It's Times Like These

It’s times like these when we are reminded that the meaning of home is so much more than a perfectly placed pillow or a shiny marble countertop. It’s times like these when I find myself feeling grateful for having a soft bed to sleep in. For having food in the fridge, and the sun streaming through the west windows, warming my face and feet. For having a car conveniently parked in the driveway, running water, heat and doors that lock. For being able to wash my clothes and take a hot shower. For being able to walk outside for a breath of fresh air, and listen to the birds chirping in the plum trees.

 It’s easy to get caught up with the not-so-perfect. The things that need to be fixed, redesigned, cleaned, and organized. But home is a gift, even when it’s undone. Interior design is truly a luxury and a privilege. That doesn’t mean it’s not important. It absolutely is, and I adore helping my clients transform their spaces. I wish for all of us to live in impeccably, authentically designed homes. What a dream! But even more, I wish for all of us to have a safe place to rest our heads, bodies and souls each night. And that every single home on this planet, however done or undone, is filled with peace, not war. 

Introducing Vegan Interior Design Services

I’ve been vegan for over four years now. It’s seriously one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. (If you want to read more about why I’m vegan, I posted about it here.)

Being vegan isn’t just about the food we eat. It’s about the choices we make in nearly every aspect of our lives. Every single day we have the opportunity to support cruelty-free businesses, products and practices. Interior Design is no exception. From area rugs to furniture upholstery to pillow inserts, we can make kind and conscious decisions about what we bring into our homes.

Over the past few years, I have shifted to vegan design in my own home. For me, this means no wool, silk, bone, leather, down, or any other animal product. Or any product that directly or indirectly contributes to the abuse or exploitation of animals. I feel strongly that when we bring the energy of an animal that has been abused and killed into our home, our home’s energy is directly impacted. And not in a good way.

Fortunately, it’s not difficult to create vegan-friendly spaces. There are so many products available now and the market for cruelty-free home decor is only going to grow (as we’ve seen from the booming vegan food and beauty industries.) These are exciting times. And I’m super optimistic as we move into 2019 that we’re going to see more and more conscious home decor and design products become available. (I’m waiting for a sofa line by Pinatex. It’s leather made from pineapples!)

I’ll be starting a Cruelty-Free Guide right here on my website to help us all figure out what is/isn’t vegan. It’s not always straightforward, so I plan on doing the legwork and research. And if you have any tips or insider information, please share. We can make a change. We can work together to make this world a better place for the animals. And our homes can still be beautiful. And kind.

If you’re interested in working with me to create a vegan/cruelty-free home, send me an email at kelly@storyandspace.com. I’m super excited to add this new specialized service, and it would be an honor to work together creating your own conscious, kind space.