Born and raised in Nicaragua, Lydia Valdivia fondly remembers her childhood home. “It was colorful, textured, imperfect and full of personality,” she says. “Nothing was over-planned, but everything was intentional. I think a lot of my work today still goes back to that.”
After Valdivia immigrated to the United States, she learned to refinish hardwood floors, which was her first construction job. It wasn’t until he passed a 1900’s house that he knew what to do.
This time capsule of a place needed a lot of TLC, but Valdivia was in love with the original woodwork, which was still intact, and even appreciated the peeling wallpaper. At that moment he saw the potential of what this particular residence could become. Ready to spearhead unforgettable transformations herself, in 2024 she founded her Minnesota-based company, Moonstone Design + Build.
At first, Valdivia took on smaller renovations, and as word of her skills spread, clients gave her more opportunities to expand in new ways creatively. This trust from her partners gave her the confidence to continue building the business and improving her outlook over time.
Valdivia’s cell phone serves as a mood board, with photos of materials, architecture and restaurants she discovers during her travels. Some of her best ideas, however, are often found at random moments. “A lot of inspiration doesn’t come directly from design,” he notes. “It comes from everyday life and paying attention to how spaces make people feel.”
Today, Lidia Valdivia is with us for Friday five!
1. My Partner’s Art
My partner’s art has become one of the most important parts of our home. As an interior designer, I’m always fascinated by people who have artistic practices outside of their main job because it changes the way 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 changes the atmosphere of a room.
2. Coffee Shops, Drums, and Cairo Nights
I spent three months in Egypt and it changed me completely. I loved how alive everything felt — people talking for hours in coffee shops late into the night, music and drums constantly playing 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 found time for each other. Nothing felt rushed. Traveling through eight cities and
Experiencing this warmth and energy changed the way I see life and connection.
3. 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 will always cherish.
4. Projects that shape you
There is something incredibly special about an old house. The layers of wallpaper, the worn stairs, the faded carpets, the imperfect details — every surface tells a story. I am drawn to homes that feel alive and evolving rather than untouched. Restoration is never just about making something beautiful again. it’s about maintaining character while allowing a space to grow with you over time. The works that stay with me the most are always the ones that shape me in return.
5. My Childhood Home in Nicaragua
A large part of my design perspective comes from the house I grew up in in Nicaragua. It was colorful, layered, textured and full of personality. My mom filled it with plants, carved wood, tiles, collected objects and pieces collected over time. I think growing up in that environment shaped the way I see houses today. I’m naturally drawn to spaces that feel soulful, lived-in and deeply personal rather than overly polished. Even now, I find myself drawn to the same materials and feelings I grew up with – wood, plaster, tile, texture, color, natural light. I think, in many ways, I always try to recreate the feeling that my childhood home gave me.
Projects 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 handcrafted tiles, terrazzo floors and warmer finishes to keep everything grounded and vibrant. I love projects like this where the clients fully embrace the bold choices because the end result feels so much more layered and reflective of who they are.
House with works of art
I’m always drawn to homes that feel put together over time rather than perfectly styled. This space mixes art from Guatemala, paintings from Nicaragua, thrift finds, plants and pieces that each carry a memory or meaning. I love when a home reflects the people who live in it and feels deeply personal rather than overly curated. For me, home should be a haven, layered, comforting and full of things that tell your story.
Entrance to the Tudor house
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 tiles throughout the entryway and spent months looking for a wallpaper that would be true to the original character of the house. When we finally found this print, everything fell into place. I love projects like this where the goal isn’t to make a house feel new, but to bring it back to life in a way that still feels timeless.
Tiled fireplace
This project completely changed the direction of Moonstone for me. The clients were fearless about color and pushed me to be more playful and expressive with the space. The patterned tile on the fireplace became the heart of the room and instantly transformed the whole feel of the house. I love projects like this, where a bold design decision changes everything and gives the space so much personality and warmth.
Cuisine with a mix of influences
This kitchen looked like the perfect combination of mid-century, Moroccan and Spanish influences. We used pink tile throughout the back to bring warmth and softness to the space, combined with lighter wood tones and floor pattern to keep the feeling playful and layered. I love projects that embrace color in a quieter way, where the materials still feel timeless, but there’s personality around every corner.
Project photo and headshot by Chelsea Lopez.
