 Every summer I end up asking Larry, "What are we going to do about our kitchen?! The floor needs replacing, the cabinets and back splash are outdated, the appliances aren't going to last much longer (and yet they are)," and so the familiar conversation goes on. He replies with something like "Well, you're the designer. Treat me like a client and show me some options." So this year I did exactly that. I took measurements and created three-dimensional drawings for every possible option I could think of. We looked at them together, tossed around more ideas, and then I went back to do more drawings.
 Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash There are two large bulletin boards in the corridor outside of my office. They normally accumulate miscellaneous flyers. In an attempt to make it look nicer, I started experimenting with an idea to dedicate one for joy and one for wisdom.
A few of us have started to add pictures and quotes that we find meaningful. Word is spreading about this project and others are starting to participate and share their idea of joy and wisdom too! I invited people to "Inspire us, show us something beautiful or something adorable...whatever you choose! If you don't have time, please send something to me and I'll print it for you and add it to the board." It's growing! When we need a little boost in our day, we stop by and take a look at this evolving collage. How do you share joy and wisdom in your workplace?  Photo by Lesly Juarez on Unsplash In May, I attended the Positive Business Conference at the Ross School of Business. One of the presenters, Rob Dube, walked us through an exercise of "Do Nothing." The auditorium was filled with business leaders from all over the world. Rob asked us to close our eyes for a moment.....breathe....just breathe....and then he said "feel your feet without touching them"...just notice.....feel the connection...this is the practice of doing nothing. After a moment or two, we opened our eyes again and the energy in the auditorium completely shifted...you could feel it. So....maybe you can find a moment today to "Do Nothing." Connect with your inner joy and wisdom....these are your treasures and if you're inclined, share it because we all need a little more of it in our lives.
 My husband and I recently stayed at the Boca Raton Resort and Club, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. This was our third visit there. While Larry is there for work, I am there to “support" him (hehe) while savoring long, lazy mornings reading and writing in the most luxurious bed I have discovered.
Whether I'm at home or traveling, I NEVER want to spend hours reading in bed. When I am at this resort, I have a hard time dragging myself away even to read from another luxurious location, the pool! I thought I’d share with you what I find so luxurious about this bed. It surprised me. I didn’t investigate as far as to identify the type of mattress. I only focused on the bed linens and here’s what I found.
 I believe that we humans are here to experience joy, beauty, and love. My mission is to help others express their unique ideas of these things in their home and workplace.
What stories are you telling yourself? What stories do you want to tell yourself? Tell me your dreams and I’ll show you how to symbolically reflect your very best stories into your environment...decorate your way to joy, beauty, and love. This is the foundation to creating a soul oasis. This is how I can help you get your dreams from your head, out in front of you so that you can take steps in the right direction...towards your dreams. Do you see your idea of joy, beauty, and love in your home or in your workplace? What story is your soul oasis telling you?  I was talking to an intern at work the other day about our mutual love of creativity and design. It struck me that she may enjoy seeing personal photo collages that I create for people. I call them Soul Snapshots. I create them based on how I see someone or how I feel it may touch them. I create them as my way of saying “I see you and I hear you.”
When I showed Melissa the one I created for Andreas, her hand immediately went to her heart and she was on the verge of tears. She said, “This is so powerful! You could save someone’s life with that!” You could’ve knocked me over as I took in her reaction and her words. So here it is, a soul snapshot I created for Andreas. A couple of months ago I was at a Chamber of Commerce event where I overheard Andreas explaining to the woman next to him that he is following his childhood dreams. My ears instantly perked up. Following the footsteps of his family, Andreas went to medical school and was working in a hospital where he began dreaming of a different path. He went back to school, this time to learn photography and design, and then launched his own business, Yellow Door Brand. Andreas dresses meticulously and was often hired by others to style their wardrobe so he followed this passion as well and added custom shoes and suits to the Yellow Door Brand. Today, Andreas spends his days living his dreams from designing clothes and shoes to photographing weddings and even teaching ballroom dancing and business classes. He is a true inspiration.  My method of working as an interior designer and House-coach involves my clients and their dreams. When you hire me, we become partners. I actively and passionately listen to your vision and needs. Together, we create a home that nurtures you, inspires you, and fills you with joy. In this video of Linda's bedroom transformation, you will see how she has taken one step at a time. Unlike what we see on TV, transformation does not have to be done all at once while turning your life upside down. For most of my clients, they are DIYers (do-it-yourself) and they may take months or a year or more to complete their projects. This is the case with Linda. Her bedroom transformation is a journey, an experience, that she continues to enjoy today. To receive the full impact of the video, please watch it all the way through once without pausing. Then go back and pause and read the helpful tips and guidance that I shared with Linda. You may be able to use them in your own home! Linda is in the process of having a new ceiling light fixture installed and searching for some additional accessories. Once the room is truly complete, I'll share an update with you.  I was having a casual conversation with my new friend’s wife at an event one day. She was telling me they are nearing the completion of a kitchen renovation. As I began asking her specific questions about it, she quickly realized my passion and said, “I didn’t know you’re a designer! I need your help! The painters are coming next week and I haven’t picked out a paint color yet!”
A few days later, I was standing in her kitchen with my large, hand painted sample boards, choosing colors that will work for her entire first floor. She also wanted ideas for arranging the furniture in their open concept family room. Before I left their house that day, she had direction on what color scheme to go with. Three weeks later I returned with a custom portfolio showing her inspirational images of how their family room could look along with recommended items to purchase, and conceptual drawings of their room with three different arrangements to consider. This client already knew what colors she liked but wanted the assurance from a professional. Going through a consultation with me showing her my samples and explaining the correct undertones for her home helped her choose the right colors. She used some of my recommendations but not all. The custom portfolio I created for them is a tool they will use for years to come. As their schedule and budget allows, they can refer to the portfolio when making new purchases. What I love most about my work is that it is a partnership. I’m there to listen, to guide my clients in choosing what they truly want, to educate them about why or why not their ideas will work, and to provide alternative solutions in expressing themselves in their home. They choose when they want to make the changes, if they want to hire a contractor or do it themselves, and where they want to shop. All of these decisions are building from the design plan I created specifically for them. |
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