Lately, I have wanted to write about the beautiful designs we create and share a little glimpse into our lives—what keeps us awake at night, what makes us smile, and everything in between.
What better time than the holiday season to kick this off? It is the time when we go into deep reflection, at least I do.
So, starting this month, you’ll receive a monthly newsletter—a little love letter to my DnC family. I hope you enjoy catching up with us!
What’s in this November letter?
Our First Commercial Design Project: Why it’s so special.
Alper’s (Kind of) Surprise Birthday: What it meant to us.
Viva La Vida Install Prep: Let’s just say, we’re biting our nails!
Behind the Scenes of the Feel Good Candle (Limited Batch): A sneak peek into its story and design process.
Oh, and if you missed it, I recently shared My Velvet Obsession! If you’re still searching for Christmas tree decorations, read it here.
These newsletters will be wild, raw, and full of real talk. And to be honest, a little long. I wanted to share the good, the bad, and the will-be betters of this journey. What it’s really like to be an entrepreneur, to have two small kids, to work with your partner, and to love what you do.
Okay, buckle up!
Designing Our First Commercial Space—It’s a SPA!
After we finalized the proposal for our very first commercial project (yes, you read that right!), I couldn’t contain my excitement. Designing a spa is such a unique experience, and I’ve been diving into learning more about this amazing line of service.
But if there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s this: I’m all about authenticity. I share how I feel, and what you see is exactly what you get—though sometimes, you might just get a little extra! 😄
And to be honest, I was shocked—and maybe a little anxious—about saying yes to a commercial project. It felt like such a big leap! But that’s where working with Alper has its advantages. When I’m spinning in my nerves, he’s the calm in the storm. After our Meet & Greet, he reached out to Mythanh, our client, and together, they just made it happen. Fast forward, we had our Project Intake on a SPA massage chair. Talk about a first!
It Was Kismet—Here’s Why
If you check out my website’s “About Me” section, you’ll see that my favorite birthday activity is a SPA day. So when Mythanh read that, she knew we’d click—and she was right.
Project RRR (Relax, Refresh, Renew) has already become so special. Mythanh is simply the greatest. Every time I meet her, I leave feeling energized and inspired.
We’re now in Design Part 2, and when we presented our ideas, Mythanh was overjoyed. She even mentioned how she finally felt like she could relax—a huge relief, as the renovation process had started to feel overwhelming with all the decisions she had to make. Hearing that was everything.
All This While Planning Alper’s (kind of) Surprise Birthday
This year, I really wanted Alper’s birthday to feel special. As we’ve started working more closely together, I’ve come to appreciate how important it is to create moments to celebrate and show gratitude for each other. Working with your partner can be tough sometimes, so these little moments matter so much.
I was lucky to have my sister and cousin step in to help with the planning—because let’s face it, you need a solid support system for these things.
Now, why do I say “kind of” surprise? Well, let’s just say I’m terrible at surprises. I get so excited I can’t keep it to myself! But this time, I was doing really well… until a friend accidentally asked Alper (right in front of me) what time his birthday event was. Yep, the cat was out of the bag—but hey, at least I wasn’t the one who spilled the beans! 😂
The party itself was a full house—a true get-together. At one point, we had about 45 people in our home, including 20+ kids running around. And honestly? I loved every second of it.
The highlight of the evening? Without a doubt, the ice cream cake! It was an absolute hit with the kids (and maybe some adults too).
Yes, the Viva La Vida Project is Wrapping Up!
We’re so excited—and a little nervous—as we gear up for the big install! It’s a whirlwind of planning and logistics: 250 items to coordinate, transport, unwrap, style, and leave the home looking like it belongs in a magazine. That’s the dream, right?
Of course, it’s not without its hiccups. Delivery delays and unexpected updates seem to pop up at the worst times (and they are so frustrating!). But you know what? It’s all WORTH it. We recently finished the majority of the install, now planning for the photoshoot for the reveal.
I can’t wait to share the finished rooms with you in December!
Our First-Ever DnC Decor: Feel Good Candle Samples Coming Soon!
Creating a sensory experience has always been important to me. When I envisioned these candles, I wanted them to embody everything I value: sustainability, responsibility, beauty, and clean, small-batch production.
Alper and I ordered our first candles for a limited-edition drop as a year-end appreciation gift for our community and clients. But after waiting five weeks, the order was canceled at the last minute. It was heartbreaking, to say the least.
Then came High Point Market. During the furniture show, we spotted a candle workshop—but with only 36 hours to see everything and get back home to the kids, we just didn’t have time to stop.
On Sunday, as we were about to drive back to Atlanta, we decided on a whim to check out the venue and maybe ask a few questions. That’s when we met the sweetest candle maker, Vessel Candle Studio. Her story was so inspiring, and we instantly connected on a deeper level. Meeting her felt like one of those moments where the universe gives you a little nudge in the right direction.
Together, we designed a scent that feels like home to me. This special edition will be called SUMMER IS A MINDSET—a small-batch collection of FEEL GOOD candles.
This scent is a reminder of the ocean and the endless possibilities of life. It’s fresh, with a hint of sweetness, to bring comfort even in the darkest moments. When designing it, I dreamed of my childhood summers by the Mediterranean Sea, the lemon trees in our garden, and the magic of those carefree days. These memories ground me, bring back childlike wonder, and remind me of calmness, dreaming, and endless possibilities—all of which I hope to share with you in the new year.
This is an experiment, and I couldn’t be more excited! If you’d like to sample the candles, send me a message!
This Month Has Been a Good One
As I write this, I’m thousands of feet up in the clouds—literally on a plane—but also figuratively. I feel like I’m floating, letting the words pour out. Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support keeps me going.
So, drop me a note! Say hi when you have a moment, and let me know what else you’d love to hear about.
xoxo,
BurJu
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