Restoration as a Entry to the Cycle of Wellbeing and Restoration Through Healthy Interior Environments

Our interiors 

This journey of understanding our physical response to our environments, particularly our interiors, is a deeply personal one. As an interior designer with over 20 years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of visiting people in their homes, workplaces, and communities, aiming to bring expression, meaning, and well-being to these spaces. My research goes beyond aesthetics, focusing on the unseen elements that share these spaces with us- the materials we use, how we clean them, and their eventual life cycle as they break down. The items that surround us, cladding our interiors, floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture- carry a hidden life cycle of degeneration and off-gassing that impacts our health.

The countless cleaning and personal care products we use daily- promising everything from eradicating bacteria to whitening teeth have introduced chemicals and artificial fragrances into our interiors. The way we clean our bodies, clothing, and living spaces exposes us to forever chemicals, which accumulate in our bodies through ingestion, inhalation, and absorption. This problem is worsened by efforts to increase efficiency and conserve energy, trapping us in tightly sealed environments where these harmful chemicals persist. In our daily lives at home, work, and play, we are constantly exposed to these materials. When sunlight hits them, the coatings, sealants, and protective layers that once offered durability begin to break down, releasing tiny particles into the air. These airborne particles eventually settle, making their way into our bodies in various ways.

We’re approaching the “top of our cup” in response to these particles. Allergies, asthma, sensitivities, and reactions are becoming more common, particularly among our youth, seniors, and even our pets. Clouds of dust at the floor level or in corners harbour within them a cocktail of particles we’ve brought into our indoor spaces. Fragrances and cleaning products linger on our skin, while chemical coatings make their way into our food, water, and even baby bottles.

What can we do? 

At this point, it’s crucial to choose a path toward health and well-being by educating ourselves on simple, accessible ways to make healthier choices. It starts within our spaces of restoration and replenishment. Protecting these spaces not only benefits us but also serves as a step toward advocacy and lasting change for our health and well-being

A common shared space of recovery is our bed our sheets, pillows, and mattress. We spend, hopefully, 8 hours in our beds every day, yet we rarely consider the materials in our sheets, the foam in our pillows, or the composition of our mattress as we move and rest. How often do we think about how we clean these sheets and what we expose ourselves to in the process? Asking these questions is a simple yet powerful way to take small steps toward well-being. By exploring the impact of our sleep environment, we can make mindful adjustments that enhance our health. The feeling of freshly washed, outside line-dried sheets evokes an immediate sense of calm and relaxation—a reminder of how small changes can make a big difference. This is a great starting point for improving your sleep environment and feeling better in your space of respite. Choosing sheets and pillowcases made from natural fabrics rather than synthetics further supports a sense of well-being and self-care, reinforcing a healthier and more restorative sleep cycle.

This thoughtful combination of conscious purchasing, mindful cleaning and maintenance, and the simple yet powerful technologies of sun and wind offers a strong foundation for bringing health and well-being back into our interiors. By being intentional about what we allow next to our skin and for how long- we can start making meaningful changes, beginning with what we can control. Give it a try! The beauty of a cycle is that you can observe how small changes impact your sense of well-being in your restorative space each day. By experimenting and discovering what works best for you, you gain a sense of agency and deepen your self-reflection on health and wellness.

How this can lead to bigger changes 

After resting in this cycle of well-being and enjoying a good night’s sleep, you’ll begin to see the path toward making bigger, more impactful changes. This ripple effect can start to awaken what I believe we already know about health and wellbeing.  If it feels good, keep doing it. But more importantly, pay attention to what doesn’t feel right, and consider how we can address those discomforts as we continue our journey toward healthier interiors.

Trusting Your Senses 

Your body, along with your senses of smell, touch, and sight, can help you detect potential toxins in your environment, making you more aware of the risks around you. That "new car smell" isn't as pleasant as it seems, especially when you look beyond the emotional excitement of a new car. The off-gassing of plastics, especially when heated by the sun, serves as a warning. What exactly are we breathing in with those fumes?

Research shows that toxicity levels are 3 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors. Learning to trust your nose to guide you toward healthier choices is a crucial first step. Start by opening your windows to flush out Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), both the ones we know about and those we don’t. This simple action, along with becoming more mindful of how we clean, eat, and sleep, can help create a healthier environment.

Steps to supporting Restoration 

A new set of sheets made from organic cotton, bamboo, or linen may seem like a luxury, but when you consider the duration and the exposure they offer for your restorative sleep, the choice for your well-being becomes clear. If you amortize the cost over the hours you spend in them, it’s a worthwhile investment for your health. This investment in your sleep environment, starting with restoration and protection, allows you to support your well-being and create a space where your body can repair in a healthy setting. It’s a daily gift you give yourself, nurturing your health with every restful night. The best part is that after experiencing this amazing restorative sleep, you're now empowered to continue your journey toward health and well-being. You can begin to examine and question, "What else can I change to improve the health and well-being of myself and my family?"

In my home and my Sustainable Living Lab - Ecoapt, every bed is designed to protect sleep through the use of organic linens, sound management, and light control. The lab focuses on health and well-being by making accessible domestic choices, such as using natural fiber sheets, washed with non-toxic laundry strips in an Energy Star-rated, energy-efficient washing machine. We encourage the changing of the sheets as guests want and need, while also educating them on how this can improve sleep satisfaction and quality. Promoting support for healthy and accessible choices helps guests recognize that small changes can make a big impact. The gift of self-care can inspire other meaningful transformations in our interior spaces of restoration, replenishment and respite.