I’ve been drawing floors plans for as long as I can remember. Born with a fluid imagination when it comes to space and light, space planning is second nature to me. My awareness of it is constant. How a room would work better if this door were here instead of there or how changing a window opening would capture a view or bring in more light. Ultimately, what makes a room comfortable is the layout. The spaces we inhabit affect us deeply.

As a kid I would drag my mom up to the furniture department at Dayton’s in downtown St. Paul where she would listen to my thoughts as we walked from one furniture “room” to the next, commenting on individual pieces or how a layout might be improved. I would immerse myself in these provocative environments which tapped into something visceral, instinctive. Around this time my parents went with my bold choice of paint color for the kitchen--chocolate brown--which at the time was very David Hicks. This was the 1970s and the mood and the style of the era made an indelible impression upon me. I’m drawn to it still.

Kristin Mooney grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. For many years she has split her time between Los Angeles and Minneapolis. She has completed projects in the Twin Cities, Los Angeles, Palm Springs and Upstate New York.