Ascend Design Co

Ever feel like this guy midweek?

This photo of Kurt hangs in our office. Means something different for both my husband and I.

For me, his expression is what I probably look like midweek just trying to keep all the balls in the air.

But mostly, it’s a daily reminder to embrace my inner quirkiness. I’m an oddball. Yah dig?

Embrace your inner weirdo. Enjoy the rest of your week!

This is for the homeowner who wants to add warmth to her space without adding more stuff.

Benjamin Moore’s color palette for 2025 is full of “quietly colorful hues” that bring charm, character, and instant cozy vibes.

How good is the natural light in this primary bath?!?!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​My client asked for a primary bath that was:
🧻 CLEAN
🧻 WARM
🧻 LUXURIOUS
🧻 MINIMAL
🧻 FUNCTIONAL

So why not do all of that PLUS throw in some Turkish towels, his & her matching robes, and a surprise showing of photography by their family friend and master photographer

Did I mention the heated bidet towel??!! Hello bathroom oasis!

Design:
Photos:

Gaming may just be the secret to staying young at heart. And this basement has everything you need to support that theory! This space-planned to the max basement got a major facelift, tricked out with ping pong, pop-a-shot, darts, arcade games, a PS5 and giant TV, popcorn machine and soda fridge. What else could a kid want?!?!

Design:
Photos:

Heading into Monday with an "ain't nobody gonna break my stride" attitude. :D

If you don't know, now you know.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Swipe right to see all of the colors trending for Summer 2024. And for inspiration on how to incorporate these colors into your living space or wardrobe, check out the blog.

Link in bio ☝🏻

FEATURED BRANDS:

On International Women's Day, I'm celebrating the three main women in my life who have led by example, influenced me, and helped make me who I am today.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

“The women of today are the thoughts of their mothers and grandmothers, embodied and made alive. They are active, capable, determined and bound to win. They have one-thousand generations back of them... Millions of women dead and gone are speaking through us today”
― Matilda Joslyn Gage

DESIGN INSPIRATION​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Texture is something that appeals to the eye and to the touch. Lately, I’m finding inspiration in textural contrast. Imperfect wood next to luxurious velvet, glass and gilded iron, jewel tones and naturals. SWIPE 👉🏻 to take a look at a few things influencing my design decisions this month.

Do you dream of a luxurious, spa-like, classic bathroom? ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​A mix of polished nickel with brass, woods and wovens with calacutta marble, and a little nod to the water...this bathroom is getting a much needed facelift starting Monday.

Swipe to see the before. 👉🏻 Can't wait to show the progress and final transformation.

F*&K CANCER​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Print collateral for The Crocus Foundation, a new nonprofit founded in honor of someone close to me who passed away from esophageal cancer one year ago.
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ORIGIN OF THE NAME:
Comes from The Crocus Prayer 🙏🏻 A MUST READ! The prayer addresses having courage & strength to move the world forward even if others don't agree. Personal commitment & integrity to do the right thing. Surviving adversity, and giving back to make our world a better place to live.
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THEIR MISSION:
To enhance cancer survivors' wellbeing through affordable fitness programs, addressing physical and emotional symptoms while enhancing overall function, quality of life, and reducing the risk of recurrence in certain cancer types.
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For more info or to donate to the cause, visit www.crocusfoundation.com

Logo design, website design & development for security guard company in Chicago: Spencer Security.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​View full case study and psychology behind the design on my site.

In 2024, I will hit restart. No resolutions made. Just commitments to myself. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Don't 🙄 in disgust🤮 👉🏻 Listen up!👂🏻
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"People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures."
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Hello Universe, I'm listening! This is my year of hearing and doing. Hallelujah for a fresh year, fresh start.

Didn't you know? It's cool to be in bed at 9pm on NYE. 😆​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Okay, so I'm doing activities with my 3 kids all night but I may or may not fall asleep during the 9pm showing of Trolls Band Together.

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Happy New Year to you and yours💋
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Onto 2024!

You asked, I listened. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​NEW ON THE BLOG 👉🏻 The best online art resources for kids rooms.

A slew of options linked in my bio.

HEY SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS 👉🏻 What are you doing to wrap up the year and prep for 2024?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Here is my checklist for the remaining 10 days of this year to start 2024 with a clean slate and a plan.

This checklist includes the following steps:

🧾 Catch up on bookkeeping
💬 Freshen up my Gmail email templates
💻 Clean out my "downloads" computer folder
🗒️ Set 90-day goals
📩 Clean out my inbox and unsubscribe to unwanted emails
💳 Review my current subscriptions / recurring payments
☑️ Evaluate my 2023 marketing strategies and plan for 2024

Running a small business takes a lot of effort. And the end of year is always busy. But now is an excellent time ⏰ to do what you need to set your small business up for success in the new year.

WAKE UP PEOPLE, has released its Color of the Year for 2024 and its a beaut!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Say hello to Peach Fuzz, and I'm not talking about the unwanted facial hair.

Pantone 13-1023 to be exact. Swipe for inspiration.

All the details on the blog today. LINK IN BIO ☝🏻

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Every couple arrives at love differently. I fell fast and hard for a guy who could drum a beat on the dashboard of my car or play guitar for me on the front porch of my college apt. He couldn’t carry a tune but he should could play an instrument.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​That was 23 years ago in college. (Scroll to end to see our first photo together…the night that started it all).

Today, Brad and I celebrate 20 years of marriage! ❤️

"Before you marry a person, you should first make them use a computer with slow internet service to see who they really are." - Will Farrell

Pulled this one from the archives to say CHEERS to in honor of National App Day.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Renovate app, available for Android and iOS download, is the ultimate DIY app that gets crap DONE! Follow for all the deets.

This won't take long.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Things aren’t always as they seem. Just breathe. One day at a time.

That's all. Have a great day!

Just kidding! I shout it loud…I’m so grateful to be doing what I love and it’s all made possible because of my clients.

You have trusted me with your brands, websites and most recently your home interiors. Thank you for choosing me! 👊🏻

Happy Thanksgiving!🦃

I don't even have to tell you to save this post....​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​because at some point in your business, you're going to find yourself in a rut. And my secret to how I build a color palette may be your solution!

Your marketing is stale, your brand color palette is fleshed out, you feel uninspired, your designs are missing something, or you're at a loss for how to step up your visual identity.

I work with a lot of business owners who don't actually have a brand color palette. OR, they don't have enough depth, contrast, or versatility to their brand colors.

Well, experimenting with or expanding your color palette may be the solution you're looking for to reinvigorate your brand and get your design juices flowing again.

Get more out of your brand color palette. Swipe 👉🏻 to learn how I build color palettes for my clients!

How to know if your website is due for a redesign?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​If some of the situations below sound all too familiar, it’s an indicator of an outdated website:

1) Images are crucial for your website, but we don’t want them to take too long to load. The key is size them properly without compromising quality to avoid slowing down your site.

2) Are you filling up your web pages with a flood of words? You have less than 15 seconds to capture your visitor's attention. Don't bog it down with a bunch of words.

3) Stock images are so helpful as placeholders, especially when first designing a website. But professional, branded photos are imperative in helping share your brand message to your ideal client all while staying brand consistent.

4) If your visitor has to turn their phone and zoom in to see your webpage, it's DEFINITELY time to make sure your site can be viewed on all devices.

5) The way you organize your content can help or hinder the how visitors find what they want on your site. A well-structured website is not only crucial for user experience but also for search engine optimization (SEO).

6) A lack of fresh information will outdate your website. Selling products? Lessen the out of stock inventory, broken links, and error pages by staying on top of active, real time options. Selling services? Stay relevant with your offerings.

7) Consistency is key. You want your website to reflect your brand tone, personality, and message. If it doesn't, a redesign is your opportunity to refine your website to align with your brand and secure a cohesive look.

Your website should always be evolving. What is your biggest challenge with your website?

Comment REDESIGN to start the convo about your website.

Doing a lot of reading up and perfecting of my processes to hit the ground running in 2024.

Anyone else looking ahead into the new year already and making business plans? Major plans in the works?

*Drumroll please* 🥁 2024 Color of the Year Picks are in!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Swipe through to see the top paint brand Color of the Year Picks for 2024.

Which color is your favorite?

The end of year is open…secure your spot!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​If you’ve been thinking about reaching out for a project, whether for your business or your 🏠 , reach out now so we can have a quick chat!

I’m booking for November & December and would love to get you on my calendar 📆 !

Click on the link in my bio!