What if the Detour is the Right Way?

As I sit down to write our December blog, I’m still wondering how on earth it's already December. This month always has a way of holding both the glitter and the grit of life. The celebrations, the family gatherings, the flurry of year-end everything (and too many evening events) — all wrapped up with whatever we’ve carried quietly (or maybe not-so-quietly) on our shoulders throughout the year. It’s no wonder this season asks us to slow down, breathe deeper, and care for ourselves with a little more intention. December is part celebration, part reflection, and part anticipation of what the new year might hold. 

Recently, I finished a book that touched on the idea of emotional alchemy - the emotional equivalent of turning lemons into lemonade. And it landed with me, not only in life, but in the work I do every single day. 

Before and after of our Stouffville showroom, sample room, kitchen, and bathroom.

Renovations fascinate me. Truly. Sometimes more than new builds do. 

They’re the perfect metaphor for emotional alchemy - the art of transforming what is into what can be. There’s something so powerful about honouring and holding love and appreciation for the past, while still boldly telling the story of the future. 

And yet… anyone who has lived through a renovation knows that the journey between those two points — the “before” and the magical “after” — can be intense. The mess, the delays, the unexpected pivots, the noise, the dust… it can stir up emotions people didn’t even know they had. I’ve seen it challenge relationships within families, and even strain the trust between homeowners and their design or construction team. 

But this is why I adore what I do. Because design invites us to practice emotional alchemy every step of the way. 

I remind every client of this early on: 

The path from where we are to where we’re going is rarely as direct as we imagine. 

The key is keeping the end goal in sight — holding that vision steadily — and trusting that every detour, every step to the right or left, is still leading us exactly where we intended to go. 

In many ways, December mirrors this journey. 

It brings a gentle invitation to look back at the spaces we’ve lived in — physically and emotionally — and acknowledge the full spectrum: the ups and downs, the beauty and the pain, the easy choices and the ones that stretched us, the endings we didn’t expect, and the beginnings we didn’t yet know we needed. 

This year has been all of that for me. 

And maybe for you, too. 

As we approach the holidays, I’m reminded of why I find so much meaning in creating homes that genuinely support the people who live in them. Because our environments shape us — they hold our stories, our rituals, our growth, and our becoming. 

And in the spirit of Elsie de Wolfe’s timeless promise: 

“I am going to make everything around me beautiful — that will be my life.” 

To me, this isn’t a declaration about perfection, or aesthetics alone, but a philosophy of intentional living. A promise to bring grace where there’s friction, joy where there’s fatigue, and gentleness where things feel raw. It’s about choosing, again and again, to create beauty in your surroundings, your relationships, and your inner world — even when life feels messy or uncertain. 

That is emotional alchemy. 

That is self-care at its highest level. 

That - is the heartbeat of this season for me. 

I find myself leaning into beauty not as an escape, but as a way through. 

A way to steady ourselves in the messy middle.

A way to honour where we’ve been, and brighten where we’re going next. 

My hope for you this December is simple: 

That you find small moments of beauty that refill your cup. 

That you feel supported — by your home, your people, and yourself. 

And that wherever you are in your own renovation journey (literal or emotional) you trust that every step, every pivot and every redirection is leading you closer to the life that’s meant for you. 

Here’s to wrapping this year with grace, and stepping into the next with renewed joy. 

XO, 

Cynthia 

PS - When you’re ready to turn “what is” into “what can be,” I’m your girl. Let’s create something beautiful. Book your Discovery Call here 

PPS - If this brought a little light into your day, share it with someone you care about. And if you’d like more heart-and-home inspiration each month, join The Fizz community — it’s where the good stuff lands first.