I have been working with some facet of building, design, or finishes for over 30 years. If you count high school and primary interests, then my whole life. As a child I “refreshed” my bedroom every year near the start of the school, a right of passage I suppose. I have always taken note of a space when I walk in, how does it make me feel or what do I feel like doing in this space? How would I rearrange it to make it feel better? 

I earned a BFA, from University of WI-Milwaukee, where I also double majored in Architecture for 2 years. I was on my way to graduate school for Historical Preservation of architecture but discovered Durango instead and had to move here immediately. Tapping into the history of the southwest, I sought out adobe construction and discovered my love of natural plasters. Soon I was building strawbale and adobe homes with a special interest in the finishes. I apprenticed during that time with Carole Crews, a well known natural plaster guru in Taos, NM where I also assisted her two summers in a week-long workshop. I met my husband there and together we started a plaster company, Hansen Handcrafted Finishes. Knowing there was a need for non-toxic finishes in the four corners, I ventured on to open “handcrafted house” in 2011. Since then my design services have grown through the customer service I offer in the shop. I’ve done some online classes in Interior Design and since has been at the forefront of my work for the last 5 years, where I continue to a high level of customer service and love of ‘space’.