If I could pinpoint where it all began, it would be an ordinary evening at ten years old, watching This Old House and feeling captivated by the way entire homes could be transformed, rebuilt, and saved. My dad, a natural handyman, always had a project underway, and as an only child, I became his built-in sidekick. I was never afraid to dive in and pick up a tool, and he was never short on things to teach me.

After studying Interior Design at the Art Institute of Portland, I went on to earn my Real Estate license — combining the artistry of design with a practical understanding of how homes live, sell, and last. My professional journey then began at the intersection of these two worlds during the 2008 housing crash, when I started rehabbing neglected properties, acting as realtor, designer, and project manager all in one. That early experience gave me invaluable real-world insight into balancing aesthetics with market value, showed me how design concepts take shape in the built environment, and sparked the passion for the complete design/build process that still drives my work today.

In 2012, I joined Icon Construction & Development in my hometown of West Linn — a role that quickly proved to be the ideal match for my skills and strengths. Over more than a decade, I directed a diverse portfolio of work that included both custom homes and speculative builds across a range of scales, price points, and styles. I led projects from start to finish — from preliminary concepts, material selections, and client presentations to product sourcing, back-end purchasing, vendor coordination, and overall project support. A key part of my role was shaping and continually refining the client experience, ensuring that every step of the process was seamless and thoughtfully guided from the first meeting to move-in day. Working within a multi-faceted company also gave me the opportunity to broaden my expertise through a wide range of other project types, including remodels, rental properties, and commercial projects. While I wore many hats, the most fulfilling part of my role was collaborating side by side with clients, contractors, and trade partners to bring a shared vision to life — knowing that the best design happens when creativity, craftsmanship, and collaboration all align.

By the Summer of 2025, I felt the pull to take the next step in my journey—the culmination of 17 years spent refining my craft—and with a leap of faith, D.Rae Studio was born. It’s both a continuation and an evolution of my career—an opportunity to keep growing, stretch creatively, and push the boundaries of my work in new ways. Whether you’re a builder in need of design support, a homeowner planning a remodel or new custom build, or hoping to unlock the potential of a property you’re buying or selling, I’d love to support your project. Hop over to my SERVICES page to see how I can help!