What Inspires Me
Several years ago I was watching a well loved HGTV show (that I won't name here) and a young couple had just purchased a condo that desperately needed a new kitchen and bathroom. They couldn’t stretch the budget enough to renovate the bathroom, yet when it came time to decorate their new open concept kitchen and living space the designer insisted on a floor lamp that cost several hundred dollars. While several hundred dollars might not allow them to completely renovate the bathroom, it would've afforded them a re-design to make the space both livable and beautiful. I remember feeling so incredibly frustrated. Don’t these designers know that most people don’t buy $800 floor lamps? Most people are trying to camouflage IKEA pieces, hand-me-downs, and that one real piece they saved for, in an attempt to make it look intentional. Everyone deserves to enjoy their homes in their current state and with-in their current budget, while being inspired by their someday dreams.
I believe a home should represent the people who live there, and their reality. Whether that means working on a non-existent budget, incorporating kids stuff, working around rules from your land-lord, etc, all spaces should and can be beautiful. I believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and no two homes should look the same. I believe a good designer never leaves evidence of their own taste, but rather helps clients discover their own and empowers them to make decisions for themselves.
I also believe organized spaces are relaxing spaces. I'm not talking about those beautiful pantries and linen closets you see on Pinterest. You know which ones I'm talking about, the ones where you're afraid to touch anything and everything must be in identical containers. I'm referring to functionally organized spaces. I believe there's a happy medium between realistic and aesthetically pleasing, and it is within your reach.
I also believe that DIY isn't for everyone, myself included. There is no shortage of incredible DIY blogs, Instagram accounts and pins that can guide you through any project you can dream up. The people behind these are talented, patient, and meticulous individuals with beautiful transformations to show for their hard work. I am not one of those people, even though sometimes I forget and try to be. Every time I start a project that I can't finish in a day or two, I end up frustrated and completely over it. I also end up texting at least a few friends begging them to stop me in my tracks next time! I fully appreciate the power of a good can of spray paint, but I personally prefer to leave the demos, rebuilds and renovations to the pros and self-taught diy-ers. It took me time to accept that... that's okay! While I may not have the budget to do a complete kitchen renovation, or the guts and patience to do it myself, my kitchen can still be a beautiful and enjoyable space, and I believe the same applies to you!
I believe a home should represent the people who live there, and their reality. Whether that means working on a non-existent budget, incorporating kids stuff, working around rules from your land-lord, etc, all spaces should and can be beautiful. I believe that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and no two homes should look the same. I believe a good designer never leaves evidence of their own taste, but rather helps clients discover their own and empowers them to make decisions for themselves.
I also believe organized spaces are relaxing spaces. I'm not talking about those beautiful pantries and linen closets you see on Pinterest. You know which ones I'm talking about, the ones where you're afraid to touch anything and everything must be in identical containers. I'm referring to functionally organized spaces. I believe there's a happy medium between realistic and aesthetically pleasing, and it is within your reach.
I also believe that DIY isn't for everyone, myself included. There is no shortage of incredible DIY blogs, Instagram accounts and pins that can guide you through any project you can dream up. The people behind these are talented, patient, and meticulous individuals with beautiful transformations to show for their hard work. I am not one of those people, even though sometimes I forget and try to be. Every time I start a project that I can't finish in a day or two, I end up frustrated and completely over it. I also end up texting at least a few friends begging them to stop me in my tracks next time! I fully appreciate the power of a good can of spray paint, but I personally prefer to leave the demos, rebuilds and renovations to the pros and self-taught diy-ers. It took me time to accept that... that's okay! While I may not have the budget to do a complete kitchen renovation, or the guts and patience to do it myself, my kitchen can still be a beautiful and enjoyable space, and I believe the same applies to you!