A cozy living room with large windows, white walls, and framed artwork. In the foreground, there is a table with a striped tablecloth, a potted fern in a wicker basket, and a magazine. In the background, a gray couch with cream-colored cushions, a wooden bench, and plants can be seen.

Notes from The Nest

Thoughtful reflections on home, design, and living well from the desk of Rachel Anderson.

A collection of stories, ideas, and practical guidance exploring our relationship with home and the many ways our surroundings shape everyday life.

Here you’ll find reflections on design, organization, behavior, beauty, creativity, and the changing ways we live at home. Because some of the most meaningful things a home does are remarkably quiet.

Kitchen with a black countertop and sink, framed artwork on the wall, and a potted green plant on the counter.

FEATURED POST

Evolution of The Functional Nest

The Functional Nest has grown slowly, shaped by years of designing homes, studying how people live, and paying attention to what makes a space truly support the person within it. This note shares the story behind the studio’s evolution, the ideas that have stayed with me, and the clearer sense of purpose guiding what comes next.

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FROM THE NOTEBOOK

Every note, observation, & rabbit hole.

POPULAR NOTES

A person washing their hands at a kitchen sink with modern fixtures, a dark countertop, a framed artwork of two hands reaching toward each other on the wall, and a plant with yellow-green leaves nearby.

PROJECT STORIES

A Velvet Green Hug

Big impact can come from making over little spaces. See how this laundry room went from forgettable to feeling like a velvet hug.

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Living room with a wall decorated with family photos, potted plants, a wooden dining table with chairs, and a large leafy plant in a white pot.

GALLERY WALLS

A Wall of Stories

A little structure, a little spontaneity, and a whole lot of memories. The best gallery walls are the ones that reflect you.

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BEHIND THE SCENES

On the Nightstand

Thoughts and takeaways from what I’ve been reading or researching lately—and the ideas that have stayed with me long enough to follow a little further.

Book cover titled 'Trauma-Informed Design: A Framework for Designers, Architects, and Other Practitioners, First Edition' by Christine Ann Awad Cowart, Janet E. Roche, Adrienne Erdman, and Dr. J. Davis Harte, featuring overlapping circles in various shades of green and blue.

Trauma-informed Design: A Framework for Designers, Architects, and Other Practitioners

Exploring how we can design spaces that support healing, safety, and human connection.

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A pastel-colored, intersecting checkered pattern in beige, cream, and light green shades.

FROM INSPIRATION TO HOME

What could your home do for you?

Thoughtful, functional design begins with understanding how you live and builds from there. Let’s explore what’s possible.

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