To all my busy moms out there... HEAR ME OUT!
Our homes ought to be our “Happy Place”, providing joy and peace amidst life’s busyness and adventures.
Like Bali, our homes can be a happy place for us where we find rest and rejuvenation.
When spaces are designed to function efficiently, they allow us more time to focus on what truly matters – cherishing moments with loved ones. Crafting a well-thought-out, functional space is about making key adjustments throughout areas of your home. My heart going into every project is to transform my client’s space into that “happy place” that works FOR THEM, not against them.
If you are at all like me, I would be thinking of action steps right about now. I would be asking myself,
“What can I do TODAY to start making this a reality in my life?”
Here are some things I implement in my home (and client’s homes) that has helped with this A LOT!
We all have those things that just aren’t cute, but we use them every single day. For me, that is kids books. I’m that person that loves to use books and other cute accessories for styling. But let’s face it, when you are a mom, your cute shelves often get overrun by kids books, are supplies, toys, etc.
A super easy way to make those books look cute, even when they don’t go with you space, is to turn them around! Click this link for an example and more info!
This is definitely more of an investment.. but CUSTOM CABINETRY. I have found that investing in custom cabinetry is one of THE BEST ways to ensure organization and functionality in your home.
Examples of custom cabinets I have in my home: pull out drying rack, appliance garage, under stair pantry pullout, utensil inserts, retrofitting cabinets for unique spaces (weird depths, slanted walls, etc), and more! These helped solve my needs. What are yours?
Creating “peace zones” throughout your home can be a game-changer, especially as a busy mom.
Imagine having a cozy corner where you can retreat to recharge, even if just for a few moments.
Peace zones like these are more than just pretty spaces—they’re an excellent tool for mental well-being. In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to forget the importance of designing areas that allow us to just take a breath. Try it out and let me know if this helps you!
I want to help people who are in desperate need of a change. Their home is always out of order, they go away from home to find peace, and they don’t know what to do. By specializing in creating designs that are tailored to my clients and their individual needs, pain points, and lifestyle, I’m here to help YOU make this a reality.
If you need advice, inspiration, or just a bit of guidance, feel free to reach out.
Together, we can create a home that brings you peace and joy.
Fun update:
I am working on expanding my business by offering DRI moodboards on Etsy! These moodboards will showcase a couple different design styles with various room options to choose from. I will keep you posted on when we get that all up and running but I am soooo excited!
Newsletter Pt 2 - Devan's Bali Travel Guide 🙂
As you may know if you follow me on Instagram, the hubs and I recently went to BALI!!!
I was thinking… for the rest of this newsletter, let’s shake things up a bit! I know many in this insider community love to travel and seeing how I recently got back from a little adventure myself… I thought I would share some of the details of my trip for anyone who can see themselves in Bali some day!
Buckle up 😉
We started off our trip in “Ubud“, this is more central Bali, a jungle with lots of farming and specifically rice plantations. I fully expected to enjoy it but thought I would love the beach more so we planned 3 days in Ubud and 7 days in Jimbaran at the beach. I was wrong, although I did love the beach (I’ll get to that in a bit); I regret not being in Ubud longer.
We stayed at an eco-lodge called “Bambu Indah“ that ended up being in Time Magazine’s ‘World’s Greatest Places 2024’ this August. They aren’t wrong, I was in complete total peace while we were there. The people were so kind and generous, the atmosphere was approachable luxury that seamlessly blended with nature. It was unlike anything I have ever experienced, and I have dreams of going back now!
This picture was from one of our breakfasts while we were there, Bali has delicious locally grown coffee and so I had two flat whites every morning. Most of their food is organic, locally grown in all of Bali and at Bambu Indah much is grown right on their property. Meals are not rushed, and our mornings just felt like bliss as we could sit and chat and just soak in the sounds of the river and wildlife.
The other pictures you see here are from our adventures in central Ubud where their local markets are located. We loved seeing more into their rich culture, most are Hindu, and their architecture really celebrates their beliefs. I loved seeing the open expression of their faith throughout the city and within their family compounds. Ubud was truly exquisite.
When we left Ubud, we went to a beach town called “Jimbaran“.
Jimbaran is in southern Bali on the Indian Ocean side of the island. The water was a beautiful blue but it did have a bit of a surf (Bali is known for its surfing) so there wasn’t any snorkeling right off of our beach.
We did go to an island called “Nusa Lembongan“ Island where the water was crystal clear and I was able to do some snorkeling; again, note for next time, I would stay at that Island or Nusa Penida Island for a few days if we get to go back. That aside, we loved Jimbaran. Our stay at the “Belmond Hotel Jimbaran Puri“, was lovely.
The people and the food (yet again) were our favorite parts. Balinese people just have such tender, grateful hearts, and we loved talking with them. The landscaping at our hotel in Jimbaran was also captivating, they did a beautiful job of creating privacy and space with their landscaping, and bringing a little bit of the jungle feel to the beach.
Our favorite meal of the whole trip was steps from our hotel at a restaurant called “Cuca“. It was worth the stomach ache from stuffing myself beyond capacity, truly it was incredible. We were able to sit at a bar top table that overlooked the kitchen and being able to watch them create art with food was so fun!
We walked a lot in Bali, their roads are narrow and full of hustle and bustle, but yet they are so aware of their surroundings and conscious of others, it was incredible.
Overall, we truly loved Bali. It was worth the nearly two days of travel to get there, and I’d go back in a heartbeat.
Coming home to my kiddo’s and home was a happy occasion. It served as just another reminder that It’s pretty cool when your home becomes that place for you. That place that gives you peace, and in this case, helped me reset from a 15-hour time change.
Get Inspo from my Pinterest Boards
Thinking about getting a fixer upper? Use this checklist BEFORE YOU BUY!
Take a look at my Instagram for DAILY interior design inspo, info, and advice 🙂
Take a look at our previous newsletters:
Home Restoration Essentials – July Newsletter
Host With Style – June Newsletter
A Balancing Act – May Newsletter