I have another confession to make. And again, I know this may come as a shock to many of you, especially my husband, but I am an intense person. I know it’s hard to believe but it’s true! Ok, so maybe not that hard to believe.

I work hard, I play hard. I can’t do anything half-way.  I am a perfectionist in most areas of my life and I have tried many ways to combat the resulting stress for years.  Running, lifting weights, kick-boxing, meditation, deep breathing, reading, a healthier diet, wine, a cleaning lady, a nanny…and all of them worked some of the time but nothing worked all the time.  Nothing that is, until I tried private yoga lessons!

And WOW, am I ever a changed person! I recommend each and every one of you take up yoga today! Don’t wait another second. You are taking years off your life! And if you can afford private, do it! You learn so much and the chances of injury are greatly reduced since you have a one-on-one teaching relationship. I have become happier, healthier and my body no longer feels 40 years older than it should when I roll out of bed each morning. I owe it all to my yoga teacher Holly. She is amazing! She is calm. She never gets in a hurry.  Her calming voice is like Puccini to my stressed-out ears!  She is the respite in my sea of Chaos! Holly and her husband Matt are recognized as experts in their field and often teach workshops and teacher training across the US, in Mexico, and in Europe. You can check out Holly’s studio for private and group lessons at www.barefootstudio.com

So, I know you are thinking…what the heck does this have to do with interior design??  The answer…EVERYTHING! The same sense of serenity that Holly brings to my life is the emotional state that we strive to give our clients through their interiors. It is our goal to create rooms in every project that are relaxing, cozy, comfortable, and that relieve stress through their simple, edited state and serene color palette.

Our clients are busy people. They need all the help we can give them in taking advantage of the little bit of quiet time they get at home. It is our job to make sure that there is at least a place or two in client’s homes where they feel totally at ease. These spaces are often bedrooms or small cozy studies…Spaces that are more private than public.  We have even started creating rooms specifically for yoga or meditation or other activities that help clients relax like art studios or potting rooms. I am so excited to even be putting a yoga studio and exercise space in the new office that Tobi Fairley Interior Design is moving into in a few months. I spend so much time at the office and between work and my family, I have very little time to exercise or relax.  So like my clients, I need it to be convenient to get to the space that allows me to relax and take care of myself. And though the new office is going to be beautiful, and in some areas luxurious, I think the yoga studio is going to be my favorite spot.

Here are a few of my favorite relaxing rooms that I have designed! So take a deep breathe and imagine having a space like this of your own. It might just take your pulse down a beat or two. As for me, It’s Tuesday so I’m off to Yoga!