When I was a little girl, growing up in the midwest (Chicago, Kankakee, and The South Suburbs), my dream job was to be an architect.
It was just something that I always wanted to do and designing the space around me came naturally.
I can remember rearranging my room nearly 10 times a year, I loved the art of creating something from what I already owned.
I don’t know about you but rearranging rooms is a form of therapy for me.
Then life happened.
When I became a mom, I decided to put my true ambition on hold and pursued becoming an emergency nurse.
I loved the thought that as an RN, I’d not only learn more about my body and how to take care of it but it was a great way to support my little boy.
When I was a year away from finishing nursing school, I decided to move out.
I believed it was the right decision since I could afford my own place and I wanted to have that resemblance of responsibility and independence.
I was going through the process of deciding whether to rent an apartment or purchase a home…
I decided to buy a condo and fixed it all up. Because at the time I believed that outdated apartments were something that tenants couldn’t upgrade and I didn’t want to waste money on rent.
Shortly after, the housing crisis happened.
With the loan payment ballooning and the property’s value decreasing in value, I had to let go of it. I ended up making the decision to rent an apartment --- which I hated.
My first apartment caused me to be depressed for over a year until I decided to be grateful for the space that I dwelled in.
This whole journey was one of the most emotional moments of my life -- more of that in this YouTube video I created here. (https://youtu.be/xKyijJRbEiE).
Fast forward, I’m an emergency nurse of 11 years living in Florida, a wife to a wonderful man, a mom to a beautiful son, a chocolate lab (fur-baby) -- and a self-taught interior designer helping renters all over the world!
That’s why I started Wayna World, my Youtube channel. I wanted to help small space dwellers like myself who seriously want to have:
...a home that looks and feels happier, lighter and brighter
...that modern piece of space that looks clean and luxurious
...a place mirroring their personality in a stylish and functional way
...that welcoming living space that's inviting, refreshing and comfortable
...an oasis that's visually appealing, a look that’s held together and complete that brings that rush of excitement making you say, "I live in a small home and I love it!"
You don't need to continue putting up with an apartment that makes you feel anxious, stressed and unhappy every time you walk through the door.
And instead...
Enjoy living in a space that mirrors YOUR attitude and sense of style. Finally, a home that's comfortable and inspiring. A living space that's luxuriously chic and functional. A home makeover --- a proud moment --- that you deserve.
I had dreams of living in my own luxe space that’s stylishly designed by me. And I thought I could only achieve this if I owned my own little piece of real estate.
I mean, we’ve been told and made to believe that being a homeowner is where our happiness lies and it was part of the great American dream. This made me somehow think that renting was no good and it was like throwing away money.
So, I ended up buying a house at a very young age. Unfortunately, it was during those times when the US experienced the housing market crash and it hit me hard. It caught me off-guard. I wasn’t ready to weather this kind of economic circumstance.
It was one of the most painful moments in my life. I had to file for bankruptcy and I had to accept the truth that my house was being foreclosed. I talk about it more in this video.
I ended up renting! And I have never regretted this decision ever since. Plus, I still got to transform my rented apartment into something stylishly beautiful, comfortable and functional place.
If could go back in time and talk to my younger self, I’d tell myself that “It’s alright if you don’t own your place just yet. Renting is not all that bad. You can create your beautiful home even while renting.”
It’s this experience that made me want to help other young people learn from mistakes, help them enjoy their lives without having that feeling of being house poor.
I’ve learned that finding that best home for you is not something you rush into. It’s about being “present” where you choose to live and making choices that help them transition into their best selves in the future --- wherever they decide to live.
I am such a firm believer that we have the ability to design our life and decorating the space where we live is a form of self-care -- and it isn’t something only homeowners can experience. Renters can, too! Everyone deserves to live in a space they love.
This is why I do what I do.
Watch me every week as I share my decorating tips, hacks, and tricks so you can turn your home into a beautiful, organized haven, too
Let me take you through my entire step-by-step design process that will turn your small space into a modern luxurious and chic home.
Love my decor recommendations but don’t know where to find them? Visit my Amazon shop page.
