Well, times sure have changed since the day I started writing this interior design blog post. And things seem to be changing on a daily basis. It’s a little challenging to keep up with, but I sincerely hope that all of my readers are staying safe and healthy during these uncertain times.
Thank you for subscribing to my blog, and for following along. I hope it provides a little break from what’s going on in the outside world right now. The goal of my blog is always to bring a little more joy to you and your home and to provide you with some resources and ideas for a joyful interior design. This month’s topic happens to be air…of all things (I really did have this topic scheduled on my calendar…go figure)!
So here we are, nearing the end of March, and Spring is in the air (for some more than others)!
Air is perhaps the one thing we don’t think of when we are talking interior design. Most likely because it’s just…there. It’s not something you see. And it’s not something you notice…unless it’s really bad, right? So why, as an interior designer, would I write a blog post about air you ask? Because believe it or not, it’s one of nature’s elements that I do incorporate into my designs!
I recently launched Joyful Home, which celebrates all things wellness in home design. From an extensive collection of environmentally safe furnishings and accessories to nature inspired practices for aromatherapy, chromotherapy and biophilia, Joyful Home strives to infuse your home with more joy and more wellness.
Many of my clients have become more aware of the toxicity in the countless products we furnish our homes with. If you are chemically sensitive or just a health-conscious homeowner, you’ll want to read on.
Whenever I embark on a new project, I always recommend using paints, flooring and furnishings that are all natural and don’t have and reduce the opportunity for off-gassing. (Click here to learn more about off-gassing ) You would be surprised at the number of choices that you can take advantage of without giving up any quality or style. And the best part is, you won’t have to break the bank either!
Think it can’t be done? Each of the photos in this post were design projects where I was able to use a low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint and still achieve the look and feel that my client was dreaming of. In addition, there’s a fabulous company called, Mythic Paint, that we used to paint some of the furniture in these images. Their paints are non-toxic and no VOC. It really is becoming easier and easier to find safer paints to use in your interior designs.
As bonus to my designs, I love to add a diffuser to the room. The beauty of an essential oil diffuser is that they can clean and purify the air without chemical sprays or heavy-duty cleaning. For example, tea tree oil is great for disinfecting the air from bacteria and viruses, but it also boosts immunity to help prevent illness. Sounds pretty great given todays environment, right?!
Essential oil air diffusers have come a long way. Now, they come in a variety of sizes and many are so pretty you have to take a double-take to make sure it really is a diffuser! I always recommend using high quality organic essential oils and diffusers, such as the ones you can find at Organic Infusions. I also really love the super cute…and portable cube diffuser by Aroma Tech – you can take your wellness everywhere you go! Go ahead and check out these great brands, you won’t be disappointed!
Of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention that now, more than ever, is the perfect time to unplug. Recent events have forced us (in a good way) to get back outside and enjoy all that nature has to offer. I think it’s Mother Nature’s way of saying, “Hey guys, you’re forgetting about me! Step away from your screens and feel the joy that nature brings!”
Click here to read one of my past posts on “The art of unplugging”. There’s some great information on the benefits of unplugging from your screens, as well as some fantastic local resources. Enjoy!
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee is an absolutely wonderful designer. Very talented and easy to work with! She will transform your room or outdoor space into exactly what you want, only better!
Talented, creative, dedicated, great communicator. Renee is such a special person.
We have worked with Renee Carman at this company for almost 2 years. Renee is professional, personable, and a pleasure to know. She is very helpful and will go the extra mile to please her clients. Renee has excellent expertise and knowledge of interior design. We have a beautiful home and highly recommend her.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee was a pleasure to work with and has great vision. We were doing a total rehab of a recently purchased property and she was able to look at a gutted out '50s cottage and turn it into a beautiful mid-century modern home. She understood our budget and timeline and was good about narrowing all our options down to just a few choices. This expedited the process, made it less difficult and more enjoyable. Once the rehab is done, we look forward to working with her again and finish the rest of the rooms.
Renee at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design was simply wonderful to work with. She was able to understand what we were looking for in terms of color, function and design from the moment we first spoke. She's easy to work with, goes above and beyond and delivers an outstanding design.
I highly recommend Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design. I don't think I will attempt to decorate another room in my house without the help of Renee!
Love working with Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design ! I had the opportunity to collaborate on a large scale design project recently and the results were fantastic! Creative, resourceful and one of kind design ideas made this design opportunity with Renee "one of a kind" Have a large or small project? You won't be disappointed!!
Renee not only has an amazingly creative eye, she also directed a massive renovation for us this past year that included the challenges of operating during the pandemic. She put together a team that had an incredible work ethic and brought the project in on-time and on-budget. She's a great listener. When we threw ideas at her, she was never dismissive; quite the contrary, she made them better. Her patience, attention to detail combined with her whacky sense of humor meant we were all able to smile while producing a home that we love. A great talent and a great lady.
Rene is amazing! Great customer care and wonderful attention to detail.