My Creative Year

I love writing December’s journal. It allows me space to look back with grace and kindness at some amazing and sometimes (lets be honest here) not so fabulous moments, and to look forward with anticipation and excitement.

I have more knowledge than I had at this time last year. Its a privilege to keep on learning and growing, although I’ll freely admit that some days I feel like I’ve grown enough and I just want things to stop and stay the same. But in the words of the Greek philosopher Heraclitus ‘’change is our only constant”. 

I love my chosen career as every day is different, every client and every project is unique, and I pride myself on always trying our very best for each and everyone. 

Allowing us into your home isn’t something we take lightly. Not every project or person is fit for us and we are not a fit for everyone. But when we – the project and the studio align then we get to make magic happen. And we do love to make magic happen. 

There is a special kind of chemistry when trust and values align. It sometimes doesn’t show until the very last pillow is placed but when it does everything simply sings. 

I’m not a pushy person by nature but I know when something will work, when a ‘’risk” needs to be taken and honestly, the risks are usually what my clients love and resonate with most. The pattern and play and finding the pieces that talk to them, that will say – hello, you are home, you are safe and surrounded with the things that will support and nurture you – this is what good design does. 

Life can be all too serious a lot of the time and I love the sense of play we can bring into a space. Everything needs to be designed to meet the end purpose, materials have to specified correctly, but I adore a cheeky wallpaper, a happy light fixture or a piece of your kids art framed and placed on a gallery wall. I love these moments of relief, a chance to exhale to remind ourselves to laugh and play and simply be. 
 

This year has given me several special design related travel trips that have formed a lot of my design direction this year. From Sweden, to Madrid, London, Oaxaca and Fogo Island my design travel bucket is brimming with new found feelings and things I want to create and share. 

Travel keeps me moving forward. I love to be immersed in other cultures, to see how people, live, laugh and celebrate, what nourishes and nurtures them. From food to art, architecture and nature, I love to experience it all.

With Gratitude

It takes a village to do what we do and although its my name over the door I am deeply indebted to my all female team who get things done with compassion and creativity – Silvia, Cristina, Tricia, Bonnie and Reba. Each plays a part in making everything come together. Her majesty aka Reba is our personal support dog – always available for a cuddle or a walk around the block when you need to talk something out.  She’s a mighty good listener. 

To all our trades, vendors and suppliers thank you for making our projects shine and for turning our drawings into reality. 

To my clients thank you for your trust, it is never taken for granted and we aim to raise the bar time and time again. 

To everyone who reads our newsletter or follows us on social media, thank you for coming along for the ride. 

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season filled with love, rest and kindness. 

This to me, is the perfect recipe for a life lived well. 

Warmly 

Gillian 

Credits, images, musings and some more contents of my head.

Trio of header images and thank you note all taken from Pinterest and found on our Seasonal Board. Image 5&6 from our Lawrence Park project, photography by Virginia MacDonald. Image 7 taken by me at Ett Hem Stockholm. Image 8 of yours truly taken recently at a holiday design party, and yes I was the only one with a cup of tea, but I like to keep things authentic!!! 

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