Blog

The Georgette Marise Blog is a collection of informal journal-like posts written by interior designer, Sabine Guillaume Hayes. Our posts are meant to inspire and educate through discovering the latest home furnishing products, design tips for easier living, trending paint colors for ideas, and featured interiors picked by Sabine!

As a successful female entrepreneur, balancing the roles of business owner, wife, and mother, your days are undoubtedly packed with responsibilities and tasks. Amidst this bustling schedule, your home stands as your sanctuary—a place where comfort, functionality, and style converge to create a haven. This summer, let's explore three innovative ways to transform your living spaces into multifunctional areas that boost productivity while allowing you to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of your home.

1. Transform Your Backyard into an Outdoor Office Oasis

Summer is the perfect time to embrace the outdoors, and your backyard can become more than just a playground for the kids or a venue for gatherings. Imagine setting up a serene outdoor office where you can handle work tasks while soaking in the beauty of nature.

outdoor oasis with lounging area designed by georgette marise interiors

Creating Your Outdoor Office:

Furniture. Choose comfortable, weather-resistant furniture such as a stylish yet sturdy table and ergonomic chairs. Add cushions and throws for an inviting touch.
Shade and Comfort. Ensure you have adequate shade with an umbrella or pergola. Consider adding a fan or misting system to stay cool.
Connectivity. Extend your Wi-Fi coverage outdoors to stay connected. Set up a power source to keep your devices charged.
Ambiance. Enhance the ambiance with potted plants, a water feature, or outdoor lighting to create a calming environment.

outdoor seating area under a pavilion perfect for working outside

Benefits:

Productivity Boost. The change of scenery can refresh your mind, increasing creativity and productivity.
Flexibility. Conduct video calls, take important calls, or catch up on emails in a peaceful setting.
Work-Life Balance. Blend work with leisure by enjoying your surroundings while getting things done.

outdoor seating — create multiple areas in your outdoor space and create “moments”

2. Design a Versatile Living Room that Adapts to Your Needs

Your living room is more than just a place to relax—it's a central hub that can serve multiple functions, especially during the busy summer months.

Creating a Versatile Living Room:

Flexible Seating. Opt for modular furniture that can be rearranged to suit different activities, from family movie nights to impromptu business meetings.
Smart Storage. Incorporate stylish storage solutions to keep the space tidy and organized. Consider multi-purpose furniture like ottomans with hidden storage or bookshelves that double as room dividers.
Tech Integration. Ensure your living room is equipped with the latest technology, such as smart TVs, sound systems, and charging stations for your devices.

Benefits:

Effortless Transitions. Seamlessly switch between work, family time, and relaxation without compromising on comfort or style.
Enhanced Functionality. Use the space for video conferencing, brainstorming sessions, or even a quiet reading nook when you need a break.
Aesthetic Appeal. Maintain a beautifully designed space that reflects your style and makes you feel at home.

framed tv that can also be used for virtual conference meetings

3. Create a Dedicated Space for Reflection and Self-Care

In the midst of your demanding schedule, it's essential to carve out time for yourself. A dedicated space for reflection and self-care can be a transformative addition to your home.

Creating Your Self-Care Space:

Quiet Corner. Find a quiet corner in your home or garden where you can set up a comfortable chair or yoga mat.
Personal Touches. Decorate with items that bring you joy, such as candles, plants, artwork, or a cozy throw blanket.
Mindful Accessories. Include tools for mindfulness and relaxation, such as journals, meditation cushions, or a small water fountain.

Benefits:

Mental Clarity. A designated space for self-care encourages regular practice, helping you maintain mental clarity and emotional balance.
Stress Relief. Use this space to meditate, journal, or simply unwind, reducing stress and enhancing your overall well-being.
Personal Sanctuary. Create a sanctuary that is exclusively yours—a place to recharge and nurture yourself amidst the demands of daily life.

Embrace the Multifunctional Home

By incorporating these multifunctional spaces into your home this summer, you'll find yourself better equipped to handle your busy schedule while savoring the beauty and comfort of your surroundings. Whether it's transforming your backyard into an outdoor office, designing a versatile living room, or creating a self-care sanctuary, these enhancements will not only boost your productivity but also enrich your daily life. Embrace the possibilities and let your home be a true reflection of your dynamic lifestyle.

To dive even deeper into transforming your home into a serene and efficient haven, check out my eBook, From Chaos to Calm: Master Home Organization like a PRO. Get your copy here.

As I sit here and write this post I can’t believe we are in week 5 of quarantine/self-isolation. When this COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic first happened the first thought that came across my mind, as a mother of a kindergartener and a third-grader was “I have to homeschool?!!!” “I’m not ready for this, nor am I a teacher!!!”. The thought of making sure my children are learning what they’re supposed to be learning was nerve-wracking. Now in week 5, I have to say I am in a much better state of mind thanks to the support of their INCREDIBLE teachers, advice from mentors, and several daily deep breathing exercises. Deep breathing is EVERYTHING!

Sometimes change can be hard for us to get used to. Having to work from home while our kids are being schooled from home can be very challenging-especially if your children are smaller and need more assistance. Having a multifunctional space that serves more than one purpose can be advantageous. When it comes to homeschooling or “crisis schooling” (as my friend better defined our current situation) we don’t need to transform our homes into classrooms. Classrooms in school buildings are designed solely for learning. Our homes are designed for much than that. Our homes are where we live, work, entertain, cook, eat, bathe, relax, sleep-they serve many purposes. The goal is not to transform your home into a classroom, the goal is to create a safe and comfortable space that your child can live AND learn.

Create More Than One Space For Learning. Kids like to move around. Think about it, when your kids are in school they are not sitting at their desks, staring at the board listening to their teacher for the entire 7 hours. They have a full schedule including snack time, reading time, art electives, labs, gym, lunch, recess, etc. Most of their day is broken up into multiple activities that take place in different rooms/areas/sections of their school building. Instead of focusing on transforming one space in your home for schooling maybe start with a general area that serves as a dedicated space for their supplies, paperwork, projects, etc. then create multiple “areas” in your home where they can work.

Make It Functional & Stylish. Your homeschooling space should blend with the overall design of your home. Add functional elements that are also stylish.

Last year I designed a formal living room for a family that had to include a homework station for their 2 daughters. This room had to serve two purposes - to entertain guests as well as an area for their kids to do school work. I didn’t want the homework station to overpower the room by having it look like an obvious kid’s area. The homework station had to compliment the style of the living room. For me to accomplish that I chose to place 2 simple white consoles with drawers side by side on a long wall which allowed enough surface space for 2 people to work comfortably. I added a small ledge tucked below the desk for the printer and computer storage. The monitors were placed centered on each workspace with stylish accents used as pencil/book holders and paper storage. Since this was a formal space I choose not to add your typical swivel desk chair but instead 2 velvet-textured Parsons chairs that could also be used as additional seating when entertaining. Above the desks, the design included a white floating shelf measuring the length of the 2 consoles for additional storage and display. I included dark linen boxes as a contrast for storing paper, projects, etc that could be concealed. For wall decor, I included a cluster of frames to be hung above the wall shelf to display custom art and pieces personal to the family. For lighting, I added 2 pillar floor lamps on each side of the wall framing the consoles to complete the look.

Get Your Kid’s Opinion. This is a time of transition for everyone-for you as the parent and for your kids as well. Allow them to voice their opinion about where they would like to work. Depending on their age this may vary in response. Some kids may be able to do their work independently and some may need more attention based on their age and grade. Once you get all their opinions, take the ones that are realistic and add your opinions to create a final decision.

I hope this inspires you to create multifunctional rooms that serve many purposes and can be enjoyed by the entire family. I want to hear from you below in the comments about what space your kids currently use for schooling. Share below!

If you’re not sure where to begin to create a multifunctional let’s talk. Schedule a FREE 15-min call HERE>> and let me help you through your design dilemmas so you can have a space that works for your family.

À la prochaine,