What is Holistic Design Anyway?
The first time I watched “Tidying up with Marie Kondo” I was instantly struck by the metaphor she exposed; that one’s home reflects the state of one's internal emotional and mental life and vice versa. When she got down on her knees and bowed, connecting with the spirit of the house and asking permission to do her work, I instantly knew that I was aligned with her approach to improving the lives of her clients through reconnecting them to their home environment. Bringing the wellness of the individuals and the home into focus, Marie Kondo may have been the first person to bring the concept of Holistic Design to the forefront of mainstream consciousness.
Since that moment I began to view and approach design through a different lens. Whereas in the past I had been more focused on visual appeal as a justified means to an end, I began to demand more of my design decisions. What other qualities and benefits will the end user experience through my designs aside from visual appeal? Where will my design meet that person in the broader context of their internal and external lives? I began to lean more on my holistic wellness certifications and spiritual studies to guide me in the process of design. Instead of keeping this knowledge separate from my life as a designer, I began to integrate them into my design approach and design soon became a means by which to facilitate wellness and connectedness.
A home office reno provides an ergonomic and inspired work environment for a Mental Health practitioner.
So what IS Holistic Design anyway?
At the heart of it, holistic design is human centered design. It is a design approach that takes into account the full breadth of the client’s unique HUMANESS with the goal of creating an environment that is supportive of their individual and family's wellbeing. A holistic approach to interior design considers the body, mind and spirit of the client, and how to best support the individuals living in the space. In this approach a designer will identify what, within the home, is supporting, or not supporting, the client’s energetic, physical, psychological and emotional experiences and make recommendations accordingly.
The Holistic Design process leverages traditional elements of a design centric approach such as color theory, lighting, finishings and furniture planning in a highly intentional way. The focus being on how someone will FEEL in the space not just on how it will look. Holistic Design integrates additional disciplines into the design process such as color psychology, Feng Shui, Biophilic Design, ergonomics, biology, psychology and other subtle energy systems and elements in order to create supportive environments for health and wellbeing.
Ultimately, Holistic interior design is a design approach that takes into consideration not only the aesthetic appearance of a space, but also its impact on the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of those who occupy it. This approach recognizes that the spaces we inhabit have a profound impact on our health, wellbeing and quality of life and seeks to create environments that promote wellness and balance. Most importantly, this design approach is a LIFESTYLE and one that is accessible to all! Holistic Design principles can be incorporated into our daily lives and routines with execution that is accessible to any budget.
Stay tuned for next month’s post where I will share ways to incorporate Holistic Design principles into your home.
Wishing you a month of curiosity and inspiration – until next time!
