THE JOURNAL
M
uch of what makes us happy when it comes to design is subjective, but there’s plenty of scientific research to lean on, too. Studies show that lots of natural light boosts serotonin levels, regulating
sleep; unwanted clutter makes us feel stressed; and natural materials activate our parasympathetic nervous system, which aids relaxation. Thanks to experts in fields such as lighting, sleep and biophilic design, interior designers can see the big picture and create spaces that don’t
actively promote health. Health-promoting environments that use these design
guidelines should be accompanied by materials that are healthy in themselves. Take paint, where concerns about the ‘off-gassing’ of chemicals over time has led to the development (or the return, more accurately) of microplastic-free, breathable, all-natural formulations, using earth pigments – such as Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, available at Tissus d'Hélène – or clay and lime wash. Of course, colour is always part of the story when it comes to boosting mood, and while colour taste is often subjective, a high-quality paint will have almost magical properties when it comes to how the eye perceives it. As Edward Bulmer writes in his book The Colourful Past (Rizzoli), when he was first researching historic paint for the restoration of Goodwood, the old walls “had a ‘living’ appearance that invited the eye to dance over it rather than being stopped dead by the uniformity of mainstream emulsions.” One person who believes that colour and pattern have
the power to make us happy is Wendy Morrison, whose first London showroom is opening at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour in spring 2023. “I do think colour has the power to uplift one’s mood,” she says. “Everyone is drawn to something different, but combined with pleasing patterns that instantly create richness in a scheme, you could quite easily become giddy with joy.” Morrison’s fabrics, wallcoverings, rugs and hangings include exuberant chinoiserie, strong geometrics and nature in all its glory – think peacock feathers, or animal- print mixed with florals – with the aim of creating a powerful emotional connection through design. Her recipe for a happy home? “Nice light, comfortable, with lots of beautiful vignettes that are pleasing to the eye.” Like the ‘living’ paint that Edward Bulmer writes about,
it’s often the less perceptible elements of a design scheme that dictate the mood. Lighting is the perfect example, with the science behind this fascinating subject now becoming of prime interest to anyone interested in the intersection of design and health. “The visual impact is evident, but the effect on biology and wellbeing is overlooked,” said Sanjit Bahra, founder and director of DesignPlusLight, speaking as part of the talks programme at the Design Centre’s Lighting by Design event. Bahra argues that modern life’s sensory overload means that there is “a desire to make environments easier to process – balance light and shadow to create calmer, healthier and more inspiring spaces.” He spoke about how the ubiquity of LED lights may be interrupting our natural circadian rhythms, with a new generation of products able to better simulate daylight. A lighting scheme should not only look good and be suitable for the task in hand, but be in tune to our body clocks, with warm colour temperatures at the beginning and end of the day to reflect the effect of the rising and setting sun, and cooler temperatures in the middle of the day.
just look fantastic but
- 47-
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
