From My Home to Yours

Where Life, Family, and Design Come Together

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Home has always been more than walls and furniture; it’s the place where our lives unfold, where memories are made, and where love is felt in every corner. That belief shapes the way I approach design, and it’s also the way I live my own life. My work is deeply personal because it’s an extension of who I am: a wife, a mom, a dog lover, a cook, a traveler, and a lifelong creator.

At home, I share my world with my husband of 39 years and our three dogs: Olaf, Zoey, and Tinkerbell. They’re our babies, our joy, and our constant reminder to live with love and loyalty. We’ve always chosen rescue dogs, and to us, they’re no different than human children. Once they’re in the family, they’re here to stay. Family is at the center of everything I do, whether it’s gathering with our sons and their wives, creating new holiday traditions like hand-painting ornaments each year, or simply enjoying “outside time” on the back deck in our white rocking chairs with a glass of wine (and a cold beer for my husband).

Cooking is another love of mine; it’s where my creativity shines outside of design. I grew up with a Cajun background, and some of my fondest memories are tied to the foods of my childhood: gumbo, étouffée, “rice and gravy,” and fried chicken and shrimp like my grandmother used to make. My kitchen is always stocked with spices, and my go-to dish is pasta, any kind. I love to experiment with sauces, pulling flavors from whatever’s in the fridge. For me, cooking is like design: it’s about creativity, patience, and a deep respect for process.

When I’m not in the kitchen, you can often find me in the garden. Every summer, I grow tomatoes to can and peppers to roast for homemade queso or green chili. My garden, like my design style, has evolved over the years. I’ve learned what’s worth the effort and what brings the most joy.

Travel has been one of the greatest influences in my life. My husband and I have explored places like Thailand, Germany, Prague, Tahiti, and Italy, and each destination has left its mark. After our trip to Italy, we even built a wood-fired pizza oven in our backyard, which has become a centerpiece of our gatherings and meals. Travel has also taught me to live simply so I can make more room for those experiences. As Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness…” and I feel that deeply.

I bring these same values, curiosity, connection, and creativity, into my work. I didn’t just stumble into design; I was born with the instinct to create. Over time, my personal style has evolved into something clean and modern, with industrial touches, earthy colors, and luxurious textures. I love plants and natural elements because they make spaces feel alive. My philosophy is simple: a home should be a reflection of the people who live there. That means listening closely, honoring the invitation into someone’s home, and designing spaces that are both beautiful and practical.

What excites me most about every new project is the potential. From the very first conversation to the moment when cabinets and countertops come to life, it’s a process of transformation one that my clients and I get to experience together. It’s not about a dramatic “big reveal,” but about watching a vision unfold piece by piece, until it all comes together in a way that feels both intentional and magical.

Starting my own business was a natural step. I wanted to not only design but also build, to see projects through from concept to completion. Along the way, I’ve learned to lean on my team for the skills that aren’t my strength (especially technology, which changes faster than I can keep up!). The most rewarding part, always, is seeing the joy on a client’s face when their space finally feels like home.

Looking ahead, my vision for F&E is rooted in trust. I want to be known not just for beautiful spaces, but for integrity, for clients feeling confident that every decision is made with their best interests at heart.

If you’re considering a remodel, my advice is this: find someone you trust. Remodeling is an investment of time, money, and emotion. You deserve a partner who listens, plans carefully, is transparent with every detail, and commits to walking beside you the whole way. That’s how I approach every project, because at the end of the day, design isn’t just about the space, it’s about the life you live in it.

Chris Hains