How to Create Calm Spaces That Invite Mindfulness

In today’s fast-paced world, we are often inundated with noise—be it the noise from our environments or the mental chatter that fills our minds. Have you ever noticed that the state of your home often reflects the state of your mind? When things feel chaotic, your space can mirror that feeling. But what if you could turn your home into a sanctuary—a place where calmness reigns and mindfulness becomes a natural state?

That’s where you, the hero of this story, come in. You know the importance of balance and peace in your life. But right now, something’s missing. Your home doesn’t yet feel like the serene oasis it could be. You long for a space where you can breathe, unwind, and be at peace—both mentally and physically. That desire is where your journey begins.

The Struggle: Feeling Overwhelmed in Your Own Home

Many of us spend hours working, running errands, and managing family life, only to come home to a space that feels more like a burden than a sanctuary. The clutter, the noise, the lack of functional flow in your home—it's overwhelming. How can you expect to calm your mind when your surroundings are anything but peaceful?

You need a solution—a way to turn your home into a quiet space that fosters mindfulness and tranquility.

The Wisdom of Calm Spaces: Learning from Georgette and Marise

I understand this struggle deeply because I have walked this path too. Growing up, I witnessed two incredible women—my late grandmother Georgette and my late mother Marise—craft homes that were filled with calm and love. Their homes were a reflection of their personalities and their approach to life: one of elegance, mindfulness, and balance.

georgette lifestyle

My grandmother Georgette, a woman of strength and sophistication, created a home where every detail felt intentional. She lived in Manhattan for almost 40 years and believed in the importance of creating pockets of peace within her surroundings, and her signature style was always infused with timeless elegance and a French-inspired calm. Whether it was the light scent of fresh flowers in the living room or the soft music from the piano, her home exuded warmth and invited everyone to relax.

marise lifestyle

Then there was my mother, Marise, who brought her Haitian heritage and family values to the forefront of everything she did. Her homes were never flashy, but it was rich in comfort, filled with subtle touches that made you feel safe and grounded. From the way she set the dinner table to the quiet spaces she nurtured for reading and reflection, her home was a refuge from the chaos of the outside world.

“I learned that a quiet home fosters a quiet mind.”

— Sabine

Through their examples, I learned that a quiet home fosters a quiet mind. And now, I want to help you discover the same in your home.

The Transformation: Adopting Mindful Design Practices

Like my mother and grandmother, I believe that our homes can nurture the mindfulness we so desperately need in our busy lives. There are a few ways you can begin this journey toward creating a home that brings you peace:

• Clear the Clutter, Clear Your Mind
  One of the most effective ways to create a calm environment is by decluttering. Let go of what no longer serves you. Simplify your space to make room for peace.

• Add Thoughtful Touches
  Whether it’s incorporating soft textiles like plush cushions or lighting a soothing candle with notes of bergamot or vanilla, these small, intentional details invite mindfulness. At Georgette Marise Interiors, I often use scent as a design element because it’s one of the most powerful ways to connect with calmness.

• Create Functional, Multifunctional Spaces
  A well-designed space is one where function meets beauty. Design your rooms with purpose, ensuring that everything you need is at your fingertips, without creating overwhelm. When I design for my clients, I make sure that each room not only serves its intended purpose but also flows in a way that feels effortless and comfortable.

• Connect with Nature
  Nature has a way of grounding us. Incorporate plants, natural textures, and outdoor light to bring calmness into your space. Georgette, my grandmother, always made room for greenery and sunlight in her home, as she knew the restorative power of nature.

The Path to Peace

You’ve already identified that you want a change—that you want a home that invites calmness and mindfulness. But how do you get there? The truth is, you don’t have to do it alone.

At Georgette Marise Interiors, my mission is to help busy homeowners like you create multifunctional spaces that not only look beautiful but also offer the peace you need to thrive. I blend comfort and style so that you can come home to a space that nurtures your well-being.

creating a calm home that invites mindfulness

You have the power to transform your home into the sanctuary it was always meant to be. It’s time to step into that role and make the mindful shift that will not only quiet your home but also your mind.

Your Journey Starts Here

Are you ready to take the first step toward a more peaceful home? Whether it’s decluttering, adding mindful touches, or a complete home transformation, I’m here to guide you on this journey. Together, we can create a space where calmness and mindfulness are not just aspirations but realities.

Schedule a free 15-minute design call today to discuss your space and start your transformation into a home that nurtures your well-being. Let’s create the calm you deserve!

Why Creating a Homeschooling Space Doesn't Have To Look Like a Classroom

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.

homework station mood board

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,