We are all cooped up at home and while it was fantastic to be around our families at first (and still is, really), we’re starting to snap at each other, we are losing patience, energy, and motivation.

So, how do we keep going, keep the energy and enthusiasm up, and feel less restless in our homes? I’ve been doing a little research on this exact topic for my own sanity and thought I would share what I’ve found!

At Waldron Designs, we want to assure you that this is not the end-all to your home renovation projects! Waldron Designs launched in 2013, but we had already been through a couple of revisions. In 2011-2012, we were “Open Box Interiors”, a virtual design firm.

We designed a kitchen in Canada and did color consultations in Los Angeles and North Carolina, among other furnishing and decor projects across the country! Most people think furniture and decor when they think of “online design”, but we don’t stop at decorating, we develop complete designs that go beyond quick product selections to be ordered online.

We are all feeling a little cramped, a little nervous, unsure, and confined. I know you’re getting the emails too- the ones about what you should buy to get you through this time from retailers. Stock up on tea to soothe the nerves. Shop for a bidet right now before all the toilet paper is gone. Getting bored? Buy some books.

We may also be starting to see the little things that feel so special. This is all certainly giving me new insight into the world of interior design.

I know exactly what you’re all doing right now- stocking up on the most intensive disinfectants/bleaches on the market.

Insert record scratch sound here

Stop.

We hear about VOC’s all the time these days, particularly pertaining to harmful products that we bring into our homes. Many products will tout that they do not emit VOC’s and are therefore sustainable products. While it does help, there are so many more variables that make a product truly sustainable, and if possible we prefer a cradle-to-cradle product.

Let’s back up a minute though. What are VOC’s?

Some projects are smaller- a color consultation, a one-time meeting to discuss ideas and next steps, a quick sketch with suggestions. We have so many of these projects each year, and while each does not result in professional photos and big, front-page images, we take just as much pride in these smaller projects as we do a complete renovation.

My family recently moved (in October) to a new home that is 98% our dream home! We feel so fortunate to have this amazing home that suits our family perfectly. The only way we were able to make this happen financially was to have a vacation rental as a part of the purchase.

We are so excited to share that after a bit of DIY-ing (there is a time and a place, right?!), we have the cabin up and ready to go and are expecting our first guests shortly. But, we want our Waldron Designs friends to know that we are here and ready to provide a respite from your renovation, and a cozy vacation retreat! Take a peek at our listing and please, come visit us!

I had an interesting conversation with a fellow designer recently who stated "minimalism sucks" then directed me to an article with several myths about minimalism (listed below, but feel free to read the article): https://www.petershallard.com/why-minimalism-is-toxic-for-you-and-your-business/

I was so surprised to read that anyone had this perception of minimalism, and wanted to clear up the myths right away!

When this Texan flower (and that is very much what she is!) approached us, she was frustrated with a living space that had been through many iterations with the furnishings she had in her home. Each time, the feeling just was not quite right. Something was missing and she couldn’t put her finger on it.

Image is Frank Gehry’s residence, not a Waldron Design’s home

“Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness.”  – Frank Gehry