Where are you from?
I’m actually from Alaska, but when I was 2, we moved to Scottsdale which is where I grew up. When I first got married, we lived in Arcadia, and now we’re in Central Phoenix.
When did you discover your passion for design and hospitality?
Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved rearranging my room. My mom was an interior designer, so I think a love for design is in my DNA. For a season, I worked for an interior designer, and it was such a joy to walk into people’s homes, hear their preferences, and bring a vision to life together.
Hospitality is something I learned from a close friend in Georgia. Whenever I’d visit, she would have fresh Georgia peaches, my favorite snacks, self-care items, and something to read—all small details that made me feel so loved. That inspired me to do the same when I hosted guests. Before we had kids, we even hosted people through Airbnb, which was super fun (and interesting!).
If you had out-of-town guests in March, what’s your ideal day out with them?
We’d start the day with breakfast and coffee on my back patio. Then, we’d ride bikes down the Bridle Path to Uptown Farmers Market, where they could find some local AZ gifts to take home while I picked up fresh fruit and veggies.
After that, we’d stop by AJ’s Fine Foods for an iced tea (with a splash of lemonade and an orange slice—one of my favorite Phoenix treats!). We’d walk around some of the shops at Uptown Plaza before picking up delicious sandwiches from Luci’s Marketplace to enjoy on my front patio.
The rest of the afternoon would be for relaxing outside after a full morning. Then, for dinner, we’d head to Theá Rooftop at Global Ambassador!
Can you share how you choose gifts for someone who’s difficult to shop for?
One thing you can do is practice noticing. For instance, when you’re out at dinner with your best friend, what wine does she order? How does she take her coffee?
I try to be a good listener and observer, so I keep a note on my phone where I jot down things people love or future gift ideas. Doing this year-round helps make birthdays and the holiday season so much easier!
Do you have favorite spots in the Valley where you love to pick up local goods?
Local Nomad
Urban Cookies
AJs
Urbana
Vida Moulin
Check out some of Katie’s curated client creations:
