Electromagnetic fields (EMF) produced by our computers, televisions, cell phones, wireless networks, microwave ovens and other electronics have a questionable influence on human health. It is said they might generate free radicals that can be toxic to your brain and promote loss of memory and dementia. Research shows higher rates of Alzheimer’s in people exposed to EMFs.

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To minimize your exposure to electromagnetic radiation (EMR):

• move your alarm clock at least 3 feet from your head while sleeping, or use a battery-powered one (6 feet is the recommended distance from all electronic devices during sleep)
• avoid water beds, electric blankets, and metal bed frames, which attract electromagnetic frequencies
• while choosing a mattress, opt for foam over metal-coiled with box-spring
• keep a low-EMR bedroom: minimize TV and computer use in this room, sit and sleep as far back from them as possible; replace cordless and WiFi items with wired, corded lines
• when using an electric cooktop, work on back burners instead of the front if possible

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Interested in more? The text above is a chapter from “10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home” special report by Bozena Studio. You can download it by clicking on the link below:
10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home. How to Find a Perfect Balance of Comfort, Luxury and Wellness for the Space You Live In.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, when not enough outdoor air enters your home, the level of air pollutants increases, causing discomfort and health problems. This is especially true for new homes, which are well insulated. During winter and summer months the condition worsens due to forced air heating/cooling, which promotes excessive indoor air movement.

The indoor air quality is a big concern not only in enclosed commercial and office areas, but also in our safe-haven homes, where we rest and relax.

Chemical pollutants (like volatile organic compounds “VOCs” and formaldehyde) are released from furniture, new materials used to renovate a house, paints, adhesives, and various household products. Biological air pollutants like mold and dust mites are present in damp and ill-ventilated environments. All of them may cause a spectrum of illnesses, from upper-respiratory problems, headaches and allergies, up to organ damage and cancer.

What can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones from the harms of polluted indoor air?

1. eliminate dust-gathering, hard-to-clean items (dried flowers, heavy draperies, etc.)
2. choose easily cleanable window treatments and bedding, wash/clean them often
3. use low-or zero-VOC paint & drywall when renovating
   ask for it at the store; there is always a healthy alternative for the product you intend to buy
4. watch out for toxic adhesives in building products, cabinets, upholstery and carpet; always check the labels
5. get rid of the carpet; consider hard floor surfaces like solid wood, reclaimed wood , bamboo, concrete or ceramic tile flooring for low toxicity and greater cleanability
6. if possible, convert your heating system to radiant floor heating – it will minimize dust particle movement throughout your home and make it “stick” to the floor (easier to clean); it will also give your space a more consistent temperature
7. install an air filtering and humidification system in your home; it will greatly improve the indoor air quality and give you more control over the inside environment.

Do you know that harmful VOCs can be present in practically every man-made home product you’re buying? The “new” smell is what’s revealing their presence. Higher temperatures (when exposed to the sun, warming up while working) promote the release of VOCs. Remove those items, especially from bedrooms, or minimize their use.

Interested in more? The text above is a chapter from “10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home” special report by Bozena Studio. You can download it by clicking on the link below:
10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home. How to Find a Perfect Balance of Comfort, Luxury and Wellness for the Space You Live In.

Scent is a very important factor in how we perceive our surroundings. High-end shopping centers, hotels and restaurants all use different aromas to influence our behaviors, to make us feel comfortable and wanting to stay longer or to associate them with a specific fragrance.

Why not use this technique at home, to the benefit of its residents and guests? Here are some criteria for choosing your home’s perfume:

• introduce an elegant, luxurious fragrance (sandalwood, patchouli) into the formal areas of your house
• the casual, family-only spaces could get a perk-up, energetic, perhaps fruity fragrance
• take special care when selecting a fragrance for your bedroom and bath; be prepared to experiment with scents to find the one that suits you the most;
  I found the calming effects of lavender and chamomile to work the best
• don’t forget about the kitchen and informal dining areas: vanilla and fruit scents improve your digestion and harmonize with any kitchen smells.

The points to consider:

1. Air freshener sprays are a waste of your health and money: they last for a short time, and you don’t want to inhale this harmful chemicals with the air you breathe.
2. Do not use the plug-in version of room fragrances; they waste electrical energy, produce harmful electromagnetic radiation (EMR) and increase the risk of fire.
3. Use candles wisely; they’re great for creating mood, but constant use might worsen the quality of the air inside your home (smoke and oxygen depletion), also pose a fire risk.
   NEVER LEAVE A BURNING CANDLE UNATTENDED!
4. My favorite method for adding fragrance to a space is through reed infusers (some of them come in very attractive bottles or bottle covers). Be selective, pick only the highest quality ones – they provide more coverage and last longer.

Beware of powder carpet fresheners. Some cleaning companies and housekeepers love to use them for a quick odor-masking effect. They add a lot of harmful particles to your indoor air, which might introduce asthma and allergies. Stay away.

Interested in more? The text above is a chapter from “10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home” special report by Bozena Studio. You can download it by clicking on the link below:
10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home. How to Find a Perfect Balance of Comfort, Luxury and Wellness for the Space You Live In.

You will not perform well and won’t stay healthy without an adequate amount of daylight. We feel better when provided with natural light for work and play. We cannot change the orientation of our house to provide it with the most beneficial sun exposure, but we can take some measures to control the amount of light we’re getting while inside, without risking UV damage to our home’s interior.

Tasks for improving natural light conditions:

• for particularly dark rooms, use light-colored or shiny interior surfaces (walls, ceilings, flooring, furniture) to reflect daylight, making these rooms brighter (you can use mirrors, too)
• choose the right window treatments for each window in your home
  you should have an option of opening the window treatment completely in order to let more light inside during gloomy days, and to close it to provide protection from the bright afternoon sun or while sleeping
• automated light filtering roller shades  are a great choice for easy UV protection
• safeguard your valuable interior furnishings and floor/wall surfaces by installing low-E windows
• shield silk draperies from the harms of the sun – always have them lined with UV-resistant fabric or choose a synthetic fabric that won’t deteriorate too quickly in the sun.

Every space should have a proper lighting scheme for all the functions it fulfills. Think of what are the tasks you perform in each room, and provide proper light levels for each of these activities.

Tasks for improving interior lighting:

• walk from room to room, writing down all tasks performed in that space by each family member – use a separate sheet of paper for every room
• assign an existing light source for each task (e.g. chandelier over the dining table for having a meal, floor lamp by the sofa for entertaining, lamp on the office desk for reading)
• make certain that you have adequate amount of light for each and every function performed; if not, bring in more, or figure out a way of using one light source for multiple tasks
• provide a general illumination for every room (usually any type of ceiling-mount or recessed light) so you’ll be able for example to  find something tiny that you just dropped on the floor
• to reach a certain mood for the room with one push of a button (so-called room lighting scheme), seek the help of professional lighting designer or licensed electrician.

The text above is a chapter from “10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home” special report by Bozena Studio. You can download it by clicking on the link below:
10 Steps to a Healthier, Happier Home. How to Find a Perfect Balance of Comfort, Luxury and Wellness for the Space You Live In.

What a foolish question! Of course my house is healthy. My family lives in it, we are all in perfect health, so my home must be healthy. Or is it?
How do we know for sure that the place we spend our time in, we sleep in, have fun in, is completely safe for our health, physical as well as psychological? Can you be sure that the puzzling allergies and illnesses, which our family members and friends are getting, are not caused by something they have been exposed at their safe haven, home?

As an interior designer, I have been trained to design breathtaking and comfortable spaces to work and live in. But the experience gained during the many years of practicing interior design thought me about the importance of the health aspect of our surroundings. In addition to the aesthetic aspect, our rooms must be safe to spend the time in. And safety means not only non-slippery floors and rounded corners. Safety is also indoor air free of toxins and allergens. It is a promise that after spending a night in our bedroom we will wake up rested and refreshed. It is a guarantee of a wonderful time at our house with family and friends today and even more promising tomorrow.

There are many sciences dealing with the aspect of safeguarding of the health and well-being of the occupants of any created space. All of them are very important to the health of our interiors, and a good architect or interior designer should consult them and incorporate in their projects.We as consumers need to require the use of sustainable materials to minimize the harmful impact made on the Earth. This by itself will not only improve the healthy aspect of the products that surround us, but also give us a peace of mind.