I met Bobbi through social media. When I stumbled upon her page I witnessed an authenticity and  I knew that she and I spoke the same language. We  laughed at the same ridiculousness, and I imagined lay awake at night with the same worries and hope. We cheered each other on as we navigated want it meant to be successful and through our relationship discovered we both embodied creativity in every thing that we did.

If you caught our conversation on ‘A Quarter ‘Til Wine’ you can quickly tell that Bobbi doesn’t lack creativity or ingenuity. It radiates from her and permeates everything that she does. When I noticed that a consultation with her was on my calendar I was convinced that she was mistaken. How on earth was I supposed to reach someone who I already viewed as ‘there’. It was through Bobby that I discovered, not only was I building a firm that reached and truly met clients where they were, but also, the power of collaboration.

Collaboration on anything will produce something much greater than any one person could obtain. Whether you are talking with your spouse, scrolling through Pinterest, or archiving your ‘inspiration’ photos on Instagram, influence (one may argue collaboration without consent) is there. As humans we thrive when put 

Working with Bobbi was a collaboration in its purest form. She presented all the colors and a canvas and I painted the outline, and she filled in all the details. And that is the way a well designed home is born.

Clients sometimes come to me and tell me ‘I have no idea’ or ‘I don’t want to do anything’ and while the scope may change from client to client, my goal is the same. Extract who they are, transform it in the space and pieces that surround them, and then give it back in a way that they understand and can digest. For some, this means complete project management, for others, it is a brief zoom call. No matter where on the scale a client lies it remains a collaboration, it remains a transaction of thought for a result with roots much deeper than what we could have done on our own.

Three Ways to collaborate for your space

Hire a designer!

Surprise, no really. If you caught last week’s “Honey Do” you may know that I personally believe that everyone, even fellow designers, benefit from working with a professional at some point while curating their home. Understanding how you approach your home, identifying the holes, and seeking a professional that can meet your needs will yield results greater than you’ve ever imagined.

Get off the ‘inspiration room’ train.

Of course there is nothing wrong with admiring other beautiful rooms, we all do it and it is a great jumping off point. However, this is the easiest way to simply pick out what it is you like and recreate it. While this may result in something pleasing to the eye, it won’t be you. You are the only “you” that is and that will ever be. Your home should be that as well and the quickest way for that not to happen is filling your feed with everyone else. Instead of already styled rooms, look for inspiration in the world around you. Seek to uncover what it is that makes you energized when riding the subway for your morning commute. What allows you to focus in the bustling coffee shop. The closer we get to understanding what makes us tick, the closer we will be to implementing those triggers strategically in our home.

Collaborate with the world!

One of my favorite things to do on a project, no matter how large or small the budget is, is include an opportunity to incorporate art that is theirs. Not purchased and owned but art that is created by my client and their family. A home feels like home when each voice is heard in every corner. It is a common thought that our home can be separated into these individual experiences and, at times, spaces are “just for…”. To an extent I understand this phrase. The main bedroom should be a sanctuary for mom, or the kids playroom is their domain. But in reality, just like we are everything all the time, our homes demand that as well. The kid’s playroom should be a place that mom & dad look forward to spending time in just as much, and the main bedroom only feels complete when before drifting off to sleep the artwork by your children reminds you how blessed you are. Collaborate with your family, always!

“i think the best part was more that you led me to a place”

- Bobbi Brown Mayo on working with Leslie Tyler Design