Transitions in life can be challenging; quite often after a major life change your home doesn’t function as well as it once did, or somehow doesn’t feel right anymore. I strongly believe that your physical environment affects how you feel. A change in your home decor can acknowledge the life change, and help you move comfortably forward into the new phase.

I had a lovely client who was suffering from “empty-nest” syndrome; a beloved grown daughter had moved out and her old bedroom was a painful reminder of the gap in the house. We redesigned the room as a much-needed home office for my client, with a restful wall colour, a new rug, and an antique table of her mother’s; the room was transformed into a private, practical haven and a base for moving forward rather than looking back.

Another client, recently widowed, was struggling to make her new condo a meaningful home that was a personal expression in this new phase of life. We discussed what made her happy, what she loved; the answer, quite simply, was “Paris”. We redid her condo in “Paris apartment” style, utilizing much from my client’s considerable collection of art and furniture, while incorporating soft paint colours and some new items. While the overall redesign was elegant and restrained, we decided to have some fun with the powder room and “go over the top” with an oversized chandelier and bold wallpaper. The results always bring a smile to the face and truly reflect the spirit of this warm, lively client.