During Ramadan, while navigating a high-sensitivity day, I began reflecting on how our open plan great room supports connection — but not always regulation. In Ottawa homes especially, where durable hard surfaces and multigenerational living are common, sound can travel and linger in ways we rarely plan for. This post explores how sensory sensitivity — whether due to migraine, hormonal shifts, or simply a tender day — should be part of renovation conversations, and why acoustic intention deserves the same care as lighting design.

October, with its crisp air and falling leaves, signals change. For many of us with chronic illness, however, it also heightens brain fog—a mental haze that clouds focus and drains energy. This experience can feel like a cluttered room, overwhelming and unmanageable. Here are some design solutions for the October Slide.