The Heart of Home. Using Design to Foster Connection and Belonging
A traditional architecture for a modern family with a devotion to art and music. From our Art, Music & Family project in Chevy Chase, MD
There’s a difference between decorating a house and designing a home. One fills a space. The other adds meaning and fosters connection.
When I speak with clients about how they want their home to feel, the words that come up most often are personal, warm, inviting, and lasting. They want more than a beautiful space. They want a home that feels grounded in who they are that will stand the test of time.
That’s where handcrafted, meaningful pieces come in. What I like to call modern heirlooms.
These are the pieces that go beyond trend:
Art and accessories passed down or repurposed with care, reflecting values over fashion.
Hand-carved wooden furniture that brings organic shape and individuality to a space.
Custom lighting that introduces texture and artistry to everyday function.
Hand-stitched pillows where no two are the same.
These aren’t just things we live around. They’re the things we live with to feel connected everyday.
What Makes Something an Heirloom?
Heirlooms aren’t always inherited. Sometimes, they’re intentionally chosen—crafted with care, built to last, and meaningful enough to carry forward. They might be newly made by a skilled artisan or a personal object reimagined with deeper purpose. What matters is the the story they carry.
When we design with these pieces in mind, we’re not just thinking about style. We’re thinking about how a home supports your daily life and what it leaves behind.
Muñeca Large Lumbar Pillow and Diamante Blanket Handwoven by Alirio with Muñeca Standard Shams expertly crafted in Nahuala for RB Curated
The Real Value of Custom and Handmade
Mass-produced pieces have their place—they offer utility, comfort, and a sense of uniformity. But handcrafted objects offer something far deeper. Their texture speaks of the artisan’s hand, and their detail reveals a quiet mastery. These are not things made in haste, but works shaped by time, skill, and thoughtful intent.
Through our design work, I’ve had the privilege of working with artisans around the world. These makers carry forward generations of tradition, infusing every thread, carve, and stitch with meaning. When we bring their work into the homes we design, it instantly shifts the energy of a space.
It softens it.
Grounds it.
Adds soul.
Falseria Bedding with Óvalo Blanket Handwoven by Alirio and his team on a footloom using the rare falsería technique
Designing for Longevity, Not Just Looks
Designing with legacy in mind doesn’t mean a home can’t feel fresh or reflect the present moment. It simply means we’re making choices with intention—prioritizing quality over quantity, substance over trend. It’s about crafting a home that feels uniquely yours, where every detail reflects your values and evokes a sense of comfort, belonging, and emotional connection each time you walk through the door.
When we layer in heirloom-quality pieces—whether newly made or lovingly handed down—we create homes that resonate on a deeper level. There’s a sense of connection—to culture, to craft, to values, and to the people we hold closest.
Let’s Build Something That Lasts
Every design decision we make should support how you live today and how you want to live in the years to come. Modern heirlooms are part of that story. They’re more than design details. They’re expressions of identity, familiarity, comfort, and continuity.
If you’re ready to create a home with more meaning, more character, and more lasting beauty—I’d love to help you bring that vision to life.
—Regan