From Generic to Genuine: Designing a Home That Reflects You

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From a Building Designer Hobart

As a building designer, I once believed that having a beautiful magazine looking home was key to happiness and success. However, when my life began to falter, I realised that my home was not helping me achieve those things and was not even near the sanctuary I had envisioned. It was a generic space, designed to appeal to potential buyers rather than to support mine and my family’s unique needs and aspirations. This realisation hit me hard, and I found myself questioning everything I thought I knew about home design.

The Turning Point to a Journey to Renewal

In those challenging moments, I decided to relearn how to use my skills as a building designer to redesign my life, starting with my home. I covered my home office walls with sketches and post-it notes, brainstorming ways to transform our living space into one that would propel us forward rather than hold us back. I shared my ideas with my partner, and to my relief, he was fully on board bringing some of these ideas to life. Together, we embarked on a journey to create a home that truly reflected who we were and what we wanted from life.

Design Consultant Hobart Building designer Hobart Tasmania Marisol Miro Quesada
Find out more about Marisol's landscape, interior, and building designer work

The Power of Commitment: Transforming Your Home and Life

One of the key realisations we had was that as long as we viewed our home as a temporary and generic space, it would never truly serve us. We needed to commit fully to our home, treating it as the ultimate place that should adapt to our needs and desires. This shift in mindset was transformative. We began to see our home not just as a place to live that could be sold after, but as a dynamic environment that could support our growth and happiness.

Home as a Reflection: Embracing the Present in Design

By embracing the present moment and focusing on what truly matters now, we found a deeper connection to our space. Designing with mindfulness allowed us to create a home that nurtures our current selves, our family, and our immediate needs. This approach is rooted in the spiritual practice of being present, appreciating the here and now, and understanding that our home is a reflection of our present state of being. Instead of constantly planning for a future buyer, we focused on making our home a sanctuary for our present lives, fostering a sense of peace and fulfillment.

  

Understanding User Needs in the present moment

When we fully committed to our place, we started to really understand what we and our loved ones need from it. This commitment made us bolder in our design choices, creating spaces that are not just beautiful but also meaningful. Think about the Japanese idea of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection and the fleeting moments, and how we can design homes that feel authentic and purposeful. This dedication to understanding and meeting our current needs leads to designs that are not only pretty to look at but also truly enriching and supportive of our everyday lives.

A Spiritual and Holistic Approach

Inspired by coastal living, Japanese minimalism, and Himalayan yogic principles, we focused on creating a space that was not only functional but also deeply spiritual. We decluttered, simplified, and infused our home with elements that brought us joy and peace. Every design choice was made with intention, ensuring that our home supported our well-being and aspirations.

Find out more about Marisol's landscape, interior, and building designer work

Sharing Our Journey

As our home transformed, friends and family began to notice the changes. They asked how we had created such a harmonious and inspiring space. Sharing our journey became a way to understand our space through the eyes of others, helping us gauge what we were creating. Years of trial and error had given us valuable insights into how to design a home that propels you forward. This process of sharing and receiving feedback is integral to thinking like a designer. It encourages us to seek comments and perspectives from others, enriching our understanding and ensuring our home truly reflects our vision and needs.

The Ultimate Home

Have you ever taken the time to think about where your home started and how it has evolved? What changes have you and your family experienced? How would you make it your own to support your current self? I invite you to share your journey with me. Comment or send me a message about your home’s transformation, the good and the not-so-great.

 

If the idea of creating your own customised and non-generic home excites you, why not take the first step today? Gather some paper and start sketching your vision. Think about what it would take to transform your current space into a forward-propelling environment that supports your lifestyle and aspirations. Start now and see where your imagination takes you.

 

By embracing the idea that our homes can be more than just places to live or to improve to sell after, we can create spaces that truly enhance our lives. Let your home be a canvas for your dreams, a place that propels you forward into a brighter, more fulfilling future.

Your Turn to Design a Home that Propels You Forward

So, why not start your own art project today? Embrace the unexpected, let go of perfection, and create something that makes your home feel truly yours.

 

Get Your Design Project Started With These FREE Resources to help you on your building designer journey

  1. Get Marisol’s FREE Book “How To Get The Most Out Of Your Home Designer…Even If The Designer is YOU” here.
  2. Watch Marisol’s FREE Workshop “Home Design Secrets” here. Would it be too out there for you to get started with your home and follow the same steps I followed to redefine my home? And how about me guiding you the same way I guide my clients when I design their houses? Step by step, you’ll find it all here.
  3. If you loved this blog and think of a friend or family member that would find it useful, please feel free to share it. And if someone forwarded yousigner | Home Designer | Interior Designer this article and you liked it, then you can sign up here for my newsletter.
  4. Marisol Miro Quesada works as a building designer, architectural designer, house designer, interior designer, and landscape designer specialising as home designer. Schedule a call to chat about your project or get a free quote here.

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