interior design headshot, cedar valley interior design, cedar falls interior design, waverly design, iowa designer

I founded AK Design Studio with one goal: to help you fall in love with your home.

Following nearly a decade of honing my craft in prestigious Minneapolis-based interior design firms, I felt a nudge to build something of my own. In 2023, AK Design Studio was born.

My love for design and construction started early, shaped by watching my parents build their forever home in small-town Iowa. Those years instilled a deep appreciation for thoughtful planning, quality craftsmanship, and spaces that truly support everyday life. Today, that shows up in my highly organized process, detailed specifications, and genuine curiosity about how every material, finish, and decision works together to create a home that feels both beautiful and livable.

At the heart of everything I do is my family—my husband Shawn, our son, our two four-legged sidekicks Kya and Miley, and the people we love most. When I’m not designing, you’ll likely find me chasing endorphins, soaking up quiet moments with a good book, or embracing the beautiful chaos of life at home. Those real-life rhythms are what inspire me most—and they’re exactly what I design for.

Ready to work together?

Make It happen

At AK Design Studio, I stay hands-on from start to finish. I work closely with architects, contractors, and craftsmen to keep the process seamless, while carefully overseeing every detail—from fixtures to final furniture placement. My goal is to make the design experience clear, collaborative, and as stress-free as possible, delivering a home that reflects how you truly live and feels just as good as it looks.

On our interior design journey.

Curiosity driven. Intentionally designed. I don’t start with trends. I start with questions. How do you want your mornings to feel? Where does everyone land at the end of the day? What pieces of your story deserve to be seen and celebrated?
When I moved back to Iowa, I met Haylee of @masonbeckcreative for coffee at @getroastedcoffeeiowa . What was meant to be a quick coffee meet-up turned into an instant friendship. Now her family is in a new home, and I get to help design it, includin
When a kitchen is thoughtfully designed, it supports the rhythm of daily life. It works hard, welcomes everyone in, and anchors the home in a way no other space quite can. Builder & styling : @pantherhomebuilders
Long before design became my career, home was already my calling. 🤍 I grew up in a home that felt like magic, shaped by a mom who believed that spaces matter and that a house becomes a home through warmth and intention. That stayed with me. For th
A new year naturally brings fresh goals and renewed intentions. My hope is that being intentional with your time and your home makes the list. Invite friends over on a whim and feel confident doing so. Host a monthly book club or a simple dinner, and
May your home be filled with joy and peace this Christmas. 🤍 I’ve always been a homebody. There are very few places I’d rather be. My hope for you this season is the same. That your home feels like a place of rest and reassurance, where

@akdstudio_