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Healing Spaces Project

5 X STEPS TO DESIGNING A HEALTHY HOME - WHATEVER YOUR TASTE

We are now living through the rise of choosing health.

That choice may look different to everyone and often does.

When it comes to interior design, you don't need a house full of house plants and green everything to create a healthy home, you can still express yourself an ensure a healthy home too. There are healthy choices that transcend style and can be applied in a multitude of ways to assist in creating a home that serves you on a practical, beautiful and mindful way, body, mind and spirit. Whatever your taste.

Here are 5 x ways to create a healthy home that is still 'you'.


  1. BIOMORPHIC FORMS

A term that is used in Biophilic Interior Design, Biomorphic Forms arre man-made items that reflect something that exists in nature.

In nature we can find organic shapes, repetition and fractals.

Using these elements in a space, will spark the part of the brain that recognises pattern and connect them to the natural environment. These forms can be direct imitation or something more subtle. Here are some examples.




Direct Imitation

These Pebble Footstools from Wilson & Dorset are a replication of organic form, specifically a rock or stone, due to directly imitating the organic shape.

On an artistic level its really nice that the footstool is ironically soft and comfortable unlike a rock, but a flat surface like this is still inviting to sit on as you might do when visiting a rocky shoreline or river.



Repetition

This wallpaper 'waves' by Emma Hayes is an abstract imitation of waves.

Due to the arch curves, layers of colour and repetitive 'movement' of the pattern.

This is a very stylised way of integrating the ocean into your space. If you are an ocean lover, a space that feels like you are at the beach is going to spark a good reaction that you connect with the ocean, calm, fun, holiday etc.


2. WORKING FROM HOME AND THE WORK SPACE

I personally work from home and have a work space.

My work space is very much designed for me, as a creative a minimal work space would be uninspiring and un-motivating. I have books on display, samples and images collaged on the wall, house plants and open storage.

However, this would not work for everyone, others would prefer a clean slate to sit down to. In which case, closed storage would be ideal and plenty of it. Even still, a certain level of stimulation is needed from a work space to ignite thought, energy and inspiration.

One way this is achieved is with colour and contrast.

Consider colour in your work space. Dark colours create a cocoon feel perfect for an office, to help you feel focused and un-disturbed by the world around.

Bright colours create excitement and stimulation but do consider colour therapy when it comes to a bright colour, you don't want to sit down and start to feel hungry either!

If colour is not your thing and you prefer a white space, create contrast with use of textures of materials like wood, metal or stone.


3. TOXIN-FREE FURNITURE Lots of new furniture needs to air out, did you know this?

Anything with an MDF substrate, upholstered furniture, anything with fire retardant applied, foam mattresses, carpets that have phenylcyclohexane.

They need to breathe to release the toxins, otherwise they can create allergic reactions, irritation, even more serious health conditions.

To avoid this, ventilate your home when installing or bringing home new furniture products.

Bringing in indoor plants that absorb toxins is a great way to clean the air too. Second hand furniture has usually had time to release any toxins so are a great introduction.


4. NATURAL PAINTS

Speaking of toxins, most paints have a decent VOC rating (volatile organic compounds) much like the example above, however, new paint needs to be aired out.

There is a new paint range in NZ called Natural Paint Co, that have zero VOC rating. Their colours are neutral as well as fun so there is still plenty of room to express yourself, whilst keeping your indoor air quality, you can even sleep in the bedroom the night of painting.




5. ACOUSTICS

Make a big difference to the comfort of a room. Hard surfaces bounce sound around and create echoes, which can layer up and create stress.

To battle this issue, soft furnishings absorb sound as well as blocking the sound from bouncing around.

The more textured the better.

Throws, hanging wall art, rugs, cushions, layered window treatments, blankets, squabs, upholstered furniture, plants, sheep skins, lampshades, even textured wall applications will help break up sound and provide a space that has comfortable acoustics.


The interior of your home is very personal and it is important that you live in a home that feels like its yours. So lets design spaces that tick the invisible boxes too, whilst expressing our best selves, as well as delivering a killer aesthetic that will hold longevity and provide a healthy happy home for all whom abode. In other words, paradise.


Have a fabulous day, designing your life x

Lauren Shiels - The Healing Spaces Project


I have accepted no payment or endorsement from the above companies.

Images taken from their websites.







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