Healthy Interior Design » 10 steps to a healthy home

Get Healthier With Less Radiation

bozena — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:30:54 +0000

: photo from Crestock Creative Images

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

: photo from Yuri Arcurs Website

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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.

Conquer Your Clutter – 11 Ways to Keep Your Stuff In Check

bozena — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:30:20 +0000

: photo from Crestock Creative Images

Clutter is anything you don’t use, disorganized and unfinished things that crowd your house and take up your storage space. It can make you feel tired and lethargic, keep you in the past, congest your body and cause disharmony. It can be confusing, depressing, make you procrastinate and distract you from more important things.

According to Feng Shui, clutter obstructs the flow of life-bringing energy through your home.

The following clutter-conquering techniques are taken from the book “Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui” by Karen Kingston:

have a junk drawer - even one on every floor of your house – to handle your belongings, but keep it small, use it sparingly, and clean out regularly
give a regular clear-out to all of your kitchen cabinets and pantry; don’t forget your fridge and freezer
to keep your bathroom clutter-free, install additional storage units and keep them organized and clean
keep your bedrooms tidy and clutter-free; never keep a laundry basket in the bedroom (stale energy hangs around dirty laundry)
resist the temptation to stash stuff under your bed; any obstacle in your energy field affects the quality of your sleep; the same rule applies to the tops of wardrobes and dressers – if the clutter there is the first thing you see when you wake up in the morning, you will tend to get up slowly and reluctantly
don’t hang on to clothes that are too small, out of style, or were once-worn and will never be worn again; get rid of them – they have accumulated your bad vibrations

: photo from Yuri Arcurs Website

work out a system to tame your paperwork: sort and toss (recycle) as much as you can, use a bulletin board for current things, have just one agenda (no loose-leaf notes) and keep your financial paperwork up to date
lead by example: your own clutter-clearing activities might inspire other members of your family to do the same
clean out your clutter fast (all at once) or slow (in stages); do at least one major review of your household clutter every year
to stay clutter-free, stop clutter before it starts: think twice before you buy and adhere to the rule: “Something new in, Something old out”
hire a professional organizer to help you

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Take Care of Clean Air

bozena — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 23:44:04 +0000

: photo from Crestock Stock Photo

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?

eliminate dust-gathering, hard-to-clean items (dried flowers, heavy draperies, etc.)
choose easily cleanable window treatments and bedding, wash/clean them often
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
watch out for toxic adhesives in building products, cabinets, upholstery and carpet; always check the labels
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
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
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.

Follow Your Nose

bozena — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 04:30:33 +0000

: The scent of a flower from Yuri Arcurs Website

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:

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.
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.
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!
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.

Take Advantage of the Light

bozena — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:58:19 +0000

: photo from Crestock Creative Photos

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.