KMW Interiors- Home Staging Interior Design and Decoration Blog: Design as a Catalyst for Self-Discovery

When I met my last client, I was taken aback by his sense of confidence and calmness. This is a man that created his own success and achieved what many today are struggling tooth and nail to achieve. Although he was going through a major life transition, he seemed to have it all together. I felt like he was “going with the flow” given the changes in his life and I sensed wisdom beyond words in his way of handling it. I knew that he came to me to help him through this process of change.

I will not go into detail as to what changes he was going through, but to make a long story short, I will say that, at this point, he now had his own space, in which, to express himself freely. A new, but temporary, space that he could call home while his life underwent an emotional and physical transition. When we met, I asked, "So, what is your style? What do you have in mind for this space?" He looked at me with his calm and confident demeanor and replied. “I don’t know my style”. As I tried to grasp how I would capture his essence in the design of this new space, I looked around and took note of his familiar surroundings.

At this point, I could only take cues from the space he currently lived in to create a concept board I could present to him. Later that week, when I presented the board to him, much of what he saw he did not like! I was very surprised, but I knew that the past was fading away and the future was approaching fast in my client’s life. This is when I saw him come alive! Seeing "the past" in my concept board sparked a new flame that allowed him to come to terms with what he truly wanted, what he REALLY liked. He honestly loved resort living. Easy, yet sophisticated style that felt like a perpetual vacation. That is what his inner "self" craved! Knowing his personality and Island heritage, this style felt “right” to me. At this point, I was more than excited to begin the design journey with my new client! I felt like the "steward" of powerful change that would serve my client in ways I would never understand. Yet, it was my duty!

Given the short term situation that my client faced, I came up with a temporary solution that would allow him to have a private home where he could rest and relax and get acquainted with the real “self”. In the end, my client more than loved his new space! I feel like I helped him see a new way of living that he had not known before. Just "doing my job" ushered in an opportunity to facilitate great change in another person's life! I cannot express how very proud and humbled I am to have helped usher such a remarkable human being into a new phase of existence.

This is why I do what I do! My heart explodes at the moment someone opens up and becomes more in touch with the soul. To me, this is what Interior Design and Decoration is all about, discovering the true "self" through the perception of, and relationship with, the physical state of "being".

Here are some pictures of this client's new space.

Upstairs lounge area, the "Space at the top of the stairs" is what I call it. This highlights a picture in the background with a live orchid plant in the foreground.

A wider shot of the "Space at the top of the stairs".

The "Blue Bathroom". Blue color used to add a stark contrast to the predominantly earthy bathroom.

The space has nearly 20ft high ceiling with little nooks and crannies that can be filled with choice items. I chose pieces that keep the space simple, yet, interesting for the male client. I love the wood floors! They provide a great anchor for the barren white walls. If only painting was an option...

The "Lavender Room". I felt that this color would balance the space. The grays mixed with the lavender provides an energetic harmony. This room feels soothing and inviting no matter who you are!