Making a House a Home

What makes a house feel like "home?" Every great interior begins with its inhabitant. You might argue that "great" is totally subjective, and you'd be right. This is precisely what makes our job as designers so interesting. No two clients—and no two projects—are alike.

Most professional designers will agree that the client's personality needs to live within the home's design and aesthetic, however at the design consultation, this important element often goes unspoken. At Hibou Design Co., we pride ourselves in building relationships with our clients, resulting in highly personalized and customized homes that cater to their needs, moods and whims. After all, if you can't indulge at home, then you're not doing it right.

Here we have broken down some of our favorite ways to make a house feel like "home," inspired by you:

The Big Purge

If you feel like your home doesn’t represent you, it’s time to purge. Some words to the wise, from professional organizer and 'purger' extraordinaire, Marie Kondo: “Discard everything that does not spark joy.” It’s so easy to hold on to items that you don’t even like, simply because you’re used to having them around. This act alone will eliminate everything in your home that does not represent you. Once you're removed all the hollow "stuff," you can start to fill your home with meaningful mementos and things that inspire you.

Show Yourself

You have likely accumulated a collection or two, that is highly personal and says a lot about what brings you happiness. Putting these items on display will not only make your home feel more "you," but subconsciously provides comfort and exudes your personality into the space. Added bonus - these are great conversation-starters.

Pro Tip: Avoid clutter by only displaying selections from your collections, instead of the entire set. Display books on shelves like you would showcase art. Books fill gaps nicely and artistic covers can be featured in place of artwork.

Create Comfort

"Home" is about achieving a heightened level of efficiency, comfort, and pleasure. These days, we are experiencing our homes in a new way as a refuge from the world, more out of necessity than by choice. But regardless of what's happening outside, our interiors should always be the greatest escape of all, filled with things we love and tailored to the way we live. This may mean investing in that really beautiful but equally expensive couch if you enjoy lounging in front of the television every evening, or finally getting around to setting up that dedicated home office that inspires you, instead of working from the dining table drop-zone. 

Comfort can be created with some simple considerations, like lighting and ambiance. Adding candles, fresh florals and throws draped over the sofa and chairs are some of the easiest and most impactful ways to boost your home's comfort level.

Be Adaptive

The world is changing, and our homes have to keep up. Adaptation starts with being open to change, and may take place as a slow build (think technology through the decades) or as a sudden bang,, with this pandemic being the most obvious example. As we grow and our circumstances change, our personal style, collectables and lifestyles follow suit. Your home may have represented your past self, but it’s possible and very normal that you may change over time. When you feel like your current decor has run it’s course, it’s time to restart this decorating process and find new ways to bring the "new you" into your home.

There's a good reason that "custom" continues to be the biggest interior trend, year in and year out. The "cookie cutter" fads come and go. Look within for inspiration that stands the test of time. An open mind and a good design team can make your home truly yours - and isn't that what "great design" is all about?

Eugenia Triandos and Korina Khamis are designers and co-founders of Hibou Design & Co. Collectively with well over a decade of experience this Montreal based multi-disciplinary design firm has become known for creating both stylish and well-curated interiors. The firm provides complete bespoke residential design services throughout Canada & North America.