Two weeks ago, my team and I stepped out of our studio into the world and into the glowing, tile-clad embrace of Ann Sacks, a luxury showroom at the San Francisco Design Center. If you’ve ever remodeled a bathroom, you’ve likely heard of it. It felt good — no, great — to be surrounded by fellow Beauty Makers. People who, like us, pour their life force into creating spaces that uplift, nourish, and support the families who live in them.

Some of our team at Ann Sacks in the San Francisco Design Center, for a presentation by Chad Dorsey of Strike. On the right, Laura and Darshan stand alongside our rep Denise.

One of the things I love most about Bay Area designers is our generosity of spirit. We don’t hoard… not ideas, not resources, not the knowledge that helps our businesses thrive. Instead, we share, openly and abundantly. That’s what makes this design community so unique. We recognize that when one of us flourishes, we all do.

This Spanish Mediterranean Estate in Piedmont had been in the same family for nearly a century, and we were honored to help breathe new life into its interior restoring original finishes for the new family and with fresh furnishings that fit the home and the family. Photos by Eric Rorer.

But at Ann Sacks recently, the conversation took a turn.

One of my colleagues confided that business is slow. And it’s not just him. The word on the street is that many firms are experiencing a pause, a moment of uncertainty fueled by the fear of an unpredictable economy, a new administration, and tariffs that could shake up the availability and cost of imported materials, the very foundation of what so many of us source for our projects.

As I listened, I caught myself wondering: should I be scared?

This historic Craftsman Piedmont family home built in 1911 was reimagined with modern elements to balance old with new. The entry is playful with work by local artist Kate Zimmer via Slate Gallery, and the family room features custom built-ins that serve to display art and family photos. Photos by Paul Dyer.

That question, the whisper of fear, is my ego’s favorite invitation. And trust me, my ego loves to keep me on high alert, scanning the horizon for worst-case scenarios. After all, when you run an interior design firm, there’s plenty of opportunity to be triggered by fear. Fear of mistakes, fear of upset clients, fear of the funnel drying up.

But lately, I’ve been toning down the fear and dialing up the love.

Framing the classic marble-fronted fireplace in this Cozy Big City Bungalow, identical custom étagères showcase the couple’s collection of vintage cameras, family mementos, and a well-preserved antique doctor’s bag (one of the husbands is a physician). Photos by Ramona d’Viola.

Since the start of the year, I’ve spent five mornings a week from 6 to 7:30 a.m. studying A Course in Miracles with a group of people who, like me, believe there’s a better way to live than being ruled by the ego’s lies. Lies that tell us fear and worry will somehow protect us. Lies that convince us we have to grip and control our way through uncertainty.

The living room of this Hillsborough Haven features a blend of old and new, with a focus on green design. Photo by Eric Rorer.

Spoiler alert for my fellow recovering control freaks: grasping harder doesn’t bring more certainty. It just makes us exhausted.

I know this because I’ve lived it.

This late-70s idyllic Lake Tahoe home remained largely unchanged until our clients purchased it in 2014. Inspired by railway sleeping cars, the double-decker double-sized bunk beds on the right are cozy, comfortable and private, with well-appointed interiors including reading lights and book nooks. A comfy window seat doubles as day bed and converts to a trundle when needed. Photos by Eric Rorer.

Back in 2008 and 2009, after my husband Scott’s real estate business vanished overnight, I faced my own era of fear. We had a five-year-old, a two-year-old, and had just moved into our fixer-upper in the Oakland Hills. The weight of financial survival fell squarely on my shoulders, and I had no idea how we were going to make it through.

That’s when I did the only thing that made sense: I turned it over. To God, to the Universe, to Divine Source — whatever name you give the force that animates life. I stopped trying to figure it all out and instead leaned into something bigger than me, the mystery that’s bigger than us all.

My husband Scott and I with our children, Jett and Dane, during an era of struggle in a park in 2007. Photo by a friendly stranger.

And that? That surrender? That was the best decision I ever made. 

So here we are again, in a moment where fear is knocking at the door. And yet, I know we do not have to let it in.

We are all in this together. Our lives, our work, our creativity, woven in a fabric stronger than any economic downturn. The referrals we send each other, the belief we hold in each other’s work, the kind words spoken, the Instagram posts we double-tap with love: it all matters. Choosing love over fear doesn’t mean inaction. It means taking inspired action.

This California Ranch-Style Home Remodel takes advantage of gorgeous East Bay weather, with its professionally-equipped outdoor kitchen featuring top-of-the-line appliances and a built-in smoker. Build by McCutcheon Construction, landscape architecture by Arca Design Group, and paint by Arana Craftsman Painters.

So here’s what I know:

At LMB Interiors, we are ready. Ready to source locally (which, by the way, has always been our jam and avoids the impending issue of tariffs). Ready to keep your sanctuary beautiful with artisan-made furniture, custom tile, handwoven fabrics, and locally crafted art. We are here to connect you with our community of incredible makers, workrooms, and craftspeople who create pieces that welcome and hold you through meals, book clubs, rituals, family gatherings, and every return home.

We love the sitting room of this full-house design project, a grand estate with a grand view in the Oakland Hills. Photo by Brandon Caffey.

This is our mission. This is our joy. And we can’t wait to serve you. For the time being, we are available to take one- or two-room refresh projects or your entire home: the range is wide. Click here to explore working together. 

With love,

Laura