MANOR12

Summer is all about filling the calendar with things that we hope will bring our kids joy & wonder. The stuff memories are made of.

In fact, it’s what motherhood is all about. Curating a beautiful life for everyone around us.

And somewhere along the way, we forgot about ourselves.

We decided our happiness was an “extra”... not a given.

But the further I get into this journey of motherhood, the more I realize that my capacity to care for everyone else is directly related to how I care for myself.

For me, that means prioritizing my passions & hobbies when I can and having a space that nurtures me at the end of the day.

They are the building blocks of my joyful life—just like summer camp and play.

What would you choose if you made the cut this season?

I know it’s summer when _______

I bought this fabric to make a headboard—but what I actually got was a sense of self-worth I didn’t know I was missing.

I had been dreaming of this Mountain Tiger velvet for years. Earmarked magazine pages where fancy designers used it in fancy homes. Hung a swatch on my office wall as a thing to covet but never own.

I dreamt of those tigers, the way most people fantacize of vacations or the perfect meal.

But I told myself it was out of the question for my little bedroom makeover because my project should be done on a shoestring. With the kids’ activities adding up and more pressing work around the house: who was I to invest in just a pretty thing?

But then one day I was talking to a client about reframing her needs: from selfish to self-regarding.

She was using the same language to minimize herself that I was using in my own mind. That mantra that if it wasn’t for the family: it wasn’t a necessity.

I realized in that moment that I too needed to reframe.

It wasn’t that I couldn’t afford the fabric—I had convinced myself I wasn’t worthy of it.

So in a bold act to practice what I preach, I got those tigers, and they now live above my head instead of in my dreams each night.

And that velvet is so much more than just fabric: it is a visual daily affirmation that I. Am. Worthy.

And that is priceless.

I had to learn the hard way how to be a good host.

For years I was that person who stressed way too much about how everything looked, so that when guests finally arrived—I was ready for a nap. 

When attending backyard gatherings, I would marvel at how easy it seemed for everyone else. How were they so chill while everything just fell into place?

My neighbour Liz is my idol. Every summer it seems she just floats effortlessly barefoot across the patio in a linen sundress, with a tray full of flatbread pizzas and a top-up for my wine, all while being fully engaged in every conversation. Like she’s having fun.

And then it hit me.

A good hang didn’t come from the perfect space (although Liz’s is pretty perfect): it came from the relaxed host.

A host who was focused on their guests’ comfort... not the colour scheme of the cocktail napkins.

With a little preparation for the essentials (beverages, ease & flow) hosting could be enjoyable! And it didn’t seem to involve crystal decanters filled with old Snapple, styled to look like Scotch.

It was more simple than I thought.

I’d be lying if I said that I am totally reformed, and that I don’t still strive to match my napkins & stemware... but awareness is the first step.

And as long as Liz keeps hosting parties—I will continue to be inspired.

Who is your hosting idol? 👇

Photos:

Let’s talk.

A lot of women are ready to change up their homes but they hesitate to get started because they’re not sure what it will actually feel like to have someone in their home—judging where they’re at.

So here it is—simple and honest.

Interior Design is known for being intimidating, and that is why I set out to do it differently.

I show up as me, and you get to show up as you.

There’s no pressure to have everything perfect. No judgement about what you’ve bought or where you feel stuck.

We walk through your space together, talk through how you’re living now, and start editing in real time. What stays. What doesn’t. What’s missing.
And most importantly—what to do next.

You don’t leave with overwhelm—you leave with clarity.

And that feeling is often bigger than people expect.

I want this for you. Are you ready?
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Private consultations available. DM for more info.
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It may come as a shock when I say this: but animal prints are not actually my favourite. 😱

If I had to choose one hero—it would be the stripe.

More specifically a bold 2” black stripe on a muslin off-white background… but I digress.

A stripe can be bold. A stripe can be subtle. A stripe can be the supporting character or the leading lady in any scheme. She is classy & classic and never outdated or trendy.

A stripe, my friends, is timeless.

And as you see from the examples above, stripes have this magical way of both complimenting & settling any other pattern.

For the best combos, mind your scale: a bold stripe looks best with smaller busy patterns, while pinstripes rule next to large scale imagery. Don’t even stress about colour because the more contrast the better!

I for one am excited to try black & ivory pinstripes next the green loon pillow from this summer. It feels like the perfect pairing for a porch or cottage.

What will you be trying? 👇

Sources:

If you’ve ever had the experience of walking into a home that just feels good—it’s probably because it wasn’t trying too hard.

The most welcoming spaces are those that reflect the homeowner. Their passions, their lifestyle, their story.

Over the last 5 years of decorating homes I have found that this is the piece most people struggle with. They have a misguided notion that everything must follow a rule or a trend to be “good”.

But it’s easier than that. The answer actually lies within you.

This is permission to trust your taste over the trends.

If this resonates… stay here a while. There’s more to come.

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