When I first moved to the U.S. at 17, my sister and I shared a one-bedroom in my dad's house. The living conditions weren't great, but I couldn't complain — I knew it could be worse.
Today, I live in a home that's a little over 5,000 square feet with 22-foot ceilings, a spiral lighted staircase, a movie theatre, two kitchens, and a fountain in the backyard.
Sometimes I don't believe this is my life.
The First Home
I purchased my first home after the wave of COVID in 2020, and it felt incredible. But I was also very strategic during that time. When people made money and spent it on expensive trips and cars, I spent mine on real estate.
That wasn't luck. That was discipline meeting opportunity.
My husband and I are both into real estate, so we have multiple other properties. Real estate became one of the ways we built stability — not just for today, but for our family's future.
The Dream Build
Our current home is a custom build. It's modern and cozy — still furnishing, honestly, because we decided to buy the big-ticket items first and then go room by room.
The things that make this home feel like ours:
- Two kitchens — a prep kitchen and the main kitchen. I just got the Sub-Zero fridge and I'm awaiting installation. Cooking is one of my favorite ways to unwind, so the kitchen matters to me.
- The spiral staircase — lit and beautiful, one of the best angles in the house
- 22-foot ceilings — gorgeous but a styling challenge
- Two offices — one for me, one for my husband. We both work from home when we're not at the hospital.
- The backyard — a fountain view that's incredibly peaceful. We're planning to add a pool and an outdoor kitchen next year.
- Movie theatre — for family movie nights and winding down
- My son's room — currently being refurnished
How We Approach Home
We're a "splurge on what matters, find deals on the rest" household. Wayfair, HomeGoods, and TJ Maxx have been go-to spots for decor. We prioritize by room and function.
Our style is modern and cozy. I'm still finding our aesthetic, but I know I want the home to feel warm, intentional, and lived-in — not like a showroom. Inspiration comes from creators like @summerthompsonstyles and @valeriedesigned.
The pantry is getting a remodel right now — more cabinets, better organization. The tray cabinet, built-in spice rack, and three-tier dishwasher are features I've already shared on Instagram because they genuinely make daily life easier.
What This Home Represents
This home isn't just a house. It's evidence.
Evidence that the girl who shared a one-bedroom with her sister can build something extraordinary. Evidence that discipline and strategy compound over time. Evidence that the life you want is buildable — even when the distance between where you are and where you want to be feels impossible.
I'm sitting in my office right now writing this, in a home I designed, in a life I built from scratch. And I want you to know: this didn't happen overnight. It happened one decision, one shift, one investment at a time.
Your home is out there too. You just haven't built it yet.
