Color Psychology and Your Kitchen with Kadija Taylor (Encore)
Michelle Fox: We just celebrated Christmas in our household and we absolutely love and respect other faith traditions. So whether you celebrated Christmas yesterday or not, please know that my heart is so full of gratitude for you. Yes you for being in our community for listening to this podcast for supporting this podcast.
Also, I sincerely want to make sure you do not miss out on Nourish the Membership. Have you joined us yet?
I am so sincerely excited to help you to elevate your lifestyle in 2024.
If you go to michellefox.com/nourish, you will see the agenda I have laid out. We have a new fresh theme for each month. I am committed to showing up for two live sessions [00:01:00] each month and we'll have a community where we can all love each other up and support each other. That'll be a community of like-hearted humans. I love saying like hearted versus like-minded because I love diversity.
I love the diversity of conversation of backgrounds. But it's the heart that's going to keep us all connected. And so in 2024, we will be. Showing up and having more confidence on social media. We will be working on our bodies so that we can have more confidence in our bodies and in our lives. We will be looking at our finances.
And of course, you know, I'm bringing the fun. So again, go to michellefox.com/nourish, and I sincerely hope you will join us.
And that leads me into this holiday conversation. It [00:02:00] is a replay of one of my favorite podcast episodes. We aired this one originally, March 21st, 2023 with my dear friend, Kadija Taylor. And we talked about color psychology and your kitchen.
And I thought this was the perfect conversation to replay during the holidays, because as you will hear in a moment, this conversation is filled with warmth. It is filled with love. I even shared a story about how nobody ever wants to leave my mom's kitchen, because yes, her food is amazing and delicious. But then Kadija came in and pointed out that the colors, the reds and the yellows, they all have special meaning.
And so without giving away too much, I want you to sit back and enjoy this conversation. And if it's on your heart, come on over and find us on socials. Because I would [00:03:00] love to know any of your aha moments. I have a feeling you're going to have at least five, like I did, because if you know Kadija, then, you know, she brings the wisdom along with that warmth and the love. So without further ado, here is a replay of episode 28. Color psychology and your kitchen with Kadija Taylor.
Michelle Fox: Welcome to Nourish with Michelle Fox, your guide to a vibrant life after 40! If consistency has been a challenge for you and you occasionally forget self-care, you, my friend are in the right place. Tune in for weekly inspiration to nourish your mind. I know your plate's full and I want to help you support a life and a body that you adore. Let's dig in.
Kadija Taylor: Hi, my name is Kadija Taylor. I am [00:04:00] the owner and principal designer of Home and Sanctuary, and these are of my favorite. I love ice cream. Laughing clearly, like who doesn't love laughing? Actually, I don't like to spend time with people who don't like to laugh. Cooking. I actually love to cook drinking tea. I love tea travel. It just gets you outta your comfort zone. You get to see that the world is so much bigger than you.
You meet new people, you see new things. It just opens up your mind to how other people. Think live exists. See the world, experience, God experience, your families, the diversity of music and art and food. It's just some of the dopest shit ever. I love people who travel cause people who travel are so open-minded.
There's a few of the things that I love and they're my favorite things and I wanted to share them. So I hope you guys have a wonderful day, an even better week. [00:05:00] Send lots of love, light always, and I'll see you next time.
Michelle Fox: So that my friends is the one, the only Taylor of home and Sanctuary. I thought I'd try something new today because, if you can't already tell the smile in my voice whenever I just hear Kadija's voice, particularly on Instagram, which if you wanna see her in action, please go find her at home in sanctuary L L C, and you'll be able to see the video behind that beautiful sound you just heard.
So I wanted to play that so that you get just a peek at who we are about to enjoy during these. Next 30 minutes. So Kadija Taylor is. The one I credit for saving my marriage in the last two years, and we are gonna get into that, I promise you. But to read her bio real quick. [00:06:00] Kadija Taylor is a native of Denver, Colorado.
After graduating from the University of Colorado at Denver, she began a career in property management. And this is where she spent over 11 years in affordable housing serving many disadvantaged and marginalized populations in the city. During this tenure, Kadeja served on various project committees for rehabs.
Renovations and new builds. She fell in love with design and knew it was time to make a change. In 2016, she bravely decided to spread her wings and venture into the world of real estate and home design, which ultimately led her to open home and sanctuary Kadija, welcome to the show.
Kadija Taylor: Thank you so much, Michelle. I love seeing your face have such a good time. I just, I'm smiling too. I feel like we met and we are just, we're [00:07:00] kindred spirits, so I, yeah. I'm so excited to be here. Thank you for having me.
Yeah, it's so awesome. My pleasure. Before we
Michelle Fox: started going, I told you, and I was so sincere when I saw that you were on my calendar this morning, like all day, I've been like, I get to talk to Kadija.
Kadija Taylor: Like, I gotta make sure I'm ready. I gotta make sure I'm ready. So I'm ready for Michelle. I'm so grateful and so to
Michelle Fox: bring people in since I did kind of do that slight teaser about how you saved my marriage, which I know I have told you quite a few times, I am so sincere, but. For my friends who aren't aware, so 2020, as we all know, we went through the pandemic and at the time I was working in corporate America and the three kiddos were, you know, in their
Kadija Taylor: rooms or in the basement or.
Laid out in the
Michelle Fox: family room and then Steve had his office down in the basement, so he had his privacy there. And then I had my office set up in the dining [00:08:00] room, but then we made this like makeshift tiny little
Kadija Taylor: corner in our living room,
Michelle Fox: and I just reached a point. I remember one day I was sitting at the dinner table and I looked around.
I'm like every single person at this dinner table has their own room except
Kadija Taylor: for me. Like there is a problem with this picture .
Michelle Fox: So long story short, Kadija to the rescue, she comes over and, oh my goodness. Again, back to Instagram if you wanna come. Kadija's page if you wanna come to mind. Michelle Fox Love.
You'll see the transformation that she made to our living room. I sincerely, every day I walk in here, I'm like, this is me. Like I come in, it just, she got the colors right, she got the textures right. I mean, anybody who comes in immediately feels warm and relaxed in this space, and it truly is all because of Kadija.
I, I wouldn't have known where to begin here. So Kadija for the 1000000th time and there will probably be 1 million more. [00:09:00] But thank
Kadija Taylor: you for creating this space for me. Thank you so much for. You know, I, it's an honor to always be in someone's home. I don't take that lightly. , home is sanctuary and it's a sacred space.
And so when people invite you to their home, it's, it's an honor and it's humbling. So, and you just welcome me in and you just let me do my thing. So I so appreciate that. Yeah. It was so much fun.It was so much fun. Boy, did you, you already had some great pieces.
Michelle Fox: And that's another thing you always made me feel not so insecure.
Cause I remember thinking when I, especially when I showed you my bedroom, I'm like don't laugh, don't laugh. And you're like, girl, this was fine,
Kadija Taylor: I was very grateful for that. Well,
Michelle Fox: before we get into the juicy gems of our conversation, I would love to invite you to play a game.
Kadija Taylor: Are you open? I'm open.
Let's.
Michelle Fox: Sweet. Okay, so I call this my rapid fire questions. So I did not share these with you earlier cuz I, I just
Kadija Taylor: wanna see what, where we
Michelle Fox: go [00:10:00] with these. Okay. The first one, your options.
Kadija Taylor: Okay. Sweet, salty or savory? Oh, savory. All day. Oh yeah,
Michelle Fox: that was easy. Okay. Question number two. Last show that you binged and loved.
Kadija Taylor: This is, Oh my goodness. What's the last show I binge? Actually, that's kind of a good thing, huh? I'm not a huge TV watcher. You know which one? I, well, I always, I watch The Crown, so I'm a, I love history. But yeah, I watched The Crown. I thought the Crown was good. So I'm, I think they're in season four or five.
Hmm.
Michelle Fox: That's one ofSteve and I's. Treats as well. Yeah,
Kadija Taylor: that, that's a good one. You're like, Ooh, I didn't know . Yes.
Michelle Fox: That, that's good to know. We're not alone in, in watching that one.
Kadija Taylor: Ooh.
Michelle Fox: Okay. So last and final question. Would you be willing [00:11:00] to share one of your favorite memories in childhood, in the
Kadija Taylor: kitchen? Oh, immediately I think of my grandmother. Mm-hmm. Andand let me clarify, like I didn't have a grandmother who was like they can cook the, and like, you know, like the grandma that's.
Oh, I don't wanna say warm cuz my grandmother was warm, but she was fierce. You know, like if she was a woman of this time, oh my goodness, I don't even know who she would be. Like somebody famous for sure. Celebrity, but she was. She was an artist and she was an amazing homemaker. And really, I credit, those gifts that I have as far as design is concerned, to her lineage and mm-hmm.
and her memory. She is, yeah, she loved to bake and she was a great baker. And so I remember that she would always, after she would mix the cake [00:12:00] batter, she'd always let. Have a spoon or have, you know, the bottoms of the mixing tools. And so yeah, it was awesome. I loved being in the kitchen with her.
Yeah. Mm-hmm.
Michelle Fox: Yeah. And that's love. That's something, especially now that I have a daughter who now has a grandmother who's my mom. There's nothing like that bond. Nothing. Because I can tell you, I.
Kadija Taylor: There's nobody better than your grandmother. Like really? There you go.
Michelle Fox: That's what my daughter would
Kadija Taylor: say. Yeah.
Cause I'm like what, what about me? Why she say no, grandma .
Michelle Fox: Like, no
Kadija Taylor: argument. I'm like, nobody better. Yes. So her name was Sarah Joe Montgomery. I learned so much from her. Yeah, she was an amazing, amazing human and I am so humbled to have her d n a running through mine. So yes,
Michelle Fox: What a blessing. So for my friends who are listening, and you [00:13:00] might be thinking home and sanctuary, well, what does it have to do with culinary nutrition?
Well, you're in my community, so you already know there's a connection and I'm, I'm sure just by hearing Kadija's voice, you can tell she is very spiritual and very much about whole person wellness. Mm-hmm.And that's the category we are delving deep into today. Our topic, color, psychology, and your kitchen.
Let's talk about that. So, Kadija, when I say color psychology, what does that mean to you?
Kadija Taylor: So color psychology is really the study of how colors in general affect our mood, our emotions, everything from what we like to eat. Where we wanna travel, what we like to wear, everything colors. I think we just underestimate how much color influences our day-to-day [00:14:00] experiences.
And so people whouses color psychology, anyone in marketing. Color psychology is their thing. And they the millions and millions of dollars that are invested in color psychology and how they. Find a demographic based on those things or sell a product is all about color psychology, you know when you're watching television and a commercial comes on and it's about food.
Let's talk about food today.Yes, please see the head of lettuce drop. And it's green and it bursts out. And then you see the tomatoes slicing and they're just red and you're just like, oh my goodness. And you have your red onions and they're purple. We call 'em red and you're just like, what is going on?
Fat is color psychology and those are the things that make you wanna get up and do something and react. So Color psychology for me, and design [00:15:00] is something that I use to influence people's interiors and how they wanna feel when they're in their home. Mm-hmm. and your kitchen is what we usually call the heart of your home.
So it is not an exception to color psychology. So that's why we're talking about color psychology today with.
Michelle Fox: I am loving this because clearly I can provide recipes and I can share with my coaching clients the foods that they are supposed to eat. However, if they're not thrilled about being in the kitchen, or even worse, they feel like, oh, that's a drag, or that's a chore.
I imagine, and actually, let me not put words in your mouth. Let me ask, are there things that we can do in our kitchen? To make it feel more appealing to
Kadija Taylor: be there? Absolutely. Just like any other space in your home. It's the same way. You're like, I'm want a beautiful bathroom that I can just take a long bathroom and turn on candles.
Your kitchen is no [00:16:00] exception and there are colors and actual layout and lighting, you know, that can affect how you interact with that space. And so, yeah, I'm, I'm off, I'm one. I'm a little biased. I like to cook one, I like to eat. So let's start with that. I always, if you like, if you like to eat, you can like to cook.
So Cook. , but I have been guilty of, and I, let me just credit you here because in October we did the healthy sexy challenge with. My so is a Delta Sigma Theta sorority, and Michelle headed off this amazing, amazing experience and I have been, let me tell you something. I've been in the kitchen ever since.
Hmm. I been in ever since. , and I have shocked myself how I've been committed to being in the kitchen because of what you shared with us and all of your guidance. So for anyone who's on the fence with working with Michelle, [00:17:00] Stop, go ahead and do it. And the benefits that I have experienced personally have been amazing.
Just better rest. And just feeling more balanced. And there's something special about knowing what you've put into your mouth cuz you made it, you know? And I just gotten away from that. Just letting work be an excuse for not being in the kitchen. So. Not to detour, but that's part of No,
Michelle Fox: please. You said so much right there.
I wanna pop in real quick and then I wanna ask you more about what we can do to enhance our kitchens. But yes. And , my community who is listening, I promise I did not plant that, but this is perfect because we are gearing up for healthy sexy May. And soI'm super excited about this program because I listened to the reviews and listened to the feedback and.
People want a little bit more time to integrate the information, so we're moving this program to a six week. Coaching program, extending it from four [00:18:00] weeks and then I'm gonna do a little bit more of the meal planning and add more recipes, and so I'm so excited to share Healthy Sexy May with the community very soon.
And then two, I wanted to just say a plus Kadija. Nicely done. And also to say that you're doing the work, like kudos to you for showing up cuz yes, it's one thing, hearing the information. Learning the information, but you are applying the information. And wouldn't you agree that once you get started, like your body just starts craving the whole foods and, and the less sugar and.
More nutrient dense ingredients. Have you been finding
Kadija Taylor: that for yourself? Absolutely. I think the game changer for me, so I'm not a huge sweet person, so the sugar part, and not that sugars are not hidden everywhere, so let's be clear about that. But I mean the, the sugars of like, I need a slice of cake and a big old cookie and no, with the exception of ice cream[00:19:00]
Michelle Fox: we'll have our thing.
Sorry, have a thing. No judgment here.
Kadija Taylor: No judgment. Right. No judgment.But with the exception of that, the thing that really was a game changer for me was a gluten. Hmm. And I really had no idea. I mean, I had kind of toyed with it and I know, you know, things are kind of trendy and people are like, oh, I have a gluten allergy or intolerance and all of things.
And, but really, I. Cut it out. And I'm a, I'm a cold Turkey person. Usually I'm in right now. Like, I don't do too much of like, and I mean immediately. So anyone who's kind of like a person who like me, I like to see results pretty quickly, especially in decisions that are like small pivots. I like, like, so I need to feel this for me to stick with it.
Gluten was huge for me. Mm. Like swelling, sleep. Yeah, bloating, like all those things just went like, hmm. [00:20:00] Immediately when I cut that out. And the times where I've gone back to to cheat and to act out, my body's like, really? .
Michelle Fox: You thought you could get away?
Kadija Taylor: That's what you
Michelle Fox: wanna
Kadija Taylor: do.Okay.
Michelle Fox: Yes, yes. So you're saying rapid results?
Kadija Taylor: It's like, yeah. Serious. And mostly in mood. That's another thing. Food is huge on your mood, you know? Mm-hmm. , especially I'm, and I'm sure with poor men too, but as a woman, it's just like, I didn't know I'm in my early forties and you're like, man, this food is affecting my mood and gluten. I didn't know was having that much, you know, influence.
Michelle Fox: Oh yeah. Cause it's attacking our gut, but it's also attacking our brain. So I'm sorry you've had the pain, but I'm also grateful that you're able to recognize it now. So kudos. Sincerely, kudos. So now if [00:21:00] I am just landing on this podcast and I don't know anything about Michelle's work or Kadija's work, but I'm like, huh, they said something about enhancing my kitchen.
Like what are a few things we can do to make the kitchen just feel like a place where we really wanna be to actually cook healthy foods?
Kadija Taylor: I think the the most important thing first, especially if you're like, I don't have a budget to do this, clearing
Michelle Fox: your. space Mm.
Kadija Taylor: Yes. So underrated decluttering is huge, and the kitchen is an area of your home that can pick up a lot of clutter really quickly.
Countertops just say, come on in. Yes come put the keys here. Put all the things, put your coat on, all the bar stools and just, you know, if you declutter. Immediately you'll feel like, huh, maybe I wanna be in here a little bit more because your space. I believe, [00:22:00] is always a reflection of what's going on in your heart and your mind.
So when your spaces are cluttered, you're feeling cluttered here and here, and you're not thinking, and you definitely don't wanna be anywhere that feels cluttered. So the kitchen can be a catchall space in a home, especially if you have kids, family, and it's a lot of movements. So declutter. You can start with that if you're like, I don't have any money.
Just clear things. The next thing that you can change, you're like, oh, I have a little bit of money. Lighting, lighting, lighting. You have poor lighting in your kitchen. You kind of don't wanna be in there cuz you can't really see the food. And since we're visual, I'm a visual person, we all are visual, but I love visual things.
And so if you're a visual person, not really being able to see how things look and. Will not make you wanna be in the kitchen. So check out your lighting, if it's a dam, even the coloring, you know, the temperatures of your lights. Go to something cooler instead of something super warm. When I say that that was [00:23:00] kind of yellow versus the blues, you wanna maybe do something in the middle, which is probably like a 4,000 Kelvin.
I'm kind of going in, but yes, thank no,
Michelle Fox: I'm taking notes. Please go in .
Kadija Taylor: This is,
Michelle Fox: I wanna go check my lights after we get,
Kadija Taylor: Another thing you'll wanna take a look at is, Colors. So we were talking about color psychology. , clearly what's trending. I'm not a designer who follows trends, but neutral pallets are always nice for kitchens, big or small, especially when you have a smaller kitchen and you're like, oh, I'm just feeling like it's too one cluttered in here.
First move out the things, but a fresh coat of. Can change a space entirely. What you choose, the color you choose is gonna be important, but just fresh, fresh paint , a fresh coat of paint space. So, oh, that sounds very doable. Yes. And the other things,
pencils [00:24:00] and get you a new. Mm. Stuff that you eat on stuff that you drink out of. I love coffee mugs. I'm not a coffee drinker anymore. I love tea, but I love a teacup. And so find the things that you're like, oh, I love to drink out of that cup, or I love to eat off of that plate. Find you something that you love to eat off of, or eat with a fancy fork or spoon or whatever.
Do those small things and you're like, I can't do the demo and do the kitchen that I want. So those are small things that you can do. In your kitchen space, that'll make you want to be in there more and eat your food that you're cooking cuz Michelle gave you a recipe to do it. ,
Michelle Fox: I absolutely love that. And I'm feeling a little
Kadija Taylor: like Uh oh, husband,
Michelle Fox: Steve will be listening to this and he'll like, see, Kisha says we can get new plates.
Cause I keep saying no because the kiddos, you know, there's chips and there's cracks. I'm like, I wanna wait for the kids to get out of the house before we invest in new plates. Don't do that. As I'm looking at your [00:25:00] face, I'm like, okay, he's right. You're right. We can talk. And I'm
Kadija Taylor: like, there's definitely room for improvement there.
don't wait. I tell people that all the time. Don't wait to use the good stuff. Don't wait to sit on the sofa and the fancy couch. You know, don't do that. You bought it to use it. So use it and love it and you know, Go get you some new plates.
Michelle Fox: Michelle . Thank you. I, I have a witness. Steve has a witness. We will be getting new plates after this conversation.
Love it.Okay, so for my people in the back, the four steps I heard is, For a happier, healthier kitchen, we're going to first declutter and get that stuff out that, especially the stats that you know that you're not gonna be using anytime soon. The lighting, we don't want the bright blue or the two dark yellow.
We want something in the middle. Looks like 4,000 kilowatts.
Kadija Taylor: Number three,
Michelle Fox: we wanna look at colors, specifically, neutral colors, especially if you have a smaller kitchen that's gonna feel [00:26:00] warm and a place that you wanna be.And then four, if you have the budget. And I'm actually gonna push and say, even if you don't have the budget, there's always goodwill.
There's always fun artsy places you can grab fun plates and utensils just to mix things up to make it exciting to look forward to that next meal.
Kadija Taylor: Yes. I get all that right. You did. And I will make a small little change just in the color. You can keep a neutral palette just so you.Most people feel comfortable with Nero palettes, but there are some people who are like, I love a bold space.
So we'll, but we'll talk about what those colors are and you can have a neutral space. And I'm saying you guys, cause I know we're talking to everyone who's gonna be watching this and you can incorporate colors that actually mean something and will influence why you wanna be in that space. So we can jump in to that in a little bit.
Yeah.
Michelle Fox: Mm. As you say that I'm picturing my mother's kitchen and she's really good about bringing that southwestern design. So she has like pops [00:27:00] of red and pops of yellow and people never wanna leave her kitchen. I mean, one cuz she's an amazing cook, but two, because it's just, it feels like her. Like you feel like you're sitting in her energy.
So I love that note that you want us to show up in the colors that
Kadija Taylor: feel good to us. Yes. And so, Let's just go that direction. Okay. Especially since you've mentioned those colors. So red, most people associate red with like, love and passion and desire, but red is also a stimulator, an appetite stimulator.
Michelle Fox: Oh, and did not know this.
Kadija Taylor: Okay, so red is a color that people don't generally bring in the kitchen, but it's a color that you probably should . It makes you, it makes you hungry. It's stimulator. So sometimes you go to restaurants, you're like, I have a lot of red in here. This is why they're encouraging you to eat and order more food and enjoy yourselves.
Mm-hmm. Andyellow is which I love yellow, but , something that people don't know. Yellow is [00:28:00] usually associated with intelligence and a conation stimulator. Ah. So some people don't wanna probably leave her space because you're like, oh, we're in here talking and it feels good. And the red is telling me I need to eat some more and the yellow is telling me I wanna talk some more.
So yeah.
Michelle Fox: Yeah. So that makes perfect sense. Why we never wanna leave her kitchen . Good to know. Oh
Kadija Taylor: wow. Let's go to a couple more colors. So like orange, um, orange is something I like to call, like a confidence color. We use just. Yeah, associate that with confidence, but it's also about laughter and celebrations.
So if you're a person who loves family and , friends and having gatherings orange is great to incorporate into your space. Mm-hmm. green. Green is my favorite color. Oh,
Michelle Fox: good. Cause that's the color of my kitchen. I'm like waiting. I'm like, is she gonna mention green? Let me
Kadija Taylor: see if I did this right or wrong.
I love green. So I mean, green is something I think most people know and normally we associate it with like nature. [00:29:00] Mm-hmm. But I'm just gonna take you on a little trail. So nature would mean plants. Plants can be associated with health. And then health. When you start talking about health, all things health, balance, and then nutri.
and nor and in particular they dark green is great in the kitchen. And I think that's just a nod to the actual leaf. I've learned this with you. All the dark leafy greens that you would be ingesting your kas, you know, and things of that nature. So yeah, so green is awesome too. Hmm. , Blue is really is a very popular color right now in the kitchen. But blue is interesting in the workplace. Blue is awesome, but it's also awesome in the kitchen because it's about productivity and being effective. Oh, okay. Nice. So, and dark blue in particular. So,
Michelle Fox: Blue. Mm-hmm.So when it's the teenagers turn to cook dinner, I need to like put blue paper all over [00:30:00]
Kadija Taylor: walls.
tape. It's like, chop, chop. Let, let's keep it going.
Put back in the block I'm paying. Mm-hmm.So those are just some couple things. Of course white kitchens white clearly. From a Western perspective, something to mention colors are highly influenced by where you live and where you're from. So we're, I'm talking about color psychology from a western perspective, an American in particular.
So hot right now really about white means like simplicity. So you see kitchens that are white. It's sim, it's simple and it's clean, you know, and it's just neutral. And something about feeling neutral makes you feel. Everyone can be there, and so you don't feel like you ever go into a space and you're like, oh, I don't know if I should.
You normally don't do that in white spaces, so that's why sometimes you'll see white walls, I think of commercial spaces like hospitals and like they just leave stuff white, which I am not a [00:31:00] fan of, but God's part of it. Just leave. Keep it simple. Keep it clean. So white. That makes sense. Cause
Michelle Fox: I've worked in two different commercial kitchens and both Stark White and I always just figured that was like a.
For a cleanliness code, but everything you're saying, I'm like, yeah, like that's where, you know, after the show was over or
Kadija Taylor: after the dinner was over, we would
Michelle Fox: chat, you know, me, the wait staff, the other chefs, and so I get that it, it always felt like home
Kadija Taylor: to me. Clean. Keep it clean, wipe it down and yeah. So, mm,
Michelle Fox: there was something else you said I wanted to touch on, and actually it's something you very similar you said when you were here at my home that I'm just so curious.
I made a note so I wouldn't forget to ask. So you said that you stay curious about the places. Where people live and why they choose those places. Yes. And so similar to the kitchens. Yeah. Can you expand upon what you meant by that?
Kadija Taylor: Absolutely. [00:32:00] So, and this is really about my spiritual side, I believe that you are drawn to people.
John to actual places where you live in the country and then you're narrowed all the way down to your neighborhood. So, and then your home is no different. So that's why I call it your sanctuary and why you really wanna pay attention to it, because there's a reason for why you're doing the things that you're doing.
And that's what I always wanna bring my clients attention to. I don't want you to treat anything haphazardly like, oh, I just bought this because I. No, there's a reason, and I want you to think about that. And when you choose to buy things that you don't care about, for me, this is what trends are rooted in.
It's about what are most people gonna like, and I just wanna kind of fit in. But when you really take time to sit and figure out who you are, why you want something, who you wanna share it with, [00:33:00] it starts getting uncomfortable. You know what I mean? You're getting past just the, oh, we went to target it.
It's such a cute pillow and I feel like that's what I saw on H gtv and nothing's wrong with it in terms of like it being a catalyst or initiator for something that you really like, but you have to be sure that you're paying attention to. Is that my voice? or am I being highly influenced by just what's happening right now?
So yes, as a real estate broker as well, I really sit and ask my clients like, so why do you wanna live downtown? Hmm. Or Why do you wanna live in Centennial? Or, you know, why Park Hill? Like, Like really? Tell me why, what makes you feel drawn to these places? What makes you wanna be in this neighborhood? Do you know people here, you know, do you just feel connected here?
You know, do you like I'm a I grew up in Denver. I'm two blocks from City Park, so for me, this part of the [00:34:00] city just feels like home. I love mature trees. I love older homes that have a little bit of a modern. I love the diversity of the people that I'm gonna see. So un until you can tell me those are the reasons why I'm doubting your reason.
And so design is the same way. I just had a, and not to get off track, I just had a consult yesterday with someone, she had done this feature wall and she's like, I just, I don't know. And I'm like, I want you to tell me why you. And she couldn't tell me why she loved it. Interesting. She told me about all the reasons why she wanted a feature wall, but she couldn't tell me why she loved her feature wall.
Mm. And I'm like, Nixon, it's done. That's not for you. So that's what I mean about those things. Design is about finding your voice in your interiors so that you can live a full version of. Physically, [00:35:00] spiritually and mentally. So long story, that's my reason.Hmm. Yeah.
Michelle Fox: And that absolutely corresponds with what we spoke about at the top of the hour, how I don't say it
Kadija Taylor: lightly, that you saved
Michelle Fox: my spirit in this space, because there is something about having what speaks to you, speak to you.
Being in a, you know,
Kadija Taylor: just sitting here, I'm in the office right now and
Michelle Fox: looking at these colors that like relax my mind, that remind me who I am that make me. Feel like I am at home, like I just cannot say enough. Which is why, of course, I refer you
Kadija Taylor: to all my friends when they are ready to design or redesign their homes because you do
Michelle Fox: take that extra step to listen to our wives and listen to what we want, and
Kadija Taylor: L and then you even take it a step.
Further, just as your example you shared there. You're [00:36:00] like, I hear you saying this, but I don't believe you. Let's talk about that . That is a gift. Kadija, thank you. I appreciate that. And it's something we should all do. In whatever our gift is, like really taking the time, especially as an entrepreneur, taking the time to know who you are working with and that's how I believe you cultivate genuine relationship.
You know, I'm not here to like do a cute space for you and move on. Like I need, I want us to not just work together, but I want us to connect while we work together. And I wanna make sure that when we part. , this is everything that you needed. You know, it wasn't, and it wasn't about me. I, I, I really do pray about this.
I'm like, you know what spirit, move me out the way and let me do what's best on behalf of my client and let me be able to see what they need, you know, and, you know, not, and challenge you, push you, you know, a little bit out of your comfort zone and [00:37:00] say, Hey, you know, what about this? I think this would be a good thing, but yeah.
Mm.
Michelle Fox: So how do my people come find you? Where's, where's the best place for us to send them? Well,
Kadija Taylor: if you're like, I'm not quite ready. To work with you, but I just kind of wanna see more about who you are. , you can visit me on my Instagram page, home and Sanctuary, l l c.
And then you can always go to my website, which is www dot hosta holmes. And Hosta is h o s a, homes plural.com. You can see a little bit of my portfolio there and my blogging and. Yeah, it's fun. A couple of my videos, which another person we have in common is Paul. , he did both of our pbcs. So yeah, come check me out.
I'm so. I'm so humbled to be in a place where I'm doing what I love and I'm working with people that I love, you [00:38:00] know, and I feel connected to. So it's why when you go to my Instagram page, I'm gonna say, Hey, tribe, because now you're gonna be a part of the tribe. And yes, the people that I know are supposed to be a part of my life, whether it's close knit or far in the circle.
Yeah, we're a tribe and it's a movement and I love to, I love that there's so many of us that are being so bold about our wellness. In our own way and in our industry and in our work, and it's like it's okay to take care of you in all the many ways. It's okay to take care of you and eat well. It's okay to take care of you and design your home.
It's okay to take care of you and work out it's okay to take care of you and leave the career that you were in for 15, 20 years and do that thing that's been burning, you know, at the bottom of your stomach for forever. So I [00:39:00] love that. I love being with, you're one of those. Who have take, who have taken courageous jumps, you know, recently and are just doing amazing work.
So,
Michelle Fox: I'm so grateful to be on this journey with you, and I will also add that. Y'all Kadija travels. I've seen the work she's done in states across the nation, so please don't think that her work has to stay here in Colorado. Cause I know we have listeners actually all around the world, so, I mean, maybe I'll put that out there too.
Are, are you willing to leave the states do some work as well?
Kadija Taylor: all about travel. You saw the beginning where I talked about travel. Yeah. I'm all for it. And that is a goal of mine. I, I'm gonna do some international design. I know that's in the, in the bucket for me. Yeah, I love to travel. I, you know, I just love it.
You learn so much about you, but you really get to find out how small your world is for your ex. Yes. Yes. And that people [00:40:00] are amazing everywhere. And then being able to like bring that back to wherever is home for you, and then incorporate that energy into your space. Oh, done, done, done.
Michelle Fox: Woo. Done for it.
Yes.
Kadija Taylor: Yes, yes. Call me all the people. Well, we will definitely Africa, Asia, let's go. Okay. You hear that
Michelle Fox: universe, you hear that community Kadija's. Ready for you. She, she's here.
Kadija Taylor: Ready and available. Hate the sanctuary everywhere.
Michelle Fox: We will absolutely put all of your links in the show notes. Thank you. And I just want to say thank you.
Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for sharing your light in the world, and thank you for helping us today to look at our color psychology and to find ways that we can make the kitchen more joyful. I so appreciate
Kadija Taylor: you. Of course. You guys, please get in your kitchen. Please, please, please, if you have it, you can sit on the fence with Michelle.
I [00:41:00] promise you, this is not a plug that she put me up to. Do it, do it. Take these tips and incorporate her recipes and her guidance. It will make your life so much better. And I say that not because you're my friend and not because you're an amazing human, but because the work you're doing is transformative.
Hmm. And it's something that we need. You're making healthy, living accessible. Hmm. And not. Making it not complicated. I feel like sometimes we like to complicate eating well and taking care of ourselves and you're like, yeah, just put it in that blender. Put those black berries and those bananas in there would be good.
Can I say this quick? You might edit this out. Something I have really fallen in love with, please. The Orgain chocolate protein. Shake one. Oh yes. Banana. Yeah. Almond butter. Coconut milk [00:42:00] and my Orgain and then I put my collagen powder in there. That's, that's my, that's my breakfast, just so you know. Oh, yes. I just feel like I'm having a chocolate shake every morning.
Listen I'm a picky eater and I don't mean pick and like, not picky, like, eh, but I'm like, I'm like, something needs to actually taste good for me to like it. Oh, and a little and a few cubes of ice. You guys, oh
Michelle Fox: my. That sounds like a little bit of heaven.
Kadija Taylor: And all you, Michelle, this is, that was October, so yeah, I haven't turned back from that.
Even my husband likes it. Ah, I'm so
Michelle Fox: proud of you all. Nicely done. Nicely done. Yeah, it's lovely when we can eat things that maybe feel a little like dessert, but then you know it's healing your body and you get that energy and you're
Kadija Taylor: satiated. So. Well done for doing the work. So satiating Yes. So thank you for that,[00:43:00]
My absolute pleasure. Absolute
Michelle Fox: pleasure. Thank you so much for being with us today. Is there anything else you wanna
Kadija Taylor: add? Nothing more than I want you to eat well and I want you to live well. Sending you lots of love and light
thanks so much for listening to Nourish. Have you been driving, doing laundry or walking around the neighborhood? Sweet. I've got show notes for you. Hop on over to michellefox.com/podcast. When you are ready. I will let you know that on the page, you will find resources to support what you just learned on today's show. And then of course you can grab some health supportive freebies as well.
Michelle Fox: If you enjoyed this episode, I would be honored. If you would leave a review on whichever podcast platform you are listening on. It will help me with my [00:44:00] mission to build healthier communities. One person at a time and it will help you because you will be part of that mission.
I'll be back next week and I encourage you to keep showing up for yourself and know that you and your health matter. Big love!
