about me
guiding you home
Hi! I’m Rowan
A trauma-informed, holistic designer & flower grower in Nova Scotia.
I help people create beautiful, intentional homes that support their well-being, reflect their stories, and feel as personal as they are practical.
My approach to all of my design services, ranging from full-service to virtual design, is to create more than just a beautiful space. I’m drawn to designs that feel calming, restorative, deeply personal, and alive with meaning. Whether it’s one room or a whole house, my process is rooted in storytelling, curiosity, and the belief that home should take care of you, too.
I’m so glad you’re here!
A trip down memory lane…
I started my blog, Sincerely, Rowan, back in 2013 while studying journalism at the University of King’s College in Halifax. It became a creative sanctuary — a place to practice writing, to find my voice, and to explore the world of design.
Over the years, I decorated a long line of rental apartments, designed my first home, and helped friends and family bring their spaces to life. After a decade of obsessing over interiors (truly, the obsession started when I was 6), I finally listened to the constant pull and left my corporate job to pursue design full-time. In March 2025, I graduated with a Diploma in Interior Design from the Interior Design Institute and Rowan McKerihen Studios was born.
Now, I combine formal training with lived experience, a background in storytelling and marketing, and a trauma-informed lens that allows me to design in a way that is safe, thoughtful, and human-centred.
Looking for design inspiration?
Join The Studio! A weekly newsletter from me to you — filled with design tips, seasonal inspiration, and reflections on living intentionally at home.
What does holistic design mean?
Holistic design is about more than choosing the right sofa or paint colour — it’s about creating spaces that support your whole self.
It considers how your home makes you feel, how it impacts your energy, your habits, your nervous system, and your daily rhythms. From layout to lighting, function to feeling, every detail works together to nurture your well-being.
Through thoughtful questions and a trauma-informed approach, my design process dives deep into self-discovery to help you get clearer on what you need, how you want to feel, and how your home can hold that vision.
Dedicated to continuous learning
Credentials & Memberships
Graduate of the “Interior Design Diploma” program at the Interior Design Institute.
Student Member of the Decorators & Designers Association of Canada.
Graduate of the “Trauma-Informed Certification for Coaches” program at The Centre for Healing.
What does it mean to be trauma-informed?
Being trauma-informed means understanding how trauma impacts individuals and using that awareness to create safe, supportive environments. It’s not about treating trauma directly but about recognising its effects and ensuring our interactions and the spaces and systems I create don’t unintentionally cause harm or trigger distress.
Home is intimate, complicated, and deeply personal, and I feel truly honoured that my clients trust me to step into their space. I’m committed to designing homes that support well-being, ease stress, and create a sense of comfort and stability through thoughtful layouts, sensory-friendly details, and personalised touches that make a home feel not just beautiful, but deeply safe and nurturing.
While I bring a trauma-informed lens to my design work — creating safe, supportive spaces and holding space for emotional conversations — I’m not a therapist or mental health professional.
If you’re experiencing a crisis or need immediate support, I encourage you to reach out to a qualified mental health provider.
In Canada, you can call or text 9-8-8, a national suicide and crisis helpline available 24/7, offering confidential, compassionate assistance. In Nova Scotia, you can contact the Mental Health Crisis Line at 1-888-429-8167, also available 24/7.
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Safety
I focus on safety, ensuring that every space I design helps people feel both physically and emotionally secure.
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Transparency
I build trust through transparency, being clear, honest, and consistent so my clients feel confident and at ease throughout the process.
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Empowerment
I empower my clients by giving them choices, honouring their autonomy, and making sure their home truly reflects their needs.
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Collaboration
I believe in collaboration, valuing each person’s experiences and involving them in the design decisions that shape their space.
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Cultural Sensitivity
I approach design with cultural sensitivity, recognizing and respecting diverse backgrounds, traditions, and ways of living.
Everyone is Welcome
I’m committed to creating spaces — both in my work and online — that are safe, welcoming, and respectful for all people, including LGBTQIA+ individuals, Indigenous peoples, Black and People of Colour, Palestinians and people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Hate speech, discrimination, or exclusion of any kind will not be tolerated. I recognise that inclusivity is an ongoing journey, and I’m actively engaged in anti-racism work to learn, listen, and grow alongside the communities I serve.
Together, we create environments rooted in kindness, respect, and genuine connection.
Rowan McKerihen Studios is located on sacred land that has been the site of human activity for over 12,000 years. We are in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People, and we acknowledge them as the past, present, and future caretakers of this land.
Get to know me better
I’m a Virgo Sun, Cancer Rising, Pisces Moon, Enneagram 2w1, Manifesting Generator, INFJ-T. I also love a personality test (if you couldn’t tell), so if you have a favourite quiz that I’ve missed, please send it over!
When I’m not drawing floor plans in SketchUp, you’ll find me in the garden growing cut flowers, drinking English breakfast tea, reading romantasy, and dreaming up new wallpaper combinations.
For daily design inspiration and seasonal blooms, follow along on Instagram and TikTok.
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My favourite place in the world is…
The Isle of Skye! We took a road trip around Scotland as part of our honeymoon, and I fell in love with the magical landscapes.
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My favourite artist is…
Taylor Swift! I’ve been a huge Swiftie since ‘Tim McGraw’ was released in 2006. I’m pretty sure I know every word to every single one of her songs.
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My favourite colour is…
Pink! It’s been my favourite since I was three. Back then, I insisted on calling it bubblegum pink — and honestly, I still admire little Row’s specificity.
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My favourite flowers are…
English Roses, Dahlias, and Ranunculus! I will never be able to choose just one variety to showcase in my home or garden.
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My favourite comfort shows are…
Bridgerton, Downton Abbey, Gilmore Girls, New Girl, and Outlander! Give me a historical setting, a walkable community, or a found-family trope, and I’m all in.
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My (current) favourite authors are…
I love Sarah J. Maas, Jasmine Guillory, Emily Henry, Rebecca Yarros, and Penn Cole.
Let’s Connect
Whether you’re looking for more information about my holistic design services or simply fancy a friendly chat, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
