renovating

OK — so you may have noticed that the Niksen Moods website looks a little different lately. The workshops are no longer front and center, and instead, you’ll see something that’s been quietly pulsing in the background of my life for decades: interior design.

Anyone who knows me — even a little — knows that design is something I eat, breathe, and dream about. It's been a part of my world for as long as I can remember, and honestly... it's about time I did something about it.

Just to give you a glimpse into how deep this runs: when my dad used to shovel the driveway and make a giant snow pile, I’d turn it into a snowfort — complete with shelves and seating areas. In the summer, I’d sit on the dock with graph paper, sketching blueprints for churches, schools, and banks (yes, I was an unpredictable little visionary). And don't even get me started on Legos — I’d design entire homes for my one-inch Lego families, imagining how they lived and moved through each room.

There was also the time in Grade 5 when we had to build a maquette (model house) for school, and my friend’s mom brought over real mini white tiles. I remember holding one in my hand and wondering: Are there even smaller ones out there? (Spoiler alert: there are — and I still get just as excited about them.)

It’s not exactly a mystery where this passion came from. My mom was the kind of woman who would paint a wall on a whim just because "the mood struck." My dad? We built two of our family homes from scratch, and he involved me every step of the way — from flipping through design magazines to running my hands across carpet swatches to choosing the lighting. So when it came time to pick the colour of my childhood bedroom, I chose butter yellow because it made me feel warm and cozy inside. It still does.

For a long time, I told myself I missed the window on my dream career. Last year, I even applied (and got accepted!) to the Bachelor of Interior Design program at Yorkville University. But after a lot of soul-searching, I turned it down.

Why? Because I realized that another four years glued to a screen — on top of my 9-to-5 — wasn’t the life I wanted. Over the past few years, I’ve been slowly reimagining what living fully looks like. I used to focus so much on titles and outcomes, but now, I care more about how I want to feel in my day-to-day. Fulfillment, for me, comes from creating. From bringing beauty, flow, and intention into spaces. And while I loved hosting creative workshops, I had to be honest with myself: it wasn’t my truest “yes.”

So — here I am. Stepping fully into what makes my heart beat faster, even if it doesn’t come with a formal title. While I’m not a certified interior designer, I have spent years studying, observing, learning, and living this craft. And I’m excited (and a little nervous!) to start sharing that with others — to help you reimagine your spaces in ways that feel good, lived-in, and uniquely yours.

If you're looking to refresh a room, define your style, or just need a second pair of eyes before making big purchases — I offer virtual and in-person design consultations to help bring your vision to life. Design with me!