A Chance to Reset

Whenever spring approaches, I plan to entice my viewers with beautiful and inspiring photos of outdoor rooms, while sharing some tips for getting ready for the warmer days to come. However, I find myself questioning whether or not I should distribute the originally planned content or share my thoughts, as an interior designer, on the current state of emergency we are in. I’ll go with the latter and post the former at a later date when we are all craving happier and more hopeful content.

There is no question that everyone’s busy lives have been halted by the required social distancing. We are all disappointed by the cancellation of events that we’ve worked hard for and looked forward to for months. Additionally, there is no doubt that social distancing will inversely increase the time we spend with our families in our homes.

While it may be frustrating and stressful, I’m convinced it will be beneficial to our health both short and long term. With less appointments and social commitments to uphold, we will be forced to slow down and will potentially be provided an opportunity for evaluating our relationships and values.

As a small business owner, I’d be lying if I said I’m not sweating the potential of a global recession in our very near future. However, it may not be such a bad thing for our world to pause and consider our consumer habits.

The manufacturing and transporting of goods greatly contributes to the deterioration of our environment. This is evident especially in China, as the country’s air quality has significantly improved as power plants and factories have slowed production so employees can stay home. During this period of pause, let us recognize the contributions we make to already overflowing landfills when we dispose of furniture and other interior goods during renovations.

In the coming weeks/months, I hope we can become more mindful in weighing the consequences of our choices; maybe we can find happiness in rearranging or refinishing furniture for a room rather than impulsively replacing everything we own.

Prior to this week, I’ve been thinking a lot about what interior design is REALLY all about.

Why does Interior design matter to us?

As humans, we surround ourselves with items that provide us customized comfort because it makes us feel good inside. In delving into my recent research, I’m appreciating that interior design should incorporate all of our senses to evoke positive emotions that lead to better daily routines and overall health.

This means we should be not only including products and finishes that are visually appealing, but also integrating creative solutions that decrease our stress and promote a healthier lifestyle.

While I’ve strived to bring both beautiful and functional elements to every design plan I complete, I would like to maximize my focus on the direct impact these design decisions will have on the health and relationships of those living in these spaces.

As we look ahead to the future, I hope you take advantage of your time with your families and notice how you and your loved ones move about your home. Then, make mindful efforts to improve your space.

You may find yourself trying to be productive without a home office, attempting to conduct a remote education class with your kiddos in a cluttered and distracting environment, or simply seeking a quiet corner to find some peace!

Whatever the case, know that even small changes can make a big difference in contributing to a better organized and well-designed home.

There will be more to come in providing resourceful tips on how to maintain a happy home life, and I’ll be testing them out myself!

In the meantime, stay healthy and live happy!