Plants build a sanctuary — Breathe new life into your home, both literally and figuratively, by incorporating houseplants. Not only do plants have positive health benefits by emitting oxygen and increasing a sense of connection with nature (biophilia), they’ve also long been used to enhance even the most stylish of interiors.
As part of my series on the “5 Things You Can Do To Help Your Living Space Spark More Joy”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Edyta Haligowska
Edyta is a renowned interior designer and owner of HE Space Design based in Chicago, IL. Edyta specializes in full home remodels as well as interior design. She most recently completed a 16,000 sq ft home in Forest Glen, where she designed the entire home including the aesthetic of a rooftop deck. She is an expert in design taking inspiration from her personal experiences traveling the world, bringing a wide variety of offerings to clients.
Thank you so much for joining us in this series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit more about you. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
When I was growing up there was no profession like interior design so I never thought about it. It’s a relatively new field. After graduating with a bachelor degree in English and history I need it to decide what’s next– law or Interior design/architecture. I picked design and know now I made the right choice. My father was an engineer and he designed, drafted and built our house. He had such incredible talent that it was inspiring. I was always around the creative energy of architecture and design growing up. It was a natural trajectory for me to end up as an Interior Designer.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?
The job itself is the most interesting. I am learning constantly, and there is never a boring day no matter what I am doing. Interior design has the technical aspects as well as the creative ones, so I get challenged on both. I am always trying to polish the design process of planning and executing with each project. Also, every home and client is different and demands different attention, so it keeps you on your toes. It’s very rewarding when you know your design has captured the energy and essence of the family that lives there.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
The last mistake I made was when I sent the drowning of the backsplash to a fabricator, and I wrote my measurements by hand. The tile specialist read my 7 as 1. We did not know it until we got the tile, and it was not enough. Luckily, the tile was rushed and came within a week. The very important lesson I learned through the years about mistakes is to first check, check and check again before you pass information into production or purchase. Second, when you do make a mistake, it’s all about how you handle it. Be honest and find creative ways to solve it in a timely manner.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now or recently completed?
I truly loved every project I did because it made me a better designer and the designer I am today. The most exciting project is the project I did last. The last space I design is a first floor of a house starting with a foyer, front room, dining room, kitchen and family room. The house feels open but each room has a strong identity and seemingly connects one space to the next. The space turned out to be livable, beautiful, quiet, and refined yet relaxed. It’s pretty with calming effects. It’s rich in layers of texture and pattern with a natural color palette with hues of white and cream. The white walls’ dramatic blank canvases serve as artwork. The artwork offers the rooms the splash of color shades of blue, green, orange and pink.
What are your “5 Things you Can do to help your living space spark more joy? And Why? Please share a story or example for each.
- Color — The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of joyful interiors is color. Color should create a natural connection between rooms. However, you can create the unexpected accent room or wall with wallpaper or paint for a pop of color. Pick your favorite color in a subdued palette that seamlessly flows through the room. Another way to introduce color to a neutral or white room is to add accent pieces like colorful pillows, blankets, rugs, and drapes.
- Artwork — Artwork inspires, motivates and gives the space character beyond the furnishings. Art is food for the soul and can transform your home by telling a personal story. Invest in a few pieces of art, either from your local gallery (support your local artists!) or online like from 1st Dibs or even Etsy. Or, if you’re feeling creative, make your own heirloom piece that you can pass down to members of your family. Quality is the key as it will grow with you, your family and your home.
- Be Organized — A joyful home is a well-functioning and well-organized home. We all have a room (or rooms) in our homes that get cluttered with stuff. Fortunately, this is easy to solve by adding stylish storage solutions. If your family room gets overwhelmed with gadgets, kid’s toys, etc., decorative storage, like a bench with a patterned fabric seat cushion, will conceal your clutter while adding an extra seat to the room. Also, get rid of the stuff that you do not need or love. Only keep the pieces that you use often or that mean something personal to you and your family, keeping in mind that space is luxury!
- Create a photo wall — Create a photo wall in your house to show your family’s life journey. Frame the memories that make you laugh, or a beautiful moment that takes you to a happy place. Choose interesting frames that fit the style of your home.
- Plants build a sanctuary — Breathe new life into your home, both literally and figuratively, by incorporating houseplants. Not only do plants have positive health benefits by emitting oxygen and increasing a sense of connection with nature (biophilia), they’ve also long been used to enhance even the most stylish of interiors.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My favorite quote in my career and life is by Charles Eamer.
“The details are not the details. They make the design.
In personal life, dreams or goals are not achieved in one day, it’s the small steps towards it every day that will bring you there.” In professional life as a designer, it’s the details in space that creates the big picture.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about it?
The people who helped me along my way were my parents. My parents taught me how to be kind, resourceful, driven, and determined. I don’t remember specifically telling me who to be but showing me by their example. They exposed me to art and culture. As a child, they signed me up to ballet school and conservatory school, where I played piano learning the discipline and benefits of its efforts. My parents were always there for me growing up and later in life supported my choices. I moved to the US from Poland and my parents followed me with my siblings, giving up their comfortable life of retirement in Poland. That love, dedication and selflessness motivates me and keeps me going.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
I would start a movement that people are conscious to show kindness and compassion to everyone every day.
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational!
Designer Edyta Haligowska: “Plants build a sanctuary” was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.