Architecture and Interior Design: A Story of Passion, Bullying, Quitting and Self-realization.

I have been updating my WhatsApp status with the future house I’m designing for my sister. I’ve always been passionate about buildings and creative designs, but my story isn’t as sweet as the Milo drink I had this morning. Some of my WhatsApp contacts were shocked to know that I have a passion for architecture, and they wondered why I didn’t pursue a career in architecture and interior design. Well, this is my story.

Passion.

In senior secondary school, we were allowed to choose either of these three classes: Agricultural Science, Home Economics or Technical Drawing (TD as it was fondly called). I opted for Agricultural Science because my friends were in this class. Along the line, the practical sessions were stressful, mainly because of my allergies.

Within a week, I had to choose a different class to attend. Was it an easy choice? No, because I didn’t know how to cope without my friends, and I knew I would also have allergies during practicals in the home economics class when they were frying stuff. So I didn’t have much of an option anymore; technical drawing was staring at me!

Psychological Bullying.

I joined the class late, and I was the only girl among about ten boys if I remember correctly. Of course, I felt like I was invading their privacy, but I was there to learn. The flow wasn’t straightforward because I started late, and most of the boys treated me like an outsider (though they weren’t so vocal about it).

I could handle that but what I couldn’t take was my teacher treated me in the same manner! Nobody should ever go through that.

Whenever I carried my T-board to school, l felt ashamed because I felt like a Tomboy with “a man’s tool”. I endured this feeling till I had a best friend a few weeks later. Luckily he was also in the technical drawing class, and it made me feel at ease.

As for my teacher, he kept mocking me whenever I tried to impress him with what I learned over the weekend that relates to the course. I got discouraged, but I had no other class to attend; it was either severe hay fever in the agricultural science class, asthma in the home economics class or bullying in the technical drawing class; I chose the latter.

Things got a wee bit better in the final year of high school when I could flow with some of the boys, and my mom felt the best way to handle the situation was to tell my teacher to have private classes with me. At least if he is teaching me, I would know more, and if he mocks me, he is ultimately mocking himself, thank God for forgiveness 🙂

Quitting.

I enjoyed what I learned, especially as I developed a passion for architecture despite what I had to endure; however, I couldn’t wait to be done with secondary school and put the class and lessons behind me. Fast forward to a few years later; I’d see myself in my alone time constructing a three-bedroom apartment and designing the interior. I realized I was indeed passionate about technical drawing, buildings to be precise.

I shared this story with one of my high school friends a few days ago, and she got upset with me for not informing her about it; of course, she would have dealt with most of them by giving them a piece of her mind (sweet hugs to her) but thank God it’s all in that past.

Self-realization.

I chose to write this blog post to encourage someone currently enduring a difficult situation; I want you to know that you are strong! Don’t let anyone define you, don’t take the words of negative people to heart; in fact, Romans 12:21 anyone who treats you less than you deserve because Greater is He that is in you than he that’s in the world. Keep doing what you are passionate about, and God will see you through.

Recently, my sister and I had a conversation about architecture & interior design. I asked her if she’d like me to design an imaginary home with the Home Design 3D App. She wanted something simple, but I decided to surprise her with a villa, and she loved the idea!

About the villa: The idea is a six-bedroom villa with a gym, pool, arcade, a private library, a private and general garage.

In the private garage, there is a staircase that leads to her bedroom, a part of the railing of her bedroom balcony gives her direct access to the swimming pool via a secured slide, and from her bedroom, she can access her private library upstairs.

I added comfortable furniture to the library; she loves the swing. I designed the library bathroom for audiobooks. She can either enter the villa from the main entrance leading to the living room, kitchen, or private garage. She loves the private garage because she doesn’t need her guests in the house to know her whereabouts. I am still designing her home, and I can’t wait for the outcome.

Disclaimer: I am not conversant in architectural terms; however, I communicate my ideas unambiguously when discussing designs and plans.

I’m glad I still have the passion for architecture and home design, I’d love to explore it further; who knows what the future holds 🤷🏽‍♀️. See more pictures below.

If you love this blog, kindly share the posts with your friends and loved ones. It will mean a lot to me to know your thoughts in the comments. Love, Grace