Nestled nature
If you love nature and want your home to feel connected to it-may you find inspiration here!
Welcome!
Hello and welcome. My name is Teresa Kikugawa. For the past 17 years, my career has lived in the world of healthcare-a space that taught me the value of care, resilience, and the importance of environments that support well-being. But alongside that journey, another story has always been unfolding: one rooted in home, place, and a deep love for Mother Nature.
I’ve been fortunate to call many corners of the country home, including Ohio, Texas, Nevada, Illinois, Arizona and Washington. Each move wasn’t just a change of address-it was an education in landscape, light, climate, and the quiet ways of how our surroundings shape how we live and feel.
Along the way, I’ve owned and renovated several homes in three different states and landscapes, each one becoming a creative canvas inspired by the environment. From wide-open skies and desert textures to lush greenery and cooler coastal tones, every home taught me something new about balance, functionality, and beauty. I learned how to let a space breathe, how to honor what already exists, and how to design in a way that feels comfortable rather than forced.
No two climates are exactly the same-and that’s exactly what makes them special. The golden warmth of desert, the calm rhythm of coastal air, the grounding presence of forest and plains. Each environment has its own personality, its own palette. I believe that Mother Nature never gets it wrong. This belief is the heart of this blog. I want to inspire people to slow down, take it all in, and want to bring the outside, in. Here you’ll find a home decor approach inspired by nature, travel, and lived experiences. I often reflect on my photography and draw interior inspiration from that snapshot in time. I encourage you to do the same.
This blog is for anyone who believes a home should feel like a reflection of the world outside its walls-a place where nature, story and everyday life meet.
I am so glad you are here. Welcome.
Some Past Work Examples
1924 Illinois Bungalow
This 1924 home was set on 3/4 of an acre surrounded by very old homes that still looked like they held onto their history of farming. I wanted to keep this aesthetic and not change the character of the layout but enhance it, keeping farmhouse aesthetic alive.
Before and After
These images feature a renovation completed in a home I previously owned and renovated. Photos were originally captured for real estate marketing purposes.
Due to the small space, I opted for a light floor and cabinetry to keep the space feeling open. The ceilings were quite high in this house, so I chose to replace the old, outdated drop ceiling with wood laminate flooring. When it comes to wood accent, the ceilings the limit! This did not narrow the space but provided warmth. I built this farmhouse table to custom fit the breakfast nook.
A wall of cabinetry would have closed off the space even more. I opted for an accent in the space with floating shelves to break up the monotony of white.
The farmhouse color scheme
To-ceiling cabinetry continues to add height and draws the eye up. I needed a balance of color between the wood-toned ceiling and the grey toned floors. The backsplash was the perfect connection. Although a white base, it had a mixture of greys and browns to connect the two.
2005 Tucson Contemporary
This contemporary home was filled with builder grade, generic materials, yet located just on the edge of the rough and beautiful desert. I wanted to enhance this primary bathroom with desert colors and materials native to the landscape.
Before and After
These images feature a renovation completed in a home I previously owned and renovated. Photos were originally captured for real estate marketing purposes.
Greens and red clay hues are natural to the desert landscape. By replacing stock square porcelain tile with authentic Saltillo tile, this gives the bathroom a feel of the desert.
Open shower design with custom near-floor to ceiling length curtains allowed the space to feel large and open. Adding green plants and custom sunset painting added pops of color.
Desert color scheme