What is “Interiority,” Anyways?
Early on in Sun Ah’s design career, she realized she wanted to be present at as many reveals as possible to see the joy on people’s faces, since she never felt the feeling of home before. Since being adopted at the age of 4 in Korea, Sun Ah realized that delivering people their dream home was something she had never experienced for herself.
“Interiority, our inner life, the things that move us and humanize us, the things that make life worth living: intimacy, imagination, memories, desires & fantasies. Interiority is what makes an interior rich in emotions.”
Sun Ah Arriving In Her Canadian Adoptive Family, and she’s already offering design house calls!
When Sun Ah first defined what interiority meant to her, it revolutionized her design philosophy. Throughout her work, she realized that the importance of a home was its relationship to the people living in it. Interior design became less about a particular look and more about the fit of the home to the needs, passions, and emotions of its occupants. What was once just a vision has become one of LUX’s guiding principles, and keeps the team grounded in every new design project.
Feelings Over Things
Often when planning an interior design project, clients will come armed with a Pinterest board filled with spaces that they love, in hopes of achieving a certain look. While this is often helpful and the inspo itself is always beautiful, at LUX, design is more about creating a feeling than it is about recreating a look. The team takes the time to get to know their clients—what makes them happy, what brings them inner peace, and how they see themselves moving throughout their space. For some people, home is a place where they’ll gather with family and friends, where they can cook and entertain—a space designed to make memories. For others, home may be a quiet haven, possibly a place with a quaint nook for reading, or a room dedicated to arts and crafts. In essence, home should be more than a look; home should be a feeling.
Cameron & Sun Ah making the bed at the Frederic-Back Project, & Melissa organizing the Brigantine Project cabinets, all designs by LUX decor
The homeowner of the lovely Boisbriand Project grew up in Maine, so the designers at LUX wanted to capture its laid-back and coastal vibe for her by displaying custom artwork from a local artist, made to mimic the landscapes of her hometown.
The Boisbriand Project dining room with painting by local Maine Artist, Megan Fitzgerald of Chase Gallery
Focus on Function and Flow – Advice from Sun Ah
While there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting a home that looks like it could feature in the pages of Architectural Digest, Sun Ah cannot emphasize enough how important it is to consider practicality when designing your space. It is recommended to imagine yourself moving through your home on a typical day. When you come home from work, is there a place to put down your briefcase or knapsack? If you enjoy reading the Sunday paper, have you carved out a space to do so? And what about family game-night, where will everyone sit, and is there enough room for that 2000-piece puzzle? For some, a home is not complete without a wine cellar, and for others it’s a large soaker tub with room for candles. For the clients of the De Crecerelles project, the floorplan was altered to allow for the creation of a great room for entertaining and spending time with their kids. The designers were pleased to find four gorgeous blue chairs large enough to be shared, and yet leaving enough space for visitors to comfortably move through the room. In this great room that went viral, it was important to the clients to be able to fit 2 people on a chair, so parent and child could snuggle together – proof that oftentimes, it’s the little things that make a room.
From left to right, Gabrielle Reda, LUX client, sitting in her new living room at the Frederic-Back Project, and Nicola and Holly on the right, ready to utilize their new kitchen and recreate family traditions. All designs by LUX decor.
To Display, Or Not to Display
Some people like to let it all hang out—memories, that is. Others prefer not to have personal items on display, and while both are perfectly valid options, this is something that should be explored and discussed during the design process. Well-displayed family photos, beloved artwork, memorabilia, or items that have been passed through the generations often tell a story and create great warmth in a home. It is perfectly understandable that some people adhere to a more minimalistic vibe and prefer not to display their personal items. This is worth reflecting on, but the final decision essentially rests with the homeowner. While working on the Frederic-Back Project home office, it was important to the client to incorporate sentimental objects that had previously belonged to her father. The artwork, beautiful leather chair, and rug were all handed down and create a feeling of belonging. This space is no longer simply a functional one, but also a place where she can feel connected to her family and her past.
Home office at the Frederic-Back Project, designed by LUX decor
Kitchen
There’s a reason why kitchens are considered the heart of the home (which is exactly why we’re dedicating an entire paragraph to them). The scents, sounds and flavors of home-cooked dishes brought to life in this space often make up the foundations of some of our fondest memories. Because the kitchen will play such a vital role in setting the tone for the rest of your home, it is important to dig deep and understand the emotions you wish to evoke. If you’re an avid cook, you may be looking for a kitchen with a more commercial feel (think stainless steel and paneled high-end appliances), or perhaps you grew up in a big family who prioritized sit-down meals and will now need a kitchen that allows people to gather comfortably while dinner’s being prepared. If the latter is the case, consider a larger open-plan kitchen that allows for comfortable seating nearby, or perhaps even incorporate an eat-in kitchen with a banquette into your kitchen floorplan. Take the Brigantine Project, for example: the homeowner who comes from a large family and runs her own catering business needed a space big enough to entertain guests, yet still have room for meal prep. The kitchen has a very functional layout with tons of counterspace and gorgeous high-end appliances, as well a sideboard and round table to gather around for a bite, or game night. This is a space where she can not only make memories with her loved ones but express herself through her culinary creations as well!
From left to right, paneled appliances at the Pinetree Crescent Project, and a chef’s kitchen & eat-in kitchen at the Brigantine Project, designed by LUX decor
Find Out What Home Means to You…
There is nothing wrong with desiring a picture-perfect home based on Instagram-searches and Pinterest boards, but you should take the time to try and understand what it is, beyond the look, that appeals to you about these spaces. You’re likely drawn to them because they bring about certain sentiments that resonate with you, perhaps from your childhood, or the opportunity of creating new rituals. Reflect on the emotions you wish to evoke in your space, allow yourself to be vulnerable and create a home that really is your own.
The team at LUX hopes that whatever your situation may be, you are able to harness your interiority. If you’re wondering at all how we can be of service, we’d love to speak with you over a discovery call. As always, thank you for reading.
How the Durand Family Found “Home”
Learn about how we helped the Durand family explore their interiority through the discovery of their powder room and childhood memories. Sometimes, you just need a little touch to bring in that sense of belonging, and home.
