Our biggest DIY project to date was designing and building a detached ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) from the ground up. Our corner lot in Eugene had the space for a one-bedroom cottage, and we knew early on that we wanted it to feel like a true retreat: private, thoughtfully designed, and completely separate from the main house.

My husband brought the build expertise: with a background in construction, he acted as General Contractor, doing much of the work himself and carefully selecting specialists for the rest. My role was the vision: space planning, interior design, material and finish selections, and making sure every detail told a cohesive story.

In honor of the cottonwood tree we removed to make space for it, we named it The Cottonwood. Interior design has always been a passion of mine, and this project let me flex that muscle fully by balancing warmth and function, choosing pieces that feel personal without being precious, and creating a space small enough to feel cozy yet spacious.

The Cottonwood now hosts family, friends, and guests through Airbnb, and the response has been everything we hoped for. It turns out applying a UX lens to a physical space by thinking about the guest journey, their first impression, and the small moments that make someone feel taken care of, translates beautifully.