Sho and Co

07/26/2026

Design isn’t just inspiration. It’s thousands of thoughtful decisions.

07/26/2026

This project was never just about downsizing.

It was about creating a home that felt just as rich, comfortable, and welcoming in a smaller footprint. Every room was designed to do more without feeling like it was doing more—layering function, storage, and thoughtful details into spaces that simply feel effortless.

Somewhere along the way, this project became about more than design.

What started as a client relationship grew into a genuine friendship. Our conversations often extended beyond the home to business, leadership, and life. I gained a mentor whose generosity continues long after retirement, someone who chooses to invest in others simply because he believes in helping people grow.

I’m proud of the home we created together, but even more grateful for the relationship that came with it.

That’s the part of this profession that never makes it into the portfolio—and it’s often the most meaningful.

07/18/2026

07/18/2026

The best closets don’t just store a wardrobe. They celebrate it.

This space was designed for a woman who has an incredible eye for fashion and truly loves the thrill of discovering beautifully made pieces. Every detail was chosen to create a backdrop worthy of the collection she’s spent years building.

One of my favorite moments is the Crystallo Pink. By day, it’s stunning on its own. But when illuminated from behind, it transforms into something completely different. The stone comes alive, revealing layers, movement, and color that you don’t see until the light shines through. It’s functional, unexpected, and a little magical.

Leather drawer fronts wrapped in brass, a crystal chandelier, and an arched mirror complete the vision, creating a space that feels more like a private boutique than a closet.

I love when a room reflects the person it’s designed for. Strong. Sophisticated. Confident. Full of personality. This one does exactly that.

I can’t wait to share the finished photographs once every final detail is in place.



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luxury closet design, Crystallo Pink, backlit stone, illuminated stone, custom dressing room, leather drawer fronts, brass detailing, crystal chandelier, custom millwork, material storytelling, quiet luxury, thoughtful design, curated living, fashion-inspired interiors, Sho and Co

07/17/2026

One decision changed everything.

To create a main-level primary suite for the years ahead, this family had to give up their formal dining room. It had been the place where holidays were celebrated, birthdays were shared, and everyone gathered around one long table.

That tradition wasn’t something they were willing to lose.

So instead of asking, “How do we design a beautiful kitchen?” we asked a different question:

“Where will everyone gather now?”

That question shaped every decision that followed.

We designed the largest island we’ve created, giving family and friends plenty of room to sit together. A custom double banquette added even more seating without making the room feel crowded. The kitchen opens naturally to the family room and the backyard, creating one connected space where everyone can be part of the conversation.

From there, the materials told the rest of the story. Warm white oak. Taj Mahal quartzite that is even more beautiful in person than photographs can capture. Soft suede leather seating. Cement pendants. Brass accents. Layer after layer of natural texture that feels welcoming instead of formal.

Even the details were designed around the way they live. Open shelving for the pieces they use and love. Display space built into the island for serving bowls that are both beautiful and practical. A dedicated coffee bar. A pantry planned for everyday life, not just storage.

The goal was never simply to create a beautiful kitchen.

It was to create a new gathering place for a family that wasn’t ready to leave old traditions behind.

And that’s exactly what this room became.



Photography: Ryan Shapiro

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modern kitchen, modern interior design, elevated family home, thoughtful design, functional layout, quiet luxury, Taj Mahal quartzite, white oak details, custom cabinetry, layered design, design with feeling, intentional living, architectural millwork, inviting interiors, timeless finishes

07/13/2026

Absolutely. I’d make just one small change to strengthen the ending. Rather than “This felt like a good place to start,” end on a line that invites people into the journey.

⸻

For a long time, I hesitated to show up here.

It always felt easier to share the work than the person behind it.

But the truth is, every project I’ve ever designed has been shaped long before we chose a single finish.

It’s been shaped by conversations around kitchen tables, stories about growing families, quiet routines, favorite places to drink coffee, and all the little details that make a house feel like home.

Those conversations have taught me just as much as design ever has.

So I thought I’d start sharing a little more of the thinking behind the work. Not because I have all the answers, but because I genuinely love this process.

I’m glad you’re here.



Photography: Ryan Shapiro

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modern interior design, elevated family home, thoughtful design, design with feeling, intentional living, functional layout, quiet luxury, layered design, curated details, soulful spaces, materials that matter, beautiful storage solutions, architectural millwork, warm modern interiors, lived-in luxury

07/13/2026

People often ask how I manage every detail of a project while running a small studio.

The answer isn’t a huge team.

It’s a slightly unconventional one.

Meet the personalities that help me challenge ideas, source products, refine details, and make every project stronger.

🤍 Franklin — AI Design Collaborator
Questions everything. Protects proportions. Refuses to let plaster become leather.

🤍 Gertrude — AI Sourcing Intern
Finds furniture, tracks down finishes, and somehow always has another option… even if one occasionally wouldn’t fit through the front door.

And finally…

🤍 Shoshanna — Chief Designer
The one who listens, connects the dots, and makes every final design decision.

AI hasn’t replaced the creative process in my studio.

It’s become another set of tools that help me spend more time doing what matters most: listening well, solving problems thoughtfully, and designing homes that truly reflect the people who live in them.

And yes… I really did name them. 😊

P.S. Aimee is still very much part of the team. Franklin helps me think, Gertrude finds twenty-seven options, and Aimee makes sure we actually get the right one ordered. 🤍

modern interior design, elevated family home, high-end renovation, collected living, quiet luxury, functional layout, layered design, thoughtful design, organic modern, curated details, intentional living, architectural millwork, timeless finishes, warm modern interiors, Sho and Co

Imagine creating by Franklin🤣
& my photo is of course my hubby Interior Photographer DC MD VA | Ryan Shapiro 📸

07/12/2026

People often imagine a beach home the same way.

Driftwood. Seashells. Rope. Navy stripes.

But as we got to know our client, we realized those weren’t the memories she wanted to bring home.

What stayed with her wasn’t a collection of coastal objects. It was the feeling of being there.

The movement of the water.
The quiet rhythm of the dunes.
The texture of seagrass.
A black-and-white photograph of a surfer that captured everything she loved about the coast without saying a word.

That changed the way we approached every design decision.

Instead of asking, “How do we make this feel coastal?” we asked, “How do we recreate the feeling she has when she’s there?”

The result isn’t a home filled with beach décor.

It’s a home built from the memories that made the beach meaningful to her.

Because the most personal homes aren’t designed around a style.

They’re designed around the places, experiences, and moments that quietly shape the people who live there.

Interior Design & Visualizations: Sho and Co



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modern interior design, material storytelling, elevated family home, quiet luxury, thoughtful design, layered design, natural textures, white oak details, organic modern, refined coastal design, soulful spaces, design with feeling, curated details, warm modern interiors, coastal interiors

Before we selected a single material, we spent time understanding what the beach actually meant to our client.

That question shaped every decision that followed.

We weren’t looking for finishes that said “beach.”

We were looking for materials that captured the feeling she wanted to come home to.

That subtle shift changed everything.

That’s when the project stopped being about the beach…

…and started becoming about her relationship with it.

That shift changed every room in the home.

Each one became a different expression of the same story.

The best design doesn’t ask you to notice it every day.

It quietly reminds you why a place mattered in the first place.

We didn’t design around the beach.

We designed around what the beach meant to her.

06/23/2026

Every finished project starts here.

Before materials are ordered, cabinetry is built, or construction begins, I spend time building the space digitally so clients can see and experience the design long before it exists.

These renderings don’t happen in a single step.

They begin with a simple SketchUp model focused on layout, scale, and proportion. From there, materials, lighting, textures, and details are layered in to create a realistic representation of the vision.

It’s one of the most valuable parts of the process because it allows us to make thoughtful decisions early, refine details, and move into construction with greater confidence.

Swipe through to see the progression from model to rendering and a look behind how I bring a design to life before it’s built.



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modern interior design, thoughtful design, design with feeling, curated details, intentional living, architectural millwork, beautiful storage solutions, organic modern, layered design, quiet luxury, warm modern interiors, materials that matter, soulful spaces, refined utility, home that breathes

06/19/2026

Most people think beautiful rooms come from one standout feature.

A dramatic stone.
A statement light.
A custom vanity.

In reality, the rooms that feel the most timeless are usually built from smaller decisions that work together.

In this bathroom, texture creates depth without relying on bold patterns. Reflective surfaces add brightness without overwhelming the space. Warm wood balances stone and metal. And repeated forms create a sense of calm that most people feel before they ever notice it.

Design isn’t just about choosing beautiful materials.

It’s about understanding how those materials interact.

Swipe through for the latest Sho Notes and a look at the details that quietly shape the feeling of this space.



Photo: Interior Photographer DC MD VA | Ryan Shapiro

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bathroom design, luxury bathroom, modern bathroom design, quiet luxury, natural textures, layered design, warm wood tones, reflective surfaces, polished nickel, architectural details, timeless finishes, design with feeling, thoughtful design, organic modern, curated details