“There is no place like home” is a saying often used to express how we feel about our most personal space…our home. Our home is that unique place that just like us, is one of a kind.
This personifies holistic interior design. Sometimes it is called interior design for well-being. This approach to interior design is focused on supporting the wellness of the mind, body and spirit of the people that inhabit a space. Just like holistic medicine considers and treats the whole person, rather than the symptoms alone. Holistic design considers and creates for the whole person, rather than the visual or particular space’s form and function alone. After all the room has no feelings, you do!
Especially today, our home’s needs are intensified. A holistic home is the place where we create relationships with ourselves, the people we live with and the people we invite in. Holistic living brings about greater happiness and well-being and is supported and nurtured when we are in our most personal spaces. It takes it to a deeper, healing level. Our home is the only place we can actually control and affect change in every aspect of our life. Therefore, we are making choices and decisions that will bring about a better and longer-lasting quality of life.
Also, it is an expression of our taste, style and personality. By making decorating decisions and choosing the items we want to live with, we are making statements about our nature, behavior and beliefs.
It is no wonder that when you enter someone’s home you become acquainted with the whole person. Where we live, how we live and how we express our outer selves is really a story about our innermost story. That is the true “interior” design expressed in an exterior way.
It is the ultimate place where we can be true to ourselves and live an authentic lifestyle. Be tuned in to your reactions when making selections of colors, shapes, textures, finishes, patterns and materials because the selections we choose to surround us and tell our story, reflect our lifestyle and well-being, including their effect on our health, stress levels and productivity.
Since our feelings dictate our living experience, we need to be aware and be sensitive to our surroundings at all times. We are affected largely through our basic five senses…what we see, smell, taste, hear, touch. We also need to consider our senses of space and breath.
Holistic design approaches each person’s space with attention to that individual’s uniqueness. When designing holistically. color psychology, Biophilia, environmental psychology, human biology and ergonomics are major considerations, among other areas of study such as design environments that look pretty, function well and actually make you healthier.
It’s no longer weird or woo-woo to talk about our spiritual health or to take time to care for our minds and bodies. Just consider the popularity of yoga, or all the studies emphasizing the importance of rest, mindfulness and meditation. This simply acknowledges how much environments affect our health and wellness, far beyond what we can see or even feel. So many of these factors are unconscious.
Personal awareness is key. When we have this consciousness, we can take action to create the most perfect personal environment possible to bring us joy, peace and comfort. When we bring in another’s style or choices as seen somewhere else, we are not being true to ourselves. Once we are aware of what we need and want to fulfill our desires we can put it into action.
To achieve this place of contentment, I have branded my method called Bajaro. It’s simple three steps are understanding, accepting and allowing.
First, we must understand ourselves by listening to our heart and mind to discover what makes us feel good and happy. When we understand the choices that bring us pleasure in our environment, we are able to move on to acceptance.
Second is acceptance of those choices that make up who we are and we can openly receive the information to give ourselves courage to move forward fearlessly to decorate with what we like, want and need. It may be through new eyes, yet there is nothing wrong with questioning it until you are comfortable with your choices. By doing so you are making sure that it is authentically your choice and not influenced by a magazine, trend or friend.
Third is allowing. This is when action is taken to make decisions about purchasing, renovation and bringing in experts for the necessary changes for the outcome you desire.
These steps will inevitably help you design your personal spaces while expressing your holistic you.
Most of all, since we are always in an environment, be sensitive to how you feel in every space. Notice what feels good and what doesn’t, whether in public or private, don’t settle. Always and all ways, do what you can to make it right for you. After all, it is YOUR holistic life! Remember, rooms have no feelings, YOU do!
Barbara Kaplan offers individual interior design consultations for guidance, ideas and solutions to make your home truly yours. Contact her at Barbara@BarbaraKaplan.com.
