Inner-Child Healing Through Design w/ Naika Andre

Inner-Child Healing Through Design

w/ Naika Andre of NJA Interiors

A conversation about how we can be more connected with our homes by honoring our inner-child. Naika and I discuss how we, as interior designers, feel we can better support our clients in their own journey and to create a deeper connection to their space. We share our feelings about the importance of Black people cultivating a safe space for ourselves as true, authentic self-expression.

***There’s some explicit words said here, too, Lol…

Notes & Quotes from Interview

1:08 Intro of why I am doing this chat

1:23 “I really wanted to dive into how we can kind of honor our inner child more in our spaces… I feel that could possibly be the missing piece when we are designing for our clients. Like they are not truly in tune with what their inner child really needs. They are just thinking about what their adult side… and they are completely missing the small piece that’s actually really relevant to making their space feel like home… so they will feel safe and feel comfortable expressing themselves in however they know because our inner child is attached to their self expression.” 

3:52 Conversation discussing how we can support clients more 

5:27 “Our clients hold the vision. We’re simply just helping them bring it to life. ”

6:09 “I think what we can do as designers, in this aspect, we can kind of help our clients beforehand… I feel we should maybe spend a little more time, or maybe they need to spend more time on their own figuring out like what their basic needs and wants are before we get involved because then it can get messy… Because they could get their family members and partner involved and it’s like, ‘What was the initial vision?’”

“Put that in your space… is it going to work for you?”

10:38 1st Question: “How did you connect with your home as a kid”

12:43 2nd Question: “What elements of you childhood home continue to bring you comfort and security?”

14:39 3rd Question: What parts did not support your growth as you grew older (teen years til adult)?

16:15 4th Question: “With the COVID stay-at-home orders, how has your perception of your home changed?

17:53 “It’s a trickle effect, too. If your home is not right you love life is going to be effected, your relationship with your friends, your family, all of that stuff will be effected”

19:12 5th Question: What have you noticed remained the same? 

23:12 6th Question: What would you say are fundamental needs? 

25:25 7th Question: What is your definition of home?

26:35 8th Question: What are your bare minimum needs/wants for comfort, security and nourishment? 

27:59 9th Question: Do you feel your inner home is supported well by your outer home?  

30:46 10th Question: What steps have you taken to connect more intimately with your inner home (mind, body, spirit)? Outer home? 

36:59 11th Question: No matter where you stay or live, what are some things you cannot imagine living without? How do they enhance your life? 

43:38: Awareness of energy inside and outside of your inner and outer home.

45:58: What is the sole purpose, the intention of your home?

53:03 Technical difficulties 🙃🥴

53:06 Thoughts on this project, “Redefining Home” and the focus on inner-child healing through self-expression in our homes

1:02:00 The Black collective and the importance of self-expression in the home

1:04:26 Discussing eDesign services and how to create a deeper connection

1:08:03 Kid Interruption 😅

1:08:05 Brainstorming a prerequisite service to help potential clients get clear on their core wants/needs, what’s missing

The conversation was cut short due to some technical difficulties and interruptions but I’d love to continue this topic.