Creating Home Wherever Life Takes You
The Spaces That Shape Us
There’s no room for environments that don’t serve your soul, and that’s what a well-designed space should always do. As Zaha Hadid beautifully expressed, “Architecture is really about well-being. I believe that people want to feel at ease in a space. On the one hand, it’s about shelter, but it’s also about pleasure.”
I developed a passion for my surroundings at an early age. When my family moved into a new house when I was twelve, I remember the construction-like scent of fresh paint throughout the home. After many trips with the architect during construction, we couldn’t wait to move in. My parents were unpacking boxes that first week, carefully deciding where to put things, while I was ready to feel settled at home after all the anticipation. I organized my closet and desk, made the bed, set up my stereo system, and listened to songs like “Drops of Jupiter” by Train. Then, I put all my decorative pieces in their designated places. I was settled within 48 hours, where my room became my sanctuary, where I could write and do my thing when I needed a break from my two little sisters between summer sport camps and friends.
Years later, nothing has changed, despite a handful of moves between Chicago and New York. As I’ve grown into my passions, creating my sanctuary has always been my priority. Giving it a fresh look that reflected the moment in time I was in, incorporating quality pieces I owned or had received as hand-me-downs, and adding new accents throughout. My mom and I spent two days repainting my first apartment, adding light fixtures, and faucets. It was the cutest apartment with western views of the sunset in Gold Coast/Old Town Chicago. A clean room equals a clean headspace, and there’s nothing better than coming home to a familiar scent and well-styled living situation where you can breathe.
While spending more time in real estate and home renovations, I’ve come to realize that our home shapes us more than we think. But working with clients who maintain multiple residences taught me something deeper: when you’re constantly on the move, your space must work even harder for you.
The Magic of Collaboration
There’s nothing better than a designer who gets you and exceeds your vision. Recently, when a designer asked my client, “Who do you become when you’re here?” magic happened.
My client, a busy entrepreneur, paused. “At my primary residence, I’m sharp and always on the go. But here… I want peace. I want to feel connected to the water and entertain my family and friends.”
That insight changed everything. Instead of recreating his main home’s aesthetic, we designed for contrast. Calming cool textures and soft linens replaced warm tones and woods. Natural materials on high ceilings brought warmth. Every choice supported his need to shift into a different version of himself.
The best collaborations happen when the designer translates feelings into form, I ensure spaces function for real life, and the client brings honesty about who they want to become.
Your Home as Personal Signature
Through my real estate practice, I’ve noticed that the most successful people understand their homes to be extensions of who they are, not in a showy way, but in how every choice reflects their values and supports their personal growth and evolution.
This becomes even more intentional with multiple residences. Each space expresses different facets of your personality. Your primary residence might reflect ambition and energy, while your retreat embodies restoration and reflection.
Art collecting offers a perfect example of this. I’ve worked with clients who use their collections as connecting threads between residences, whether it’s contemporary pieces discovered during Art Basel that travel between homes, or established works that anchor each space. The key is understanding which pieces want to live where, and how they interact with the unique light and architecture of each environment.
Making It Work
When you divide your life across multiple locations, design requires more intention. Create visual threads through your approach to light and preferred textures. Invest in pieces that can be easily transported or rotated for instant familiarity. Most importantly, design for how you actually live in each place.
Many discover that working with a designer doesn’t mean giving up control, but becoming more involved in creating something that genuinely reflects who they are. The result? Spaces that feel like home the moment you walk in, whether you’ve been away for days or months.
Building Maison Limonelle has reminded me that creating exceptional spaces isn’t about expensive pieces or trends. It’s about environments that support the fullest expression of who you are.
As Robert Sullivan captures it, “Good architecture is like a good therapy session, a good marriage, a good poem – gently and almost invisibly allowing you to be you, as flawed and as beautiful as you are.”
The goal is to create an environment that fosters a sense of creativity, connection, and peace. Your spaces should enhance, not complicate, the experience of being fully and authentically yourself.
With warmth and intention,
Danielle
This is the second in a series of conversations about lifestyle design and intentional living. If you’re interested in exploring how your living spaces could better support your life vision, I’d love to connect with you.
