Though outside the thick glass walls of the greenhouses, the natural world is still slowly rising from its winter slumber, within their shelter, new life bursts quickly from seeds set in moistened soil. Under the cover of these structures, the call to grow is never interrupted by freezing temperatures. With careful tending, leaves unfurl and flowers bloom, even on days draped in frigid fog. This season, I have ceded control of one of the spaces to my mother. Her keen eye for beauty, paired...

In our homes, as in life, we search for the best of both worlds. Image by Lisa Romerein We want a space that is cozy but not cluttered, spacious but not sprawling, beautiful but not too precious. It is the houses that succeed in the subtle details—the nuances—that feel most welcoming and become true expressions of ourselves. Image by Lisa Romerein Steve and I first met our client before she even purchased the lot where her home now stands. It was a corner property in a city neighborhood,...

My keys jingle as I lift them to the lock. With a turn of my wrist, I hear a click, the first step in opening. Tick. My hand drops, fingers wrapping around the well-worn handle as I press down on the thumb latch. I swing the door open, and it lets out its familiar creak, a waking sigh accompanying its first morning stretch. I turn off the blaring alarm, return the door to rest, and am met with silence. During the day, the shop hums with chatter atop a sweet background of soft music, our...