what's your why?

Photo by Philipp Berndt on Unsplash

As we get deeper into the decisions on our remodel, and I try to balance that work with projects for clients and building a sustainable business and finding new clients and being a parent and a spouse and a daughter and a volunteer and generally splitting time between all of life’s roles and responsibilities, I’ve been thinking about why I do what I do. Some of you are new here, and may not know what I do. Some of you have been around since this blog was Susie Makes Supper and are wondering where all the recipes have gone. Some of you were just surfing the internet because your list is so long you don’t even know where to start and you aren’t actually sure why you are still reading this. Welcome.

Really, though, I do think it is important to remember why we choose the paths we are on and occasionally to question whether we want to stay on them. When we are thoughtful about our choices, not only are we happier (or at least more content), but we teach our children to be thoughtful about their own choices. Can I get an amen on how easy it is to lose sight of this? I’m in constant self-reminder mode that I have the power to choose what my life looks like and it looks pretty damn rad.

Enough hippy-dippy. Way too deep for a decorator, no? Today, I want to tell those of you who are new here and those of you who have been with me awhile and those of you who are passing through why I am out here on the internet helping families decorate their homes. Ready? Here goes:

I believe that home is a family’s center. Home is where we create and share family experiences, but it is also where we go to recharge. A well designed home should have areas that promote family interaction and areas that provide each member with a space to appreciate solitude.

I believe that you don’t need a 3,000 square feet to create a happy home. More space equals more stuff equals more distraction. Who needs more distraction?

I believe that every home should reflect its occupants taste, not my taste or what’s trending on the internet, or the catalog that just arrived in the mail. However, if your favorite color is red, we’ll have to agree to be friends and find you another decorator.

I believe in decorating with your kids rather than for them. This does not mean that I condone the use of Harry Potter flags flying from the ceiling or Disney princess sheets. Rather, I believe that there is power in engaging our kids to create their own unique space within our homes. Decorating, like anything creative, can open a dialog between parent and child that has potential to teach us both something new.

I believe humor is as essential to decorating as it is to parenting. It’s only decorating after all. Let’s not take ourselves too seriously.

So there it is…my decorating manifesto of sorts. The why to Animal Cracker Studio. If you know someone who could use some help creating a better version of home, I’d be forever grateful if you sent them my way. And when you are ready to tackle that mess in your kid’s room or carve out a homework station or a book nook, I’m here for you. Just want to tell someone your why? I'm here for that too. Would love to hear it.