Come and join the conversation with the gorgeous Dee Gibson!

Dee is a London based Interior Designer, founder of Velvet Orange, Owner of the beautiful Kalukanda House in Sri Lanka and co founder of the Hera Project.

Join me as we head back to Dee's formative and inspirational early years, spending time with her civil engineer Grandfather. Soaking in all the design and architectural elements (and kneecap views!) even from a young age spurred a childhood passion in her.

Dee tells me about growing up in a traditional Sri Lankan family, with a real focus on education, being directed towards a career in medicine, law or accounting, enabling her to stand her in good stead for the future. Putting her creative side on the back burner, Dee pursued a career in accounting and continued for ten years until a chance moment directed her to a course in Interior Design!

Her love for design, the beauty and emotions of spaces lit that fire within her once more and she thrived throughout her course. Soaking up elements like a sponge, Dee knew she was where she was supposed to be!

We talk about the timings of things, getting into that world when she did enabled her to really start the career of her dreams and be able to really focus on the parts that she enjoyed and excelled at.

In 2007 she launched Velvet Orange, her very own Interior Design Company and 11 years later built her very own boutique hotel called Kalukanda House in beautiful Sri Lanka. Dee tells me the fascinating story behind such a monumental project, explains her ethos and connection to the project, the importance of being eco conscious and using local craftsmen.

Not only did Kalukanda House start completely out of the blue and unplanned, everything seemed to slot perfectly into place as a serious of events for Dee. It grew organically, and in such a serendipitous way, and unbelievably Dee had written the idea years and years ago in a notebook she forgot she had!!

Next we delve into the amazing Hera Project, a community that Dee has co founded with two other like minded women. They concentrate on a three pronged approach to wellness in the areas of mind, body and business. Dee tells me the importance of gaining strength in all three areas make for positive transformations. Set up from an idea in lockdown, again another chance meeting, Dee was thinking about what kind of retreats she would like to organise when things reopened. Listen as she tells me that "all rounds lead to Kalukanda" and the wonderful energy that it has, often interweaving her journey and creating opportunities for her in the most magical way!

The Hera Project is committed to offering a safe space for women to gain strength in all three areas, supporting women especially through periods of transition and alongside other women going through the same, makes a recipe for success! Providing coaching and mentoring, workshops and a 6 month mastermind, culminating in an amazing end experience at the stunning Kalukanda House!

Dee & I talk about the importance of having no regrets, how life is so short, leaning into the things that make you happy, igniting your passion and allowing the space for yourself to reach your full potential.

Dee is such a beautiful soul, having achieved so much already, an amazing energy and we had an instant connection! She really is a wonderful lady and it was fascinating to learn about her life and journey so far.

So excited to see what the future holds!

You can find out more here:

https://www.kalukandahouse.com

https://www.velvetorange.co.uk

https://www.heraleadership.com

Instagram @deegibson2017

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