Decorating & Design
13 Designers Give Us A Peek Inside Their Favorite Room To #StayHome In!
Updated on December 5, 2022
With most of us working from home, it’s important to carve out a space of your own to work and have some much-needed “me time.” We asked some of our favorite designers where they’re spending the most time during the quarantine — from Jillian Harris’ cozy principal bedroom to Arren Williams’ pet-friendly living room. Scroll down to take a look at their beautiful sanctuaries for work and play!
Jillian Harris — Kelowna, British Columbia
“Our principal bedroom has always been one of my favorite rooms in our home. Not only is it our space where the kids crawl in for middle of the night cuddles and morning giggles, but it has also quickly transformed into my office during isolation. I’m grateful that this beautiful space not only allows me to relax when we need it most (generally, this ‘relaxing’ consists of two dogs, two children and my husband Justin and I piled into one bed), but it’s also a place where I can escape, close the door behind me and run my business. I mean, conference calls from bed are the new thing, right?”
Tiffany Piotrowski — Toronto
“I seem to need a regular routine and a to-do list being ticked off to stay sane, so working in my home office is my version of self-care during this uncertain time. Even though a few of our construction-heavy projects have slowed down, I’m keeping busy on the backend of things, including getting our sample cupboards organized, online sourcing, developing our Pinterest account and planning a new website and shop launch!”
Hilton Carter — Baltimore, Maryland
“My wife Fiona and I have been spending the most time in our living room because its where a lot of our plants are, where our coffee table has turned into a board game and puzzle area, and where my wife likes to read her books. It’s also just a really comfortable and warm room to binge watch whatever we’ve missed out on in the past.”
Cynthia Zamaria — Port Dover, Ontario
“My favorite quartantine-cozy hideaway would have to be the living room in our 1857 heritage home. This space is defined by soaring ceilings, light-filled windows and weathered pine floors perfect for bare feet. But it’s the layers of comfort and meaning that make the room feel intimate and beautifully safe, like our happy blue, curl-up couch, the gallery wall of high and low art where each piece reminds my family and I of a story, and enough interior design and flower books to flip through for days.”
Karin Bohn — Vancouver
“My kitchen has absolutely been my sanctuary these days! With more time at home, I’ve been loving freshening up my space and making it feel more like spring. My husband and I have been spending our evenings together in the kitchen experimenting with new recipes… we’ve been cooking up a storm and we are certainly not going hungry in quarantine!”
Carmeon Hamilton — Memphis, Tennessee
“I’ve known for a very long time that our environments weigh heavily on the effects of our well-being, but our newly-renovated principal bedroom has proven that a well-designed space can change your total outlook on life. Waking up to the view of our backyard through our new French doors still feels like a dream, resulting in starting each day with an immense sense of gratitude.”
Aly Velji — Calgary
“Most people wouldn’t think of an office space as a sanctuary, but I designed our home office to be just that: a space where both my husband and I can be inspired and use as a place to work. I created a lounge area with a gallery wall that is filled with items we have collected over time, and every piece has a meaning.”
Lauren L Caron — Seattle, Washington
“Right before the shelter-in-place mandate went into effect, my husband Jack and I completed the remodel of our scullery. The room, which functions as a secondary prep kitchen and utility room, has become my favorite retreat where I can meditatively create floral arrangements with clippings from our garden. It’s become my moment of zen.”
Natalie Chong — Toronto
“My favorite space in my home right now is my living room. It is my husband’s and my flow studio, binge spot, morning coffee shop, date night games spot and cocktail hour lounge. Who knew it would become so many spaces and become our sanctuary during these stressful times? I’m so happy we invested in our home — especially now.”
Tanya Krpan — Vancouver
“My desk space off of my kitchen has become a place I’ve been able to style with all the things that inspire me while working at home. Incorporating a plant, small decorative objects on shelves and adding a throw for my office chair makes for a cozy space I’m excited to work at.”
Arren Williams — Toronto
“Whenever I’m with my dogs, Spot and Alfie, I’m definitely happiest, and they’re loving having their dads around full-time. A latte and a seat close to the fire — I’m not moving and neither are they.”
Jo Alcorn — Toronto
“My living room is where I feel most at home to either curl up with the family to watch a movie, play siti slot Italia portale games or cuddle with the pups and my man. It’s also a great place to work with all the natural light and leg room. I can also view the other rooms in the house from this spot. It is cozy, uplifting, inviting and romantic when it needs to be — the perfect spot to beat the coronavirus blues in.”
Luke Havekes — Knowlton, Quebec
“The kitchen has definitely been my favorite room during this time. Quarantine has given new meaning to the concept of ‘comfort food.’ My boyfriend and I have been staying together at home in Knowlton, Quebec, and this entire time, we have been cooking every meal! Even though there is takeout or delivery options, the kitchen has become a central hub for us. Mealtimes act to bring regular structure to these very unstructured days.”