As we approach the end of the year, I’ve been thinking about the quiet beauty of endings. Not endings as in closure, but the way a year naturally winds down and gives us space to pause, reflect, and consider what truly endures. 

In many ways, that mirrors how I approach design. 

Trends fade. 
Color palettes shift. 
Life changes. 

But the spaces we create together, when they’re built with intention, continue to support and inspire long after the initial reveal. Designing for what lasts has always been our guiding principle, and this season offers the perfect moment to reflect on it.

The Year That Shaped Us

This year has been expansive for AHD&Co, filled with clients who trusted us deeply, projects that challenged and delighted us, and a growing community here in Westfield that made 2025 especially meaningful. We also welcomed Heirloom into the world and continued to grow our Trade Program, creating a design ecosystem that now works in harmony across all three branches of our business.

The homes we designed this year were rooted in contrast: timeless yet modern, nostalgic yet fresh, layered yet edited. We found ourselves leaning into warm woods, mixed metals, delicate florals, bold veining, and a slightly more romantic palette than years past. But more than anything, we saw clients embracing depth and individuality. People weren’t asking for trends. They were asking for homes that feel like them.

Inspiration came from everywhere. A small historic detail uncovered during a renovation. A fabric that solved a design puzzle in an unexpected way. A perfectly imperfect antique piece that shifted an entire room’s narrative. We also continued building relationships with American makers whose craftsmanship helps us deliver work with longevity. And with supply chains ever in flux, those partnerships felt more meaningful than ever.

When Three Worlds Became One

A huge part of this year’s growth came from the evolution of our own design ecosystem. In April, we opened Heirloom, our retail shop just downstairs from the studio — a designer-curated space filled with furnishings, antiques, lighting, gifts, and the kinds of pieces that make a home feel collected and soulful. What we hoped would become a small extension of our work turned into a bustling creative hub for the community.

AHD&Co, Heirloom, and AHD Trade each have their own rhythm and purpose, but they also work together in ways that feel seamless. Designers in our Trade Program now bring clients into Heirloom to see and touch materials in real life. Homeowners stop by for styling pieces and discover the studio upstairs where their full-service projects can begin. Everything informs everything else.

For me, watching these three worlds intertwine has been one of the most meaningful parts of 2025, and proof that when design, community, and collaboration share the same foundation, everything becomes stronger.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, I feel energized. 2026 already promises projects across styles, scopes, and cities, and each one brings an opportunity to design with intention and heart. I’m excited for the colors, the craftsmanship, the architectural challenges, the problem-solving, and most of all — the people. 

If this year taught me anything, it’s that beauty and longevity are not opposites. They rely on each other. Homes that stand the test of time are the ones layered with meaning, rooted in purpose, and crafted with care.

Thank you for being part of this remarkable year, whether through your projects, your support, your visits to Heirloom, or your collaboration through the Trade Program. Here’s to designing for what lasts… and to all the stories we’ll create together in the year ahead.