Creating a positive wellbeing| ft. THE FIRST LADY & PRIME MINISTER'S WIFE
A couple weeks ago, we had the huge privilege of interviewing Dr. Jill Biden and Madame Sophie Grégoire Trudeau during the Biden’s first presidential visit to Canada, where Joe and Jill Biden met with the Prime Minister and his family, Justin and Sophie Grégroire Trudeau. Both families have recently relocated from their former residences to historically significant buildings - the White House and the Rideau Cottage. Given the challenge of turning a house into a HOME, we took the opportunity to discuss how they successfully managed this transition while maintaining a sense of positive wellbeing.
Creating a calm & Inviting environment
Kelsey : How do you create a space that allows you and those around you to feel comfortable, and creative and recharged?
Sophie : Well, it's funny because I have three kids, an 8, 14, and 15 year old. So as long as there is comfy spaces; like a place to cuddle and a place to tumble on the ground. Obviously there are other priorities in life, but it's so important to create an environment that reflects a little bit of who you are. So I think [it’s important to] feel free, to feel that we can be ourselves, [and that] nothing is too stiff or too structured.
Jill : I think my one piece of advice would be to try to create balance in your [personal] life, and just feel good about your day. So for me, that's exercise. I try to exercise every morning and it just calms me down and gets me ready for my day.
Consider the Senses
Jill : When I create a space for my family, I think of all the different five senses. So one of the things that I do is place a scented candle by the front door. So when people walk in, they immediately have a positive reaction, because the smell soothes them. So I think if you put all the senses together and you try to address that, people come into your space and they immediately relax.
Sophie : For me it's about lighting and atmosphere. Every morning I get up early and I light my candle and put music on. That sets my tone for the day. It sets my mindspace and I make it a dedication and a gratitude for another day here on Earth.
Design With Story
Kelsey : We love shopping sustainably by thrifting and buying second hand. We heard that the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is using his father's desk from when he was Prime Minister. We're curious if there's anything in your own homes that's been repurchased, flea market finds, secondhand, hand-me-down, etc. that you really love and cherish?
Jill : Well, I have a lot of things for my grandmother that mean so much to me. Her china, handkerchief, jewelry, etc. So I always feel the presence of my family. Memories [surface] just when I use it, I have all my grandmother's china, but I use it every day.
Sophie : I have a furniture that belonged to Justin's great aunt and my parents. I also have furniture [that I bought] from my first apartment!
House to Home
Rochelle : So other than those hand-me-down items, you both live in such incredible historic homes, so we're curious to know how you made those spaces fit for your family's needs and feel like home while staying true to the histories of the buildings.
Jill : I included a lot of plants and art going into the White House. There's a lot of [pre-existing] art there, but I put more modern art. And I added our dog and our cat, so I think that instantly makes it home.
Sophie : Yes! My kids love animals. Animals do really warm up the home, so I agree. And, you know, the container is historical, but the content is human. It’s us and it's a family. So sometimes when people say it's so unique…yes, of course, but we're just a family and we're just trying to live our lives like every other. So we have our struggles and our battles, and I always remember that when tough times do come, that we keep a sense of safety in the house from all fronts. And that our kids, whatever room we find ourselves in, feel that there's actual space to ask real things and have a safe space.