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HAVEN:
THOUGHTS ON HOME &
CONVERSATIONS WITH VISIONARIES
Central to our well-being, home is our industry’s focus, passion, and responsibility. We strive to integrate interior design with thoughtfully built environments that nurture the potential for human wellness, and ultimately, happiness.
It is with this mission, that we at MQ wish to share insights into enhancing our home environments and to celebrate our partners who have creativity and vision. Our hope is these posts will inspire you as well–to create mindfully and live generously. Enjoy.
Spiritual Space: An Interview with Andrew Mann
February 24, 2026
As we flew into 2026, I paused to consider how we might live and design from a more heart-centered space this coming year. How we might focus, with intention, on the relational aspect of our work as well as the spirit of the spaces we’re creating...
As we flew into 2026, I paused to consider how we might live and design from a more heart-centered space this coming year. How we might focus, with intention, on the relational aspect of our work as well as the spirit of the spaces we’re creating...
Thoughts from Mead: A Heart-Centered Year
January 23, 2026
Happy New Year. I’m not much of an intention-setter, but I do pause at the beginning of each year to consider what it might bring… what I hope it will bring. As we step into 2026, I feel more dedicated than ever to...
Happy New Year. I’m not much of an intention-setter, but I do pause at the beginning of each year to consider what it might bring… what I hope it will bring. As we step into 2026, I feel more dedicated than ever to...
The Gift of Giving: An Interview with Victoria Morris
December 8, 2025
As 2025 comes to a close, and the busyness of the holiday season swirls around us, I’m reminded of how easy it is to lose sight of the goodness right in front of me, while worrying about the next moment, the next to-do...
As 2025 comes to a close, and the busyness of the holiday season swirls around us, I’m reminded of how easy it is to lose sight of the goodness right in front of me, while worrying about the next moment, the next to-do...
Can Technology Help Us Flourish? An Interview with Jason Wright of Partners + Sense
October 28, 2025
To be honest, I often feel like technology is coming at me like a freight train. I keep reminding my team that the train has left the station, and we’d better figure out how to get on board. But as much as I feel the overwhelming complexity of the technology era we’re stepping into with AI, I want to...
To be honest, I often feel like technology is coming at me like a freight train. I keep reminding my team that the train has left the station, and we’d better figure out how to get on board. But as much as I feel the overwhelming complexity of the technology era we’re stepping into with AI, I want to...
Thoughts from Mead
September 15, 2025
As summer turns to fall—a season for gathering—I find myself reflecting on the nature of home. What does it mean to come home? What creates a sense of ease, a sense of belonging? For each of us...
As summer turns to fall—a season for gathering—I find myself reflecting on the nature of home. What does it mean to come home? What creates a sense of ease, a sense of belonging? For each of us...
Building A Better World, One Landscape At A Time: An Interview with Gretchen Whittier and Kate Stickley of Arterra
August 5, 2025
I’ve come to know Gretchen Whittier and Kate Stickley in many small ways—through a shared business coach, a networking group, then through working together on a project in the Santa Lucia Preserve. When we sat down and asked ourselves...
I’ve come to know Gretchen Whittier and Kate Stickley in many small ways—through a shared business coach, a networking group, then through working together on a project in the Santa Lucia Preserve. When we sat down and asked ourselves...
Following Your Path: An Interview with Luca Pignata
June 25, 2025
Spending time with Luca Pignata was the highlight of my month. Within moments of sitting down in his conference room overlooking the Bay, we both took a deep breath as we gazed out at the water and began talking about...
Spending time with Luca Pignata was the highlight of my month. Within moments of sitting down in his conference room overlooking the Bay, we both took a deep breath as we gazed out at the water and began talking about...
An Interview with Backen & Backen
May 15, 2025
It’s hard to imagine an architecture practice more intimately linked to the land and lifestyle of Northern California than Backen & Backen, founded in 1996 by Howard Backen and John Gillam...
It’s hard to imagine an architecture practice more intimately linked to the land and lifestyle of Northern California than Backen & Backen, founded in 1996 by Howard Backen and John Gillam...
Thoughts from Mead
April 17, 2025
Winter is quickly turning to spring in the Bay Area, one of my favorite times of year. The Magnolia Tree flowers start in late January, Plum and Cherry blossoms close behind...
Winter is quickly turning to spring in the Bay Area, one of my favorite times of year. The Magnolia Tree flowers start in late January, Plum and Cherry blossoms close behind...
An Interview with Signum Architecture
February 25, 2025
I have admired the work of Signum Architecture from a distance for quite a while. One of the things I appreciate most about Signum founders Jarrod Denton and Juancarlos Fernandez is the way they...
I have admired the work of Signum Architecture from a distance for quite a while. One of the things I appreciate most about Signum founders Jarrod Denton and Juancarlos Fernandez is the way they...
Building Beauty, Together
January 17, 2025
As we begin a new year, what bubbles up for me is a question – How do we lean into the best of our intentions, prioritizing what matters most, and create beauty along the way?...
As we begin a new year, what bubbles up for me is a question – How do we lean into the best of our intentions, prioritizing what matters most, and create beauty along the way?...
An Interview with Luke and Ani Wade, Wade Design Architects
December 4, 2024
I met Luke and Ani Wade, the tremendously talented husband-and-wife duo at Wade Design Architects, through my dear friend Cherie Slane who has a knack for bringing like-minded people together. I had admired their work from...
I met Luke and Ani Wade, the tremendously talented husband-and-wife duo at Wade Design Architects, through my dear friend Cherie Slane who has a knack for bringing like-minded people together. I had admired their work from...
Interview with Jess Field, Field Architecture
October 15, 2024
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Congregation Kol Emeth in Palo Alto with its talented architect Jess Field, and it felt like a gift. I’ve long wanted to meet Jess, well-known for his passionate approach to architecture and...
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Congregation Kol Emeth in Palo Alto with its talented architect Jess Field, and it felt like a gift. I’ve long wanted to meet Jess, well-known for his passionate approach to architecture and...
Interview with Tim and Branden McDonald Centric General Contractors
September 12, 2024
I met Tim McDonald through The Gold Collective a few years back and immediately liked him. His humble, steady, and kind demeanor put me at ease as we sat and had coffee. Little did I know at the time...
I met Tim McDonald through The Gold Collective a few years back and immediately liked him. His humble, steady, and kind demeanor put me at ease as we sat and had coffee. Little did I know at the time...
An Interview with Ted, Josh and Ben Hall, Spearhead Construction
July 17, 2024
I am in awe of the team at Spearhead Construction — their reverence for craft, their intentional approach to people and process, and their mission to...
I am in awe of the team at Spearhead Construction — their reverence for craft, their intentional approach to people and process, and their mission to...
Beauty Simplified
May 20, 2024
At Mead Quin, we put our hearts into our work, and we approach each project with a deep sense of intention. Our mantra — “beauty simplified” — is more than two simple words. It provides us with...
At Mead Quin, we put our hearts into our work, and we approach each project with a deep sense of intention. Our mantra — “beauty simplified” — is more than two simple words. It provides us with...
An Interview with Aaron Gordon, Aaron Gordon Construction, Inc.
April 1, 2024
When Aaron and I first met in 2017, I was struck by his candor and his commitment to his craft. As I’ve come to know him over the past seven years, my admiration has grown. He is one of the ...
When Aaron and I first met in 2017, I was struck by his candor and his commitment to his craft. As I’ve come to know him over the past seven years, my admiration has grown. He is one of the ...
An Interview with Cherie Slane, Founder of the Gold Collective
February 26, 2024
As we start the year anew, laying groundwork and making plans for the year ahead, our thoughts naturally turn to what is important to us ...
As we start the year anew, laying groundwork and making plans for the year ahead, our thoughts naturally turn to what is important to us ...
Mindful Awareness & Wellbeing: An Interview with Takashi Yanai
December 8, 2023
As we wind down a year of carefully considering our most closely held core values, we have come to the subject of mindful awareness. The practice of mindful awareness - of being present — feels essential...
As we wind down a year of carefully considering our most closely held core values, we have come to the subject of mindful awareness. The practice of mindful awareness - of being present — feels essential...
A Conversation with Jonathan Feldman
September 14, 2023
Talented, passionate, forthright and clear in his ideals, Jonathan Feldman is an inspiration. I’m inspired by not only his work, but his approach to his practice, his candor, and his...
Talented, passionate, forthright and clear in his ideals, Jonathan Feldman is an inspiration. I’m inspired by not only his work, but his approach to his practice, his candor, and his...
Attentiveness: A Haven Interview With Kristen Sidell and Rudy Pakravan
August 8, 2023
There is such a strong connection between attentiveness and caring – through the act of attentiveness, we support the worth of a person or thing by...
There is such a strong connection between attentiveness and caring – through the act of attentiveness, we support the worth of a person or thing by...
On Timelessness: A Haven Interview with Robert Swatt, Swatt Miers Architects
June 15, 2023
When I thought about who I would most like to speak with on the subject of timelessness, Bob Swatt came to mind right away. I have long admired his work for...
When I thought about who I would most like to speak with on the subject of timelessness, Bob Swatt came to mind right away. I have long admired his work for...
Meaningful Connections, A Conversation with Christopher West
May 19, 2023
Sometimes in life you come across someone who seems just too good to be true. For me, Chris West is one of those people. We were introduced about four years ago by our mutual friend Aaron Gordon, who...
Sometimes in life you come across someone who seems just too good to be true. For me, Chris West is one of those people. We were introduced about four years ago by our mutual friend Aaron Gordon, who...
Q+A with Jody Knowlton, Talking About Beauty
March 16, 2023
When I first met Jody a number of years ago, I was blown away by her knowledge and passion. Even more importantly, I admired her ability to form connections. She takes the time to...
When I first met Jody a number of years ago, I was blown away by her knowledge and passion. Even more importantly, I admired her ability to form connections. She takes the time to...
Q+A with Grant Bowen: Leading With Kindness
February 8, 2023
As we embark on a new year, we’re excited to share a new series of interviews related to our core values. We want to explore and define...
As we embark on a new year, we’re excited to share a new series of interviews related to our core values. We want to explore and define...
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