When I started the Escaping the House series, I made a quiet promise to myself: try somewhere new every week. Not necessarily to find the best workspace, but to lean into the joy of new environments, new rhythms, and new energy. This week, I found myself booking a spot at By Design Studio, a place that calls itself a mindfulness studio, not a co-working space. Curious? I was too.

Truthfully, this morning, I woke up wanting to cancel everything. Work felt heavy, the bed too warm. But then I remembered: I had already paid 7,000 naira to book this sapce. LOL. That got me right up, I packed my things, and headed to Garki.

Let me just say: I’m glad I didn’t cancel. Because what I experienced that day wasn’t just a cute space. It was intentional. Soft. Reaffirming. The kind of place that wraps its arms around you the moment you walk in.

First Things First: The Location Surprise

So here’s the thing. When I got there, I honestly thought I was lost. The studio is located inside NNPC Quarters, and from the outside, it looks like a regular house, residential vibes. I had to call the host to be sure I was in the right place. She confirmed, and I walked in hesitantly. And that’s when time kind of… stopped.

Inside, it’s like a Pinterest board of softness. Pink walls, floral touches, floor rugs, plants, and sunlight pouring through wide windows. You instantly forget the outer world. Soft instrumental music plays in the background. You’re greeted with a handwritten note, tea, and a small care package, we’ll get into that in a sec.

Honestly, from first impression, it feels like walking into a friend’s super aesthetic living room. Not a co-working hub, not a yoga studio. Just a peaceful space.

What Was in the Care Package?

This tiny detail made me smile.

Upon arrival, I received a small paper bag that included:

• A handwritten letter from the host (wholesome and validating)
• A journal prompt (mine was “What are you letting go of today?”)
• Stickers
• A bookmark
• The studio guidelines
• A printed mini-program for the day (“Thursday Flow”)
• A breakdown of their studio membership plans

I didn’t expect to cry, but journaling to that prompt unlocked something. I ended up writing a letter to myself. Letting go. Giving grace. And somehow, that gave me the clarity to get actual work done afterwards.

That one prompt – plus the setting – realigned my day.

The Ambience: Soft, Feminine, Intentional

Everything in the studio whispers: “Slow down.”

From the floral art to the fresh air scent, to the bottomless tea served in a dainty teapot, it’s a sensory experience. There’s a beanbag, couch, worktable, floor cushions, and cozy blankets to wrap yourself in. I sat on the floor, leaned against a pillow, and typed away like I was in my own little cocoon.

On my visit, I was the only guest, which made the whole place feel like mine. I’ve seen their events on Instagram though, and I imagine the vibe on community days would be warm and bonding.

What makes this space feel even more special is its positioning. The host clearly doesn’t want it to be mistaken for a coworking space. It’s a wellness and creative space in Abuja, which means it holds space for both productivity and pause. You’re free to bring a book, or pick up a book there because they have really good books, you can play puzzles which they have, color which they also have, or answer jornal prompts which they also have, they provide you with pens and a notepad to wwrite, you can breathe, stretch, or simply do nothing. And that freedom is rare.

Working From a Mindfulness Studio (Yes, It’s Possible)

So, was I productive? Surprisingly, yes.

Even though the space nudged me toward journaling, I put in a full work session. There was Wi-Fi (not the fastest, but manageable), plenty of sockets, good seating, and most importantly, peace. When I needed to focus, I just put on my headphones and went into my zone.

Would I recommend it as a regular office substitute? Not really. But as a peaceful place to work or unwind in Abuja, absolutely.

Also: if you’re the type to carry books, sketch pads, or even planning materials, this place welcomes that kind of energy. Just maybe not messy projects like painting, the rug and aesthetic wouldn’t appreciate it.

Let’s Talk Toilet

Because if you’re going to spend the day somewhere, this matters. The toilet was clean, smelled nice, and had everything stocked, handwash, tissue, a bowl, and even a hand shower bidet. The floors were dry, lighting was good, and the vibe was consistent with the rest of the studio: simple, clean, thoughtful.

Tea, Books, Blankets – Small Luxuries

There’s something about tea that makes everything feel more intentional. And at By Design Studio, it flows freely. I didn’t try any because i went with my snacks and water. They had cute mugs for you to use. They even had a variety of mugs you could purchase.

Books were neatly arranged, puzzles and games too. I kept imagining how perfect it would be to come here with a friend or two, to color, reflect, giggle, and just exist.

Memberships, Events & Offerings

Here’s what you should know:

• Studio Days:
  • Tuesdays: Quiet Hours (7k)
  • Thursdays: Thursday Flow (7k)
  • Sundays: Sunday Reset (8.5k)
• Community Events: vary. A past event was “Release & Renew” in Dec 2024, priced at 30k. Think new year energy.
• Memberships:
  • Essential (40k/month): 4 visits, 1 guided session, 10% off products + access to digital resources
  • Intentional (60k/month): Unlimited visits, 3 self-care sessions, 15% off, monthly wellness check-ins
  • Immersive (120k/month): Includes everything above + free access to all events, 1:1 planning, early access to products

If you see yourself incorporating regular slow days into your routine, I genuinely think a membership could be worth it.

For the Freelancer Considering It…

You’re probably wondering, “Should I go?”

Honestly, if you’re craving rest, this is your spot. If your soul is yelling for quiet, soft spaces, this is your invitation.

One of the hardest parts of freelancing is knowing when to pause. I used to ignore that cue until burnout would force me to crash. That’s why spaces like this are important. They give you the pause before the crash.

Also, if you’re still trying to find your rhythm as a freelancer and you don’t know where to start, the Freelance Starter Checklist is a solid step-by-step. You can get the checklist for free here. From getting clear on your offers to building your workflow, it helps you breathe through the setup stage.

And when you do feel ready to pitch, present or plan projects, don’t go in blind. I used the Project Brief Template to map out my deliverables and direction ahead of a recent proposal, total game changer. It’s perfect for laying out your ideas clearly and professionally once you seal the deal with your client. First impressions matter, you want them to feel like they’ve made the best decision working with you. It also relaxes them moving in, they feel like you’ve got this. Get your project brief template here. 

I also recommend reading the blog post How to Price Your Freelance Services because let’s be honest, when you’re paying for spaces like this (7k+ a day), you need to know your rates make sense. Pricing confidently makes experiences like this a reward, not a guilt trip.

Final Words

I left that day feeling reset.

Even though I didn’t tick everything off my to-do list, but because I gave myself the space to exist without pressure. And somehow, that space helped me get things done anyway.

By Design Studio is not a workspace. It’s a peace space. A pause. A whisper of permission to just be for a few hours.

And for freelancers like me (and maybe like you), that’s invaluable.

If you’ve been meaning to unplug and still feel like you’re holding it all together, maybe try escaping the house next week. You might just meet yourself again. And as always if you want to see videos of me in these spaces check out my tiktok @beinghauwa Give me a follow while you’re there 😁