28 • Healthy homes Healthy home upgrades


Faye Bartle speaks to two interior designers about post-pandemic trends, from socially distanced sitting rooms to functional entryways


Healthcare Innovations • Sunday 26 July 2020


an increasing number of clients are seeking to add home gyms, large open- plan kitchens, exterior dining spaces, pools, tennis courts, spas and home cinemas or games rooms. Tese are now the base expectation for many of what a good home life entails.” Extravagant though they may seem,


these upgrades may prove to be a wise investment, according to Katharine “Regardless of what happens in the next few years with Covid-19, a lot of the aesthetic changes we’re seeing a rise in demand for now will be embraced long term.”


For mind and body Designing homes for both mental and physical health will be key when planning a home layout, predicts Melissa Bodie, founder and director of Melissa + Miller Interiors. “We’re seeing a rise in demand for


MELISSA + MILLER INTERIORS N


ever before have we spent so much time at home. As a result, many of us are looking


for ways to transform our abode into a healthier, happier space that has a positive impact on our wellbeing in the long term. I spoke to two interior designers who are already seeing a shift in what people want their homes to provide for the future.


Your own world “During the lockdown, many people have realised that they want to live a different way; they want a home that’s environmentally friendly, uplifting,


spacious and closely linked with the exterior landscape and surroundings beyond,” says Katharine Pooley, global interior designer and founder of namesake company, Katharine Pooley. After the UK was forced to spend so


much time indoors, there seems to be a new desire to bring the outside in. “I’m seeing a growing trend for a natural, organic feel that brings the outside in, both in terms of finishes and literally opening up properties to the natural world beyond,” says Katharine. “Tink large skylights, glass


extensions, roof terraces and interior planting in city homes, as well as more


use of stone, polished plaster, lime- washed timber and sleek detailing in warm, architectural finishes like bronze and nickel. Clients are keen to have tranquil colours around them, like soft blues and greens teamed with ivory, light grey and fawn.” Larger renovations that can


help make up for what we’ve been missing are also under consideration. “Clients don’t trust that they’ll be able to easily and safely experience certain activities outside of the home going forward — certainly not in the effortless way they did previously,” adds Katharine. “As such,


personalised ‘Zen zones’ and clutter- free spaces to recharge in,” she notes. “Te aim is to appeal to all the senses with a soothing lighting scheme, calming colour palette, soft textures and relaxing scents; we can even curate playlists to unwind to.”


Rethinking room layouts to


maximise living space also allows us to safely open our homes back up to guests. “While we’ve always incorporated flexible seating arrangements into our interior projects, it’s now more essential to offer socially distant seating options,” Melissa tells me. “With the return of entertaining, the oversized, L-shaped sofa may not cut it anymore. Instead, we’d suggest a mix and match of lighter pieces of furniture, such as smaller sofas, armchairs, ottomans and poufs that can be easily moved around the room like puzzle pieces.” An awareness of physical health is


going to remain, and so a dedicated space to remove shoes, clothes, and wash hands in is an addition many people are turning to. “We’ve already received requests for mudrooms or hand-washing and changing stations at the point of entry to the home,” says Melissa. “And antibacterial, non-porous surfaces, such as stainless steel, will be a preferred material for kitchen counters and there’s a growing shift towards easier-to-clean wooden floors as opposed to carpets.”


INTERIOR DESIGN BY KATHARINE POOLEY


British companies instruct Atruchecks to check for Covid-19 antibody in employees


British health company, Atruchecks, has vowed to make sure that anti- body testing is accessible to corpo- rate organisations as it may not only form part of the government’s exit strategy by ascertaining who may now have antibodies in their system from Covid-19, but could also be inte- gral in easing anxiety over returning to work.


Atruchecks has access to more than


600 immunity linked blood tests, and all the Covid-19 tests. Antibody


testing for corporate


organisations may be a useful tool in removing anxiety and the trauma caused by Covid-19 to date. It’s true that little is known about the virus still, but we must innovate if we’re to succeed against this disease.


Since launching its corporate


package, Atruchecks has already been contacted by a number of major UK firms ranging from the construction industry to media, right through to blue-chip companies, that are looking to roll out antibody testing for their employees. Atruchecks is determined to


provide industry-specific, affordable, bespoke packages to corporate organ- isations that are eager to restart and are an essential fabric in rebuilding the economy by working in tandem with UKAS laboratories to offer a range of tests, including those devel- oped by US firm Abbott Laboratories and German conglomerate Siemens. High level conversations are now in place to ensure that they can make


Atruchecks has already been contacted by a number of major UK firms ranging from the construction industry to media, right through to blue- chip companies, that are looking to roll out antibody testing for their employees


the tests developed by Swiss firm Roche available soon. Atruchecks is powered by compas-


sion and feels that a strong economy is in everyone’s interest, and a healthy workforce means a healthy recovery. To help support efforts, the company


has a dedicated blood collection loca- tion just off Harley Street, strategi- cally located in the heart of London, to ensure that the teams can support wider testing for corporate clients.


To order a Covid-19 test or immunity test, visit atruchecks.com


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