Starting the year with big changes

And reflections on design, home, and finding joy in the midst of loss

Hi friends,

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and is stepping into the new year with renewed energy and intention. Since my last newsletter, life has shifted in ways I didn’t anticipate, and I’ve spent time considering how to share this moment here.

As some of you may know, Schoolhouse has been navigating a period of change. While there is still uncertainty around what comes next for the brand, it has also created a moment of reflection and transition for many of us who were deeply connected to the work.

Just before the holidays, I unexpectedly parted from a role that had been a true dream. It has been a lot to process, and there is sadness in that. Alongside it, though, is a growing sense of gratitude—for the experience, for the people, and for the chance to reflect on what comes next.

Feeling the love for this beautiful team and brand.

Design has always been how I make sense of the world, so it felt right to process this moment here—with you, my fellow design lovers.

I don’t want to use this post to catalog the wrongs that led us here, nor do I want to linger in sadness. I have always been an optimist—someone who finds joy in the world and assumes the best in people. That hope has been tested intensely this past year, both nationally and now personally, but it’s also been reaffirmed by what remains steady: a healthy family, a beautiful home, and a deeply supportive community.

That community may be the silver lining. The outpouring of kind words and well wishes as news of turbulence at Schoolhouse has spread has been incredibly moving. If my goal has always been to inspire, it seems that effort has mattered—and that is profoundly rewarding. So that’s where I want to linger: on the community, and on the reach that was possible through the beautiful work of the Schoolhouse team.

While driving the many hours down to California for Christmas—through Oregon’s farmland and spectacular state forests, past Mount Shasta and vast ranch land, alongside long, repeating rows of olive orchards—I kept thinking about the people who welcomed Schoolhouse into their homes. Like those endless rows of trees, I imagined home after home with a Stillwater Quilt to cozy up with, an Allegheny Sconce lighting a front door, or a Ray Pendant glowing over a family meal. Those image brought me real comfort.

Awe-inspiring Shasta Mountain seen on our road trip from Portland to San Jose.

At Schoolhouse, we often talked about creating the next generation of heirlooms. This idea isn’t just about quality—though that mattered deeply—but about intention: how design makes people feel. We are always striving to create an emotional connection through design, because that connection is central to what makes something an heirloom. I hope that those of you who own Schoolhouse pieces feel that connection. That was always our goal. Not just to light your home, keep you warm, or give you a place to hang your hat, but to bring you joy.

Intentions for the Year

As I begin this new year, I’m realizing that the same intention we brought to design at Schoolhouse—thoughtfulness, restraint, and care—is exactly what I need to bring to my own life right now. I’m taking the opportunity to figure out what I love, how I want to spend my time, and what I’m really good at. I’m trying to reframe this forced reset as an opportunity—to discover a new path and see where it leads.

In design, I’ve always loved constraints. They help narrow focus, create structure, and ultimately lead to better outcomes. So rather than avoiding structure right now, I’m embracing it—using a few guiding mantras not just to orient myself forward, but to take care of myself in the process.

Onward

My family holiday card featuring my mantra for the year.

This was the message on my family holiday card this year. We chose it before anything happened with Schoolhouse, and it feels even more fitting now.

I’m committing to moving my body every day. I’ve been catching up on Stranger Things (no spoilers, please!) while walking on the treadmill, and it’s been the best kind of escape. I’m also reminding myself that small steps count. Everything can feel overwhelming, but steady progress is still progress. I’m going to keep looking ahead and stay open to possibilities—even the stranger ones.

Find Comfort

Finishing up a knitting project I started last winter.

I’m choosing to be kind to myself and to prioritize simple joys. Whether it’s a sewing project, a new book (any good recommendations?), or time spent connecting with friends, I’m making space for comfort. I’m also reminding myself to extend that same kindness outward—to others—and to fully embrace the incredible community around me.

Simplify and Use What I Have

Playing around with outfits for my Christmas trip home. I love wearing old pieces in new ways. I’ve been really into lots of layering lately.

I’ve always tried to be intentional about what I buy—clothes, furniture, food—but lately I’ve noticed myself too often chasing the dopamine hit of something new. This year, I want to rediscover what I already have. I’m experimenting with new outfits from my wardrobe, rearranging lamps, and tackling long-postponed house projects. Spending less is practical right now, but it’s also clarifying. I’m purging what’s unnecessary and focusing on what brings me joy—both physically and mentally. Clearing clutter, practicing small rituals, and letting go of self-doubt, negativity, and sadness as I move forward.

Living Room Makeover: Small Tweaks, Big Energy

I’ve been keeping busy with morning walks, time with friends, unemployment paperwork, and small house projects. It’s a delicate balance—moving my body, facing the unknown, and gathering bits of joy along the way. My medicine has always been creativity: a project that fills my bucket. Lately, I’ve been starting with the space around me. Small tweaks that bring new energy and help me exercise the design muscle again.

My living room bathed in warmth but needing some change.

The living room was my first target. Nothing major—no new furniture, rugs, or curtains. Just a textile refresh and an opportunity to play. I removed all the blankets (I have many) to create a blank slate, then swapped in others from my collection. It allowed me to enjoy pieces that had been tucked away while breathing new life into the room.

Pattern and color are powerful tools. They can shift the mood of a space—almost like therapy.

Two family heirloom chairs draped in Pendleton and Stillwater from Schoolhouse

Previously, the textiles all leaned very warm. My natural attraction to oranges, reds, and pinks is undeniable. Schoolhouse classics like the Popcorn Coverlet on the couch, a Pendleton Canebrake throw on the rocking chair, and a Stillwater Quilt in its original auburn color draped over my grandmother’s wingback chair created a cozy warmth—but it was starting to feel a little flat.

Just a few quick changes brings new energy to my living room.

My goal was to introduce contrast, movement, and energy by bringing in cooler tones. I added a Stillwater in cobalt, a blue wool throw, and kept some warmth with extra intensity using a vibrant Tulbend Quilt color sample we never produced. The cooler blues lift the space, let the eye move, and add vitality. Before, the room was warm and cozy; now, it feels lively, energetic, and full of motion.

New energy for beloved old chairs. Max (my cat) approved!

I’m taking all the energy I can get right now, and I’ll keep making small changes around my home to reflect the fresh start that’s unfolding.

This small refresh was a reminder that it doesn’t take much to shift the energy of a space—or a mindset. A few blankets, a change in color balance, a willingness to experiment. Small changes can create momentum, and that’s a lesson I’m carrying with me right now.

Some beautiful textiles from some of my favorite brands. (images by Toast, Pendleton, and Nickey Kehoe)

Since many of my quilts are older styles or Schoolhouse process samples, I’ve linked a few options from brands I love—Toast, Pendleton, and Nickey Kehoe—if you’re inspired to experiment with your own mix of pattern and color.

Gratitude

Finally, a huge thank you to my immensely talented editor, Alex Redgrave, who has been my partner in bringing you Design School each week. She created a safe space for me to share my writing—something I can be a little self-conscious about. I’m nervous to forge ahead without her, but I’ll keep her wisdom in my ear as I continue onward. Alex, you are brilliant, and I am forever grateful.

I don’t know exactly where this path leads, but I do know how I want to walk it—with intention, curiosity, creativity, and care. I’ll keep designing, writing, and sharing what I learn along the way. Thank you for being part of this community, and for continuing onward with me.

I’d love to know: what’s inspiring you as you step into the new year?

Katie xx

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