7 years ago I launched Union Grove Design to be a creative outlet for people to get inspired by all things beautiful. It could be a styled space in the home or a well planned outfit – it was about bringing beauty into your everyday life.
So much has changed over those last 7 years and with those changes in the world, in my life and in the everyday, so too has Union Grove. With a new year ahead (please be a good one 2021!!) there is so much to be excited for and my aim is to bring that beauty back into daily living, not just for myself, but for all of you.
Union Grove Design is about Style – Design – Living. Bringing style inspiration from my home to yours and giving you the “why” behind that process to a design project. When I studied Visual Design and Decorating, I wasn’t just drawn to it for an ability to create beautiful spaces, it was also to the impact that design can have on the psychological. Theory shows how colour can impact moods or mental reactions in a space, and how lighting or scale can cause optical illusions, but there is something to also be said about how design can impact overall wellness. To create a home, a sanctuary, a place that provides comfort, joy, and all the feelings of positivity that contribute to a positive mindset. That is what brought me down the path of Interior Design and is the reason it is so important to me. I aim to create spaces that are built for making memories, that are designed to provide relaxation and inspiration and that make you feel good to be home!
Now more than ever, it is an important time to invest in the home for a few reasons:
- We are spending more time at home than ever before – Now, hopefully we won’t be dealing with lockdowns too much this year, but I think it is safe to say that working from home will be a reality for many for the foreseeable future. In this time, it is likely that all those little flaws in the home, whether it’s aesthetically or functionally, are probably becoming very clear. 2020 was a big year for DIY projects and home renovations and I don’t see that letting up anytime soon. While large scale renos may not be an option for most, a new layout or carefully selected furnishings may be the solution to bringing a whole new perspective to an outdated space.
- Mental health is becoming a larger concern – With all the time being spent at home and separated from loved ones, it can have a negative effect on mental health. It is not easy to be secluded, to be a front-line worker or to face so much uncertainty everyday. I myself have struggled with this over the last year, but have found comfort by incorporating design moments in the home that can create positive memories, feelings or opportunities for relaxing moments.
- It’s becoming easier to do – Technology really is a beautiful thing. You can get so much information and inspiration at the click of a button. With Union Grove Design I aim to do two things – one, bring inspiration to your social feeds and computer screens that either bring some beauty to your days or inspire you to create in your homes. And two, to make design accessible. There is a common misconception that hiring a designer has to be an arm and a leg, so it is out of reach. If this last year has taught me anything it’s that this is not true. I have been able to work with clients virtually and provide them source lists to support online shopping for bringing their concepts to life. The virtual process of E-Design has been adopted over the last year by many since it was a safe way to renovate their homes, but it is also a great solution for those on a budget. Definitely an important factor for so many right now!
Interior Design is such a fascinating thing to me – that it is possible to change someone’s life for the better, in more ways than one, by simply updating the home. Connecting the functional and the stylish with lifestyle and personal expression is something I love and hope to bring to your homes (and continue in my own home).
If you love design as much as I do, love to be inspired, are looking for fun ways to be creative, then follow along on our social channels and on the blog. If you are interested in partnering up on a project or looking for help finishing a space in your home, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for following along so far and cheers to an exciting year ahead <3