[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Hi, I’m Navin Sidhu, the founder of FabHab Interiors. Although I’ve told the story of FabHab’s genesis many times, I’m always a little awestruck when I think about how it all came together. It’s really mind boggling! Not everyone gets to go to work every day and love what they do. I’m truly grateful that my journey has brought me here!
Read on for a peek into how FabHab Interiors came to be, and find out what inspires my design aesthetic![/vc_column_text][minti_headline type=”h2″ font=”font-special” size=”fontsize-m” color=”#4c4c4c” align=”align-left” margin=”0 20px 20px 0″]From hydraulic networks to interior design[/minti_headline][vc_column_text]Truth be told, the story behind my career switch didn’t evolve out of a dramatic, early onset midlife crisis. Instead, it was a decision that made sense in the context of what was right for me and my family — a tale familiar to many parents with young families. We rolled with it. I never expected that pressing pause on my engineering career to pursue a foray in interior design would be so rewarding and become such a good fit for me personally.
The journey started in 2009 when I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Civil-Environmental Engineering. The next six years or so were spent working for EPCOR, initially doing hydraulic network analysis with the Water Distribution and Transmission Department, and later on asset management with the Project and Technical Services Department.
I genuinely enjoyed my work with EPCOR and as a woman working in a male-dominated field, it was important to me that I was contributing — even if only in a small way — to greater female representation in engineering. Leaving EPCOR in 2015 wasn’t easy, (many ugly-cry tears were shed!) but it was the right decision. I felt it in my bones.[/vc_column_text][minti_headline type=”h2″ font=”font-special” size=”fontsize-m” color=”#4c4c4c” align=”align-left” margin=”0 20px 20px 0″]Pursuing balance and finding FabHab[/minti_headline][vc_column_text]They say that having children is completely life-changing and it’s absolutely true. My husband Danny and I welcomed our daughter, Mira, in 2011 and our son, Nikhil, in 2014. When it came time to think about returning to work after Nikhil was born, we were faced with a tough decision regarding childcare. Ultimately we decided that it made the most sense for me to stay home.
Raising a family is busy work, (can I get a hell ya!) but I soon found myself feeling restless and in need of something engaging and inspiring, but flexible and adaptive. I’ve always had an interest in design, whether it’s spicing up an outfit with the perfect accessories, or finding fun accent pieces to customize our house. This in mind, I decided to pursue design out of sheer interest, and I completed a Diploma in Interior Design in 2016. I didn’t think at the time it would turn into a career, but family and friends began reaching out for design help. I decided to start a company, and the name ‘Fabulous Habitats’ came to me out of the blue (doing my daily treks on the Henday!), so I shortened it to FabHab and started a very active Instagram account — this is how it all began!
In what seems like the blink of an eye, here I am: incorporated, branded, with business cards, a website, and a growing client base and portfolio. While I may not have envisioned myself on this path from the start, I’ve never been more sure that I’m exactly where I should be.[/vc_column_text][minti_headline type=”h2″ font=”font-special” size=”fontsize-m” color=”#4c4c4c” align=”align-left” margin=”0 20px 20px 0″]A few notes about my style[/minti_headline][vc_column_text]One of the things that I have always appreciated about good design is how it achieves balance between function and beauty. There is a reason why this is my mission statement! When something is well-designed from a functional perspective, it improves us in some way — more efficient, more responsive, more comfortable, etc. And when you can do that and make it pretty, that’s the sweet spot of good design. That’s what I aim for in each and every project.
In terms of style, I dabble in everything from mid-century modern to minimalist, but my niche is transitional with a contemporary spin . What is transitional? Think classic and timeless, clean lines, neutrals, an effortless chic — basically a middle ground between traditional and contemporary. But I also love a good eclectic twist, and creating spaces where formal meets fun — a little edginess is always a good thing!
I’m really excited to see where this path leads next and I look forward to sharing my adventures to come. Check back often for the inside scoop on current projects, upcoming workshops and DIYs, the latest inspiration, and design information here at FabHab. Keep tabs on our Instagram for updates on posts! Looking forward to having you along on this journey![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]