Chances are you've been spending a lot more time at home lately. Whether you've been working from home, self-isolating, or coming home from a stressful workplace, you've probably become more aware of how your space works or more likely, doesn't work for you. Full disclosure, this is not an image of my bathroom (sad face emoji inserted) and I'll bet it's not yours either. But the "feeling" you get when just looking at this image is what you want to achieve in your home. While the average person doesn't have a home that goes with this bathroom, you can absolutely have the "aaaaahhhhhhhh" emotion - trust me! Emotional well-being is more than just the new buzz word - it's a thing! If you've always struggled with mental health issues (raising my hand), you may already have strategies, tips and tricks for coping. For the newcomers to depression and anxiety - don't panic - I got you. Amid the conditions and effects of the pandemic, more people than ever are struggling with mental health issues. Mine has been with me for many years so I'm coming to you from a place of knowing the struggle is real. Having a space of comfort and healing has become ever more important to our emotional well-being. Within the design community and product manufacturers, there continues to be a greater focus on wellness in design. Current trends in design have a much more holistic approach in creating supportive, human-centric environments. I know what you're thinking... that all sounds really expensive. What if I don't have a big budget. Having a generous budget is definitely a huge plus but not essential. Function is first - a beautiful space that doesn't meet the needs of the user is a fail. While that bathtub with the spectacular view is to die for - if you're a shower girl and never take baths, it doesn't meet your needs. Not only are we spending more time at home, but we're also doing new things in that space. Our physical surroundings impact mood and behaviour - so what do you need from your space? Do you want to feel comforted, energized, relaxed, creative, productive? So how do you make meaningful and impactful changes to your space? Well, besides calling me, which of course I want you to do, I can give you some tips to start you off. I will skip over the Marie Condo lesson - but clutter is bad for you and you should definitely "edit" and organize every room. Here are my top 3 tips to help with your wellness design and in this order... 1. Let there be light 💡 Light changes everything. If you change the type of bulbs you're using, it will dramatically change what your paint colour looks like. Any type of fluorescent (tube or CFL) is bad and you should run to the store immediately and invest in LEDs. This is worth the investment for a major impact visually and more importantly for your health. LED comes in warm white, cool white or natural white. Follow the link for a quick look at which one is best for you. https://ledmontreal.com/en/warm-white-or-cool-white-which-led-bulb-should-you-choose I could bore you with a whole lot of science on this or you can google the health impacts of fluorescent lighting. Besides, it's really unflattering and the fixtures are ugly. Most people also don't have enough lighting in their homes or enough natural light. Fun Fact: More natural light equals better physical and mental health. You can bring more natural light inside in many ways. One easy fix is possibly changing your window coverings. Ok, wait, that might not be so easy because I have a whole lesson on window coverings, but it's something to look at. Lighting fixtures should be "layered" throughout your home. To keep it simple - you want ambient or general lighting (your ceiling lights), task lighting - things like under-mount lights in the kitchen, desk lamps, etc., and accent lighting - this is usually table lamps for a softer light in the evening or picture lights if you have fancy shmancy art collections that you want people to notice. Yes, you do need all three. 2. Paint Colour Now that you have your lighting situation sorted out, it's time to pick colour. My #1 rule is forget about colour trends and go for what makes you feel good. We may love the new colours of the year but be careful. Benjamin Moores colour for 2020 is a soft pink - definitely not for everyone. Best to add that trendy colour in your accessories. Yes, there are colours that are said to be calming but that's very personal - if you don't like blues and greens it will just irritate you. So how do you get it right? Some Do's and Don'ts for you... Don't ❎ never pick colour in the store (remember what I said about lighting) ❎ the fabulous colour in your girlfriend's house will not look the same in yours. As well as lighting, large surfaces like flooring will affect how it looks. ❎ don't skip the prep - it's a necessary pain in the butt Do ✅ narrow down your picks to your top three (the ones you love, love, love) ✅ go lighter - paint will be darker when on the wall ✅ always buy a sample pot and paint a large "swatch" (2 coats). You won't be sorry for following this step. 3. Natural Elements No matter what your style, incorporating natural elements into a space has a calming effect. House plants are trending big time! It's actually called Biophilia - the innate human need to connect with nature or life forms. Another fun fact - Biophilic Design is becoming an important component of architecture and interior design in health care facilities and many corporate settings. The benefits include reduced stress, improved cognitive function, better productivity, enhanced mood, and creativity. All of these things lead to improved health and well-being. I know some of you out there are plant killers but fear not, there are so many ways to bring nature in. Finishes like wood and stone are natural elements. Art depicting nature (no watering required), water features, the list goes on. Do you need more than a couple of tips? You know where to reach me - I'll be at home, HA. And of course, you can also send comments or questions for a little design "therapy". #designtherapy #designyouremotionalwellness #evidencebaseddesign #wellnessindesign #mentalhealth #healingbydesign #interiordesign #decorating #designer #decorator #mentalhealthrecovery #biophilicdesign

What are the prospects for our marginalized youth in the post-pandemic world? Necessary funding for emergency services has never been fully available nor it seems enough of a priority for the government (I will resist the urge to rant here). It also seems even less likely to be available in the future, given the, what will be a long-lasting, economic impact of COVID-19. Though, I am compelled to point out that the government has been able to cough up overwhelming amounts of money to support us through this nightmare. See what I'm saying here?! For the purpose of this post, I am focused on youth - it has a very personal meaning for me. My philosophy, beliefs, and desire to create change are specifically for youth but apply to all of the vulnerable people that need us to step up and help them help themselves to build a better life. So far, we are failing them miserably. I am in the business of creating spaces that comfort, nurture, and provide a place to replenish emotional wellness. For mental health care professionals, counseling rooms that are trauma-informed and supportive for recovery, are crucial to optimizing engagement. Well established research in healthcare settings now dictates the architecture and design of new facilities. Evidence-based design equals improved patient outcomes. Although few and far between, there are some examples of innovative spaces designed for survivors of domestic violence, combat veterans, and chronically homeless. Since science tells us that our built environment directly impacts mood and behaviour, why do we continue to "house" people in warehouse-like, institutional, oppressive environments that depreciate them as human beings? Shelters are fraught with every conceivable environmental stressor and little if any real comforts. Commonly constructed with concrete walls, acoustics exacerbate an already elevated level of noise which is known to be a significant environmental stressor. Lighting is almost always exclusively fluorescents (tube or CFL) which have known negative physical and mental health implications. It's not just that the flicker and constant buzzing sound are merely annoying. The technology as a whole is particularly harmful to this vulnerable population. Fluorescent light induces stress response, triggers fight or flight response, suppresses melatonin, increases cortisol just to name a few. You can read about this in greater detail in a blog post from Psychology Today (link below). There are many more proactive measures we could be taking to improve the quality of life for the people that find themselves in this despair. While we may not be able to change the structure or architecture of a shelter, we can change how it looks inside. It doesn't have to be institutional-like. Mental health care units in new healthcare facilities have a special focus on creating supportive and healing environments. The same evidence-based design principles can and should be applied to support shelter service users. Youth seeking these services are struggling to overcome trauma, abuse, substance use, and much more. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/mental-wealth/201409/why-cfls-arent-such-bright-idea Hence, evidence-based design has the power to serve as a transformational impetus. Think about the possibilities! Just imagine if we designed (and redesigned) our youth shelters (and all shelters) to give them dignity, hope, empowerment, and WORTH. Without a home the only "sense of place" is potentially the shelter community - that means it has to be a place they actually like going to. How can we expect the best result when we don't provide them with all the tools and supports to recover and thrive. COVID-19 has shown us how the world can come together to support each other in innovative ways. There has been overwhelming generosity of heart and wallets. The collaboration of talent and resources is generating unprecedented results and achievements in many crisis needs of the day. My dream is to harness that same spirit of collaboration to recreate shelters into spaces that nurture the human spirit and transitional housing that provides comfort, healing, and empowerment. If you are in the business of helping at-risk youth or you want to help me create something meaningful for our youth - please reach out to me. #atriskyouth #healingbydesign #behaviouralhealth #mentalhealthcare #mentalhealthrecovery #emotionalwellness #psychotherapy #councelling #socialwork #mentalhealth #evidencebaseddesign #psychologyindesign #environmentalpsychology #improvedpatientoutcomes #interiordesign #designer #decorator #transitionalhousing #homelessyouthshelters #dignityindesign

After many decades of research, we are now designing healthcare facilities with a human-centric approach. Evidence has proven that interior design is a transformational force in our ability to heal, engage and respond in positive ways. Improved patient outcomes is a fact. Evidence-based design is moving into other domains - slowly. For me, interior design has always had a deeper meaning - something meaningful, something more important than just fabulous throw pillows. That intuition combined with intimate experiences with mental illness has shifted my professional focus towards creating spaces that support the human spirit. For mental health care service providers, it's critical to provide a safe, supportive, and restorative space for service users. If your patient can't achieve their "window of tolerance", how can they engage in the process of recovery? To aid in achieving this level of engagement, the design of a therapeutic space must be intentional. The design (or lack thereof) of the office and also the much forgotten waiting area is another valuable tool that is underutilized. Sited in the Mental Health Facilities Design Guide which is published by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Construction & Facilities Management (U.S.), the introduction of this document summarizes the underlying reason for therapeutic design quite well: “Facility design impacts the beliefs, expectations, and perceptions patients have about themselves, the staff who care for them, the services they receive, and the larger health care system in which those services are provided. Details matter in therapeutic spaces. Art - needs to be a positive distraction, which means it can't be about personal likes. Art must be intentional in terms of the visual, no abstract art, placement is key - I can go on... Your lighting, furniture, materials, and placement are all relevant to creating a space that aids in engagement and disclosure. And don't forget your waiting room - an area that is usually much forgotten but so important to that person waiting with anxiety, prepping themselves to spill their guts. "Room layout affects service user perceptions of psychological safety, intimacy, willingness to self-disclose, to build therapeutic rapport, and to feel a sense of agency in the space. Poor layouts in the therapeutic area can exacerbate feelings of otherness, mitigate development of agency, reduce communication, and have poor service user outcomes and experience", said Dr. Stephanie Liddicoat-Ocampo Ph.D., Architectural research at the University of Melbourne. Given this evidence, applying these fundamental design principals to therapeutic spaces is a way to empower both the service provider and the user. Full disclosure...Long before I found my way into the field of evidence-based design, I spent time in "the therapist's chair". While I credit much of my recovery to the outstanding care I was blessed to receive, the spaces did not always support the process. I will admit that I have a tendency to "silently critique" pretty much every room I enter. Looking back, I didn't know I was engaged in a sub-conscious research study. Dear Therapist, call me - I can help you. #eventherapistsneedhelpsometimes #behaviouralhealth #mentalhealthserviceproviders #mentalhealthrecovery #emotionalwellness #psychotherapy #therapist #councelling #socialwork #socialworker #mentalhealth #mentalillness #evidencebaseddesign #psychologyindesign #healingbydesign #environmentalpsychology #improvedpatientoutcomes #interiordesign #designer #decorator #decorating

When treating clients with shame or trauma, how space is designed can make all the difference. Peter explains one simple change that practitioners can make to eliminate triggers of shame. https://www.nicabm.com/one-common-mistake-practitioners-make-that-can-heighten-a-clients-shame/ Let's take this one step further. What if your client is a veteran suffering from combat PTSD? Research indicates that certain design elements can both trigger or alleviate anxiety for these clients. Veterans are trained to survey their surroundings for threats. This deeply engrained hypervigilance can become a barrier to effective clinical treatment if your space if full of triggers. The shape and placement of furnishings, materials, the type of art, color and lighting are all key design elements in creating an environment that supports the client. Incorporating elements of biophilic design and human-centric lighting are as important to clients as they are for the practitioner that spends long hours in this space. And last but not least, visual noise (aka clutter) is never good. As someone that's spent my fair share of time in a therapist's chair, I can say that almost all of them housed volumes of books on overloaded shelves and mostly hand-me-down furniture. Through the evolution of architecture and design in health care, what at one time was design focused on convenience and efficiency for doctors, has now advanced through evidence-based design, into integrative healing environments. #mentalhealth #therapy #trauma #traumainformed #ptsd #psychotherapist #emotionalwellbeing #anxiety #healingenvironments #evidencebaseddesign #psychologyindesign

The emerging field of evidence-based design (EBD) is quickly gaining traction based on decades of scientific research. Largely applied in health care settings, this field of expertise has seen a new way of thinking in architecture and design of health care facilities to create integrative restorative environments that improve patient outcomes. Our physical surroundings have a direct and immediate impact on mood and behaviour. Pretty sure we already knew this on a basic level. When everything around you overwhelms, irritates or in some way causes anxiety, you feel horrible. This has now been scientifically proven. Specific design elements are applied in conjunction with the principles of biophilic design, trauma-informed design and EBD to respond to the needs of patients. These design guidelines are now making their way into other environments such as shelters, transitional housing, and therapeutic spaces. But it's not as simple as painting any old blue or green colour (calming colours) and throwing in a plant or two in the corner. If you've ever poured over stacks of paint chips, only to hate the result once it's all over your walls, then you know it's not so easy. Shapes, materials, art, placement, and lighting all have a very specific function and outcome. Incorporating elements of nature, patterns in nature (Biophilic Design) is another important component. For mental health professionals that are serving a population of trauma survivors, both adults and children, it is crucial to support them with a restorative space to engage in the recovery process. EBD is proven to be improving therapeutic outcomes. The design of this environment must be approached through a trauma-informed lens. Eliminating stressors, triggers and anxiety-inducing elements is key to creating a healing space. To put this in context, take, for example, a police interrogation room. This space has a very intentional design. It is intended to evoke vulnerability, isolation, anxiety and give power and control to the interrogators. Conversely, a spa is all about calm, relaxation and serenity. A therapy room should respond to a patient's need for safety and empowerment. Critical to engaging in recovery is a design that is sensitive to hypervigilance - a common symptom of PTSD. Similarly, a play therapy room is about more than just the toys (expressive, aggressive, nurturing). The goal is to create a calm, nurturing space that responds to sensory and attentional issues. Equally important are the health care and mental health professionals giving care, who are at risk for compassion fatigue or STS (secondary traumatic stress). And what about parents of kids with challenges. The list goes on. These people need a space in which to recharge their emotional batteries. The merging of the principles of design and psychology in design has a powerful and immediate impact on mood and behaviour. As someone who is challenged with managing my depression and anxiety, the design in my (rental) home is very intentional. Not to say that my depression magically disappears because I have a beautiful space. But when I am paralyzed by my darkness, in the fetal position, binge-watching Netflix and getting vertical only long enough to eat a whole cheesecake - I don't get "stuck" there. Look around long enough and you get up with renewed resolve. Don't get me wrong - I'm no Marie Kondo, but my surroundings do bring me joy. It's all about the Space Lift. To accomplish this does not always demand a big budget but the reward is always priceless. #mentalhealth #traumainformed #evidencebaseddesign #EBD #interiordesign #psychologyindesign #therapist #playtherapy

We have something very important to talk about and I'm going to enLIGHTen your today. I'm hoping you will soon see things in a whole new light. I have many bright ideas to share with you. HA! Ok, let's get serious now, before I get carried away... Lighting changes everything. You may not even realize how true this statement is. Let me give you an example... So, I get myself ready, makeup and hair, in front of my bathroom mirror. Satisfied, I'm lookin gooood, I grab my purse and other essentials, proceed to my car and get ready to conquer the day. One last look in the mirror, now in the glare and unforgiving natural daylight. YIKES!!! There it is, a 3 inch black chin hair! WTF!? Surely this must have happened over night - right?! There's no way I could have walked around with this aberration, unnoticed by my peeps, who should be alerting me to this situation. Enough said about the failures of so called friends, and back to the matter at hand. The unforgiving daylight, the unfiltered, harsh light that casts focus on... well, things that need "soft" lighting. Since that moment, I travel with tweezers in my car and regularly check the mirror for a new crop of nasty looking lip or chin hair. Be honest with me girls, this has happened to you too, right? And this is my point... lighting changes everything.... Are we agreed? So keep my little story in mind when you decide do some decorating. When you're sifting through paint chips at the local paint store, NEVER decide on a colour in the store. It will look 100% different in your home. That gorgeous colour your girlfriend has in her family room, may be perfect - for her space. It will again look like a whole different colour in your space. The amount and kind of daylight, north or south facing, the colour reflected from a large surface like your floor, all affect the space. Selecting the correct lighting is key. As well, just a single fabulous fixture can be a real WOW with maximum impact. There are many things I will tell you to go with less expensive options. Lighting is not one of them. Spend as much as your budget allows. You won't be sorry. ,

The beauty, serenity and affordability, attracts a wide range of buyers to the Kawartha Lakes region. With the Muskoka’s being unattainable for many buyers seeking a cottage getaway, this region offers an equally viable option. Kawartha Lakes is affordable and in closer proximity to Toronto - both key selling points. It’s the new Muskoka. In addition, there is a population that is seeking retirement properties. Both these populations are coming from urban areas. That said, they are comparing properties to Toronto standards. That’s what they know and expect. Herein lies an enormous opportunity. Toronto real estate is a highly competitive market that gives sellers big advantages simply because of demand. In stark contrast, the region of Kawartha Lakes, has not yet achieved this frenzy of demand. The average listing is 90 to 120 days (and most often more) to selling. Ask yourself why and more importantly, what can I do to make my property sell faster for top dollar? The Toronto buyer is accustomed to high real estate prices. With that comes high expectations. Kawartha Lakes has an opportunity to raise the bar and attract these buyers. I have observed that the large majority of listings show properties desperately in need of updating and overall present as not “move in ready”. Buyers respond to a “move in ready” property that will result in a quicker deal. That means, as a seller, you must offer a product that appeals and responds to these needs. You have mere seconds to make an impression. Your home has a deeply personal connection to you and therefore is decorated to reflect your unique style. When you make the decision to sell your home, it becomes a product and needs to present as such. That means, appealing to a vast market. Your home must become the equivalent of a “model” home. In new build developments, the model home, is designed to appeal to every potential buyer. That is your goal when preparing your home for resale. About Space Designs will redefine your property as a “model” home designed to appeal to the highest possible percentage of potential buyers.

The popularity of design shows, home décor magazines and all things DIY has skyrocketed in recent years. We watch one show after another marvelling at the transformations that take place in a mere 48 hours. We want to believe that we too can follow the DIY steps to create a WOW space just like the couple featured on last night’s episode. The truth is that’s television – not real life. Even retailers try to offer design advice, workshops and incentives to help us navigate through our home improvement and decorating projects. So we take a deep breath, sift through paint colors, maybe new backsplash tiles or how about a new counter? Window treatments? No, not that – don’t even know where to start with that. The pit falls of engaging in such projects soon become evident and the enthusiasm turns into feeling overwhelmed and lost. Things go wrong, money is spent on things that turn out to be not what we envisioned and everything comes to a grinding halt. Nothing left to do but sit down with a cheesecake and sob. The concept of hiring a designer is one that many people would never consider. After all, isn’t that a luxury afforded by those without budgets? Not to mention all those horror stories about designers bulldozing you into outrageously expensive things seen only on the covers of House & Home and alike. Their ideas of affordable and necessary are far from realistic for most of us. While some of that may be true some of the time, there is a flip side. Here are a few things to consider that may sway your opinion. For many people, jumping into a home improvement project comes with the risk of costly mistakes. When you have made the decision to take on a project, the excitement of the much anticipated end result causes you to skip some critical steps in the process. Many have a not so clearly defined vision and jump straight to the fun stuff. In the haste to get to the “wow” reveal, rash decisions result in costly mistakes and lunch bag let down. A designer has vast resources, extensive product knowledge and the creative vision to help you achieve your design goals without all the mistakes. A plan is the first, most critical part of the process. Then a budget wise approach will ensure that your decorating dollars are s t r e t c h e d and spent in the right places. Have you ever considered hiring a Designer but thought you couldn’t afford it? Consider this a time and cost saving strategy. #photo #designertips #moneysaving

We all look for a great deal when purchasing products. This is especially true when it comes to home improvements. The trouble is…. how do you know if it’s actually a real deal? You may think, WOW, I scored this for 75% off regular price! But in the end - it may cost you more. And, Yes, I personally have experienced the dreaded lunch bag let down. Most designers will tell you that when they started out, there were several epic fails in the pursuit of learning the BIZ. As a professional, you quickly learn, through trial and error that product knowledge is critical to success. As designers/decorators, we spend time and money, taking workshops through different sources, to educate ourselves on the ins and outs of product performance. Many people are quite savvy when it comes to doing homework on big ticket expenditures. However, there is nothing that can take the place of extensive professional education and the trial and error experiences that come with breaking into the Biz. Take for example my first bathroom reno (prior to going into this thing on a professional basis). We were selling our house, needed to update the main upstairs bathroom, which really needed a Space Lift! Since we were selling, we were trying to get big impact for the least amount of dollars. Searching high and low for a good price on a double sink vanity, I came upon a “great deal” at HomeSense, (my go to place for great deals). True, that I had never purchased an item such as this, but none the less, it was too good to pass up. A double sink, cream travertine top, espresso cabinet - Gorgeous! $500 - ok WHAAAAT?! Of course I grabbed it. Turns out, when it came time for the install - there were numerous issues, all of which resulted in a major labour cost. Hmmmmm, no deal after all. I cried and made notes. That hardwood flooring that you found at a ridiculously cheap price…. ya, it’s going to be a nightmare. Ya know why? Well, I can tell you but it’s kinda a long story. Trust me when I tell you that it may seem like the best deal ever - it’s not! Beware of the small print on the box that indicates - Made in China. You will see this even in the big box stores. Trouble is, it has a nice, big red Canadian flag on the carton. Hmmmmm. Why does it matter? Well, if you don’t mind really poor quality and a few toxic additives, then fine. At the end of the day, it may seem like the investment of a consultation, isn’t worth it because you can do this yourself, BUT, beware of the pitfalls. A professional will save you potentially thousands of dollars, simply because they have the knowledge and experience that you don’t. Even something as simple as painting, selecting a colour, can result in dollars spent without the result you had hoped for. Now what? Grab a cheesecake and cry? Start over? What if I get it wrong again? So you see where I’m going with this? Get a consultation - before you spend all that money on a potential disaster. Talk to a designer you trust and really connect with. You won't regret it. #save #sale #homeimprovements #decorating #designer #reno