Spaces With Soul and Personality… 

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I immigrated to America in 1982. It wasn't easy to leave my family and Istanbul behind. 

My husband and I brought a container full of belongings as if we were bringing the spirit of the city we loved. And so, the belongings of two old Istanbul families came together in our home in America. 

This book conveys my decoration philosophy, ideas, and some practical knowledge I gained through my years as a decorator in both countries. You’ll see the style of my home and find my perspective on decoration in my writings. 

When decorating, selecting furniture and unique objects, I see myself as an eclectic collector. 

I’ve always had a passion for antiques and often saved up to buy some since I was a teen and saw the value of furniture passed down from our families. 

My own personal artwork, paintings by many artists from our shared families, the pieces we’ve collected over different phases of our life formed the visual collection that tells our story and our history. The arrangement of this accumulation reflects "us" in the way we prefer: Eclectic! 

I tend to value the timeless and don't follow trends. To be original, one must create and embrace their own personal style, whatever that may be. And when the old and the new come together, that creativity spans centuries. The living environments of various countries influence me, and I love the inherent tension and harmony between different cultures and objects. The decoration of a home is never ending; transforming according to our needs; it changes and evolves with us and our lives. 

I want to show you how easy it is to create a space surrounded by things you love and value. 

With a few original ideas, you can achieve a decoration that makes everyone living in it feel happy and comfortable, unique to your family, with a story, and above all, with love... "your house becomes a home.”