The other night, I met my friend for dinner at a restaurant we have never been to. Later that evening, I noticed a man walking through the tables with his arms outstretched. He reminded me of a little boy who was pretending to fly. He came to our table as we were getting ready to leave, took out a marker and drew a flower and a smiley face on our carry out containers.

My passion is guiding others through the process of transforming their space into one that is their unique expression of beautiful, one that feels nurturing and inspiring to them. As I was spending my days working in an office cubicle, I couldn’t ignore my desires and longings for something more. ​ I didn’t know when I would be ready to let go of my day job so I used my time there to change my environment and fuel my dreams.

The course I attended today was provided by California Closets. I expected to see slide after slide of glamorous closets designed for magazines but it was so much more than that! The presenter delved into the psychology of clutter which I find fascinating. I have always believed clutter can negatively impact our lives but I'm quick to brush off the power it has when I hear others say something like "I'll never be organized" or "With an office that organized, they must not have important things to do" or some variation of that line of thinking.

Maria felt a lot of negative emotions when she entered her bedroom. There was no need or desire to change the furniture, bed linens, or wall color. The room required an emotional release of the past and a vision for the future. 

Two different clients are having their kitchen cabinets painted. One was certain she wanted to paint them black and the other one was considering gray. The solution in both circumstances is navy blue.

A soul oasis is a space that fills you with joy, nurtures you, reminds you of happy memories, and inspires you to follow your dreams. It is a space that is a reflection of you. It is a space where you feel comfortable and want to welcome guests. It is a space that reflects one's heart and soul.

A soul oasis does not follow design trends. Instead, it guides you to use your heart as your compass. ​

​Architects design buildings.
Builders build buildings.
Interior designers design the interiors.
Kitchen designers design kitchens and maybe a bathroom.
Painters paint.
Sales people sell.

Everybody has their specific job to do when it comes to building, decorating, and furnishing a home but who is listening? Who asks the homeowners the right questions in order to offer the right options? Who is trying to understand how the family will live in the house so that the house is designed specifically for their needs instead of the  customers who proceeded them?

Building a dream home works best when we care enough to ask the right questions and listen to the answers from those we serve.

Two years ago, Cheryl and her husband downsized and moved into a smaller home. After several renovation projects, their new house was still not comfortable for them.

It didn't feel like home until their most treasured items were unpacked and displayed.

The unexpected splashes of color above the kitchen windows are old children's books that Cheryl read to her sons when they were little. When the grandchildren visit, they often ask for the books to be taken down and read to them.

A wall of narrow shelves and another counter top display artwork, cards, and letters from their grandchildren.

 There are new stories developing and happy memories beautifully preserved and thoughtfully displayed throughout this entire house. Do you decorate with intention? 

In this bathroom transformation, I didn't select new tile, a new paint color, fixtures, or lighting. I simply added pictures. I've been experimenting lately with ways to bring more joy into the workplace. I wrote about the Joy & Wisdom focus boards here. People LOVE them and I get so much joy out of seeing people embrace the beauty and randomness that is being shared on the boards.