WHERE DO INTERIOR DESIGNERS GO TO WHEN THE MUSIC STOPS!

Who says you need to hang up your dancing shoes in your 60's? After all, if your inner flame is still burning—and if you occasionally hear a cheeky gremlin whispering, “You're too old for this”—it's time to shake things up!

I have had a long and interesting career with a couple of direction changes on the way, but the common thread was it was always creative, interesting, empowering and fun.

Textiles were originally my thing, studying and working in a very successful and profitable family business until that went ‘boobies up’. That experience taught me ‘nothing is forever’, ‘circumstances change’ and it’s all about the recovery. Throw in divorce, a young child and a determination to pick myself up, and I did it in a magnificent way going from adversity to my dream job as the retail buying director for textiles at Liberty London my favourite store. That taught me that commitment, persistence, hard work and a belief in myself and I could change the downward trajectory my life had gone into. ?

What I did have was my knowledge and experience and an unwavering belief that things could and would change for the better. The change in my circumstances was remarkable and extraordinary, in one (hard won) swoop I had financial security and a job that I loved where I could make a difference to others and continue to develop myself. My abilities and creativity blossomed as I was exposed to the pinnacle of what was happening and available worldwide at the highest creative level. Thriving and loving being part of this eponymous British institution for nearly a decade and now in my early 40s it was time for another change, a more rounded and balanced life that considered my new relationship and family commitments. As much as I loved it the extensive travelling and long working hours didn’t fit with my personal family needs. So, I walked away, into a not too dissimilar world of Interior Design, something I was passionate about that still allowed that creative muscle to flex but have weekends and Xmas holidays at home.

I started a new journey which was filled with colour, texture and inspiration with enough challenges to continue to help me develop and improve. I LOVED it, the characters and talent that I worked with, the clients that fascinated me and helped me hone my interpersonal skills (enough that I could have been a therapist, and certainly a marriage counsellor!). For more than 25yrs this career developed and grew bringing in my retail and business experience certainly helped that happen. As the Creative Head of Residential Interiors at a large very successful Studio I was in heaven. The founders and Directors were supportive and inspiring, the organisation was positive with a ‘can do’ attitude and wealth of talent, together we achieved outstanding results for our international clients. I knew I was making a positive difference to the company and clients and I fed off the impact that had, it was very seductive and empowering.

Then something happened!...

I aged!

I had been ageing all the while and it didn’t seem to matter while I was in my 30’s, 40s, 50s BUT hit 60 and 60 plus something changed; both within me and my thinking and view of myself and possibly outside of me or was that just my mind telling me that? Certainly, I was changing physically although luckily my high energy levels never subsided or my love and passion for what I was doing. I felt valued and relevant but there was a nagging voice telling me this could change and very soon and I needed to take control; leave on a high at the top of my game and not wait till that changed as it inevitably would.

So, I hit the STOP button on a career I adored, I labelled it retiring as I knew it was retiring from Interior Design but not retiring from Life, from learning, from growing, from investigating my creativity and interests. Covid had also impacted my thinking, that time I spent at home when many of us had been abruptly pushed off the ‘hamster wheel’ and given time to slow down and reflect. ?That first year after leaving the studio I indulged in everything I'd longed to do but never found the time for; I re acquainted myself with sailing and took a motorboat proficiency course, joined a weekly painting class and took myself off to Morocco with a professional group of artists to develop my style, loosen up and nurture my own creativity. The highlight was a summer school course at Heatherley Art College in London painting portraits in oil; I was so overwhelmed with joy as I entered the front door, I started to cry, I had found a place where my heart and soul soured and only wished I had done this sooner. I had time for old friends and make new ones, but I knew the adventure was not over yet and there was another road and another story for me on this journey of Life.

The creative flame within in me was not dimming nor my energy for life fading, so when my Parisian girlfriend and I stared talking about our complimentary knowledge and experience we knew we had something special to explore and share with others. As much as I had built a career in Interior Design at the highest level, working with the finest artisans, master craftsmen and discerning clients; she had equally built an impressive reputation in the world of Antiques, a third-generation dealer who was sourcing for major Design names in the US and Internationally along with hospitality, retail showrooms and private clients. We both have a love for art, great design, fine workmanship whether that is new or created in the past and now labelled antique or vintage. We were clear that others would enjoy and benefit from stepping into our world, often behind closed doors and only available to the privileged few.

From this premise we created La Source elegant adventures in Paris & Provence where we take you into the secret world of high design and antiques wrapped up in a delicious dose of French lifestyle.

Starting a new adventure in my late 60s was not without its challenges the main one my own inner gremlin murmuring ‘you are too old’ the world is for the young and their pouting perfect images on screens. I knew I had to squash that gremlin, as I was also clear I still had so much to share and wanted to live life to the full, have fun with others and not wait passively for time to pass, half existing and living off memories. I knew I needed help so I wouldn’t waste my potential and found a wonderful coach ‘Elizabeth Cairns’ The Empowered Entrepreneur. Elizabeth helped me realise my age, experience and vast network was my ‘superpower’ which only comes from a long and interesting life well lived. Together we totally flattened that ‘gremlin’ and the fog lifted, now I see people in their 60’s, 70’s and beyond doing extraordinary things and I have joined their club!

So here I am, happily orchestrating this wonderful venture in France, proving that life is too short to let age define your dreams. Whether you're in your 20s or your 60s—and no matter how noisy those inner gremlins get—it's never too late to follow your passion and reinvent yourself and follow a new path.

If my journey makes you smile or inspires you to take a leap of faith, I'd love to connect and hear your story. After all, life’s too short not to dance with a few gremlins along the way but don’t let them define you!

Susie x

See www.sourceantiquesfrance.com for what we do and our Instagram lasourceantiques (no pouting or tricks just genuine ‘sentrepeneurs’ having fun)!

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