Blog
Lidia Valdivia Talks Her Partner’s Art, Nights in Cairo + More
Born and raised in Nicaragua, Lidia Valdivia remembers her childhood residence fondly. “It was colorful, textured, imperfect, and full of personality,” she says. “Nothing was overly designed, but everything felt intentional. I think a lot of my work today still comes back to that.”
After Valdivia migrated to the United States, she learned to refinish hardwood floors, which was her first job in construction. It wasn’t until she walked through a 1900s home though that she knew what she was meant to do.
This time capsule of a place needed a lot of TLC, but Valdivia was enamored with the original woodwork, which was still intact, and she even appreciated the peeling wallpaper. At that moment she saw the potential of what this particular dwelling could become. Ready to spearhead unforgettable transformations herself, in 2024 she founded her Minnesota-based firm, Moonstone Design + Build.
At first, Valdivia took on smaller renovations, and as word spread about her skills, clients gave her more opportunities to stretch in new ways creatively. That trust from collaborators gave her the confidence to keep building the business and refine her perspective over time.
Valdivia’s mobile phone serves as a mood board, with photos of materials, architecture, and restaurants that she discovers during her travels. Some of her best ideas, however, are often found in random moments. “A lot of inspiration doesn’t come directly from design,” she notes. “It comes from everyday life and paying attention to how spaces make people feel.”
Today, Lidia Valdivia joins us for Friday Five!
1. My Partner’s Art
My partner’s art has become one of the most meaningful parts of our home. As an interior designer, I’m always fascinated by people who have artistic practices outside their primary work because it changes how they see space, texture, color, and emotion. Living with an artist has been incredibly fun because our home is never static; we swap paintings depending on the mood of the month, and each piece completely shifts the atmosphere of a room.
2. Coffee Shops, Drums, and Cairo Nights
Spending three months in Egypt changed me completely. I loved how alive everything felt — people talking for hours at coffee shops late into the night, music and drums constantly in the background, families gathering everywhere, spontaneous dancing, the call to prayer echoing through the city. There was such a strong sense of community and presence in everyday life. People made time for each other. Nothing felt rushed. Traveling through eight cities and
experiencing that warmth and energy shifted the way I see life and connection.
3. Getting Lost in Tinos, Greece
I was in awe of how beautiful Tinos was — marble everywhere, tiny winding streets where you could easily lose track of time, and the most incredible sunsets. Traveling there with my son and sharing those quiet moments together is something I’ll always hold onto.
4. Projects That Shape You
There’s something incredibly special about an old home. The layers of wallpaper, worn staircases, faded carpets, imperfect details — every surface tells a story. I’m drawn to homes that feel lived in and evolving rather than untouched. Restoration is never just about making something beautiful again; it’s about preserving character while allowing a space to grow with you over time. The projects that stay with me most are always the ones that shape me in return.
5. My Childhood Home in Nicaragua
A lot of my design perspective comes from the home I grew up in in Nicaragua. It was colorful, layered, textured, and full of personality. My mom filled it with plants, carved wood, tile, collected objects, and pieces gathered over time. I think growing up in that environment shaped the way I see homes today. I’m naturally drawn to spaces that feel soulful, lived in, and deeply personal rather than overly polished. Even now, I find myself gravitating toward the same materials and feelings I grew up around — wood, plaster, tile, texture, color, natural light. I think, in many ways, I’m always trying to recreate the feeling my childhood home gave me.
Works by Moonstone Design + Build’s Lidia Valdivia:
Kitchen With Orange Hood
This project was for clients who loved color and really wanted the home to feel fun and personal. Orange became the starting point for the kitchen and inspired the custom hood, which ended up becoming the focal point of the space. We paired it with walnut cabinetry, dark handmade tile, terrazzo floors, and warmer finishes throughout to keep everything feeling grounded and lived in. I love projects like this where clients fully embrace bold choices because the end result feels so much more layered and reflective of who they are.
Home With Artwork
I’m always drawn to homes that feel collected over time rather than perfectly styled. This space mixes artwork from Guatemala, Nicaraguan paintings, thrift finds, plants, and pieces that each carry memory or meaning. I love when a home reflects the people living in it and feels deeply personal instead of overly curated. To me, home should feel like a refuge, layered, comforting, and full of things that tell your story.
Tudor Home Entry
This entry was part of a Tudor home restoration and easily became one of my favorite details in the entire project. We installed small-scale tile throughout the entry and spent months searching for a wallpaper that felt true to the original character of the home. When we finally found this print, everything clicked into place. I love projects like this where the goal is not to make a home feel new, but to bring it back to life in a way that still feels timeless.
Tile Fireplace
This project completely shifted the direction of Moonstone for me. The clients were fearless when it came to color and pushed me to be more playful and expressive with the space. The shaped tile on the fireplace became the heart of the room and instantly transformed the entire feeling of the home. I love projects like this where one bold design decision changes everything and gives the space so much personality and warmth.
Kitchen With Mix of Influences
This kitchen felt like the perfect mix of mid century, Moroccan, and Spanish influences. We used pink tile throughout the backsplash to bring warmth and softness into the space, paired with lighter wood tones and patterned flooring to keep it feeling playful and layered. I love projects that embrace color in a quieter way where the materials still feel timeless, but there is personality in every corner.
Project photography and headshot by Chelsie Lopez.
