I’ll never forget a few summers ago traveling to upstate New York with a large group of friends for a birthday party, all staying together at this gorgeous remote farm property (which no longer serves the public, sadly!).

Some might cringe at the thought of spending a weekend with 16 people under one roof, but I reveled at the idea because I love being surrounded by others. Little did I know, that trip would inspire a whole shift in my design mindset.