One thing I love about interior design, in addition to its ability to foster improved health outcomes, is that it’s an opportunity for us adults to PLAY! Yes play. Something that often falls by the way-side as we get older and life demands take priority. But according to researcher Stuart Brown, author of Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul, play is more important that we realize. His research shows play is not just joyful and energizing — it's deeply involved with human development and intelligence (https://www.plays-in-business.com/stuart-brown-why-playing-is-vital/).
The benefits of play appear to be lacking in modern society and something I think we could all benefit from doing more and so I am proposing a mini project for you all!
Pick a space in your home that currently leaves you feeling flat, uninspired, or just plain grumpy! Ask yourself what is it about that space that makes you feel this way? Is it dull, dark and dingy due to a lack of sunlight? Is there too little storage resulting in too much clutter? Is the furniture drab or uncomfortable? Try and figure out what it is about that space that deflates you.
Now think about one change that would help change the thing that is bothering you. This is your opportunity to play. Think about things that bring you joy. It might be having a sense of being more organized and installing some hanging storage. Perhaps it’s a new print using your favourite colours that helps inspire calm and relaxation. Or maybe you want to incorporate more natural textural materials like ceramics or clay with a few key decorative pieces. Or introducing some relaxing aromas with a natural diffuser (we have some beautiful organic mini pod diffusers available at our online store). Whatever you identify as needing a change be sure to have fun with it and add something that brings you joy, beauty or a sense of calm.
Image courtesy of Nataliya Vaitkevich