C O L L E C T E D by Cathryn Lindsey | vol. 1
A curated glimpse inside my world — design, style, and life.
F R O M M Y D E S K
Welcome to the very first volume of COLLECTED, a new series I’ve dreamt up to share a more personal side of my world. With the rise of AI and the constant stream of content online, it can feel like there’s just so much noise because now anyone can write and share a hundred posts a day. I love sharing my work and little glimpses of life on Instagram, but it often feels like competing with that endless swirl. Collected is my way of slowing down, stepping out of the scroll, and connecting more intentionally by sharing what’s inspiring me, what life looks like behind the scenes, and what’s happening inside the studio. I hope you’re excited to follow along.
So now for an update. For those who don’t know, we recently moved across the country from Austin to New Jersey and, honestly, it was far more overwhelming than I expected. While we spent the second half of the summer slowly finding our favorite corners of this town, driving meandering roads lined with towering trees, and soaking up the gorgeous East Coast weather, I had to give myself permission to let CLD take a back seat. Focusing on the kids and settling into this huge life change took up 100% of my energy. Now that the kids are in school and our routines are starting to feel steady, CLD is officially back up and running, and I’m so excited for what’s ahead.
I’m so glad you’re here, and I can’t wait to share what’s been shaping my world lately.
xo, Cathryn
F R O M T H E S T U D I O
CLD is finally starting to feel alive again, which has been such a gift after the whirlwind of moving. I’ve been spending time getting to know the local design community, connecting with other designers, visiting showrooms, and finding the best trades to recommend to clients. It’s been fun to start piecing together a new network here and see what inspiration the East Coast has to offer.
Any extra creative energy has gone straight into our own home. It’s been such a joy to revisit my design process by sitting in the spaces, getting a feel for how we live here, and slowly pulling together colors and fabrics. But I’ll be honest, designing for myself is harder than I thought. Being both the client and the designer has given me a whole new appreciation for how many decisions my clients juggle.
Behind the scenes, I’ve also been working on a very exciting product collaboration that I can’t share just yet, but soon, there will be a way to bring a little CLD touch into your home, no design contract required. It’s been one of the most fun projects on my desk, and I can’t wait to share more soon.
G A T H E R E D
As life has finally started to slow down, I’ve been leaning into the little things that make our house feel like home. I’ve been making a cherry tomato pasta sauce on repeat; it's the perfect late-summer dinner. Fresh and bright, but still cozy. Even better when all the ingredients are fresh from the farmers market. I’ve also completely fallen for the hydrangeas here on the East Coast. I was so surprised to find them in our own yard, and it’s been so fun watching them shift with the seasons, from soft green to bright white, then back to dusky green with touches of burgundy as fall creeps in. I’ve been snipping a few stems at a time to tuck into arrangements around the house. And when the air cools in the evenings, we’ve been lighting the firepit, pulling on sweatshirts, and putting on a mellow acoustic fall playlist. It’s been the perfect backdrop to these early autumn nights.
I N M Y O R B I T
As I settle into our new home, I’ve been fine-tuning what the CLD style looks like here, and I keep finding myself drawn to pieces that feel warm, tactile, and refined. Relaxed roman shades have been top of mind (I love how they’re equally casual and tailored), along with pleated lamps and dentil crown molding — I’m thinking I’ll add it to our powder bath with a moody paint color for an elevated, playful design moment.
Beyond the house, I’ve been getting excited to shift into fall , which actually exists out east. I’m embracing chunky gold jewelry, thick sweaters, and the first leaves turning outside the windows. There’s something about this season that makes me want to lean into rich layers, both in my wardrobe and in the rooms I’m designing.
D E S I G N N O T E S
New Home Tips
After everything this summer, I’ve been reminded just how overwhelming it can feel to make a new house feel like home, even as a designer. It’s tempting to want everything done right away, but rushing often leads to quick purchases you regret later. My biggest advice is to slow down and live in the space before making big decisions. Notice how you naturally use each room, and prioritize investing in the pieces you use daily, like your bed, sofa, or dining table. Everything else can wait until you find things you truly love.
This is also the perfect time to create a whole-home color palette. It doesn’t need to be strict,think of it as a guide, not a rulebook, but having 5–6 core tones helps every choice feel cohesive.
S T U D I O U P D A T E S
EVENT
October 15 | 7 pm | The Great House Summit
I'll be participating in a “Designer Speed Dating” event hosted by Dwell New Jersey. is This is an event where anyone can sign up to discuss a project with local interior designers for 5-10 minute slots. The project can be anything from a room redesign, layout functionality, to questions about furniture pieces or textiles. The event functions very similarly to speed dating in that you will get to visit with at least 3 designers for a few minutes each to get some different perspectives on their project.
NOW BOOKING
CLD is also officially open and currently booking full-service design clients here in New Jersey. If you’ve been dreaming about creating a home that feels personal, layered, and considered, I’d love to hear from you.
