Washburn was born in Greenville NC and graduated from D. H. Conley HS, going on to BA degrees from NC State University in Environmental Design in 1997; Industrial Design in 1997; and Architecture in 1999.  She interned with Frank Harmon then worked with his firm through 1999. After a move to Boston MA working for Paul Lukez for two years, in 2001, she co-founded Tonic Design with Charles Holden and Shelley Gruendler. In 2004, Vinny Petrarca joined the practice and the firm changed to design/build.  She was a Studio Instructor at Boston Architectural College 2001-2002. She moved to San Diego then to Redmond WA in 2006, then went on her own in 2009 as Calico Studio PLLC for architecture and Calico Creates for art. Her firms are based in Chapel Hill NC.

 1999 - The Pearson Residence Addition, Lexington MA. Designed while working for Paul Lukez.

2000 - The Marcus Residence Renovation, Chesnut Hill MA. Designed while working for Paul Lukez.

 2002 - aka the North Pepper Residence Renovation, Altadena CA.

2003 - aka the Indian Camp Residence Renovation, Lincoln MA.

2003 - The Washburn House Renovation, aka the Wisteria Residence, Greenville NC.  Her parents.

2004 - The Heather Washburn House, aka the Stone Avenue Residence Renovation, Somerville MA.

2006 - aka the Sudbury Residence, Concord MA.

2007 - The Doug and Ann Sharpe Renovation, aka Silver Hill Residence, 401 Silver Hill Road, Concord MA. Built by SD Fitzgerald of Concord. Contributing designers: Charles Holden and Robby Johnston. Original 1960's house, bottom photo. Top three photos by Anton Grassl/Esto.

2010 – aka the NE 4^th Residence Addition, Kirkland WA. 

2014 - aka Ames Lake Residence Addition, aka Kaleidoscope Residence, Redmond WA.  A new studio was completed in 2012.

2014 - The Smith Residence Addition, Redmond, WA.   

2014 - The Mughal Residence Renovation, Sammamish WA.

2016 - The Lewis Residence, Kenmore WA.

2016 - The Ahn Renovation, Chapel Hill NC.  

2017 - aka Industrial Deco Renovation, Chapel Hill NC.