Finding Peace Through Interior Design

Foreword

My story begins with a universal search—the search for a place of peace, a sanctuary from the world's chaos. It’s a journey that led from the quiet forests of Pennsylvania to the stark landscapes of Utah, through profound loss and personal discovery. It was in this crucible that a fundamental truth became clear: home is not a location on a map, but a feeling we cultivate within our own walls.

The Origin: In Search of Sanctuary

Setting the Foundation

To truly understand our mission, you must first understand its origins. A brand's philosophy is not an abstract concept; it is forged in the fires of lived experience. This story begins with a my formative relationship with the concept of "home" as a sanctuary—an understanding that would become the foundational pillar of our entire approach to design.

The Forest as a Sanctuary

My earliest memories are of the Allegheny Forrest of Pennsylvania, a landscape woven with the rustle of leaves and the quiet strength of ancient trees. The woods were more than just scenery; they were a sanctuary. This deep, formative connection to nature instilled an innate understanding of what a true sanctuary feels like—a place of "wonder, calm, and connection." It was here that the seed was planted: the profound sense of peace that comes from being in a space that feels like it is a part of you.

A Sense of Disconnection

A move west to Utah in later years brought a fresh start, but the landscape was starkly different. The familiar comfort of the forest—the rustle of leaves and the quiet strength of trees—was replaced by an exposed silence. Apartment living, in a land where the beloved trees were few and far between, created a feeling of profound disconnection. This period was defined by a persistent search for something that could not quite be found—a feeling that was simply, "Home."

Concluding Transition

This persistent search for a lost sense of sanctuary set the stage for a period of personal crisis that would ultimately provide the answer.

The Catalyst for Change

It is often in our moments of greatest challenge that we find our most authentic purpose. Profound personal trials become the catalyst for a brand’s deepest and most resonant mission. This chapter represents the emotional core of Come What May | Home Décor —a time when deep loss stripped life down to its essentials and forced a re-evaluation of what it truly means to find peace and happiness.

The Ground Beneath Me Shifted

The year 2024 brought an unforeseen storm. In addition to my mother and brother passing away, I turned 50. It felt as if the very ground had shifted beneath my feet.

This confluence of events acted as a powerful crucible, articulated by a simple, profound realization:

"Grief and aging has a way of stripping life down to its bare bones."

This stripping away forced essential questions to the surface:

• What really matters?

• Where do I find peace?

• What does happiness really mean?

• What does happiness look like now?

A Holy Thing

In the midst of this soul-searching, a song emerged as a beacon of light: "Come What May" by We Are Messengers. A few specific lines resonated with the force of a revelation, offering a new framework for understanding suffering and healing.

"Sometimes sorrow is the door to peace. Where hurt meets the healing is a holy thing."

A Path Forward

These words provided a new perspective—a powerful reminder that even when the road is broken, there is always a path forward. They affirmed that the meeting point of hurt and healing is not a place of weakness, but a sacred space of transformation. This is where our mission truly begins: understanding that the intentional act of curating one's home becomes that "holy thing"—the tangible process where we create our own healing, piece by piece.

This moment of musical insight was the turning point that led to a new understanding of what it means to create peace and find home.

Home is a Feeling, Not a Place

Defining the "Why"

The journey through loss and reflection revealed a philosophy that moves beyond the conventional rules of interior design. It is an approach focused not just on aesthetics, but on the profound emotional and psychological benefits that come from curating a space with true intention.

Redefining Happiness

Many of us seek happiness in external experiences—travel, shopping, or a sunset on a beach. While these moments provide wonderful memories, they "do not provide a constant." The experience of being stripped down to the bare bones of life revealed a powerful truth: true, sustainable peace comes from the daily act of "curating our home with things that soothe my soul." While the world outside is fleeting, the home we create is a constant source of comfort and restoration.

The Power of Intentional Curation

Peace is not a product of wealth or status. It is cultivated in the small, intentional details that reflect who we are and what brings us calm. The same sense of stillness found under the canopy of the Allegheny Forrest can be rediscovered inside our own walls through simple, deliberate choices:

• Creating Stillness: Through physical objects that ground us, like a cozy corner with soft light or a favorite chair by the window.

• Personal Reflection: Through surrounding ourselves with meaningful things, like a piece of art that reminds you of who you are.

• Intentional Action: Through the simple, empowering act of making the gentle tweak of a space that reflects who we are.

• Cultivating Sanctuary: Through the conscious choice to build the stillness we create when the world feels chaotic.

The Ultimate Truth

These principles all lead to one powerful, definitive conclusion. This is the ultimate truth at the heart of Come What May Home Decor:

"Home is where you make it. It’s not a place on a map—it’s a feeling."

This deeply personal philosophy is the guiding force behind the practical mission of our our purpose.

Until Next time.... Come What May

Brian