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Sabaidee (hello/welcome in Lao)! I’m Patti.

In 2015 my Instagram went public and with little thought, gave myself the handle Patticakewagner because Patti Wagner was already taken. A lot has changed since then but my pursuit of Making Home a Little Sweeter still remains.

My love for design runs deep. From interior spaces to product design, my experience spans over 13 years in the industry. You can expect to find design tips, inspiration for curating spaces, DIY tutorials, product finds & honest reviews, sprinkled in with some lifestyle. I love to blend old & new with attainable & aspirational ideas to help you uncover the potential in your own home sweet home. I'm excited to share my knowledge and hope you leave this page feeling inspired. I'm happy you're here!

Making Home a Little Sweeter

About Patti

Before I was immersed in this creative world, my story is that of a very humble beginning. My family fled our war-torn country in Laos when I was a child.  We sought for safety in three refugee camps before being sponsored to live in the US. We came here penniless. Growing up in low-incoming housing, I would daydream of living in a nice home one day which sparked my interest in design. That dream manifested into reality and is a big part of my story.

I have a BFA degree in Interior Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and worked in both residential and commercial design before transitioning to product design. I was in product design and development for 13 years at Target HQ as a Sr. Designer, until I pivoted to my ‘work at home’ mom role. My passion for homes and classic interiors led me to launch this blog to document my design and renovation process with my husband, Brian. We currently reside in Minnesota with our three sweet children. In a fast moving world and even faster on social media, you can find the unhurried renovation of our 1927 Tudor home along with our joyfully slow paced life. We also thoughtfully repurpose old properties to turn into long term rentals which is no easy feat.

Thanks for Being Here

This blog has evolved to be much more than that. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to host my own digital show on HGTV, titled Rentfluencer, and landed notable partnerships with some of my favorite brands. It has been a journey of self discovery and living a fuller life in my pursuit of making home a little sweeter. I hope to inspire you to do the same. Browse my home tour + portfolio, read the latest on the blog and be ready to uncover the potential in your own home, whether you own it or rent it. No matter your budget, be ready to dream big!  Thanks for being a part of my community!

Sweetest Regards,
Patti