If I was a piece of furniture I would be… a swing, because I’m always up for adventure if someone is willing to join me. Is a swing a piece of furniture? I have been known to become one with the couch on Sunday after a long week though.

When I was a kid I…thought that I would live in a castle one day. This dream has yet to be realized.

If I wasn’t here I’d be… On a twelve mile run in the Rockies up to the riverhead of the Colorado River.

My favorite place in the world is… Ponquogue Beach in New York. I’m not able to get there as much as I used to but I still get that childhood sense of anticipation as the Atlantic Ocean comes into view from the top of the Ponquogue bridge.

I want to redesign… Most commercial corridors I encounter, Beechmont Avenue in Cincinnati and McKnight Road in Pittsburgh come to mind. They are confusing, dangerous and intimidating to motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians and they could use some help aesthetically as well.

Introducing Kerianne, an amazing research assistant with a background in anthropology and newest member of our team!

If I was a color I would be…. Green, but my favorite color is brown.

When I grow up I’d like to be… Happy and have a job that challenges me.

I can’t help but be inspired by… Nature. I need mountains and bodies of water to survive.

If I wasn’t here I’d be… Planning a road trip to the west, making sure to find all of the hidden treasures along the way. Biggest ball of yarn? Here I come!

If I was a type of food I’d be… Mashed potatoes… I’m Irish and simple.

I want to redesign… The Parkway. I get stuck in traffic every single day!

If I was a color I would be…. sea glass green.

When I grow up I’d like to be… happy and living by the water with all the people I love close enough to stop in anytime for dinner or tea.

I can’t help but be inspired by… light. In photography light affects everything, it changes the colors, the mood, and can make the most simple of objects look ethereal. Also, when you grow up in Pittsburgh you learn to really appreciate the days with beautiful light.

If I wasn’t here I’d be… in Santorini, one of these days I’m going to get over there and see it for myself.

I can teach you… how to make a seriously delicious cast iron skillet steak, one of my few culinary specialties.

I want to redesign… the entire health insurance system, it’s confusing, frustrating and out-of-date.

One of my most precious treasures is… a booklet I created a few years ago that captures all of the traditions, inside jokes, funny quips, and defining moments in the life of my family.

A typical weeknight finds me… either out doing something in my community or home catching up on newspaper, magazine, or online reading… plus 20 minutes reading history before bed.

I’m at my most creative when… I am stimulated, provoked, and challenged by other people in verbal jousts.

If I wasn’t here I’d be… in a cottage in the mountains, with the windows open, listening to a babbling brook, reading a great book or catching up on old movies.

I want to redesign… my house, to fill it with more light, more bookshelves, an extra bedroom, and a touch more privacy.

My favorite fathom moment was… while we were conducting observational research in the Mellon Arena during a Penguins game. We were fortunate enough to get an unbelievable backstage tour from bottom to top! We saw the tunnel that runs underneath the ice and then headed to the top, where we were led through a hatch door to the roof of the arena. The view was unbelievable.

I usually spend my weekends…”playing.” I love to be active and it helps to keep my head clear. I love almost any sport, but my favorites right now are golf, skiing and anything I can enjoy with my kids.

If I was a type of food I’d be… I’ll be honest, I struggled with this question a lot. A good friend of mine said I was a French Fry – crunchy on the outside, but soft and nice on the inside. I think he was joking a bit, but after thinking about it, it does describe my personality pretty well, so, I’m going with that.

If I wasn’t here I’d be… traveling! – exploring and enjoying everything the world has to offer.

I want to redesign… the palette expander. If you are a parent and have a child that has had orthodontia, you know what I’m talking about. If this is something in your child’s future, be prepared for a frustrating and somewhat disturbing 2-week period as you fit a “key” the size of a paperclip into a miniscule hole in your child’s mouth to expand their palette, one turn at a time. There has got to be a better way.

My favorite season is… the fall. Though I dislike that winter comes next, I love the brisk fall air, pumpkin flavored treats, colorful leaves, and fall jackets.

When I grow up I want to be… a preschool teacher.  Toddlers say the darndest things.

When I have an hour of free time I like to… lay around and watch my rabbit, Cornelius, bounce around the apartment. It’s so amazing to me that just romping around and exploring freely can make the little guy so happy. I’ll have to show you a video sometime of him eating a grape – it’s pretty awesome!

If I wasn’t here I’d be… sitting by the ocean, mesmerized by the waves.

I want to redesign… the doctor/dentist/vet office experience. Once the doctor arrives, everything moves swiftly, sometimes to the point of frustration, but the endless downtime in the waiting room and then again in the exam room is completely mundane. The waiting time could be so much more purposeful.

Julina: One thing I want for Christmas is a TOKYObay watch necklace, so that I can know what time it is without having to pull out my phone. You might be asking why a watch necklace instead of a wristwatch? Well, because I have a very difficult time finding wristwatches that fit my wrists, unless they are child-sized. So, in an effort to maintain some semblance of maturity despite my tiny hands, I’d like this necklace for its simple form and practical function. And it fits so well in a Christmas stocking!

Nancy: I want a sewing machine so that I can:
- make low/er cost improvements to my home decor
- pay homage to my late grandmother who *tried* to teach me to sew when I was younger
- be creative and use my hands outside of what I do at work

Erin: Moore & Giles weekender bag.  I’ve long been on the hunt for the perfect carry-on, but it seems that most designed for women are too feminine for my tastes.  This bag looks timeless and able to withstand many journeys (making it worth the upfront investment).

Alyssa: A black lab puppy that comes with a 24-hour nanny/trainer. This way I get the benefit of all the therapeutic, sweet puppy kisses without having to clean up any “mistakes.”

Julia: I’d like the Philips WakeUp Light Plus for Christmas! I used to think these things sounded silly, until I decided to move to Denmark.  I’m already not a morning person, and with only a few hours of daylight during the winter and the sunrise not occurring until after 8:30am, I’m going to need some help!

My first job was… a check encoder at a bank when I was 16. My best friend’s aunt was the branch manager, and it was more like therapy than a job. She is, to this day, one of the best people in the world to talk to and get advice from.

I can teach you… how to appreciate your family and loved ones, especially our mothers. My mom is the guiding force in my life.  Her love for my brother and me inspires me daily.

My most memorable dining out experience was… on a Bahamas 5-night cruise. Talk about customer service! We felt like kings and queens. Everyone was so helpful and gracious, and we even got to dance around the dining room at the end of our meal to “Get Low” with our awesome wait staff. How can you top that?

If I wasn’t here I’d be… traveling throughout Italy, enjoying the music, architecture, food and wine. Or on a beach – preferably in Italy.

I want to redesign… my old grade school. Currently, it’s condemned, but it has so much potential, and I have so many wonderful memories there. I would love nothing more than to resurrect it into something great!

My favorite design-related word is… Impossible to choose. But today I pick “Pantone” because of its sense of endless possibilities and its well-executed brand.

When I was a kid I… drew masterpieces inside the closets of the house I grew up in and all over the pages of my mother’s expensive art books.

My favorite sandwich fixings are… big fat tomatoes, mayo and bacon. Impossible to have too much bacon.

If I wasn’t here I’d be… working in a bookstore or library. Oh, the smell of books.

I want to redesign… my 10-month-old twins’ side-by-side stroller. I’m not sure who’s less comfortable using it—them or me.

If I had my own storefront… it would have huge, beautiful windows.  I cannot survive without access to lots of natural light, and I could people watch.

If I could make a documentary it would be about… the parking lot attendant near our office – a totally sassy Argentinean guy who goes by the name of Vegas, gives me guff about my music, and yells at me when I have to leave before 5. He makes my day.

If I could go anywhere in the world I’d go to… Israel, or Finland, or North Africa.

If I wasn’t here I’d be… enjoying a beverage on the beach.

I want to redesign… the entire flying experience from the ticket purchase to the baggage claim. I hate flying.