Curate Well-Being At Home
Designer Tamarisk McNalty Stephens shares her ideas.
Fiddle Lead Fig
Creating a home that nurtures overall health and wellness has proven to be an important topic of conversation.
The beautiful thing about a home is that it is (or should be) a unique reflection of the values, priorities and lifestyle of its inhabitants. However, there are some basic tenets that can be applied regardless of style, aesthetic and functional requirements to create an atmosphere that fosters a greater sense of well-being. These recommendations can be implemented without a complete redesign or renovation.
Determine the pillars of how you want your home to feel
It is a privilege to have a home where you and your family can retreat. Having the ability (financial and otherwise) to curate a home that feels welcoming, calming, nourishing and restorative – especially when unpredictable circumstances occur in the world – is a true blessing. Take the time to determine how you want your home to feel. For example, creating a calming space is especially important when the news of the world feels heavy. A clean and clutter-free space can quiet the nervous system and make you feel better physically, mentally and emotionally.
OSLO FURNITURE: Nordmark Sideboard
Create peace of mind
Taking small steps to create a home that is a little more self-sufficient can contribute to a greater feeling of safety and security – especially when unpredictable circumstances arise. At the end of the day, food, water and shelter remain the fundamental and universal basic needs.
There has been a tremendous resurgence of people growing and raising their own food. There are also many local farmers who offer CSAs (community-supported agriculture) throughout the year and frequent the seasonal farmers markets. Consider installing a pantry or transforming a closet into food storage so you can buy more items in bulk (flours, beans, etc.) and if you have a cold-storage area, you have the ability to store certain vegetables long into the winter. Investing in an appropriate freezer and learning to preserve food are other helpful options. Condo dwellers can experiment with container gardening, learn about becoming a member of a community garden or perhaps barter with family or friends to use a piece of land for a small garden patch.
Generating your own electricity allows you to be less dependent on the larger system. For those not connected to the grid, investing in a generator in the event of a power loss enables you to keep the fridge and freezer running so you don’t lose your food supply – just create a regular maintenance schedule and ensure you have the appropriate fuel. Also having a stock of water on hand for a couple of weeks, or a filtration system (such as a Berkey) if you have access to fresh water, can provide added peace of mind. The notion of creating a safe home extends beyond a security system.
Define various zones
The experience of sharing space with the entire family at home for such an extended period of time, with multiple tasks happening simultaneously – such as working, learning, food preparation, etc. – has emphasized the importance of creating specific zones to maintain a semblance of order in the home. If you don’t have a spare room you can transform into an office, or the floor space for designated desks and workstations, consider purchasing totes that hold everyone’s individual work or projects. Investing in proper storage such as closed cabinetry or even open shelving with baskets (simple and easy to access) helps to keep everyone organized and the house from becoming overrun with the business of the day. It is also important to keep sleeping spaces reserved for rest and minimize technology there (avoid it if you can). We all know blue light from devices negatively impacts our circadian rhythm and the body’s ability to prepare for sleep. It’s difficult to relax at the end of the day if you’re still looking at a large pile of work or if the notifications on your phone are going off at all hours.
Bring nature inside
Not only are houseplants an extremely cost-effective way to completely transform the feeling of your space, but adding greenery into your home can reduce stress and anxiety. There is the added benefit of air purification. Nature-inspired artwork can also help calm the senses. Connecting with natural materials such as linen, raw wood, beeswax candles, marble and wool can also help evoke a sense of well-being within the home. OH
Stûv 30 Woodstove
BERKEY CANADA: Royal Berkey Water Filter System