Healthy in Your Home

IIt is now the 4th week of January, and we are all fresh in thinking about our New Year's resolutions and the freedom that Spring may provide. Many of us have incorporated some thoughts about being a little more healthy this year. Exercise more, eat less and cut out the wine—sounds (and always is) a bit stressful.

Being in beautiful surroundings is scientifically linked to your health and well being. The power of good design can impact us positively and measurably. 

Grand hotels worldwide know just how important it is to invest in their surroundings to stand out as unique, welcoming, and comfortable. Your home should feel this way too. And if it doesn't, there are too many health reasons for you to not think about making your home feel as special as your favorite five-star hotel. 

Reason 1: Beauty Triggers a Relaxation Response

In today's crazy world, relaxation is just what the doctor has ordered. It's why a vacation that brings the beauty of the sea, mountains, or anything else that moves you will reduce your stress, put the world in perspective and envelop you in the sense of relaxation and awe. 

 A home should do the same; reduce stress, contribute to healing and well-being. 

Reason 2: Simple but powerful choices can please both your body and mind.

It’s all about the choices that you make in your home related to your senses. To provide yourself the most health benefit….

Choose Colors that Set the Mood

The colors in your home are either soothing to your soul or are contributing to your anxiety. I am a lover of all colors...in their place and purpose. 

As you have heard our stylists at K. Renee say many times, choose neutrals (whites, creams, taupes, and other natural tones)for your largest items like walls, flooring, significant pieces of furniture, sturdy items. Then, incorporate the more dramatic colors that inspire you in your art, accessories, and other things.

 
 

Choose Comfort 

Comfort is always key in your home. A good test is to think about whether you tend to turn away from a room in your home or does it call your name and encourage you (and others) to come on in and sit awhile. We all tend to spend the most time in just a few rooms in our home; the kitchen, the living area surrounding the kitchen, and our bedrooms. Please make sure they are cozy and comfortable!

_{Comfort, comfort, comfort. Oh ya, and beautiful too!}

 

 

Create Visual Texture 

Beyond the colors that you choose and your furniture's comfort and style, there is an additional layer that appeals to your sense of beauty. And that is interest and texture. I have walked into many homes where I see great furniture and a wonderful color palette, yet it still feels undone. Beauty is something that appeals to all of our emotional senses, and texture directly appeals to our sense of touch. 

Rugs, pillows, throws are just a few of the ways you can make sure you are visually creating a sense of comfort and joy in your home.  Touch is such an important and overlooked part of creating a healthy home.

Create Lighting That Brightens Your Mood 

Having the right kind and amount of lighting is scientifically linked to elation, while dark lighting can induce feelings of depression. In your home, you can't always rely on sunshine (especially in the dark days of winter), but you can make sure you have the benefits of inspiring lighting fixtures.

Not only should your fixtures shine the light, but they appeal to your sense of beauty. Get rid of those old, outdated fixtures and replace them with something magical!

Consider Your Sense of Smell

 You might notice that we always have candles burning when you walk into our home store. We know that when a pleasant aroma hits your senses, it positively affects your mood. 

 

Imagine the aroma of fresh pine during the holiday season, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, flowers, diffusers...all of them appeal to us in the best of ways.

Reason 3: Good Design Brings Good Energy

Bottom line, good design in your home brings good energy. If you want to make positive changes in your life, your interior is a great place to start. For over 3000 years, the Chinese art of feng shui has been practiced, and it is believed that by implementing a few simple principles into your home that you can attract good luck, success, love, and positive energy. I'm in!

Kelli and our style team always consider these principles when designing a K. Renee space that creates great energy. Simple things like making sure the entryway to a home is welcoming and uncluttered.

Arranging furniture so that it appears inviting to guests and also encourages conversation.

Include natural elements in the decor such as flowers, stones and other things of nature.

 

Helping our clients remove clutter and feature those items in the home that are meaningful and special. There is nothing more that we love than creating spaces that you can’t wait to wake up to in the morning and look forward to coming home to at night.

This feeling is not reserved for a five star hotel. A healthy and uplifting home is available to each and every one of us every day of our lives.  Why not make it a priority this year?