Design by Gail Davis Designs | Photo by Rayon Richards
The last year was an interesting one, to say the least. It was a time where the rubber really met the road in our relationships, our businesses, and our society as a whole. Despite all the challenges, I am grateful to say that it was a great year in many ways. My business thrived, I got to connect on social media and on my podcast with many new people and share my passions, and I got to do meaningful work that I LOVE doing. Here are a few things that I learned along the way, as well as what I am looking forward to in 2021.
Trust My Own Processes
It’s always a little bit tempting — and this was especially true given the uncertainty of the beginning of the pandemic — to take on smaller projects here and there. They seem inconsequential on their own, but the toll that they take on my time and resources will eventually cause a big enough strain that it will interfere with my being able to take on the kind of projects that are a better fit for me and my business.
I tell my clients all the time to “trust the process,” meaning to stick with it until the end and they can see how it all comes together, and I am glad that I stuck with my gut and followed my own process. I think that a lot of us in the design industry were really fearful that 2020 would be the end of our businesses and livelihoods but I am grateful to say that was not the case. In fact for me, the opposite was true. I signed on to work on some amazing projects that were a direct result of my clients being at home and coming to realize the value of my time and my work in their spaces. And none of that would have been possible if I had filled my schedule with less than ideal projects out of fear or desperation.
Add (More) Heart
It is always my sincere passion to provide place of rest and escape for my clients and especially for my Black brothers and sisters. And never in my lifetime has that been more important in and for my community. I want their homes to be a place where they feel safe and loved and where they can invite their friends and family in to experience more of the same. Everything in the world is feeling increasingly heavy and we need a place to escape and find peace from what we deal with on the outside.
Design by Gail Davis Designs | Photo by Mike Van Tassel
Looking to 2021
This year is shaping up to be a busy one, personally and professionally. My design schedule is already full with several big full-service renovation projects and I have a few showhouses on the docket as well. On a personal note, we are going to dive in to a renovation of our own home that we have been planning for a while. I'm excited to share a behind-the-scenes take on my processes here on the blog when things start to happen, which will be late in the spring if all goes according to plan.
Like many people, we've also seen the value of well-designed outdoor spaces to we plan to get our own yard into shape. I have been inspired by the gardens on Long Island and in the Hamptons to add thick hedges, beautiful privacy plantings, and the best outdoor furnishings I can find. If you'd like to follow along, you can find me on Instagram, tune in to my podcast, or catch me here for monthly updates. And as always, if you are interested in working together in the future, take a look at my design process or book an exploratory phone call.