Where the Water Jaguar Sleeps
Have you ever stepped into a space and instantly felt more yourself? As if the place knew you, gently inviting you to breathe deeper, slow down, and just be?
This is the essence of genius loci, the spirit of a place. It’s something I’ve long pursued as a designer. But I didn’t just study it in books or practice it in client spaces—I felt it firsthand, in the heart of Guatemala.
Where Place Holds Memory and Design Holds Meaning
As an interior designer, I spend my days helping clients create spaces that do more than function, they feel. I’ve always believed that the most powerful homes are the ones that reflect the soul of both the place and the people who inhabit them.
That belief came alive for me while traveling through Guatemala.
Tucked along the serene edge of Lake Atitlán, we discovered Villas B’alam Ya, a hidden sanctuary whose name means Water Jaguar in the Mayan language. In Mayan culture, the jaguar is a sacred guardian—symbolizing strength, intuition, and a deep connection to the natural and spiritual worlds. And B’alam Ya embodied all of that.
From the moment we arrived, I could feel it, the energy of the land, the rhythm of the lake, the quiet beauty infused in every detail. The thatched roofs, natural wood tones, handmade textiles, and ever-present views of volcanoes across the water all worked together in seamless harmony.
This wasn’t just a beautiful destination. It was a living, breathing example of genius loci, the spirit of a place made tangible. And it deepened my own understanding of how we can bring that same soulful presence into our homes. Not in loud or showy ways, but with quiet, grounded intention.
A Morning That Changed Me
On our first morning, I woke in a room bathed in golden light, the scent of warmed wood and blooming greenery in the air. The terracotta floor was cool beneath my feet, and the sheer canopy above the bed swayed gently with the lake breeze.
As I sat in a woven chair by the window, the view before me opened into stillness, Lake Atitlán mirroring the sky, framed by volcanoes standing like ancient guardians. The bench outside, weathered and waiting, felt like an invitation to pause and just be.
Everything in that moment, materials, light, texture, and stillness, was in perfect harmony.
That view didn’t just inspire me. It recalibrated me.
It reminded me that this is exactly what I aim to create for my clients, not just beautiful rooms, but spaces that hold you. Spaces that invite you to return to your center. That is the heart of holistic interior design.
Awakening the Spirit of Your Place: My Holistic Design Approach
Creating a home that reflects your genius loci means going beyond surface beauty. It’s about thoughtful, layered design, honoring nature, energy, sustainability, and the soul of those who live there.
Here’s how we approach that at Fusion Designed:
Rooting You in Nature – Biophilic Design
Nature is our first home. Like the light that bathed my room at B’alam Ya, biophilic design draws the outdoors in. I incorporate natural materials, textures, organic rhythms, and greenery to restore calm and connection.
Think of the rustle of palm fronds, the grounding feel of stone underfoot, or sunlight dancing through linen, they don’t just look beautiful, they help your space breathe and support your well-being.
Guiding Energy with Intention, Feng Shui Principles
The very first principle of Feng Shui I learned is that every space holds energy. Just like water finds its path, energy, or chi, wants to flow. Feng Shui helps us guide that energy intentionally.
I love working with the five elements—Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water, because when they’re in balance, your space naturally aligns with clarity, vitality, and peace.
At B’alam Ya, they were deeply present: fire radiated through warm textiles, water shimmered in the lake view, and wood and stone grounded each step in quiet strength.
Designing with Integrity- Sustainable Choices
Like the villas at Atitlán, I believe a space should live lightly on the land while offering deep nourishment to those within.
True harmony includes our relationship with the planet. It says this place matters, we’re part of something bigger.
Sustainability isn’t a checklist, it’s a mindset. I choose eco-conscious materials, finishes that support healthy air quality, and energy-efficient solutions that honor both people and planet.
Designing from the Inside Out, Personal Resonance
Your home should echo who you are. During our stay at Villas B’alam Ya, the harmony of natural textures, handcrafted art, and layered materials throughout the villa, invited us to slow down and sink in. From the warm terracotta floor tiles underfoot to the hand-carved wooden ceiling above, every element tells a story. Even the sculptural staircase becomes part of narrative, framing treasured artwork, framing views, and encouraging mindful movement through space.
The cozy corner with patterned pillows on the sofa, the thoughtful placement of a favorite painting, the interplay of light and shadow, these are the quiet details that reflect your life and history. Together, we draw out these moments and layer them with intention, transforming a space into your deeply personal sanctuary.
A Home That Breathes
Our time at Villas B’alam Ya was more than a trip, it was a reminder.
When we design with nature, energy, sustainability, and soul in mind, we create spaces that breathe with life. Spaces that hold us, heal us, and help us come home to ourselves.
This is the heart of my work at Fusion Designed. I don’t just design interiors, I co-create sanctuaries that support your well-being and reflect your true self.
Ready to create a space that supports you in every way? Let’s talk about your personal sanctuary: https://fusiondesigned.com/contact/
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Each month, I explore how thoughtful, soulful design can transform not only your space—but your life.
