Q: Please tell us a bit about yourself and your family.
I grew up in Canada, in a small fishing village on the Bay of Fundy. It was me, my mom and dad, my two older brothers, and my grandparents next door. We are very close-knit. I came to the United States when I was 17 for undergrad, met my husband, and eventually got married. I became a permanent resident, got my green card, and later my citizenship. I was pregnant with my fourth child when I became a citizen. We now have four kids, 2 cats and a dog. Life here is very full.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career.
I went to Cairn University for my undergrad to get my bachelor’s in Music Education and Biblical Studies. I met my husband Tom in college and we were married in 2008. Life really took over after that. I graduated in May 2009 and our oldest was born in October 2010. I worked that year at a small Christian school as a music teacher and also served as the music director at our church. After having my oldest, Callahan, I decided to stay home, but I stayed part-time at the church as music director and taught private piano lessons for a while. I eventually stepped away from my role at that church.
When we went to sell our first house, that’s really where my real estate and staging journey began. Our realtor brought in Kerry McClintock to stage the home. I remember watching Kerry work and thinking, this is amazing. I told her, “If you’re ever looking for an assistant, I’d love to help.” At the time, she wasn’t looking for anybody.
Our realtor told me to keep following up. So every couple of months, I’d reach out and let her know I was still interested. Eventually, we met for coffee and realized we shared the same personality, values, and work ethic. She is such a lovely person, and we clicked right away.
I ended up staging my first house with her in 2018. It went so well because we both have the same approach: when we start a job, we don’t stop until it’s done. No food, no water, no bathroom breaks, we just power through. If you stop, you lose momentum, so we keep going until it’s finished.
In 2020 staging slowed down because of the pandemic. During that downtime, I decided to get my real estate license. I officially became licensed in 2021 and am now part of an amazing team of women at Keller Williams in Newtown.
Over the last few years Kerry’s priorities have shifted to being a grandmother. What a great focus to have honestly! At the same time, I needed to maintain my income. I had the idea to start my own staging company. I went to her first, because I never wanted her to feel like I was stepping on her toes. She was completely supportive and we’ve kept a great working relationship. I still stage with her sometimes.
This year, in March 2025, I officially opened my very own staging company, Composed Interiors. Since branching out, I have staged for a handful of amazing agents and helped some really great families. I am so happy with how things are going!
Q: What made you attracted to staging?
I’ve always loved design. As a little girl, I was constantly rearranging my room—my mom would tell me to clean it, and I’d just turn the whole thing around. We didn’t have cable growing up, so whenever I went to a friend’s house and they had HGTV on, I was glued to it. One of my friend’s moms was always redecorating, and I remember thinking, this is so cool—I want to do this forever.
I got to design my “grown-up” room once, and I loved choosing the wallpaper border, the paint color, and all the new pieces. Later, I started reading design blogs, back when blogging was just starting to take off. I followed Young House Love and Chris Loves Julia and soaked it all in.
Since my husband and I have always been frugal, nothing in our house was new. I spray-painted, stripped, stained—anything to make it work. I love creating a high-end look for cheap. That’s carried into my staging, too. I’ll share where I got things, like a Pottery Barn piece I scored at Goodwill. I love showing people you can get that look without paying full price.
I’ve also learned a lot from Kerry, especially about placement, scale, and artwork. I’ve always been good with color, but she really helped me grow in the design details. And with staging, there’s this whole psychology to it that most people don’t realize. Where you put an item changes how buyers perceive a space. That’s even why we keep staging up through inspection and appraisal, it can influence how professionals view the home. It’s kind of amazing.
Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?
Honestly, I love doing something and having it stay that way. At home, I decorate, but I’ve got four kids, two cats, and a dog.I’ll come downstairs in the morning and find a giant fort in my family room. With staging, I set it up, and when I come back, it’s still beautiful. That’s so satisfying. But even more than that, I love helping people. One couple I staged for recently was going through a very emotional time. Being able to help them get the most out of their home was really meaningful. I also love being able to help people make their home look fresh with a few simple tweaks. It is so easy to get stuck in a design rut, and sometimes that fresh perspective is all someone needs.
I’ve also been able to help with design projects and some decluttering. It has been exciting to see all of the avenues this job can take. Whether it’s staging, decluttering, or design, I just love making spaces beautiful and leaving people with something that feels good.
Q: What are some of your favorite restaurants in the area?
Honestly, we don’t go out a lot, but when we do, Tom and I really like El Barrio for dinner. We also do “First Thursdays” at Iron Hill. If you’re a member, you get half-price beer and an appetizer deal, so we’ll go, fill up our growlers, and grab food. If I’m treating myself, though, Oishi is my go-to for Pad Thai. Nothing else compares.
With the kids, we keep it simple. Their favorite place is JB Dawson’s on Sundays, because kids eat free with an adult entrée. With a big family, that’s a huge help, and it’s become our go-to when we take them out.
Q: Are you involved in any activities in the community?
This fall, I’m going to coach my youngest daughter Emmeline’s field hockey team. My older daughter, Avalena, is also playing field hockey in middle school this year. Outside of sports, I’m active in our church community at Bucks Community Church and I also substitute teach in the area.
I also LOVE my gym, CrossFit 267. I go four to five times a week, and my goal this year is to hit 200 classes. I’m on track so far! But honestly, I’ve made really good gains at the gym. I’ve been there for almost four years now, and I just love it. Everyone’s so nice, and it’s such a great community.
Q: What is your favorite band or music genre?
I really like Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat. I’d say I’m into happy, upbeat music. That’s usually what’s on my playlists. I’ve always been the type to remember songs forever. If I hear something from the early 2000s, I can instantly place it and get nostalgic.
Q: What are some of your favorite movies and TV shows?
My very favorite movie is You’ve Got Mail. I also love Catch Me If You Can, mostly because of the music.
For TV shows, I’m all about the classics and comfort shows: The Office, Parks and Rec, Seinfeld, Gilmore Girls and Sister Wives. On the flip side, one of my favorite new shows is Only Murders in the Building. Steve Martin and Martin Short are just the cutest, they’re real-life besties, and that friendship makes the show so much fun to watch.
Q: What is your favorite place you’ve ever traveled, and where do you want to go next?
Honestly, my favorite place is going home to Canada. St. Andrews by the Sea. There are so many fun places to visit in the world, but that’s the one that feels the best to me.
Next year, my husband and I are going on a cruise with our best friends to celebrate our 40th birthdays. We’ll spend a couple of days in New Orleans, which I am really excited about. I have always wanted to go. Then we will sail out to Cozumel, Mexico. I’ve never been before, so I can’t wait to see it! For me, it’s all about being somewhere warm. February is always when I start to feel a little down, so escaping to the sun is the best gift I can give myself.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Figure out what you like and just do it. That’s it. Just do it, and then- you did it, and it’s done.
Q: What’s something that’s on your bucket list?
I’d love to have a front porch that my staging business will pay for. That would be perfection to me.
Q: If you could have lunch with somebody, dead or alive, who would it be? And where would you go locally?
I’d take my dad and we would probably go to Longhorn Steakhouse. I think that would be perfect. I’d love to sit with him and fill him in on everything that has happened over the years.
Q: Who inspires you the most?
My kids. I know that sounds like such a cliché answer, but it’s true. My kids truly are my biggest source of inspiration. They’re so excited about life and happy about the little things. My friends also inspire me. I feel like I have a really good group of women I can look up to, each for different reasons, which is really special.
Q: What are a few of your favorite smells?
Um, pumpkin spice and vanilla. I know, I’m basic. I just love warm smells.
Q: What is your favorite holiday and why?
Christmas because it brings everybody together.
Q: What are a couple words you think of when you hear the word home?
Cozy and warm.
Q: Where can people find you and your business?
Instagram: @composedinteriors
267-229-4422