Passion Project: My Mom's Apartment Makeover
Atomic Habits by James Clear changed the way I think, including the way I design. It’s a reference I often share with clients and friends because the idea is simple and powerful: we don’t need large overhauls to create impact. We just need a small 1% pivot that shifts the trajectory. A month from now, six months from now, or a year from now, that small shift can place you in a very different spot than where you would have been had you stayed on that same trajectory. Over time, the gap becomes meaningful.
In design, a 1% pivot might be upgrading a window shade, rescaling furniture in a room, or something as subtle as aligning finishes and metals. These small changes, over time, create spaces that feel more cohesive, more intentional, and genuinely better to live in.
After years of explaining this approach through video calls, WhatsApp messages with friends, virtual consultations, and full design projects, I decided to apply it here in a real apartment, with real constraints. I’m documenting these 1% changes I make in my Mom’s home as they happen, so you can see the impact for yourself and have a clear starting point when you’re ready to make similar shifts in your own space.
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Camera installation - 1%
We had cameras for a while. A necessity with different aids coming in and out, but after helping my sister test hers from across the country, I realized the sound and clarity level was reason enough to upgrade. It felt like I was in her living room having a real-time conversation. Of course, I ordered hers & installed it myself.
First time using a drill… not entirely convinced I used it right, but hey, the camera is up & working!
My sister's camera that I ordered
Window Shades - a 1% pivot
Mom’s room used to feel a bit droopy with the old Home Depot shades she had for years. About three years ago, I swapped them out for these, and it’s still one of my favorite updates in the apartment. It shifted the space from feeling "eh" to more polished—without changing anything else.
This was a quick, informal video I sent to a friend when she asked which window shades to buy.
Window shades I used
This is an ongoing process. I’ll continue documenting small shifts as they happen. :)