Many times, I am brought into a home because the homeowner is frustrated with a specific space. When that space is a home office, I have often found the same mistakes happening over and over. These mistakes are not only made by homeowners, but also by many designers, consultants, contractors, and architects. Hopefully, this article will shed some light on a few of these and help you set up a home office that works for you, not against you. Most design professionals will agree that an office needs to address function, aesthetics, ergonomics, and beauty. I agree, but where I stand apart is that I also address the emotional and mental well-being of the person occupying the space.  This [...]

I’ve always loved working from home. From day one, in 1997, when I made a career shift, I’ve loved working from home. Back then having a home-based career was a rarity. So, I guess I was ahead of my time, but it wasn’t for long, because things are different today. Today, home offices are a part of most households, whether in a full-time or part-time capacity. The question is — are they getting the respect they deserve? (Or, are you getting the respect you deserve?) Home offices need to be thoughtfully designed. They need to support you as much, if not more, than an off-site office. It is the hub for your professional career, and since you are the [...]

Working from home is fairly common these days; no one thinks twice when someone says they work from home. A few years ago, a home office would have been primarily used for personal finances and records. However in today’s world, approximately 32 million peoplework from home professionally. It doesn’t matter whether you're freelancing, running a personal business, or working remotely for a corporation; your home office plays a critical role in your professionalism, productivity, mental clarity, and overall well-being. But creating a space that truly supports your professional life takes more than just a computer and a chair. Working from home requires deliberate planning and a keen sense of balance. Here’s how to thoughtfully blend a home office into [...]

We often think of art as something decorative—a final touch to a living room wall or a splash of color in a hallway. But the art we choose to surround ourselves with does far more than beautify our spaces. It quietly molds our perception of the world, influences our emotions, and even reflects our identity back to us. The art in our homes is not just a reflection of taste; it's a mirror to our minds. As you can see in the above photo, the art of artist, Brent Holland captivated us and our minds during his exhibit at a local social. Art has the ability to quietly intrigue the mind, toy with emotions, and tickle the eyes, while [...]

To see what pure joy looks like, watch how your pet embraces life! I love watching my anadoodle, Layla. She embraces life to the fullest. It doesn’t matter if her routine gets rearranged, or if it’s raining outside, or if she is suddenly awakened …   she rolls with whatever life hands her. Her joy is contagious and fills our hearts and our home with pure joy. If you have a pet, then you know a pet is more than an animal; it’s a member of the family. But let’s face it: they can be tough on a house. And sometimes their only saving grace is their adorable charm, as you’re cleaning up or repairing the damage caused by their [...]

serenaandlily.com Have you ever walked into a room and instantly exhaled and felt more relaxed—or, on the flip side, more tense or overwhelmed? You're not imagining it. The spaces we occupy deeply influence the way we think, feel, and interact with the world. Changing your decor isn't just about aesthetics; it's a subtle yet powerful way to shift your mindset. Psychologists say that within 7 seconds of entering a space, our mind processes the space and gives us feedback. Is it welcoming? Is it too warm, too cold, too humid, or just right? Is it bright and cheery or dark and dreary? Is it open, inviting, and clean, or stuffed, closed off, and chaotic? How does it smell — [...]

Lately, more and more people are telling me they don't sleep well; they toss and turn or don't fall asleep until it's almost time to get up for another day. Their children are struggling as well. It's sad to hear this because sleep is extremely crucial for our mental and emotional well-being as well as our spiritual health. The lack of quality sleep quickly slows us down, creates brain fog, causes unhealthy food cravings and compulsive eating, slows our metabolism, drains the color from our complexion, etc. We've all seen the signs. It is not discriminating and is so prevalent that there seems to be a sleep deficiency epidemic happening in today's world. Many factors can contribute to sleepless [...]

Have you noticed how quickly being outdoors can lift our spirits (and our dog's spirit)? Even if it's for only 10 minutes our mood improves. This makes perfect sense, because, after all, we are organic beings and we are as natural as nature is. That's why the sun can lift our spirits and the breeze can free our thoughts while nature's colors inspire and invigorate us. We feel whole and at home in nature and it begs us to bring that feeling home. Interestingly, more and more people are doing just that - bringing nature inside. But how can we recreate that expansive freeing energy in our rooms? It's easy and fun when it's done with intention. As a [...]

Every year, the design world introduces new inspirations, and this year is no different, except it seems more people are deciding to adopt some of these inspirations. Some long-standing trends are fading, while new trends are boldly surfacing. I don't buy into all the latest trends. Instead, I focus on the best solutions that reflect the household: their needs, activities, and lifestyle. I also respect the architectural style of the house while adding modern elements. Color schemes, patterns, textures, and lighting should be thoughtfully selected because they greatly affect our psyche, emotions, stress levels, relationships, and health. For that reason, I keep up with the trends but choose them strategically, not because they're the latest craze. It's all about [...]

Hooray! Summer is here! The days are longer and warmer, and my inner voice urges me to open doors, windows, and sunroofs, as well as my arms to bathe my heart and soul in summer's essence.  It seems I'm not the only one feeling this way. I see others waving from their open car windows, neighbors saying 'hello' from their open garage doors, passersby smiling and saying 'what a beautiful day', and so on. It seems June days are perfect for friendly chats, family gatherings, camping excursions, neighborhood potlucks, BBQs, tailgating, gardening, and so much more. Summer invites us to bring friends together and gather on the patio. And whenever friends gather there always seems to be copious amounts [...]