Palm Beach is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious and exclusive destinations in all of Florida. Long associated with America’s elite, this island town feels less like a typical beach community and more like a European resort transplanted onto the Atlantic coast. As I walked down Worth Avenue beneath swaying palms and past pastel villas, I felt as though I had been transported somewhere between Italy and the French Riviera.

I was sitting at a table at Workwell Spaces in Burlington, half-finishing emails and half-watching the door, when Councillor Lisa Kearns walked in. The co-working space hummed quietly around me with keyboards tapping, coffee cups shifting, the low murmur of people immersed in their own workdays. Lisa Kearns is the councillor for Ward 2 in the City of Burlington, which encompasses the downtown area. In preparing for our conversation, I had found surprisingly little about Lisa

When it came to decorating my bedroom, I knew I wanted it to feel like my personal haven. It’s my favorite room in my apartment and the space where I truly get to unwind at the end of the day—or even work from home sometimes. Also I’ll often just sit on my bed and stare out the window, with a cup of coffee or tea, simply because the room feels so peaceful. My goal was to create a space that feels calm, comforting, and elevated, much like a hotel room you never want to leave.