AT HOME: SANCTUARY SPACES

Times are strange. Over the past four months many of our homes have become classrooms, offices, gyms, restaurants and everything in-between. With things seeming more and more out of our control, creating a space where you can feel at peace and emotionally shelter from the craziness is a necessity.

Beyond the architecture and our desire to make improvements, I've been deliberate in making sure that there are spaces throughout our home that create a sense of serenity for everyone - myself especially.

Our home has always been a safe space from the the outside world for me. Even before the pandemic hit and we were asked to shelter in place, I loved being home. Being home with my family surrounded by the things that are special to me, to us always feels right. So, having to stay home for an extended period of time was not as hard for me as it probably could have been if I didn't love this place so much. Actually, let me rephrase that...there was a lot about being home that was hard - remote learning, constantly cooking, being "on" and accessible 24/7, no social interaction - but being safe in our home was the easy part.

The wonderful thing is that being home all of these months has allowed me to experience home in new ways. I've shared before that our Italiante-style brownstone was built in 1899 and while we were planning a mini-renovation (which is now put on hold) we've been able to maintain most of the original architecture and that has allowed us to enjoy all of visual beauty our home offers daily in ways we never made time to before. However beyond the architecture and our desire to make improvements, I've been deliberate in making sure that there are spaces throughout our home that create a sense of serenity for everyone - myself especially.

As we've been forced to slow down, having or creating a sanctuary space is priceless and doesn't have to be costly or elaborate.

Some of you already know that my bedroom is my sanctuary. I talk about it all of the time and post a lot of pictures of it because it is one of the spaces in our home that truly allows me to feel as though I've been transported to another place. My bedroom is a source of quiet restoration for me so, it's minimal. You will find lots of negative space meaning, there isn't much on the walls or the floors, the white linen curtains are almost always closed gently muting the sunshine, essential oils are infused into the air and aside from the tv over the mantle (a battle that I lost with my husband a very long time ago), calming classical or low-key music is always streaming through the speakers.

As we've been forced to slow down, having or creating a sanctuary space is priceless and doesn't have to be costly or elaborate. Here are just a few of the elements that have been important for me in creating calming spaces around our home for times such as these and I believe equally apply to homes of all shapes and sizes:

Bringing nature indoors.

A large (or small) houseplant will do wonders for a space, so will branches foraged from your backyard (or a nearby garden if no one is looking) or flowers from the market. Most of our plants are in the dining room and backyard but I do love keeping freshly cut flowers in our bedroom. Some studies have shown that indoor plants boost your mood, increase productivity and they also help to clean the air indoors. In addition to these benefits, bringing nature indoors gives an otherwise sterile space warmth and life.

Using soothing color palettes.

There are a range of colors that are considered soothing: blue, violet, pink, green, grey, yellow just to name a few, However, my color palette of choice is tonal and earthy. I've used shades of white, beige and grey throughout most of our home, with touches of matte black and pink accents for the girls' room. Sticking to this particular color palette immediately creates a sense of calm for me as I move throughout the house. However, depending on your personality and your preference, you should totally have at using any colors that make you feel calm and happy.

Incorporating texture.

Marble, hardwood, cotton, velvet and linen are some of the main textures that I've used throughout our home and in our bedroom. Texture adds dimension to an area preventing it from feeling flat and uniform. Softer textures like my sheets which are always white cotton percale and my curtains that are linen play well against the plastered walls, hardwood floors and marble fireplaces (that are purely decorative). Tassels, nubby throw blankets and handwoven straw baskets also help to add texture to my space.

Creating ambiance with scent.

I love, love candles, however essential oil diffusers have become, well, essential for me. I started using diffusers last fall when Delilah was really ill and I was at my wit's end looking for a way to promote better respiratory function for her. I also needed something to help reduce my stress levels as a worried mom. Now, I keep my diffuser on most of the day because walking into a room filled with natural fragrance immediately boosts my energy levels and contribute to a healthier, stress-free environment which is necessary when thinking about creating calming spaces in your home. There are a few different types of diffusers (I use an ultrasonic one) but any one of them can deliver the same immune boosting, wellness benefits to your own private sanctuary.

That's pretty much it! Like I mentioned, you don't need a lot to create an oasis of your own. An important thing to remember is that sanctuary spaces can exist anywhere in your home. For some, it could be a comfy chair in a small reading nook by the window, for others, it could be out on the fire escape, terrace. For some it's the bathroom and for others, like me, it's my bedroom. Wherever it is for you, make it a place where you will always feel transported and restored as soon as your experience it.

Where's your sanctuary space and what makes it special to you? I'd love to know. Leave a comment below or on my IG.

xo,

K