Thriving and Working in the Comfort of Home
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
Thriving.
Design: Wanda S. Horton
Looking beyond my home office window, I’ve enjoyed seeing how the spring green has begun to push forth. With a mostly overcast winter, it's provided a balm for my soul and an extra boost of energy.
Nature is very much a part of my home environment and I find I often carry it into my clients' projects through texture and color, also applying the concept of landscaping when I create peaks and valleys on tabletops, in bookcases, and even wall elevations. It's an intuitive approach . . . a bit organic, too. I tap into providing a sense of well-being for both the dweller and visitors.
This topic resonates as being more important than ever and I recently listened to a podcast that affirmed what I'd already been observing and sharing. Please read on because I think it will be a timely subject for you, too.
Did you know circular shapes are found to be more comforting than ones with sharp, linear edges? It goes back to our ancestors. The fear of being injured makes us a bit jumpy, just as it did for them.
We spend about 90% of our time indoors.
The featured guest was Donald Rattner, an architect who spoke about the science behind connecting elements of nature, especially within the walls of our homes. He explored how it restores us. Even if we have something that's representative of it, a painting for example, we feel happier and healthier. It also has a big impact on our abilities for creativity and reasoning. I think it's why we're seeing more examples of biophilic design in both office settings and home.
I was also surprised to learn, on the whole, we spend about 90% of our time indoors. Of course, the tech age may seem to be the reason behind our hibernation. Our brains; however, are still hardwired to what our ancestors experienced in seeking shelter from exterior threats. We feel a strong need to be wrapped in security and comfort. Though we've found ways to seal our dwellings and have even controlled the climate, a windowless home would be a pretty sad place without the view. No wonder cave dwellers began painting scenes on the walls! The desire to be surrounded by beauty and nature isn't a contemporary concept.
Creating landscaped layers on bookcase shelves allows for the eye to follow peaks and valleys, connecting us back to nature.
Beauty makes us not only feel better, it can positively impact our capacity to learn and perform.
Rattner offered some great tidbits from his book. He provided more than speculation, he provided data.
For example:
In an experiment, by the famous psychologist, Maslow, students were given the same material for testing, though they were placed in three different rooms. All were classrooms but they were decorated at different levels. One was called the "beautiful room" and it was just as described with attention to all of the details. The other was the "average room" - not bad but pretty basic. The other was the "ugly room". It was in the basement, had worn furniture, old mattresses, and was not so well maintained. If you guessed the students in the beautiful room had a better outcome than their peers, you just received your A+.
Having a minor in psychology makes this subject and book all the more fascinating to me and I’m currently pouring through the pages. I believe in being a lifelong student so that I can also be an educated instructor. (You can also check out his book by clicking on the image.)
Every detail in our surroundings has an impact on how we live and work.
A game table, backed up to a sofa, gives my client the option to use it for a desk when needed.
If you find working from your home may become more of the norm for your company or even your preference, Ratner had some great suggestions, which I've shared, below.
If possible, float your desk or table where you can see a more open view. If a window view isn't available, find a spot where there's more light and life.
If your desk must be against a wall, create a view with art, preferably a landscape or some setting that takes you beyond that vertical plane.
Use a mirror to provide a reflection if what's behind you is worth seeing. It gives perceived space.
Add a plant or flower to bring in nature.
Remove clutter but also be sure not to create a place that feels sterile as that creates a lack of stimulation.
And my bonus tips: Get up from the desk and take a digital break. If the weather prohibits a short walk, take a good stretch or dance around the desk, light a candle, play some soft background music or white noise, (no more than 70 decibels, per Rattner), make a cup of tea or drink some water with lemon and find a place to come to center before going back to work.
How you live and work, in the most personal of places, your home, has an impact on your daily state of being. Well-designed interiors allow you to move through life with more ease. Simply put, you become restored through a newly-discovered sense of beauty. We're here to help you find it.
All my best!
Wanda