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The benefits of using natural materials at home

How to create a sanctuary at home

Make your home more eco-friendly

What makes a home feel good?

On the blog

The benefits of using natural materials at home
How to create a sanctuary at home
How to make your home more eco-friendly in 2020
Interior design for wellbeing
Why interior design can help you beat the winter blues

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becky.hirt

Interior designer, stylist and writer
🌿Creating healthy, stylish, sustainable homes
🌿Follow me for interiors tips & inspiration
🌿SW London | Surrey

Sometimes good interior design is about the basics

Sometimes good interior design is about the basics. Not expensive finishes, fancy products or elaborate details, but the fundamentals that tend to make us all feel good.
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Natural light is one of these basics because it helps to lift our mood, regulate our sleep, and enable our bodies to make vitamin D.
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If you're lucky enough to be planning a major home renovation then maximising natural light might involve adding more glazing, but even without such grand plans, it's possible to increase the light available in your home.
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Firstly, make sure that any blinds and curtains are hung so that they aren't covering the window when they're drawn back.
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Secondly, in dark corners and rooms, add a mirror to bounce light around - placing one directly opposite an existing window gives you two for the price of one, because of the reflection.
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Thirdly, keep the paint colour white or light.
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And finally, introduce other shiny and reflective surfaces through tiling, furniture and flooring.
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Treat natural light as the most essential commodity in your home, because as we approach winter it really is the ultimate prize.
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#biophilicdesign #wellbeinginteriors #decortips #happyhealthyhome #wellbeingathome #interiordesignideas #moodboosters #wellbeing #interiordesigner

Last week I talked about the importance of 'refuge

Last week I talked about the importance of 'refuge' spaces within our homes. They help to calm our nervous systems, and enable us to recharge and rebalance. In order for a space to have this effect on us, we need our backs and our heads to be protected. Ideally we also need a good outlook - basically our inner cave person is looking for a place of safety with a lovely view 😄.
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So, as promised, here are some practical ways to create a feeling of 'refuge' at home.
1 Look for opportunities to create cosy nooks - window seats, verandas, built-in beds and kitchen seating corners with walls on two or three sides.
2 Distinguish these nooks using different flooring, wall coverings, paint and lighting, to enhance the sense of separation from the rest of the room.
3 Enhance or maintain any views and vistas from these refuge areas, to create a contrast between them and the surrounding space.
4 Incorporate high-backed seating and banquettes in more open areas.
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#biophilia #biophilicdesign #wellbeing #wellbeinginteriors #nestandthrive #makehomematter #interiorsforwellbeing #lovethespaceyoulivein #consciousliving #interiordesignideas #makingspaces #decortips #happyhealthyhome #windowseat #livingroom

Today is World Mental Health Day. You won't be sur

Today is World Mental Health Day. You won't be surprised to hear me say that I believe our homes play a critical role in our mental health, and more so this year than ever before. Without safe, secure, nurturing homes, it's hard for any of us to feel well, and to thrive in challenging circumstances.
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I've experienced periods of poor mental and emotional health, and one of the factors that has enabled me to recover has been finding peace, refuge and hope in my living space.
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If you're seriously worried about your own mental health right now, please take the first step and tell somebody about it.
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If you're in the UK and you'd like to help reduce the homelessness that threatens so many people's mental health here you can make a donation to @crisis_uk: they've already started their Christmas campaign.
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And if you are okay but would like to feel better, know that investing a little time and energy in your home is an essential part of self-care. Forget the picture-perfect Instagram feeds and Pinterest posts - it's not about that. It's about creating a space that you feel completely at home in, and which enables you to manage all the emotions that come with being human.
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#worldmentalhealthday #healthyhappyhome #wellbeinginteriors #wellbeingathome #makehomematter #interiorsforwellbeing

As we get deep into autumn there is a lot of focus

As we get deep into autumn there is a lot of focus in the interiors world on getting cosy, and making snug, enveloping spaces inside. We crave them all year round but they come into their own as temperatures plummet and light dwindles.
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There's a deeper reason why we like enclosed, protective environments. According to the principles of biophilic design - which are increasingly supported by research - humans need places of refuge inside larger built environments. These spaces make us feel more relaxed and calm, and increase our sense of wellbeing: it's why we gravitate towards beach huts, high-backed restaurant booths and alcove window seats.
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In short, we like to survey the space around us while feeling secure and held. In my next post I'll be talking about how you can create a refuge in your own living space. For now I'd love to know whether you have a cosy snug in your current home.
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Photo and design by @inthemill
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#biophilia #biophilicdesign #wellbeing #wellbeinginteriors #nestandthrive #makehomematter #interiorsforwellbeing #lovethespaceyoulivein #consciousliving #interiordesignideas #makingspaces #decortips #happyhealthyhome

I noticed the other day that my feed has been unch

I noticed the other day that my feed has been uncharacteristically muted in colour over the last few weeks. So what better time to showcase this glorious rug which I picked up a few years ago from Kingston Antiques Centre, and to reflect on this quote from Georgia O'Keeffe.
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I believe she's right that colour and shape speak a language that doesn't correspond with words - they move our heart and our guts in ways that nothing else can. Which is why I'll never underestimate the power of interior design to shift our energy and stir our emotions. Do you have a favourite item in your home whose colour and shape has an indescribably powerful effect on you
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#georgiaokeeffe #wellbeingathome #ihavethisthingwithcolour #wellbeinginteriors #rug #kilim #nestandthrive #lovethespaceyoulivein #makehomematter #colourmyhome #mycolourfulinterior

*How and where to use natural materials in your ho

*How and where to use natural materials in your home* I'm not at all surprised to hear that organic materials and fibres are going to be a big interiors focus in 2021. The likes of wood, stone and cork can be better for our health than their synthetic equivalents; they create a general sense of wellbeing, and are often better for the environment. They have a timeless and classic quality that outlasts any passing trend, and they age gracefully, looking all the better for showing the passage of time.
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I've put together a blog post which summarises the many different options out there, how you can use them in your home, and the benefits they bring. The link's in my bio.
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What's your favourite natural material?
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#naturalmaterials #interiorsforwellbeing #feelgoodhomes #healthyhomes #naturaldecor #naturalhomestyle #wellbeing #fireplace #wellbeingathome #ecofriendlyhome #nestandthrive #biophilicdesign #biophilia

When the world around you feels full of risk and u

When the world around you feels full of risk and uncertainty, it's more important than ever to make sure that your home supports your wellbeing. Here are three things you can do this weekend that will help you to feel more happy and relaxed at home.
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1 Bring some greenery in - display some cuttings from the garden or buy a house plant. Having greenery inside has been shown to boost our mood and concentration, and lower our blood pressure, by connecting us with the natural world.
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2 Open your curtains and your windows. It's really important to get as much natural light as possible to regulate your body's rhythms and strengthen your immune system. Ventilation also matters because it helps to keep the keep the air inside your home clean, and slows down the transmission of bugs and germs.
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3 Get cosy in the evening. Once the sun has gone for the day, feeling good becomes about making the most of the darkness by dimming bright lights, lighting candles and fires, and cosying up with thick blankets and squishy cushions.
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I'd love to hear your ideas too: what are you doing to make your home feel good at the moment?
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#lovethespaceyoulivein #makehomematter #nestandthrive #biophilicdesign #biophilia #consciousliving #wellbeing #wellbeingathome #healthyhomes #interiorstylist

*How to make a room feel bigger* As the nights sta

How are your spirits doing today? I must admit tha

How are your spirits doing today? I must admit that, faced with the prospect of another national lockdown, I'm feeling a little glum. Many of us have spent far more time at home than we normally would over the last six months.
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And however much we love our homes these four walls can start to feel a little stale and humdrum after a while. But by doing some work on your living space you can make it more functional, more inspiring, and more supportive of your wellbeing.
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If you need a little help falling back in love with your home, I can help. Through face to face or online consultations I can work with you to design a space that really lifts your spirits. DM me for more details.
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#nestandthrive #kingstoninteriordesigner #interiordesignersurrey #mindfulliving #makehomematter #houseandhome #designyourspace #healthyhome #wellbeing #kingstonuponthames

Given how glorious the weather is at the moment in

Given how glorious the weather is at the moment in my corner of England my focus is far more on the outside than the inside. Gardens are still looking lush and green but there's a subtle change in the air that signals autumn's approach.
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If you're thinking about a new colour scheme there is lots of outside inspiration at this time of year, and focusing on what you see in the natural world will lead you to some spectacular colour combinations.🌿
I particularly love to see what happens when the natural world rubs up against our human made structures. Look at how the soothing greys of this weathered bench and paving provide a lovely backdrop to the hot reds and oranges of the rambling campsis plant; and the crisp white lines of the walls contrast so well with the flowing foliage scrambling up them.
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Swipe to see the colours extracted: this would make a beautiful scheme for a sunny, bright room.
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#ihavethisthingwithcolour #colourscheme #colourinside #colourmyhome
#colourplay #colourtherapy #englishgarden #biophilicdesign #consciousliving
#campsis

It's been a long time since I last posted here. Lo

It's been a long time since I last posted here. Lockdown brought some particularly difficult challenges to my door. After I experienced some persistent and strange post-viral symptoms my doctor ordered an MRI which revealed that I had a benign brain tumour: 3 x 2 cm and pressing up against my vestibular and trigeminal nerves. Needless to say this was pretty shocking news made all the more difficult to process against the backdrop of coronavirus restrictions. Thankfully we found a brilliant brain surgeon who removed this most unwelcome guest and all I really have to show for it now is a neat 3-inch scar behind my left ear, and a profound sense of gratitude that it was discovered before it did any more damage. 11 weeks after surgery and a recovery that has been far quicker than I could have expected when I was lying in intensive care, I am in awe of the brain's astounding ability to adapt and heal itself. With the right support and a nurturing environment we are all capable of enduring and surviving so much more than we believe. Anyway, I'm popping up now to say that I'm still here and beginning to get stuck into the interiors world again. Anyone else faced an especially difficult lockdown?
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#wellbeing #braintumour #meningioma #wellbeingwarrior

*How to make your home your own* In the quest to m

*How to make your home your own*
In the quest to make a home look good, it's easy to overlook what makes it feel good. Social media is a great place to find inspiration for interiors projects, but it's not generally a good idea to replicate what you find there. Why not? Because your home should be as unique as you are.
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If you're not quite sure how to personalise your space, you could begin by asking yourself these three questions. 1 Who are the most important people in your life? How does your living space include or make reference to them? 2 What are the most important places in your life story? Are they represented in your rooms through colour or texture or objects? 3 What activities do you value the most? How are they reflected in your home?
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#interiordetails #cornerofmyhome #pocketofmyhome #interiorstyling
#colourtherapy #ihavethisthingwithcolour #greathomestaketime #mindfulliving
#nestandthrive #makehomematter

This quote makes me giggle, because although no on

This quote makes me giggle, because although no one sets out to hide a light behind a door, it's easy to get lighting wrong and make some unintended blunders. Usually because it's been installed without enough thought or purpose.
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Lighting is a huge topic but here are some important things to bear in mind:
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Plan ahead - start considering where you need lighting as soon as you have a basic floorplan. It's really expensive and awkward to move wiring later on.
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Don't underbudget - lighting can be expensive but it's one of the most impactful areas of interior design.
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Layer your lighting - think about it in terms of three distinct functions: general lighting (which you might want when you are cleaning, looking for something etc); task lighting (which will light a small area in which you carry out an activity such as reading, prepping food); and accent lighting (which is about creating atmosphere and directing attention).
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Know your spec - it's really important to understand the colour temperature and lumens of any bulbs you buy. Colour temperature is about how warm or cool the light is (with a candle at the warm extreme and daylight at the cool one), while the lumens is about how bright it is.
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Be smart - switching over to smart lighting is easy to do, and gives you a lot more control over your light levels (meaning you can set timers, dim the lights, and even change the colour).
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There's lots more to say on this subject but I'll save it for another post. If you have any lighting questions please post them below, or DM me for more info about how I can help you with lighting design.
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#lightingdesign #lighting #decortips #interiordesigner #lightingdetails #renovation #interiordetails #houseandhome #designyourspace

Has anyone else been spending more time than usual

Has anyone else been spending more time than usual in their bath or shower over the last three weeks? Whether it's to escape from the kids (or partner 😂), to unwind tense muscles, or to soothe a troubled mind, the bathroom can really be a haven and an important part of our self-care
routine. Here's how to make sure your bathroom ticks every feel-good box:
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1 Stick to a tonal colour palette and avoid strong colour contrasts to keep the mood calm.
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2 Even when the colour palette is restrained you can create interest by including lots of different textures - mix and match natural materials like bamboo, organic cotton, wood and stone.
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3 Introduce some greenery because it will help to relax your nervous system - maidenhair ferns, zebra plants and devil's ivy all love high humidity.
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As for what colour to go for, I lean towards sea greens and blues in a bathroom, but I'd love to know what you like.
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#interiordetails #bathroomdetails #pocketofmyhome #cornerofmyhome
#howwedwell #selfcare #bathroominspo #rolltopbath #greenbathroom #nestandthrive #wellbeing #downpipe #bluegrey #interiorstyling #biophilicdesign #biophilia

Happy Easter to you, my friend! Not the one that m

Happy Easter to you, my friend! Not the one that many of us had planned, but I hope it brings you much joy (and copious amounts of chocolate if you're a fan 😊).
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In this season of renewal my wish for us all is that we can see our lives, our families and homes with fresh eyes, and a sense of their enormous potential.
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I'm celebrating the unfurling of my beautiful acer, which fills me with wonder every spring.
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#mindfulliving #consciousliving #wellbeing #feelgoodhomes #easterdecor #acerpalmatum

Have you been taking some time to slow down and no

Have you been taking some time to slow down and notice your home? If so, perhaps you're feeling ready to embark on a journey that aligns the space you have with what you need.
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But where to begin? I'd start with three words: three adjectives that describe how you'd like to feel in your home.
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You might start by thinking about the whole space, because while the rooms in your house each have a different purpose, they are all members of the same family. Or perhaps you have a specific room in mind that isn't quite working. Either way is okay. There's no right or wrong.
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Sometimes we start with one small area or detail, and doing so reveals the master plan. Or sometimes we start with the big picture, and the details take care of themselves.
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When I thought about this yesterday my own three words for my home were: Relaxed. Valued. Creative. I'd love to know yours.
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This photo was taken in Ahoy There, the very welcoming, peaceful and snuggly @cornishgems property I stayed in over February half term.
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#wellbeing #mindfulliving #greathomestaketime #livingroom #makehomematter #interiordesigner #interiorstylist #happyhealthyhome #interiordetails #consciousliving

If you haven't read this poem by John O'Donohue I

If you haven't read this poem by John O'Donohue I can heartily recommend it. The words are a form of blessing for a new home, but they are so full of inspiration in these uncertain times that you might find them comforting.
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As we are compelled to retreat and turn inwards at the very time of year that we would normally be venturing out it can feel really limiting. It seems as though all of our plans have to cease. But what if this enforced time at home could be an opportunity. To return to projects and ideas that normally don't get space to breathe and to be explored. To let our very confinement become a process of exploring and embracing new possibilities.
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I say this not to underestimate the challenges that you might be facing in terms of keeping your life and your livelihood going. But so that if in the midst of trouble you are looking for a silver lining, this might be it. May your home be a place of discovery, and comfort, and courage this weekend.
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#wellbeing #makehomematter #feelgoodhomes #mindfulliving #nestandthrive #happyhealthyhome #wellness #johnodonohue

*How to find comfort at home* How are you? And how

*How to find comfort at home* How are you? And how are you feeling about having to spend more time at home? We're all being forced to get more of our needs met by our living space right now, rather than seeking fulfilment in the outside world.
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As our homes become workplaces, we need them to keep us feeling positive and productive, but we also want them to provide us with comfort and support as we face uncertainty. I've put together some ideas on how you can create a sanctuary at home for @timeandleisure. Hop on over via the link in my bio.
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I took this photo at the always inspirational @petershamnurseries, just a few weeks back, but it feels like a lifetime ago somehow.
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#wellbeing #makehomematter #stayhome #consciousliving #feelgoodhomes #wellbeingathome #nestandthrive #happyhealthyhome

Social media is awash with suggestions right now t

Social media is awash with suggestions right now to get busy reorganising your house. Sort, fix, mend, improve. Do it fast. Don't waste valuable time inside. Make it productive.
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There's not necessarily anything wrong with this approach and if it's working for you then carry on - we all need to find our own path through these strange times.
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But if all this activity is only making you feel more anxious I'd like to suggest an alternative. One that's based not on speed, but on slowing down. Not on seeing your living space as a short-term activity to displace a storm of worry, but as a life-long project that begins with the simplest and most difficult of tasks: to tune in to what you have, what you need and what you value.
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Good homes take time. And what better time than now to pause, breathe and take stock. Here are some suggestions on how to start:
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Watch how the light enters every room in the house - where and how it dances on each wall during the day. How does the light change the colour on the walls?
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Observe which parts of your home you are drawn to most now that you're spending more time in it. Which room do you go to when you need to feel uplifted, or focused, or calm, or productive?
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Reflect on which activities your living space supports and which it hinders. Where do you go to when you want company, or to be quiet and alone?
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Listen to the sounds and scents that ebb and flow through your home at different times of day.
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Notice how much you have already and which of your possessions give you pleasure or serve a purpose. Which objects do your eyes linger on? Which surfaces or textures do you like to touch?
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Allowing time for these answers to unfold will ensure that any changes you make will be lasting and satisfying: and that they will enhance your life as well as your home.
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#greathomestaketime #mycolourfulinterior #colourmyhome #mindfulliving #consciousliving #masterbedroom #wellbeing #howwedwell #makehomematter #wellbeing #bedroomdetails #interiordetails #pocketofmyhome #cornerofmyhome

*Why going blue is good for you* Despite its assoc

*Why going blue is good for you* Despite its associations with feeling depressed or down, blue is a colour worth getting to know, especially in these uncertain times.
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Thanks to its strong relationship to the sea and sky, it has the ability to calm and reassure us, and make us feel connected to the natural world. Dark blue in particular can feel very grounding and can aid clarity and concentration, and who doesn't need help with that at the moment!
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To create a dramatic and formal effect stick to one strong blue, using it in large blocks or in patterns. If you go dark and strong on the walls you can anchor the colour elsewhere in the room using accessories.
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For a less formal look go for softer tones and layer up different blues to recapture the subtle effect of azure seas or a stormy sky.
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As for accents, blue works well with so many different colours. Try tangerine orange or lime green against a dark shade for eye-popping intensity, or a terracotta or sage green with lighter, more gentle blues.
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This photo is of my study: a place I rely on to make me feel grounded, focused, and ready to take on the world (or a virus 😁)!
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And what about you? How do you do blue?
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#bluestudy #stiffkeyblue #myFaBhome #wellbeing #colourtherapy #feelgoodhomes #wellbeingathome #interiordetails #bohostyle #surreyinteriordesigner #interiorstylist #happyhealthyhome #nestandthrive #interiordetails

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