Designer Untamed

I can not think of a better way to share what inspired my rebranding and re-launch of Recovered Spaces: Interior Design than to share with you about my first re-upholstery project. I have named this project the, “I’m a %#*! Damn cheetah hear me roar!” chair.

“We can do hard things.” Glennon Doyle, author of Untamed

I didn’t always have as fierce a roar as I do today. For a while I lost myself, my voice, and my creative passions. I was caged. 

This past year in 2020, was a challenging year for many of us. As we stayed home reviewing our spaces and lives many of us asked ourselves, “Now what?”. I asked myself the same thing as I suddenly became an even more fulltime mother, teacher, and referee for two children at home; all while trying to balance, not only mine but my families emotional well being in a pandemic. Like many of us I felt at a loss of what to do next. The good news is that inspiration can come to us in the most unexpected ways. 

In April 2020 my best friend made the move from Colorado to New Hampshire during the onset of the pandemic. I had flown out to help her drive across the country. As we were driving we came across a podcast by Brene Brown highlighting author Glennon Doyle’s newly published book "Untamed". I felt electrified listening on the edge of my seat as Glennon described living unapologetically and authenticly. 

Something primal stirred in me as Glennon Doyle described her empathy for a cheetah she witnessed on a zoo visit. The female cheetah is limited in her space and her ability to fully exert herself therefore being robbed of the satisfaction of living "untamed".

As an empath myself I could feel myself relating in so many ways to Glennon Doyle’s insight about this caged cheetah. I too felt limited. A spark ignited in me like the bright overwhelming sunrise we were currently witnessing.

Beautiful sunrise while listening to Brene Brown and Glennon Doyle in the middle of nowhere. #girlroadtrip

That spark engulfed me, inspiring me to have an emotional reunion with myself. To focus on what I wanted to do, not what everyone else wanted or expected me to do. I made a commitment upon reading Glennon Doyle’s book that I would live my life untamed. I would chase my dreams, my ambitions, and I would stop looking for others' approval to move forward with my passions in my life. 

Now you may ask yourself what this has to do with interior designing. What started as a spark, now had become a creative wildfire as I started to dig deeper into my creative self. Upon returning to New Hampshire, I took on more projects in remodeling and design with my husband around our home. As partners we were able to support each other's creative selves. He is an incredible woodworker, making beautiful and functional pieces for our home. As the pandemic dragged on, we found joy in recovering our home, making it more comfortable for ourselves and our loved ones.

Adorably proud hubby completes his first handmade shelving unit! #pandemichomeprojects

My best friend found her spark after I asked her to photograph our work. This catalyst ignited her to begin following her own creative passions by creating my website and graphic designs pushing her skills further than ever.

We became a house of creators using our own skills and expertise to make the things we wanted. As I relaunched my interior design business bolder and braver than I have ever been, I wanted to create a project that spoke to my new desire to live untamed.

I noticed this chair was sitting in our kitchen, collecting dust and stains, while fading into the background. It was taking space and desired to speak up. I related to this chair and since now I was living free it was time for the chair to do so as well. 

I always wanted to try re-upholstery but always being in my own way with insecurity, I put off trying. No more I said as I deconstructed and reconstructed the chair with limited tools and my own bare hands. 

Setting the creative cheetah loose!

My mother also cultivated her own creativity, adding to the project with her sewing skills. As I finished the project the chair transformed. I transformed too. We both came out, bolder, fiercer, and more beautiful. I finally felt freed from my cage. I could feel the primal call to chase my creative passions and show the world just what I could really do. 

With Victoria finalizing the website, we launched a new dawn, much like that sunrise over the Midwest. I restarted my business. I created an office space outside my home and domestic duties . This created a space where I could let my creative cheetah roam wild and free. 

The more I keep following my creativity the more authentic I feel. For me this chair is so much more than just a chair, it is a promise to myself to live my life authentically, boldly, and unapologetically. To make sure that I am creating space for myself in my days of caring for others. A promise to no longer sit in the corner and collect dust. A promise to create, design, to be free, and most importantly of all live untamed.

Untamed by Glennon Doyle is available now at your local bookstore. Untamed Book