Home Studio

The work of an interior designer is sometimes similar to that of a therapist or a marriage counselor. It addresses people's struggles and needs, handles their frustrations, and shares hopes for their house, their home.

I was asked to produce a remodeling process in this apartment in Amsterdam. It was a unique request since the owner was a patient with chronic illness. Alongside the general struggles of life, a chronic illness patient copes with additional challenges that might include a day when you simply cannot get out of bed because of pain, dizziness, or bad mood. Weeks may pass, and the owner will not step out of the house. The apartment is the center of the world for her. And as such, we wanted it to be the most beautiful, suitable, and accessible place.

“My wish is to make this house cheerful and accessible” she shared.

“By cheerful, I mean that it will have plenty of vivid colors and cute accessories. By accessible, I mean that it will be suitable for my needs and limitations. I want to be able to work from every room in the house, with no need to go out”.

The owner also had special needs around her role as a vlog creator which

included turning every room into a possible filming location and a working station: a unique color palette and bright, vibrant background contributing to a slight vintage look. A shifting tray was used as a comfortable working place that can just be pulled over the owner to allow work from bed.

Filming can be made at the main entrance too, there is this colorful patched chair on a round straw carpet. The round stickers on the wall above add to the mood. A lightweight, vibrant, cheerful atmosphere was what we wished to create here.

Due to severe muscle pain, the owner cannot frequently bend down to reach a low cupboard or climb on a stool to take a plate from a high shelf as even this can be dangerous. To resolve that, kitchen cabinets were designed to be at a reachable height, so there will be no need to climb or bend. To expand the kitchen's storage space, rough wooden boxes were hung on the kitchen wall. An additional working area in the kitchen was added, expanding the area where things could be laid down.

We wanted to reduce the risk of injury in the bathroom, so non-slippery bathmats and easy-to-hold large bathtub handles were placed. Together with constant weakness and stress, I wanted to make everything as accessible and safe as I could.

All the above are essential adjustments, contributing to the owner’s sense of security and capability. For me, the process was almost a therapy process as much as it was a remodeling one.

“Perfect”, the owner said when everything was done. “It's like magic! I love it

and so do my viewers and followers as they see me broadcasting my life from this place, from my HOME STUDIO. My illness is here to stay, but my home's recent transition is a magical ray of hope. Thank you”.