Approaching Indigenous design projects as a non-Indigenous designer asks for humility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. In this reflection, I explore how wellbeing design principles — environmental psychology, biophilic design, and trauma-informed approaches — align naturally with Indigenous values of place, community, and healing.

Cohousing asks a simple question: what if we designed our homes not just for living, but for living together? This article explores what research tells us about human connection, and how thoughtful design creates the conditions for meaningful community to emerge.

Every morning, we cross a threshold. We put on the role, the title, the face that meets the world. But what about the one who gets left behind? This is a question about who we're really designing for, the one that design meant to serve.

Belonging is not about fitting in. True belonging is the felt experience of being seen, of being able to show up without contortion, of knowing that your presence matters — not just your output.

When that sense of belonging is absent, we feel it in our bodies. We contract. We perform. We survive the workday rather than inhabit it.

Fall is not simply a change of scenery — it's an invitation to slow down, to listen more closely to what our bodies and homes are quietly asking for. Our systems are wired to respond to natural cycles, and when we honour this, we create the conditions for true wellbeing.

We are fortunate to live in a time where we can draw inspiration from diverse design styles across centuries and cultures. Technological advancements allow us to bring our creative visions to life, merging classical elegance with modern innovation. This moment enables us to celebrate our unique tastes while honouring the collective narrative of design. Join me to uncover how I cross-pollinate 3 significantly different design styles to create something utterly unique to reflect my clients’ authentic style

Today's workplace is a vibrant tapestry woven from the diverse experiences of multiple generations, each contributing unique perspectives and skills. Creating a workplace that caters to the diverse preferences and work styles of various generations can be a rewarding yet complex endeavour. While change opens the door to opportunities for improvement, it can also bring challenges. So, how can organizations develop a workplace design that embraces everyone while remaining true to its culture, vision and values?

When embarking on a renovation project or designing a new home, many people often assume an open floor plan is the best choice. While the open layout has been popular for the past three decades or so, it may not be the most suitable option for everyone. A third option frequently overlooked is the partially open layout. In this article, I highlight several considerations and prompts for reflection that can help you shape your space to align with your personality preferences and lifestyle.

A concept introduced by German social psychologist Erich Fromm in his 1973 book, Biophilic Design integrates natural elements into architecture and interior design to create built environments that support human well-being and reap nature's benefits indoors.

In this article, I will uncover simple ways to apply some Biophilic Design elements to create a harmonious environment that promotes relaxation, mental clarity, calm, serenity, and rejuvenation in your home space.

While colour is a powerful design element that can evoke emotions and even elicit reactions, it is misleading to suggest that a single colour has the capability to respond to needs or solve complex societal issues such as authenticity and social isolation.

I aim to debunk misconceptions about colour, elucidate its influence and function, and provide advice on utilizing and avoiding pitfalls when working with this powerful design element.

Play induces laughter, fosters creativity, reduces stress, enhances brain function, and improves relationships for people of all ages. In this article, I shed light on various ways to create play environments indoors, from simple solutions to more intricate and comprehensive approaches for homes and workplaces.

There is the notion that a single colour can elicit a feeling of joy, a colour that supports focus or creativity, a colour for love, for bliss… This is somewhat true; for the most part, it's not. Let us turn to science for an explanation.

Can we build homes that satisfy our functional, esthetic and wellness needs while minimizing our environmental impact?

Wabi-sabi cherishes and celebrates beauty in imperfection, incompletion and impermanence. Although Wabi-sabi doesn’t translate accurately into English, today, it is translated as “rustic beauty” and “serenity that comes with age.”

It's always exciting co-creating beautiful, warm, and inviting spaces. What makes this even more exciting is using healthy and versatile products; this is a challenge I like to take on any day of the week!

Vibrant communities encourage deeper connections and add richness and meaning to people's lives. While civic leaders put much effort into forging a dynamic community through art and cultural projects, design and architecture have a fundamental role in contributing to the creation of vibrancy!