PHOTO BY HOMEOWNER
SPACE: This Could Be All You Need…
I’ve always been committed to making my design services accessible to a wide range of budgets and needs. Everyone deserves a home they love spending time in — and I don’t believe that should be a luxury only available to the wealthy. Beautiful, functional spaces are for everyone, and I’d love to help you create yours.
The first step in my design process is always the same: the Design Consultation. This is a 2-hour meeting that takes place in your home. It’s a chance for us to get to know each other — which is especially important for full-scale projects that can last several months. If we’re going to work together closely, it’s important that our personalities mesh well.
Regardless of the project size, I ask the same thoughtful questions and take the time to understand your needs, preferences, and what a successful outcome looks like for you. This meeting is about you, not me.
When someone hires me just for a Design Consultation, it’s usually because they’ve hit a wall with a design dilemma they haven’t been able to solve on their own. I step in to explain what’s working, what’s not, and offer the clarity (and confidence) needed to move forward.
For those tackling DIY upgrades, I pack in as much value as possible. I bring a strong understanding of installation techniques, which is key when talking about what’s actually doable in a space. Sometimes, you just need a professional to bounce ideas off — and that’s where I come in.
A few real-life examples:
The tricky living room layout
One client brought me in to help with the furniture layout for their long, narrow living room. We worked through placement, and chose a sofa that fit the space perfectly. During the same meeting, they mentioned a future plan to install an IKEA kitchen. I was able to measure and confirm IKEA cabinets would fit — not always a given with older homes.
PHOTOS BY HOMEOWNER
The bathroom reconfiguration
Another client was considering reconfiguring their main bathroom. We discussed pros and cons of their ideas, including moving a wall (and how that would affect the room next door). I hand-sketched a floor plan they could show their contractor, made a list of considerations, and even suggested products to look into.
PHOTOS BY HOMEOWNER
The paint and lighting picks
Sometimes it’s as simple as choosing the right paint colours. In this case, a client needed help selecting colours for a home under renovation. While I was there, I also helped determine the best spot for the lighting over their banquette seating.
Side note: Lighting is one of the most important design elements — it makes a huge impact on the finished space, but needs to be planned early. Hiring me to create a lighting and electrical plan can save you money (and drywall repairs) later by getting it right before the walls are closed up.
SELF: Unforeseen
It’s the pandemic.
My husband is back at work, and I start a full-time remote job.
One kid in SK “learning” virtually, and the other, a toddler, toddling.
I feel worried, stressed, overwhelmed.
Life is CRAZY.
I find some relief by scrolling through Instagram.
Giggling to myself at how many ADHD memes hit way too close to home.
Like.
Like.
Like.
I feel seen.
Validated by these new discoveries.
And, as algorithms do, the more I like, the more it feeds me.
Like.
Like.
Like.
Suddenly, I’m looking at myself through a new lens.
It explains so much.
My ADHD journey had begun.
The funny memes pulled me in, but what followed stopped me in my tracks. I felt curious. I wanted to know more about ADHD, because I wanted to understand myself better. From the time I first suspected I had ADHD (and playfully self-diagnosed), to the time I was actually diagnosed, it was a long road. Executive dysfunction — a hallmark of ADHD — makes big tasks feel impossible to start, never mind finish. So, I put it off.
I told myself:
“I’ve lived my whole life this way — why does it matter now?” That worked for a while… until it didn’t. Until I felt like I was losing my mind.
Look at any of my old resumes, and you’ll see me proudly describe myself as a multitasker. (Side note: multitasking is bunk. Our brains can’t focus on two things at once.) Need help solving a problem? I’ve got ideas. Need me to stay late? I’ll make it work. I’d take on too much and then stay up late making sure I kept my promises. I was reliable — but it was getting hard.
Being responsible for the kids — their education, health, activities, emotions — was consuming my brain. Then came dinner time, with a meltdown guaranteed, because even though the food was a hit last week, this week it’s poison. My husband is an amazing partner and very involved dad. But still, I couldn’t keep up. I’d catch myself literally walking in circles, unsure which task to do first. I’d pick something up, get reminded of something else, start that, then get distracted again. Eventually I’d be sitting on the edge of my bed, head in hands, frustrated. Why is this so hard? Why can’t I just do the thing?
“Just get more organized,” they say. “Make a list.” “We all have days like that.” But this wasn’t just a bad day. It was a pattern. A loop. And it took me hitting my version of rock bottom before I finally asked for help.
Getting diagnosed isn’t always necessary, but for me, it was. I needed something concrete to help me accept that yes, I do struggle with ADHD. It wasn’t a trend or a label — it was an answer. I also wanted to try medication, to see if it could help.
That’s how this part of my journey started.
With memes.
With exhaustion.
With curiosity.
With finally deciding I was worth the effort to understand.
As this is my first attempt at writing a blog, I’d really love your advice — what landed, what didn’t, and what you’d like to hear more about. Got a topic in mind or a question you’ve always wanted to ask a designer (or a fellow neurodivergent human)? Send it my way! Your suggestions will help shape this space.