Do you want to escape to the comfort of home after a stressful day or a traumatizing event? There’s a reason for that. Our personal space is intimately intertwined with how we feel. It’s a place to retreat when we need protection or to recharge. And in the tumultuous times in which we’re living, it’s more important than ever to create spaces that cultivate our mental health.
Self Care Happens in Our Houses
At The Red Shutters, our designs are founded on supporting the mental health of our clients. We focus on designing personalized spaces where they can seek comfort and re-energize, like cozy reading nooks, spa-like bathrooms, or kitchens for indulging passions for cooking. The layout, paint color, and furnishings of these spaces all work together to construct a sense of security and well-being.
“It’s about creating a sanctuary where you feel comfortable and can do things that are good for you,” says Marina Case, The Red Shutters principal designer. “Growing up in a home with a mother who had depression, I took refuge in my room. It was my happy place. Frequently reorganizing it would bring me joy. I learned early on how my personal space affected my mood – it could bring me down or lift me up. Transforming rooms into havens that brought me peace, joy, and comfort became my passion and has evolved into a career that lets me create spaces that evoke those same types of emotions for others.”
The Interior Design – Emotions Connection Runs Deep
The bond between interior design and our mental health is far from a new concept. The design mode of feng shui, which is based on the belief that everything is connected, dates back to 960 B.C. Feng shui balances and harmonizes the energies between the individual and their environment. By balancing the energy, you can evoke feelings of safety, calm, peace, and control. More recently, we’ve seen the popularity of Marie Kondo and her clutter clearing to boost moods. Why? Because clutter can increase stress levels, and impact our ability to rest, relax, or even be productive. The connection between what is around us and how we feel cannot be denied.
There have also been numerous studies on improving mood by creating bright, spacious rooms that incorporate natural elements like plants, flowers, and decor consisting of wood, stone and woven materials. Color also has a strong impact on how we feel. Pale tones exude a feeling of relaxation, while deeper hues can be energizing.
“I LOVE to use color to bring joy to my clients’ homes,” says Marina. “It has been my mission to infuse just the right hues in the right places to create spaces that combat stress and foster feelings of happiness and comfort. I was recently interviewed for an article on the use of color for Hudson Valley Magazine. If you’re wanting to use color to balance your mental health, I recommend you look out for the issue.”
Because we believe it’s so important to make your home your sanctuary, we’re kicking off a series of blogs on the topic. Over the next few months, we’re going to provide tips on how to achieve “feel good” interior design, have a home that makes you happy, and create a design based on your personality. So be sure to follow us on social media and/or sign up for our newsletters so you’re alerted as soon as they’re published.
Ready to Get Started Transforming Your Space?
There are so many ways in addition to pattern to breathe fresh life into a home. View my Portfolio to see more examples of my interior design projects and follow us on Instagram for more interior design inspiration.
