Over the past two years, our homes have become multipurpose spaces. They’ve had to serve as classrooms in ways they never did before March 2020 — as offices, gyms, and beyond. Because of our homes’ new roles, it’s understandable that home might not feel as relaxing as it once did.
In celebration of Mother’s Day, we reached out to some of our favorite moms for their take on their home, the importance of carving out spaces dedicated to unwinding, and tips on creating sanctuaries within your own space. If anyone deserves to relax at home, it’s mom.
Keep reading to learn more about content creator and lover of bright & airy spaces, Brit Arnesen.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself, for those who don't know you.
A: I’m a content creator and DIYer living the dream with my family in our Midwest
fixer upper.
Q: How long have you been a mom?
A: I’ve been a mom for a little over eight years now, and the time has gone by so fast! My daughter turned eight in February, and my son will be six in October.
Q: When the pandemic started, our homes had to turn into classrooms, offices, gyms, etc., overnight. Because of that shift, has your view of your home changed?
A: I turned into quite the homebody when I became a mom. So the pandemic gave me an excuse to do more of what I’d rather be doing than anything else anyway without feeling guilty about it, and that’s staying home and creating a haven for my family - a place for us all to feel safe and loved.
Q: Because of your home’s new roles, did you make any significant changes to yours?
A: Our home has constantly evolved since we bought it seven years ago. It was in terrible shape, and we’ve completely remodeled it inside and out. However, the most extensive renovation we’ve done happened during the pandemic, and that was converting our attached garage into additional living space. It was part of the plan from the get-go, but I’m not sure it would’ve happened when it did - or as quickly it did, for that matter - had we not had the extra time spent at home to pull it off.
Q: What has been the most challenging part of staying at home?
A: Despite being a homebody, I think the most challenging part for me was not having the option to leave the house if I wanted to and then trying to explain everything to the kids in a non-scary way. I felt bad that I wasn’t able to take them to the pool or the park or on play dates, so I added a stock tank pool to the backyard and remodeled their playset to try to make staying home fun.
Jaimee Floor Lamp | @britdotdesign
Q: Was there a specific room in your home that you gravitated toward during lockdown?
A: During the pandemic, I actually spent a lot of time on the back porch when I wasn’t inside working on converting the garage. Since then, the garage has become the den, and it’s my favorite room in the house! I now spend most of my time in the den when I feel like relaxing and it’s too cold to be outside on the deck.
Q: What about that space do you find relaxing?
A: The rest of the shared living space in our house is open concept, so the den feels more relaxing because it’s quieter and more secluded in comparison. There’s also a fireplace, which adds tremendously to the coziness factor. Then there’s the fact that I created and curated every detail in the room to go together perfectly - from the ceiling molding, rug, furniture, and fireplace I designed, to the lighting and other carefully chosen pieces I added to the mix. I find it relaxing to be surrounded by aesthetically pleasing things.
Q: What does self-care look like for you? Do you make it a priority in your schedule?
A: Self-care for me is daily alone time after everyone goes to bed. Usually, that’s spent watching TV or reading while sitting on the couch in the den with a cozy blanket, a cat on my lap, the fireplace lit, and the lights dimmed. I also occasionally add a beverage or a face mask to the mix. 
Coco 5 Light Chandelier | @britdotdesign
Q: How can other moms create sanctuaries in their own homes?
A: I don’t think you have to do anything major to create a sanctuary for yourself at home. A scented candle on the bedside table and a good book at bedtime or even just taking an uninterrupted solo shower might be all you need, depending on what stage of (mom) life you’re in. The important thing is to figure out what it looks like to you and make it happen!
Q: What is something unexpected that the pandemic has taught you?
A: One thing I’ve learned from both being a mom and the pandemic is how adaptable we are as humans. When I first became a mom, my life changed so much, and just as soon as I thought I’d finally figured it out, my daughter would move onto the next stage of babyhood, and I’d have to figure it out all over again. I felt a bit more confident the second time around with my son, but initially, being a mom was quite overwhelming at times. It’s gotten a lot easier, though. Even the toughest stages of motherhood come to an end eventually. Sadly, the sweetest ones do too. Now my son’s getting ready to go to kindergarten next year, and I’m going to have to adapt to having both of my babies gone all day! What will I do with all that time? I can think of a few things.
Q: Looking ahead, what are some new design elements you want to add to your space?
A: Wallpaper and color! I’m all about both trends right now, despite having had all-white walls since we first moved into our house. I’ve added some of both but would like to add more. I think figuring out the colors you’d like to incorporate and then sticking to the palette is key for someone who’s cautious about using color. If you do that, you can’t really go wrong!
To learn more about Brit, click here.