Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Galloway.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My whole life has been about finding what feels right. The unpredictable joys found in life’s daily alignments. A sense that for a moment—that something, whatever it is, just feels right. A scent, a paint color, a song, a fabric, a person, a look…the beauty that comes when individual things come together to create something new, a unity resulting in a feeling of its own. And, something feeling right is always a personal combination—often unlike any other person’s combination.
Growing up for me one of the “things” that felt right was design. Decorating people, places and things. It was a way for me to create my own daily alignments in a world that seemed out of alignment. The energy that emanated from that ideal combination was like a breath of fresh air—a complete sense of gratification. I wanted to help people find their combination of things. The things that lit them up. The tangible and intangible—elements, objects and places that produced a sense of belonging—things that made them feel at ease and boosted their confidence.
After receiving my degree in design, I began my career in fashion and accessories as a designer and buyer/merchandiser. After a decade of work, I had a calling to go deeper. It was then that I began the study of the ancient art and science of Feng Shui. It was a deep dive into patterns, cycles, energies and environments. I was fortunate to study and practice globally with the most wonderful masters, architects and shamans—helping me realize that behind every interaction, object and place was an energy—an energy that speaks louder than what we can see. Balancing this energy was something I had always—and intuitively—sought to do, but now I had the knowledge and opportunity to share this with people and enliven their spaces and thus their lives and experiences. It was then I launched Santo / Sage, working with individuals and businesses to transform their spaces into spirited places, with the right energy and assortments.
Has it been a smooth road?
The short answer is no. It has not been a smooth road. The long answer is that part of my personal growth has been redefining my expectations for what a smooth road might even look like. Adding the somewhat mystical elements of Feng Shui, aromatherapy and color psychology into my practice brought up a lot of fears for me— particularly the fear of judgment. The talk of “energy” can raise eyebrows, but the reality is that energy is in us and all around us. At any given moment, there is enough energy running through our human bodies to power a light. It’s present when you fall in love and can also alert you to impending danger. Energy helps you pick out a destination or even your first home. It’s chemical, it’s kinetic and it’s scientifically undeniable.
We exchange energy with our surroundings, sending messages back and forth to our subconscious minds. I knew I could shift people’s experiences by shifting their surroundings, but I still struggled with reconciling my identity of “buyer” with all of the beautiful things that I had learned and wanted to share with the world. I could feel the alignment of my talents coming together in the most powerful way but couldn’t describe what was happening simply, quickly and succinctly. There was just too much going on.
My philosophy is that we are all complex beings and the more we learn and connect, the more we have to offer the world. I feel like I am constantly evolving, putting one foot in front of the other, striving to be a better version of myself each day. Whether that is with the label of home accessories buyer, interior stylist and decorator, Feng Shui practitioner, fiancé, house clearer or a mother to my two dogs, I feel good because I am more aligned than ever with my intentions. It’s my combination of things that make me who I am. It’s also my past struggles that allow me to better feel into, understand and find solutions to the struggles of others. What I now know to be true is that there are very few obstacles or struggles that can compare to the hindrance of getting in our own way. Solving for this is a daily regimen, stepping back and staying out of my way so I can better help my clients stay out of their own way too.
Please tell us about Santo / Sage.
Santo / Sage helps people to unlock the hidden potential of their spaces. I specialize in classical Feng Shui, sourcing and styling for all the senses. This practice has also informed what I have dubbed Residential Well-being or raising the vibration and feeling of spaces through a range of elements, objects and modalities rooted in ancient wisdom, yet conscious of our updated lifestyles. I bring the spaces of both homes and businesses into harmony with their natural surroundings and create living and working environments that support, nurture and empower.
I think what I am known for is seeing the things that others generally miss, for my unique eye, attention to detail and relentless hunt for the perfect piece or solution.
I am most proud of the fact that I can support people—both their lives and their businesses—by using a combination of creative, intuitive and analytical skills. My services are really a mixture of different paths to discovery—both personal and of place. To me, these two things are one, and with the proper attention and alignment, can create life-changing results. This is true whether I am styling a beach bungalow or working with a realtor to prepare a home for a sale or for new tenants.
Personally, I think what makes me a little different from others in the space is over a decade of experience in designing, sourcing and curating product assortments coupled with my love and deep connection to people and the power of place. I have a secret obsession with the atmosphere and mood of a space. I am also able to tailor services to what best supports each one my clients. If that’s a super deep and intuitive project about the energy of their most personal space, wonderful. Conversely, if someone needs help with atmospherics and styling for an event or party, that is beautiful too. Some people just want to understand and correct the energetic blueprint of their space, some want a few fresh items, and others are interested in doing a complete overhaul. I find joy in all aspects of my practice and aim for my clients to share in that same experience.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I think the science around the psychology and behavioral effects of our surroundings will continue to be researched and will continue to evolve. There is just a natural and undeniable parallel to what we are seeing right now with the mind-body connection. The information that has already come out about the person-place connection is mind-boggling. For example, we can no longer question the power and benefits of grounding and spending time in nature, so as a natural extension, I see people trying to better align our built environments with the natural elements.
That said, I think that people will become more discerning of the places they spend their time and will almost instinctively begin to seek out places with more vitality and spirit. Places are going to need to feel really good to get people off their phones and into the physical world. Although some principles of my work are thousands of years old, the modern practice of holistic design to better support your well-being is still in its infancy. Energetic design will continue to grow. This means designing with the elements for ALL the senses. I incorporate scents, color psychology and sounds in my practice and I think this will continue. People are opening up to these concepts and I see endless growth potential here.
I also think that open spaces will be a trend and more and more people will conclude that not every plot of land in a city needs to be built on. It lowers the vibration, the allure and sense of place. This can also negatively affect property values. Overdevelopment is not good for our ecosystem, air quality or our minds. How wonderful is stumbling on a tiny park in a busy city?
One of my hopes is that low-income housing developers will begin to follow suit and take into consideration the quality of the spaces they are building. Harmonious spaces can still be cost-effective. Creating peaceful, community-focused environments should be a priority for all developments. A teacher once told me, ‘you live what you know,’ and I want people of all incomes to know the feeling and security of home.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2444 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 280
Santa Monica, CA 90403 - Website: www.santosage.com
- Phone: 310.742.4336
- Email: Christina@santosage.com
- Instagram: @santoandsage
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