S. You wake up knowing anything could happen. Most people think our days are flexible and that we set our own schedules. Truth is, life as a realtor means you need and want to be there for your clients no matter what day of the week or time of day it is. What I will say is that it's variable....literally anything could happen and you need to be ready!
S. I was at a crossroads in my career as an Engineer. I craved being my own boss and being responsible for my failures and successes. A few peers suggested I should consider a career in real estate given my technical background and interest in home design. I began to do extensive research on the career and eventually took a leap of faith in myself. That was 17 years ago and I haven’t looked back since! I don't want to sound cheesy - but I quickly discovered I had the ability to help people with their lives and real estate tends to be a big part of the equation. Truly I have become an advisor, counselor, and friend to many of my clients over the years.
Are there certain things you find your clients are always looking for when searching for the right home?
S. I find many clients have an idea of what they are looking for, but are not sure of all the considerations when determining if a home is right for them. It’s easy to agree that we all like clean and well designed spaces. One of the biggest considerations is the client’s lifestyle - will the home work for the realities of life and offer a lifestyle the client will truly enjoy? There are a lot of moving parts to consider and it's up to me to help sort through what would work best. A happy life is the goal!
Not only do you sell homes, you design as well! Describe how you approach interior design?
S. I LOVE design!!! I mean I gush over it. I have designed many homes for myself and countless clients. Taking an analytical approach to things is part of my nature. As I walk through spaces I consider sight lines, efficiency, and functionality - but it needs to look and feel right at the same time. A desire to create and inspire has always been a part of who I am!
You also appear to be quite an impressive multi-tasker! As a mother, wife, professional, fitness instructor, and artist, how important is having a functional space to come home to?
S. The RIGHT design! - match that up with your lifestyle and you can make any space work. As far as multi-tasking goes, I don't do everything all at once - a little bit here and there will get you places ;)!
How would you describe your house, and the interior spaces within it?
S. Quality over quantity - this is how I strive to live my life as well. This means different things to different people. As far as design goes, room proportions, simplicity in design, and classic and timeless looks are something I strive for when designing a home. I love many looks, but for my personal space I like a modern design aesthetic while still maintaining warmth and comfort. My walls are white and floors a warm grey - but the furniture pops as does the very colourful art on the wall- I've had the joy of creating this art over the years.
S. As an engineer at heart, it feels completely illogical for me to think that art has value. But my heart says otherwise...it brings me joy.
From an interior design standpoint, art brings a room to life. It best reflects the homeowner's personality and life energy. The funny thing is when I paint, there are times I find myself attempting to achieve perfection in a brush stroke, but it's when I let go that the magic really happens. Isn't that how we can all live our best lives? I'm always learning :)
What color combinations do you gravitate towards in your home?
S. WHITE! Love white. When done right, it makes everything in your home stand out. It's fresh, clean, bright, tranquil - happy. But definitely color for my artwork. LOTS of color there.
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