy them. And if nothing else, I get to look back on the memory of it all, here. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787801333763-AZCI6JW8O7TP4OP2ZFDZ/functional-nest-flower-nursery-04.jpeg The Journal - A Nursery in Full Bloom - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787865465116-O8X7UXJ4QP7X7D49DRVN/functional-nest-flower-nursery-03.jpg The Journal - A Nursery in Full Bloom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787865465226-624ZEZF5HM5WN15RXUSL/functional-nest-flower-nursery-07.jpg The Journal - A Nursery in Full Bloom https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/a-nursery-rooted-in-the-pacific-northwest monthly 0.5 2026-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/13af9b9f-babf-4106-8298-01d8fa174aa1/functional-nest-forest-nursery-05.jpg The Journal - A Nursery Rooted in the Northwest - Make it stand out Interiors throughout this story are original work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, photographed by Evernew. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/3b14dffa-523a-48e6-be9f-644738a96d4c/functional-nest-forest-nursery-08.jpg The Journal - A Nursery Rooted in the Northwest - ROOTED IN PLACE More Than a Woodland Theme The Pacific Northwest has been inspiration for many a design project. With its sweeping evergreen forests, misty gray skies, and plethora of wildlife, it’s easy to see why. Translating that inspiration into a room for baby meant bringing the outdoors in. A deep green dresser recalls the forest canopies while brass knobs, golden oak floors, and a wood lamp add warmth. A seagrass basket and faux cowhide rug bring an organic softness. A spot of open wall was the perfect chance for baby’s first mini wall gallery. Prints in black and white add character: an archival logging photograph is reminiscent of the region’s timber history, while a tiny rain-cloud print is a playful nod to the weather we know so well in the PNW. Together, these pieces create a sense of place without making the nursery feel overly themed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787754044754-0MEYHSZTRV5UY078VCUN/functional-nest-forest-nursery-04.jpg The Journal - A Nursery Rooted in the Northwest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787754044672-UDQMXNOQ6O5WR0PBVWJM/functional-nest-forest-nursery-09.jpg The Journal - A Nursery Rooted in the Northwest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/5e40746f-07f6-4c6a-b119-4d5a14f0e189/functional-nest-forest-nursery-03.jpg The Journal - A Nursery Rooted in the Northwest - A FOREST, LIGHTLY DRAWN Whimsy Without Overdoing It A nursery should leave room for imagination, but it doesn’t have to rely on decorations that baby may soon outgrow. Since this couple planned on moving in the near future, we focused on minimal decor and surface-level upgrades, while investing in a dresser that could follow them anywhere. Stick-on wall decals in an antler motif added interest, giving the feeling of wallpaper without the commitment. A plush moose head is a safe, fun sight for baby and creates a focal point to anchor the bassinet against the patterned backdrop. These details introduce the woodland story in a way that feels appropriate for a baby while remaining easy to evolve down the road. The bassinet can eventually move out. Artwork can shift. The antler pattern can remain, change or disappear entirely. The room has a clear personality, but it isn’t trapped inside one stage of childhood. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787754358443-RV6M040E0S20CXF6OAU8/functional-nest-forest-nursery-06.jpg The Journal - A Nursery Rooted in the Northwest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787754393138-KBQNX45S0G96WJZNAKI0/functional-nest-forest-nursery-02.jpg The Journal - A Nursery Rooted in the Northwest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/5958b13b-9080-4d9b-b864-774e8c5cc730/functional-nest-forest-nursery-10.jpg The Journal - A Nursery Rooted in the Northwest - FOR THE QUIET HOURS A Place to Rock and Settle Some of the most important moments in a nursery happen in the middle of the night, when beauty matters less and comfort and function matter more. A supportive rocking chair creates a dedicated place for feeding, soothing and reading. The nearby side table keeps essentials within reach, while the adjustable floor lamp offers focused light without requiring the whole room to be brightly illuminated. An upholstered ottoman provides a place to put up tired feet, and the soft hide-shaped rug adds warmth over the original hardwood floor. Around the window, lightly patterned curtains filter daylight. Differing styles of pattern appear throughout the room—adding interest to the white space—while their muted colors keep them from competing. https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/a-room-that-moves monthly 0.5 2026-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/c1ee7cac-0531-4a5a-a831-d116f10dd7f0/functional-nest-scandinavian-kitchen-08.jpg The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room - Make it stand out All photography in this story is of original design work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, and photographed by Evernew. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787648251037-JDUJK1QB80O7FBR1N003/IMG_5793.JPG The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787648252560-ZMK90DXV9HR4UJEFHEFA/IMG_5795.JPG The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787648251037-CBSLU8YD9DAAESXBVZZZ/IMG_5794.JPG The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787673210627-QNS4Y0R6XS8VOIXF9Q5W/IMG_5798.JPG The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/ef2c1370-c4e7-4302-9cdc-d67f9e6f7cba/functional-nest-scandinavian-kitchen-03.jpg The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room - SMALL SPACE SOLUTIONS A Place to Gather For everyday meals in the new kitchen, the family now has a choice — eat out in the open, anchored by a modern dome pendant or shift 45 degrees and eat along a personalized wall of family photos? When additional guests arrive, the table extends with a leaf and a bench that is tucked along the wall acts as additional seating. In between gatherings, as it sits off to the side, it functions as seating for putting shoes on before school and a gathering place for books and bags. Everything in the space has a job and yet everything also looks beautiful. Each piece was carefully chosen for its ability to support the family in all scenarios, and it has been one of my favorite small-space renovations to date. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/c1ee7cac-0531-4a5a-a831-d116f10dd7f0/functional-nest-scandinavian-kitchen-08.jpg The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787778688090-RAMLG0EZZFDK3YJC6SCG/functional-nest-scandinavian-kitchen-09.jpg The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788393298088-HASXS9YF3IZCE8IDUY8N/IMG_5793.JPG The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788394031617-Y5LFJF8GWYV19YPSRX86/functional-nest-scandinavian-kitchen-03.jpg The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788394018707-8AE4XBJEE79I0CWFU45Z/IMG_5795.JPG The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/a73343ec-49b3-458d-8819-4d3e8bc7f885/functional-nest-scandinavian-kitchen-10-gallery-wall.jpg The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room - A WALL FOR FAMILY Personal living art The gallery wall became the visual anchor of the dining area. Family photographs in white frames create a composition that feels personal but not cluttered. A unified frame color offers calm and continuity, while the various sized photos keep the arrangement from feeling too formal. Small wall-mounted planters woven among the frames interrupt the orderly grid with something soft and more organic. The greenery adds color and keeps an otherwise white space from feeling sterile. Since this area also includes an exit to the backyard, the wall of frames draws the eye forward, creating a natural pathway, while framed glass reflects light into the space. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/9cc0ce1a-4323-4f74-bb03-4ad688341aa5/functional-nest-scandinavian-kitchen-11-home-styling.jpg The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room - BEAUTY THAT WORKS Multipurpose, Yet Beautiful Flexibility doesn’t have to feel complicated. Simply knowing what you need out of a space can steer you towards creative design solutions. Here, we focused on an unused wall between two entrances. Adding a simple cabinet and open shelves created cherished real estate in this small kitchen, adding a spot for hideaway items, dish overflow, and coffee essentials. This also created an opportunity for a stunning tile moment, adding the splash of color these clients craved. A high-end tile that might be out of budget in a larger kitchen was a fun splurge for this little area and had the added benefit of tying in with organic greenery throughout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787673842060-442LCG0AC6X111GGM3PJ/functional-nest-scandinavian-kitchen-05.jpg The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788393910293-8W1WAOQHZ3XACY6IXVH5/functional-nest-scandinavian-kitchen-04.jpg The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788393895455-4CM8AG99S9NOOZIR5748/functional-nest-scandinavian-kitchen-06.jpg The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788393895237-YL293Q1Z93PUU228GG6S/functional-nest-scandinavian-kitchen-07.jpg The Journal - A Shape-Shifting Dining Room - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/old-soul-new-story monthly 0.5 2026-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/4315284b-35c1-48c1-afa9-bf5a22eebbf8/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-09.jpg The Journal - Old Soul, New Story - Make it stand out All interiors in the story are original work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, photographed by Evernew. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787787202843-FGKCRI52BZTKOFK0AJQA/DSC_1455.JPG The Journal - Old Soul, New Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787787138854-3W49SWAF6FHF3X71UKZN/DSC_1453.JPG The Journal - Old Soul, New Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787787138802-SCPS6V16W9SWQSE19KJO/DSC_1448.JPG The Journal - Old Soul, New Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787787178463-Q4LSYY9KPSOMCO2HEV4Y/DSC_1452.JPG The Journal - Old Soul, New Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/eafe64ae-06c6-4440-a893-c59b28ad5bdf/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-08.jpg The Journal - Old Soul, New Story - STYLING WITH HISTORY IN MIND Keeping All the Charm One of our first and most clear decisions was what to keep. This house had a personality and history all its own and we wanted to honor that. Original millwork laced the space—regal wooden baseboards, crown moldings, and window trim. A notable solid wood entry with trimmed glass makes a statement all its own. A brick fireplace with original casework and matching windows creates a focal point. Some houses come as a blank slate. This one brought heaps of character to work with and that steered many of our decisions. Thanks to its grounding details, we were able to explore some punchy color combinations. This space developed a funk and swagger all its own and lives rent free in my head forever. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788391247834-YLMZT9CTY4ITI0TJHRJ5/DSC_1455.JPG The Journal - Old Soul, New Story - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788391148262-FDWRC0JFYK9PRI8GSDJT/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-03.jpg The Journal - Old Soul, New Story - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787789096820-3YCDV4QVHWPWCXRU6S18/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-07.jpg The Journal - Old Soul, New Story - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/57303b2d-2f7e-4eee-8cbc-6f76525f311e/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-13.jpg The Journal - Old Soul, New Story - FINDING THEIR STYLE Two Tastes, One Home Many of my clients have sought out professional design help because they need a mediator, of sorts. People are unique and blending style, preferences, and comfort can be tricky. Without the help of a pro, the design process can feel clunky and riddled with anxiety. Mental energy that could be put towards creative design solutions gets wasted over-analyzing and two humans circling each other with niceties without conclusion. An unbiased third party, like an interior designer, brings a fresh set of eyes that can steer a clear path forward. These types of projects are the most interesting because you can’t foretell how the final design will turn out. Some designs are clear right from the start, but this one was a delicate dance between partners until arriving at some unknown middle ground. We played with a series of mood boards and design concepts before finding the sweet spot of style and color that they could whole-heartedly agree on, and it was worth all the effort. This space is a joy to behold. The resulting style is a blend of beauty and function that is all their own. And that is interior design at its best. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788391361424-3M8WOJN8OOLZQWNXQ2B3/DSC_1452.JPG The Journal - Old Soul, New Story - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787789097323-LE6X0GNKT23LN63FUBN9/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-11.jpg The Journal - Old Soul, New Story - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/8af9a4da-20a3-48fb-9e52-0ecfee402fcd/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-09.jpg The Journal - Old Soul, New Story - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788391511995-64WLUH2YW9M4A3TRCI0D/DSC_1451.JPG The Journal - Old Soul, New Story - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787789381228-E3NAKLKOUNB7Y57123FT/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-01.jpg The Journal - Old Soul, New Story - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/79009c5d-10a2-4305-9eb8-378d4fdda6cb/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-10.jpg The Journal - Old Soul, New Story - SMALL SPACE, BIG LIFE Making Every Piece Work Harder The living room wasn't enormous, but my clients loved to host, so flexibility became an important part of the plan. Instead of filling the room with furniture needed only occasionally, we looked for ways individual pieces could serve more than one purpose. A lidded coffee table provided hidden storage for extra blankets. Additional chairs filling in small open nooks can be pulled into the conversation when company arrives. To save floor space, we opted for extendable wall-mount sconces. Flanking the sofa, they act both as art and function. The custom velvet sofa was clad in a durable fabric with a high rub count to blend high-impact style with functional durability. To avoid drilling into plaster walls unnecessarily, we chose to install a single art wall ledge. The homeowners can now switch decorative pieces out at their leisure. Optimal adaptability, minimal wall destruction. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788391945099-WBGI2YD0G2TWXSFC0IV9/DSC_1448.JPG The Journal - Old Soul, New Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788392009696-SQ387KG0E3P0Z5ZVL22V/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-04.jpg The Journal - Old Soul, New Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788391707429-VKKBVZO7LG5Q3A6DWX4V/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-05.jpg The Journal - Old Soul, New Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788391714132-TABBBXT6BZIP3QK7M5GJ/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-14.jpg The Journal - Old Soul, New Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/93164001-e035-4010-9d30-5b52d44a3c85/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-04.jpg The Journal - Old Soul, New Story - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787789558266-ENYL8W8XLALJ5RLENKW3/functional-nest-1920s-bungalow-06.jpg The Journal - Old Soul, New Story - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/designed-for-what-comes-next monthly 0.5 2026-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/800585ae-8708-4fde-8825-6c7c1707ded5/functional-nest-mill-pond-girl-nursery-01.jpg The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next - Make it stand out All interiors in this story are original work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, photographed by Evernew. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788284303189-UAHBUP4MTT123U5LZF1P/Nursery+5.JPG The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788284300973-DLXMK0MUUH48XJ35ENVO/Nursery+1.JPG The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788284300968-SZXNA603YTJYDHUU6EHL/Nursery+3.JPG The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788284303220-H2F024H97ZEUKE4EQUXY/Nursery+6.JPG The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/471fa0a2-f800-431d-b03d-7764bf64ce3d/functional-nest-mill-pond-girl-nursery-04.jpg The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788294193450-WPZ4X5M6HJBPZHD2X72V/functional-nest-mill-pond-girl-nursery-05.jpg The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788294193381-ZT36WCE14EZKU84VY1RR/functional-nest-mill-pond-girl-nursery-15.jpg The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787979408593-FYNOSQWF3RFB5MS7EOKW/functional-nest-mill-pond-girl-nursery-02.jpg The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788294352095-C95QH8NBUAEY7UJ3OBRX/functional-nest-mill-pond-girl-nursery-14.jpg The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next - DESIGNING WITH THE FUTURE IN MIND Room to Grow The most tempting part of designing a nursery is in wanting to outfit baby with all the things. But babyhood goes fast and before you know it, you’ve got a toddling person on your hands. Designing with future growth in mind can save both money and sanity. Here, incorporating a neutral wallpaper ensured the money on installation was well spent—and that we wouldn’t have to do it again. We wanted options in the future. Maybe both our girls would share the space someday, or maybe there would be a third child in the mix. Who knows. Either way, we were designing for an unknown future that would certainly be full of change. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788294352116-4DOBR64L4OM0JJ5KQW9Q/functional-nest-mill-pond-girl-nursery-08.jpg The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788295958240-1NXNEYR9NOUT3LQ25C98/functional-nest-mill-pond-girl-nursery-13.jpg The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/ee0b5321-2cab-44d4-bec2-a84623dd718e/functional-nest-mill-pond-girl-nursery-07.jpg The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788291872638-W8SBWRWYY3Z6D4C1SBIB/functional-nest-mill-pond-girl-nursery-16.jpg The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788291885283-ZBIH5LF4LHA8H1G278NH/functional-nest-mill-pond-girl-nursery-12.jpg The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788291876790-G42XFP1IERD7MXSPG2OG/functional-nest-mill-pond-girl-nursery-17-kids.jpg The Journal - Making Room for What Comes Next - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/after-the-damage monthly 0.5 2026-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/fa191a75-bf53-448e-8bcb-ad36614e933c/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-05.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale - Make it stand out All interiors in this story are original work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, photographed by Evernew. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788228013784-TE4WT3JKUNF9UTFD9EXJ/Master+bath+3.JPG The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787870457464-0QC68O6TT1TGGKRN3EBZ/Master+bath+6.JPG The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787870458729-CL46CL2D6HMT7P3U4XWJ/Master+bath+5.JPG The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788228013818-GNE9WBAR4LJ59ZUTLG0P/Master+bath+2.JPG The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/f2dea990-8d05-4c64-91d2-3115870e633b/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-17.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale - THE DESIGN PLAN Inspired By the Feeling of Escape The design for this space was inspired by the luxe, spa-like aesthetic of a modern, swanky hotel—offering respite and retreat in style. Replacing the mold-filled jetted tub with a freestanding model with a softer, sculptural presence opened the space and balanced all of the angles. Marbled tiles and coordinating quartz countertops maintain a crisp, clean spa feel, while the warm, wood vanity, brass sconces, and fir-clad ceiling bring warmth. Mixing metals across fixtures and finishes in a thoughtful way adds depth and interest to the otherwise neutral palette. Together, the materials create the modern-luxe hotel feeling I was drawn to, but with enough warmth and texture to feel at home in the Pacific Northwest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788229079818-HRSEP2I6OZZKG8OYS46Y/Master+bath+2.JPG The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788229133345-KRUK94L9A8IIA27WOLXI/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-09.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/2d5ca746-8302-464f-895d-71c5016a7445/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-05.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788229317389-463LZ13X5LIGG56WU6L1/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-16.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788229311626-29VLTQ3BDH98BB7Q45J8/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-04.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/47937909-87d6-40ed-9ffb-12b4a6a848a3/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-10.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale - PATTERN UNDERFOOT Blending Beauty and Function One of my favorite details is the patterned floor. Its soft geometric design adds movement and personality without interrupting the room’s sense of calm, while adding a much-needed visual break in the expansive gray floor. The tiled rug also has the added benefit of additional grout lines to reduce the floor’s slickness, proving that beauty and function can live in harmony. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788229788493-Z4AVXW2Q77L1FIJMB787/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-19.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788229793853-5Z0EUOEE18C1RQ3APPHA/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-13.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787872506368-2GQT1II9IXQONCCA20G1/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-12.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787872506378-WKRLX4F0EEN9YI0NCEZM/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-03.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788229523662-VMAKZ9E746HJC07H2MRW/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-02.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788229538714-6LN3IDDICM80S7YNMIBO/Master+bath+6.JPG The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/bd603bc8-c1bd-4f47-be11-ee4ca1981086/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-20.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788229950716-9BMUC43TO92O8ELEOUWI/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-21.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788229956522-EGEXL8OQ2IQ0HIGI5XN5/Master+bath+4.JPG The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788230080558-9KRM8XC4PQGPCCNV4SYY/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-08.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788230078447-QHP4F0UPC8PDBLIQQB1Q/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-14.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788230080307-Q7L1EFPVDS2OMA6NQ0WX/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-11.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788230078560-6460XACGOUZPPUPA2R9U/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-18.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788230250781-0L0Q4V9HLP8OFA1J2BT7/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-15.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788230250668-VCOC3SL8UK4L2CV5CMK8/functional-nest-mill-pond-master-bath-01.jpg The Journal - After the Damage, a Place to Exhale https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/neutral-but-never-boring monthly 0.5 2026-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/4e2be92f-5cd4-4c28-b35b-39f5a8b8512b/functional-nest-mill-pond-living-room-02.jpg The Journal - Neutral, But Never Boring - Make it stand out All interiors in this story are original work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, photographed by Evernew. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788225205047-DULWMDVIRTVPLT7NDQER/Living+room+2.JPG The Journal - Neutral, But Never Boring https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787954096851-WAVGY15SM9N6NBFRP6RG/Living+room+1.JPG The Journal - Neutral, But Never Boring https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787954096861-4SXO6NOT2PT64O44XH8O/Living+room+4.JPG The Journal - Neutral, But Never Boring https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788225204996-WV8166JMU9ABIGWQNJRN/Living+room+3.JPG The Journal - Neutral, But Never Boring https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788226511171-BVS0GO3WD9DRXW298S7J/Living+room+4.JPG The Journal - Neutral, But Never Boring https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787953003545-DIYQ6EAPX3TPO5TR05AX/functional-nest-mill-pond-living-room-02.jpg The Journal - Neutral, But Never Boring https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788226696890-E925SC3GQ3YLVVG980I4/functional-nest-mill-pond-living-room-07.jpg The Journal - Neutral, But Never Boring https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788226696942-FXZYCMW0X99DRO24WS3O/functional-nest-mill-pond-living-room-08-shelf-styling.jpg The Journal - Neutral, But Never Boring https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/52a579dc-e15d-4426-864a-7bf523433ef2/functional-nest-mill-pond-living-room-04.jpg The Journal - Neutral, But Never Boring - BEAUTY THAT WORKS Everything Earns Its Place The main goal in family-friendly design is multi-functional pieces with lasting durability. Unlike spaces that are centered on beauty, these have to look beyond decoration and account for where actual belongings will live, what little hands can reach, and how the room can evolve as kids quickly grow up. A good design must account for all this and bring beauty into the equation. It’s not always an easy feat, but I think it was accomplished here with thoughtful planning and truly understanding what our family needed out of the space. Swapping a hard surface coffee table for an oversized upholstered ottoman is not only multi-functional, but kid friendly. The multiple furniture pieces can Tetris into different positions, allowing for layouts that can accommodate gaming with friends, hosting guests, or Sunday morning family hangs. Soft surfaces everywhere invite the cozy connection our young family enjoys. The most meaningful change in this room, however, isn’t any single color, piece of furniture, or decorative detail. It’s that the room now supports the life happening inside it. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/923efc17-968f-4119-abcc-06cc682a3ba7/functional-nest-mill-pond-living-room-01.jpg The Journal - Neutral, But Never Boring - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/8bb3836b-16b0-4208-b2ca-fed768394e41/functional-nest-mill-pond-living-room-05-gallery-basket-wall.jpg The Journal - Neutral, But Never Boring - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/6510e454-ab23-4be3-a766-48183aeb9a39/functional-nest-mill-pond-living-room-06.jpg The Journal - Neutral, But Never Boring - GO ON A TREASURE HUNT A Collection, not a Set Gallery walls appear all over my site and have become a loved and integral part of my work. They bring endless possibility and expansive creative freedom with the variety of items, shapes, colors, and materials you can work with. Some even feel like a living art form when they’re complete and no two are alike. This wall with its tall ceilings allowed for a bit of busyness while remaining true to the room’s neutral aesthetic. The basket on the right with its fun white frill edge launched this mini project and the idea to create a wall of baskets was born. From there, the treasure hunt began. The next largest basket was found at another store, while the remaining three smaller were thrifted in store and on eBay. The hunt was half the fun, but seeing this array come together in person was an utter win. https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/formal-bones-playful-living monthly 0.5 2026-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/705d9508-6c88-4ad7-8654-dca1dd727307/functional-nest-mill-pond-dining-room-01.jpg The Journal - Formal Bones, Playful Living - Make it stand out All interiors in this story are original work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, photographed by Evernew. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/4cc27087-d002-47d5-aef4-b5cd2a2f2215/functional-nest-mill-pond-dining-room-15.jpg The Journal - Formal Bones, Playful Living - A ROOM FOR GATHERING Sophisticated Style, Playful Touch The room’s existing millwork gave us a traditional foundation, but I didn’t want the finished space to feel overly precious. A warm, round pedestal table relaxes the arrangement, making conversation easier, while the delicate details on the base tie into the wall trims. Keeping the millwork, walls, and curtains a bright white keeps the space from feeling stuffy, while the warm, wood floors and table paired with deep black chairs keep it grounded. Open spindle backs—as opposed to closed upholstered ones—allow the eye to see through. An oversized pendant anchors and mirrors the table while its linen drum shade maintains a soft, light line of sight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787878011333-G4E7OMUXHCV5GQWZ3YH4/functional-nest-mill-pond-dining-room-03.jpg The Journal - Formal Bones, Playful Living https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787878011427-2VVHKTKC5B1GE29180VG/functional-nest-mill-pond-dining-room-02.jpg The Journal - Formal Bones, Playful Living https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/0169d632-abf0-4b12-995c-22b579cdb373/functional-nest-mill-pond-dining-room-13.jpg The Journal - Formal Bones, Playful Living - A SECOND CHAPTER Pattern With Purpose I have to confess that moving to this house was a rushed decision. We thought we were well-anchored in our last home, with a one-year-old and our second child only a couple months away. One day, while stuck in the car with a sleeping child, I decided to cruise around a new neighborhood. I thought I was headed for the peace of rural farmland, but found myself in a hilly, forested suburb on the western edge of Portland that swept me away. There were paved sidewalks everywhere that led to a central park with a playground and duck pond. Everyone had their own driveway and mailbox, and their yards were beautifully preserved. It sure did beat the cemetery that was our only walking path back home. I was enamored to say the least. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/4c62f5c4-cbeb-4c31-b366-f05965e46932/functional-nest-mill-pond-dining-room-04.jpg The Journal - Formal Bones, Playful Living - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/aa4cb56e-3647-4b4a-b5d4-5fc29b8ad67a/functional-nest-mill-pond-dining-room-06.jpg The Journal - Formal Bones, Playful Living - SETTING THE ROOM’S RHYTHM Meals, Music, and More Given my penchant for beautiful but functional spaces, I wanted to design this room to support us in more ways than eating alone. Bringing in a white cane-front sideboard opened up a spot to store board games, puzzles, and cards, while an extra shelf houses our growing record collection—combining functionality with elevated style. Our young daughters now love coming into the space to play and listen to music. Their tiny hands love the freedom to tinker and watch as records spin in mesmerizing fashion. And despite rarely hosting us for dinner, this room has become a hub. It’s always adapting to our changing needs, supporting us in connecting in between functioning as a makeshift office and drop zone. It’s beautiful because it works. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787876956254-UA7ZLUJBK0DBB6HMLS2V/functional-nest-mill-pond-dining-room-08.jpg The Journal - Formal Bones, Playful Living https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787876956307-JTU0V8S5JBFU31G2T6XR/functional-nest-mill-pond-dining-room-09.jpg The Journal - Formal Bones, Playful Living https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/ebab02a6-df7c-453a-94f0-c632f0605d85/functional-nest-mill-pond-dining-room-07.jpg The Journal - Formal Bones, Playful Living - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/functional-kitchen-remodel monthly 0.5 2026-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/92d5f9b3-7843-458c-b8dc-74d6d9867730/functional-nest-mill-pond-kitchen-06.jpg The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited - Make it stand out All interiors in this story are original work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, photographed by Evernew. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788207408921-9FTF094048WJG44D5V53/Kitchen+fridge+run+1.JPG The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788207408946-VLAV7MSQHLS1XSZOG3QJ/Kitchen+looking+in+2.JPG The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788207414024-Z37G5FOJIC05URBIPSLH/Kitchen+oven+run+2.JPG The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788207419925-BE0AKWGUGMYOOLW1C5W3/Kitchen+sink+run+1.JPG The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788216971383-T65YTY93FT3AJWPGKU9A/Kitchen+looking+in+2.JPG The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788216980507-S3FR9UDVH3OQN3AKC3E1/functional-nest-mill-pond-kitchen-07.jpg The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788220274911-RSMB1OY3OIHYSFQLF86L/Kitchen+oven+run+1.JPG The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788220296690-E17ADBIY9U3YZ02UVD0M/functional-nest-mill-pond-kitchen-05.jpg The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788222259129-95SS43GU7W7NV8VWYQDQ/Kitchen+sink+run+1.JPG The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788222275085-KIMMNDGQV84I5DLL80AT/functional-nest-mill-pond-kitchen-06.jpg The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788223597403-S4XOYUJX9Z2GO6N30HD8/Kitchen+looking+through+to+dining+1.JPG The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788223621588-LW2VVRA8JBSSZJH606LW/functional-nest-mill-pond-dining-room-16.jpg The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788223786992-KR1U6UYY2GS3PFHUWZSY/Kitchen+fridge+run+looking+out.JPG The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited - BEFORE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788223817621-3BH3C3LWWE4AJJY0RTBY/functional-nest-mill-pond-dining-room-12.jpg The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited - AFTER https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788223903985-88OVMHG4M1BF6FYDKI5F/functional-nest-mill-pond-dining-room-13.jpg The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788223910976-QIBISA7LNINR3TGJX8E5/functional-nest-mill-pond-kitchen-01.jpg The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788223066391-F60W4B5100DQCDS50WMB/functional-nest-mill-pond-kitchen-03.jpg The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788223064847-LHB0ESQJBC4TGMK131D5/functional-nest-mill-pond-kitchen-08-shelf-styling.jpg The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788223064812-XS4PZFDQD1CRVENXI95W/functional-nest-mill-pond-kitchen-02.jpg The Journal - Form + Function, Revisited https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/the-room-that-started-something monthly 0.5 2026-09-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/897ae170-f35f-41cd-80c2-dc84798f39e4/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-02.jpg The Journal - The Room That Started Something - Make it stand out All interiors used in this story are original work by Rachel Anderson and photographed by Evernew. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787536096741-X99YW5AH5O0LIB70KD1N/Sitting+room+1.JPG The Journal - The Room That Started Something https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787536096672-K0QDYPPA7O1RYGPCAKI4/Sitting+room+3.JPG The Journal - The Room That Started Something https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787536098746-UXDNFKADH34GDX3HWVUV/Sitting+room+bay+window.JPG The Journal - The Room That Started Something https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787536098825-NO9LMPESVIF5TEEN2XEJ/Sitting+room+entrance.JPG The Journal - The Room That Started Something https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/f9548dad-cf5b-463e-8a02-745d2af0130a/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-06.jpg The Journal - The Room That Started Something - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788316818986-7SKSMMA4OS51W59IIL9V/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-08.jpg The Journal - The Room That Started Something - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1fac61a9-cb59-4641-8181-63c97bebb825/rachel-anderson-functional-nest-interior-designer-portland-18.jpg The Journal - The Room That Started Something - A WALL OF ART + MEMORIES Room to create This expansive wall runs the length of the space and is a focal point from the entryway. I explored endless possibilities—adding wallpaper, continuing the millwork from the dining room, painting a pink faux wainscoting. All were beautiful options. What we really needed, though, was a home for the art that hadn’t found a place post-move. Blending pieces of varying sizes, finishes, and styles was challenging at first, but came together with some patience. The result was a balanced composition of colorful, playful, and sentimental pieces that live on in the room years later. Together, they give the room a uniqueness that it wouldn’t have otherwise. Years later, gallery walls have become a passionate part of my work. No two galleries are the same and there’s so much opportunity to infuse memory and personality. What could be more fun or meaningful? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787588255264-U4QDCA2ECPW9ZCLLHFRI/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-01.jpg The Journal - The Room That Started Something https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787588151444-71ZSTF4JOER4XZAVOIDL/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-09.jpg The Journal - The Room That Started Something https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787588152982-ZH8O3RYHNEGVB4MSG9U6/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-07.jpg The Journal - The Room That Started Something https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787588151314-Y59DJ3EZIS4Q3ZGMR2DB/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-14-gallery-wall.jpg The Journal - The Room That Started Something https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787588537939-MYWH4WL5JNP52YB9Z7W3/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-11.jpg The Journal - The Room That Started Something - AN INVITATION TO WONDER Room to imagine A pretend market and mini kitchen became a little world within the larger space, solving a design dilemma in this tricky corner thanks to a challenging floor vent. Rather than placing furniture over it or leaving the area unused, I looked to the wall instead. Making use of that vertical space for a kid-sized grocery market turned the nook into a destination of its own, while allowing the floor vent to remain unobstructed—and become barely noticeable in the process. Baskets hung within reach, tiny shopping carts waited below, and a handmade striped awning helped transform an ordinary stretch of wall into somewhere imaginative play could unfold. The mini kitchen nearby extended the story, giving all those pretend groceries somewhere to go and creating a natural little rhythm of shopping, cooking and playing house. It was a simple solution to an awkward constraint, but it became one of the hardest-working—and most loved—areas of the room. Sometimes the thing you have to design around is exactly what leads you to the best idea. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788457919411-MWGN22TQHDQKGSSS52FF/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-10.jpg The Journal - The Room That Started Something https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787588583257-D62BR6HHVD9M47YHPSX2/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-03.jpg The Journal - The Room That Started Something https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1788316193766-MJCAGSDLFSFX28EQB401/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-05.jpg The Journal - The Room That Started Something - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1787647054504-WDKBR3V7OCY4H9GVZYGC/functional-nest-mill-pond-playroom-13.jpg The Journal - The Room That Started Something https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/the-evolution-of-the-functional-nest monthly 0.5 2026-09-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/75e3382a-2b93-46ce-93a9-ae1ab0c33889/functional-nest-mill-pond-laundry-room-01.jpg The Journal - Evolution of The Functional Nest - Photography throughout the story is original work by Founder, Rachel Anderson, photographed by Evernew. Welcome to the launch of The Functional Nest Design Studio, a philosophy of design that has been in the making for nearly a decade. I’m delighted you’ve stumbled on this page and are interested in a deeper look behind the scenes of The Studio and how our brand developed its why over decades of study and years of running our sister design studio: Harper Rae Design Co. That business sparked from a belief that lives on through The Functional Nest today — that designing a home should be fun, not stressful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/b74599ee-6b9e-4a55-8122-5d7d1ba16d83/rachel-anderson-functional-nest-interior-designer-home-02.jpg The Journal - Evolution of The Functional Nest - BACK TO DESIGN BASICS Design Should Be Fun I founded Harper Rae Design Co at a time in my life when making a house into a home was front and center. I was a mom of two girls under two, having birthed my second just three weeks after moving into a ‘90s fixer upper. A move, a new baby, and home renovations completely disrupted our routines. Wanting to feel grounded, I turned my focus toward making our house into a refuge. I dove deep into designing a kitchen that could accommodate our growing family, expanding a living room with much needed functional storage, and piecing together a play space that would delight both child and adult. Several months later, we had a home that could support our changing needs as a budding family of four. It was an exciting yet pressurized process, but the final result was so rewarding that I was hooked. A couple years later, I completed interior design school and formed Harper Rae Design Co, and after nearly a decade of residential design, have deepened my focus and mission. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/683e66c52e5cc958fcfa2e43/1e7c2a84-432f-4816-a1a2-5beaea2bb692/rachel-anderson-functional-nest-interior-designer-home-01.jpg The Journal - Evolution of The Functional Nest - A HUMAN-CENTERED APPROACH People are Complicated And that’s ok. But if people aren’t all the same, why would the same design rules always apply? Over dozens of projects and countless conversations about people's homes, I’ve come to understand one truth: One size does NOT fit all in interior design. The clients I have worked with come from a range of backgrounds, lifestyles, and interests, and their homes should be a reflection of that. A well-designed space takes a human-centered approach, so good design is the kind that is highly personal and functional, not always universally beautiful or trendy. https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/category/Behind+the+Nest monthly 0.5 https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/category/Design+Notes monthly 0.5 https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/category/Project+Stories monthly 0.5 https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/tag/Room+to+Grow monthly 0.5 https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/tag/Dining+Rooms monthly 0.5 https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/tag/Color+Drenching monthly 0.5 https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/tag/Nature-Inspired+Design monthly 0.5 https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/tag/Playspaces monthly 0.5 https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/tag/Living+Spaces monthly 0.5 https://www.thefunctionalnest.com/the-journal/tag/Features+%2B+Press monthly 0.5 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