Joy Junket

“How does this work serve the world?  To whatever extent it contributes healing of some form to society, to that extent the project is blessed.”–Marianne Williamson (and Kitchee Gammi Design Company business philosophy)

I was recently asked to submit a proposal for a project.  The person on the other end of the phone was rattling off the various requirements for the proposal… when she asked for a description of my business philosophy.  What a great question!  I loved the fact that she was INTERESTED in how I DO my work.  Not in if I have a fax machine or where my office was but what I believed in. 

I used to have a philosophy called “I HAVE NO CHOICE.”  As you can imagine, someone who subscribes to this mindset is generally resentful, unwilling to say NO, and rarely happy in their job.  In fact I almost quit the design business at one point because as a result of not valuing myself and my work enough, I had attracted some business that can be described difficult at best. 

I learned that in order to love my job again, I needed to value myself.  That meant coming up with a job description for the one and only employee of Kitchee Gammi Design Co. (me.)  I had to redefine my philosophy about how I wanted to continue in the design business.  Today I’m happy to say that I’m developing the confidence to take the right projects, and turn down the things that don’t fit my new vision for myself.  Any project that asks me for my business philosophy appears to be on track for one I’m interested in. 

What’s your philosophy… on how you work and play?  About what you’re willing to accept or dream for yourself?  Is it time for you to write a new job description for yourself?

“Design is intensely personal, develop your radar, combine, eliminate, collect.”  JJ Manifesto

Design is about solving problems.  Really, in my opinion it’s that simple.  Now the problem may show up in a number of ways:  suddenly a home that was perfect for two now houses three children, two dogs, a home business in addition to the original two people it was purchased for.  This was the problem a friend came to me with the other day.  … More

If you follow along here at Joy Junket  you know that Suzi and I truly believe that your home reflects the state of your life and speaks volumes about who you are.  I believe that every object, surface, etc… truly carries its own energy, associations and spirit.   This is one of the principles of Feng Shui, the ancient art of altering the energy of a space using principles of energetic flow.  I have noticed that there are many of us out there in the world that are short on loving, intimacy and dare I say it fornication?  In light of this I wanted to create a fun way to PLAY with this idea that by altering your bedroom in small ways you could bring some great Schwing!  (schwing:  def ~urban dictionary:  An expression of immense satisfaction, to be used in the event of extreme good fortune- as popularized by Wayne’s world  Wayne and Garth. )  Singles can Schwing! along too- I added tips for those who are wanting to bring a lover into their life.  Now, I realize that these small things may not seem major to you now but, in my experience as a coach,  it seems the small things seem to get the ball rolling.  Have a great 4th of July!!!   Let us know if the Feng Schwing helps or share what would make it more powerful?

DOWNLOAD FENGSCHWING! HERE

“A design isn’t finished until somebody is using it.”  —Brenda Laurel

“It’s not done yet.”—-Suzi Vandersteen

I am always adding, subtracting and editing the design in my own home.  For me, design is a living breathing thing that is constantly changing.  I believe that this reflects what I’m doing in my real life… always learning, exploring, changing and challenging myself.  Some people come to my home and joke that the furniture arrangement, accessories and lighting are never the same!  It’s true, I do get bored a little easily and it’s reflected in the fact that my home is always changing. … More

We are so lucky to have a fabulous Joy Junket Home Style Tour  from the lovely Susan Honnell of Cayucos, CA

Thank You Susan for sharing so generously and letting us all in on your SHINE!!  ~Sarah and Suzi

Describe your style in 2 words:

Beach Shine

Describe your Interior Sensibility:

I BOUGHT MY LITTLE BEACH SHACK WHEN I WAS STILL IN COLLEGE BUT HADN’T LIVED HERE FOR 20 YEARS. I LANDED BACK FOR WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE A FEW MONTHS MAX TO CLEAN IT UP AND RE-RENT. THE FRONT YARD WAS NOTHING BUT DEAD GRASS, THE INSIDE WAS DARK, DINGY … AND SAD. I CRIED FOR DAYS THAT I HAD ACTUALLY CHOSEN TO BE HERE. I REMEMBER THAT SO CLEARLY… I WANTED TO BE ANYWHERE BUT HERE.

I ALSO HAD INTENDED TO JUST CLEAN … NO BIG EXPENDITURES.  I OVERSTEPPED THAT BOUNDARY … JUST A LITTLE. RIPPED OUT CARPET, OLD BLINDS, OLD KITCHEN FLOORING. STARTED WITH A CLEAN PALETTE. PAINTED EVERYTHING WHITE, PUT IN AN ENGINEERED WOOD FLOOR, WHITE WOODEN SHUTTERS. STARTED ADDING LITTLE PIECES OF FURNITURE FROM ESTATE SALES, POTTERY BARN, Z GALLERIE. BOUGHT AN ENTIRE SET OF WILLIAMS SONOMA (WHITE) DISHES AND BEAUTIFUL TABLE WARE FROM PAMELA ANDERSON’S GARAGE SALE!

WHAT I ENDED UP WITH WAS A PERFECT PLACE THAT LOOKED LIKE IT JUST CAME OUT OF A POTTERY BARN CATALOG.  BUT IT WASN’T ME. AND THAT’S WHEN MY HOUSE STARTED TO COME ALIVE. WHEN I PUT ME IN IT. LITERALLY AND FIGURATIVELY. AND MY HOUSE TRANSFORMED INTO A WARM, INVITING, COLORFUL, RAY OF SUNSHINE. BEACHY. AND SHINY! KIND OF LIKE ME.

I WAS THERE ALL ALONG. BUT MY THOUGHTS WERE THAT I WANTED TO BE ANYWHERE BUT WHERE I WAS. CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS … CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

If you were (for some odd reason)) forced to start over and could only keep one object in your home- what would it be?  Why is this object so dear- what does it mean or represent to you? … More

“Creativity is about allowing yourself to make mistakes… Art is about knowing which ones to keep.”  –Scott Adams

Naturally I just can’t stop thinking and talking about furniture so I had to add Part II to my position on obtaining fabulous goodies for your home…..

As I previously covered in GAPO (Goodies Acquisition Part One), you can buy good quality upholstery at amazing prices if you shop higher end stores but look in their “bargain basement” for things that are discontinued either in style or fabric. But there is so much more to completing a great room!  And today I want to talk about Artwork…. … More

“I wish emotional breakthroughs, true honesty and spirituality gave me goosebumps, but the reality is…furniture does.”  —Suzi Vandersteen

I can only say that I must be closely aligned with my spiritual goals if I can honestly say good furniture gives me goosebumps andI get to work in the world of design.  Years ago I got my start working in a beautiful furniture store and was privileged to learn so much from the owner, a man whose family has been in the furniture business for nearly 100 years.  … More

Sometimes it seems like the world assumes that we as women are uniquely qualified to design, decorate, shop for, and complete a room.  When in fact, I know many many women who would rather ride their horse, shop for themselves, hike a beautiful trail or read a book than have anything to do with design.  And as we say at Joy Junket, you’re excused, free to go, do and be.  I also know many women who love the idea of design but don’t know where to start.  I want to remind everyone that with design, we can have the confidence to qualify ourselves as we go.  … More

A few years ago I had the unique opportunity to design for our local Family Justice Center.  After dialoging with board members, staff, various agencies and the builder I was challenged to create a number of spaces with the objective of encouraging collaboration among the many groups of people sharing the building.  This made me think about where people gather, around a coffee pot, a kitchen, a comfortable corner in someones office.  This also required some space planning that would make it easier for how people gather… enough stools around the kitchen island, doors that close to provide privacy and confidentiality, and different lighting schemes to give spaces a residential feel. The offices provided additional chairs for spontaneous gatherings, a table for group brainstorming, and room fabric bulletin boards so everyone could personalize their space.  This got me thinking about how we view our work spaces… … More

“People are apt to creat “workarounds” when their natural ways of working aren’t supported.”—Extreme Makeover for the Private Office,  Steelcase Inc.

Wow, all I can say is isn’t that the truth?  And not just in our offices, but in our entire home environment!  A “workaround” is also often an inefficient time-waster that is also accepted without much question.  Because it’s necessary to get the job done (Steelcase). … More

I am a proud graduate of the University of Life.  I have taken many many classes, some I’ve dropped out of, some I’ve failed, and some I’ve excelled at.  Mostly, I’ve done it my own way and I threw the books out afterward.  I’m still going to school, and I try to remind myself every day that I’ve learned something new.  Sometimes I’ll tell myself, “I’ll never do that again, but what a great lesson!”  And sometimes I’ve trusted my instincts and had everything work out okay despite my own reservations about my shaky body compass.  … More

Where is your dream home located?  An apartment in the city?  A clearing in the woods?  Up high in the mountains….or a quiet block with neighbors, kids, dogs and bikes jammed in the front yard?  A castle in the countryside?  … More

Sarah has taught me so much about following my nose.  Since I have a big nose you’d think that this would be no problem for me!  But the fact is as we grow, change, learn from others, modify ourselves and our behaviors we become more remote from our own instincts and ideas.  … More

As a designer, I have done my homework.  Over the years I have worked with many clients, and observed that the people who seem to be the happiest with their homes also appear to be the people who are happiest with their lives!  

I’ve identified a few ideas that seem to be consistent in my design world.  I am going to call them the six C’s…. … More

“The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.”

—Albert Schweitzer

I really like this quote, and I would also note that it’s especially rewarding to serve in a way that allows us to use the BEST of who we are.  In my life I’ve volunteered for many things, but it wasn’t until I realized that my passion for design was something I would do for FREE (because I loved it so much, I just wanted to do it for ANYONE), that I found my best way to serve.  … More

“Am I hiding or holding back some part of myself?  What beauty can I release or embrace today?”

—-Hope For Today … More

“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”

—–Soren Kierkegaard

I try to keep my house decluttered, really I do.  So why is it that I have an entire dining room table jammed with stuff I DON’T need anymore, ready for the next trip to our local Goodwill?  Seems like I tend to collect things along my merry way in life… a ceramic dove here, an old painted wooden box there, my open shelves a willing recipient for any treasure I couldn’t pass up or told myself I couldn’t live without.  … More

Mongolian Lamb Pillow and all accessories  Westelm.com

When you get a chance to look at some of your favorite magazines and catalogs this fall, I think you’ll notice how the color palette has gone VERY neutral… when you’re working with a neutral palette it’s nice to add some texture to create interest and keep the eye moving around the room. … More

I grew up in a family that placed a high value on intellect.    I am a 4^th generation physician.    My Mom’s Father was a professor and,  we read a lot and put those in academics on a bit of a pedestal at my house growing up.   What I now realize is that intellect is wonderful BUT,  its not necessarily the best place to go when you are trying to solve puzzles of the heart.    In fact, sometimes I have to stop being so darn  smart-  so I can really look at how I am feeling and what my thoughts are causing me to feel.  I learned this only recently and its POWERFUL stuff.      There are any ways to look at your THOUGHTS-  and one of the most simple ways is a process called “the work” of Byron Katie . I cannot say ENOUGH about the work of Byron Katie.     Simple process- although it takes a bit of practice to do it-  but the results are well worth it.   What I have learned is that our intellect (brain-  whatever you wan to call it) creates thoughts-  and some of those thoughts are NOT HELPING US!!  For example-  “There is something wrong with me”  is a very common one I have discovered (for myself and with clients).  Yes-  in our Western Culture-  we glorify the mind-  but frankly … More

The other day we had a little get together.  I always believe it’s good to host a party now and then in order to get all the annoying little jobs around the house (the ones I can avoid to the point I don’t even SEE them anymore!) completed and checked off the “to DO” list.  … More