C O L L E C T E D by Cathryn Lindsey | vol. 03 (Copy)
A curated glimpse inside my world — design, style, and life.
F R O M M Y D E S K
A few years ago, I started choosing a word for the year.
Not a resolution or something to perfect, just a quiet point of focus. An idea I can return to as the year unfolds, in business, in motherhood, in friendships, and in how I care for myself. It’s less about achievement and more about intention. Two years ago, that word was confidence. I was learning to trust my instincts as both a growing business owner and a mom of two, finding steadiness in seasons that felt new and uncertain. Last year, it was growth, growing the business, growing together as a family, and stretching through the kind of change that asks you to evolve, including a major move.
This year, my word is connection.
Not the quick or surface-level kind, but something deeper. A conscious effort to slow down in a fast world. To show up in our new community, build relationships in person, ask for help, and offer it freely. To be more present with my kids and my husband beyond the rhythm of daily tasks. To connect more thoughtfully with clients, listening closely to how they want to live and translating that into spaces that feel personal and considered. And just as importantly, to reconnect with myself.
Lately, I’ve been reminded how powerful it can be to name what you’re working toward. Sometimes, a single word is enough to shift how you move through an entire year.
xo, Cathryn
F R O M T H E S T U D I O
The studio has felt really full lately, creatively and mentally, as I start mapping out what I want the next year to look like. I’ve always found that when I write goals down and say them out loud, they tend to happen. So I’m putting them here, partly to share what’s coming, and partly for all the manifesting energy.
2026 feels like a big year for CLD. And while revenue and salary goals are absolutely part of that (this is a business, after all), a lot of what I’m working toward is about building something more sustainable, intentional, and exciting long-term.
A few of the goals I’m actively working toward:
1. Leasing a studio space outside of home to house samples, focus deeply on design work, and host clients in person
2. Making my first strategic hire and starting to build a small, thoughtful team, because I’m learning I can’t, and shouldn’t, do it all
3. Booking a commercial or office project and bringing the CLD aesthetic into a more public-facing space
4. Continuing to grow our online community and reaching 10k followers on Instagram
Alongside all of that, we’re still deep in design work, wrapping up details on projects like the Van Houton kitchen, living, and mudroom renovation, and gearing up for an exciting year ahead.
It feels like a season of momentum, clarity, and possibility, and I’m really looking forward to what’s next.
D E S I G N N O T E S
One of my favorite recent moments was seeing the Pearl Boys Room featured in an article on Aspire.
That space is such a good example of how we think about layering patterns and materials in a way that feels playful, but still elevated. Everything started with the cowboy toile wallpaper. It’s bold and full of personality, but it also has a softness and nostalgia that makes it feel timeless instead of theme-y.
From there, it was all about balance. Vintage cane headboards add warmth and texture, grounding the room and keeping it from feeling too polished. The striped dresser brings in pattern in a quieter, more tailored way, while the lacquered armoire adds a little shine and contrast so the room doesn’t feel flat.
On their own, each of these pieces has a strong point of view. Together, they work because they share a common thread. Texture, intention, and a mix of whimsy and sophistication. That’s always the goal. Spaces that feel layered and personal, but still thoughtful and considered.
It’s a reminder that bold choices don’t have to feel overwhelming when they’re anchored by materials, proportion, and a clear design story.
Slow mornings are something I’ve really started to fall in love with. Not perfectly quiet mornings, or uninterrupted ones, but a softer start before the day fully takes off. It’s a ritual I want to keep building on and make even better in the new year.
Coffee is always first. I’ve used the same double-walled mugs from Williams Sonoma for years now, and I still swear by them. They’re simple and beautiful, but more importantly, they actually keep your coffee warm much longer than a standard ceramic mug.
On weeks when I need something quick for the kids, I lean on my go-to muffin recipe. They’re easy to throw together and perfect with a plate of berries. They have whole wheat flour, healthy fats, and warm spices, and somehow still manage to be something my kids completely devour. Having something homemade ready just makes the morning feel calmer, even when we’re moving fast.
And then there’s getting dressed, but gently. An oversized cashmere cardigan thrown over leggings and a tee has become my uniform. It’s comfortable, a little luxe, and makes me feel pulled together before the day really starts. Equally good for slow coffee at home and still looking chic at school drop-off.
Small rituals like these have a way of grounding the whole day.
I N M Y O R B I T
The start of a new year always makes me take note of the small things that help a fresh start feel possible. Every January, I pick up a clean agenda and a new set of pens. It’s a simple ritual, but it instantly makes me feel ready for what’s ahead. That same idea shows up in other everyday resets too. Fresh towels in the bathroom, a put-together lounge set that feels comfortable but polished, or a new candle that shifts the mood of a room. These little changes make daily routines feel more like self-care and less like something to rush through, and they make starting new habits feel easier and more exciting.
This year, I’m also being more intentional about the pieces I choose and the textures they bring. I will always gravitate toward linen, leather, wool, silk, or stone over anything else. Those materials add warmth and depth, and they age beautifully over time. If you’re thinking about a fresh start for 2026, I’d recommend choosing pieces that support that feeling, but selecting them in textures and tones that feel thoughtful, grounded, and lasting. A soft reset, done well.
