your home by design – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Can the design of your home impact your health in ways you don’t see? In this episode, we’re exploring the hidden side of interior design—the materials, products, and air quality that may be quietly influencing your well-being.

As someone who blends neuroaesthetics with interior design, I believe that the spaces we create should support both our mental and physical health. While beauty and harmony play a role in how we feel, it’s important to understand what’s in the air we breathe and the items we live with every day.

We’ll discuss the science behind indoor air quality, where toxins like VOCs may be hiding, and how these elements can affect your overall wellness. Plus, I’ll share simple, practical steps to reduce exposure and make healthier choices moving forward.

Let’s rethink our homes as tools for thriving—inside and out.

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Resources:

Free Living Room Know How. Free Bathroom Serenity Guide. Get the Free Guides Here! https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides

Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

Your Space, Reimagined: How Observation Can Transform Your Home. Ep #31

Saison 2 · Épisode 31

mercredi 13 novembre 2024 • Durée 24:02

Find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/nico.smu/

Episode Description
Today, we're uncovering one of the most overlooked tools in home design—observation. Often, we arrange a room, step back, and call it done, but there's so much more beneath the surface. Our spaces impact our mood, productivity, and well-being in ways we might not consciously notice. When we take time to observe how we use a room, how we feel in it, and even what we ignore, we can make powerful adjustments to improve both functionality and comfort.

This episode will guide you in developing an eye for these details, sharing practical steps for observing your space to create a home that truly supports you!

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https://www.instagram.com/nico.smu/

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Resources:

Free Living Room Know How. Free Bathroom Serenity Guide. Get the Free Guides Here! https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides

Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

Balance In Design: Important Not Only For Your Look But For Your Life. Ep #22

Saison 2 · Épisode 22

dimanche 17 mars 2024 • Durée 21:39

Nico explores the significance of balance in interior design, and its impact on our well-being. Balance is defined as the visual weight and proportion of a room, and it can be achieved by carefully considering the placement and arrangement of furniture, objects, and colors. The benefits of balance in design are discussed, including the creation of a harmonious and comfortable space, reduction of visual tension, improvement of spatial organization and functionality, and enhancement of cognitive processing and emotional well-being. At the end of the episode Nico mentions some practical tips on how to create a balanced environment, such as using symmetrical or asymmetrical design and considering the visual weight of objects. Overall, balance in interior design enhances the aesthetic appeal of a room and promotes a sense of harmony and comfort. A fundamental element of interior design and a fundamental element in creating spaces that foster our overall wellbeing.

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Resources:

Free Living Room Know How. Free Bathroom Serenity Guide. Get the Free Guides Here! https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides

Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

Enhancing Well-being Through Awe and Surprise in Our Living Spaces. Ep #21

Saison 2 · Épisode 21

dimanche 10 mars 2024 • Durée 22:22

You know when you expeience awe, the moment captivates you and maybe even takes your breath away. Often these are some of the best moments we have. Being in the moment being present, time seems to stand still.
Todays episode discusses the importance of incorporating elements of surprise and awe in our homes. Using our home as a tool to experience the benefits. Nico explains that experiencing awe can have numerous benefits, including igniting creativity, increasing curiosity, reducing stress, improving social well-being, and boosting the immune system. She shares personal examples of things that elicit awe and encourages listeners to be intentional about seeking out and appreciating these moments in their own homes. Nico shares some of the ways to do this, include arranging objects in a visually appealing ways, displaying art or photographs that evoke strong emotions, taking a break from technology, and exploring the stories behind the objects in our homes. Nico emphasizes the importance of slowing down, being intentional, and allowing ourselves to fully experience and appreciate the awe-inspiring moments in our everyday lives.

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Resources:

Free Living Room Know How. Free Bathroom Serenity Guide. Get the Free Guides Here! https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides

Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

Mastering the Art of Home Project Planning' 8 Steps for Success. Ep #20

Saison 2 · Épisode 20

samedi 2 mars 2024 • Durée 30:16

In todays episode Nico emphasizes the crucial role of effective planning and goal setting in achieving successful home projects. Nico compares planning to a puzzle, where each piece of the project is carefully decided and organized in advance to ensure a positive outcome.
Aligning the project with personal values and long-term goals is stressed, highlighting the benefits of delayed gratification. Research suggests that effective planning and goal setting can provide several benefits, including creating momentum, guiding focus, building confidence, and freeing up cognitive resources.
The importance of defining project goals, creating a budget, establishing a timeline, engaging in the design process, material selection, costing and ordering, and clear communication during the execution phase are all highlighted as crucial steps in the planning process. Thorough planning and attention to detail are crucial for achieving a successful and rewarding home project no matter the size of your project. Here are 8 steps to success!

Find me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/nico.smu/

Get on teh waitlist and get 15% off code

Resources:

Free Living Room Know How. Free Bathroom Serenity Guide. Get the Free Guides Here! https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides

Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

The Transformative Power of Art: Enhancing Well-being Through Art. Ep #19

Saison 2 · Épisode 19

samedi 24 février 2024 • Durée 23:03

Todays episode Nico discusses the importance of art in our homes and how it can impact our health and well-being. She emphasizes the significance of creative expression and how it can contribute to creating a home that reflects one's life and brings joy.
Nico delves into the various ways in which art can have a positive impact on our well-being, including creating new neural pathways in the brain and improving mental health and happiness.
Nico also provides practical tips on choosing the right art and arranging it for maximum impact, encouraging creativity in choosing different styles of art and frames. In conclusion, the she encourages listeners to incorporate art into their homes and to spend time appreciating and creating art

Get on teh waitlist and get 15% off code

Resources:

Free Living Room Know How. Free Bathroom Serenity Guide. Get the Free Guides Here! https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides

Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

The Pitfalls of Impulsive Decision-Making in Home Design. Ep #18

Saison 2 · Épisode 18

vendredi 9 février 2024 • Durée 28:17

Todays episode explores the topic of impulsivity and its impact on decision-making in our homes. Nico shares a cautionary tale about the regret that can come from impulsive decisions, emphasizing the importance of taking the time to make informed choices. She stresses the significance of considering all factors and options before making a decision, as well as the role of personal values in decision-making.
Nico also discusses the tendency to prioritize immediate rewards over delayed rewards and encourages listeners to consider the long-term impact of their decisions. Ultimately, Nico emphasizes the importance of creating spaces that bring joy and pride, while avoiding the feeling of regret that can stem from impulsive choices.

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Resources:

Free Living Room Know How. Free Bathroom Serenity Guide. Get the Free Guides Here! https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides

Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

Kitchen Design: Maximizing Efficiency and Aesthetics. Ep #17

Saison 2 · Épisode 17

lundi 5 février 2024 • Durée 32:14

Join me in this episode as we delve into the fascinating relationship between homes, kitchens, and health.

Discover the importance of creating a functional kitchen that is tailored to your individual needs. We will explore key decisions in kitchen design, such as layout, appliance placement, and storage options.

Additionally, we will discuss the impact of lighting on both functionality and ambiance in the kitchen. We will explore how kitchen design can influence our health and wellbeing, covering topics such as ergonomics, aesthetics, contamination, and eating habits.

Lastly, Nico will provide you with some valuable tips for updating and upgrading your kitchen, including lighting changes, cabinetry painting, hardware replacement, and decorative additions.

Don't miss out on this insightful episode!

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Resources:

Free Living Room Know How. Free Bathroom Serenity Guide. Get the Free Guides Here! https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides

Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

The Desire for Change: Exploring the Craving for Sudden Change in Our Homes. Ep #16

Saison 2 · Épisode 16

mercredi 24 janvier 2024 • Durée 25:41

Are you suddenly craving change in your home? If that sounds like you, then listen up!

Todays episode Nico chats about the desire for change in our homes and shares some guidance on how to effectively embrace and execute that change. Nico discusses the reasons why we crave sudden change, including the influence of springtime, personal wellbeing, trends and comparison, and dissatisfaction with current design and decor.

Nico emphasizes the importance of being connected to nature, creating authentic interiors, avoiding blindly following trends, and planning properly before executing changes.

We also discuss trends for the year, such as the color of the year, incorporating vintage and antique pieces, sustainability in design choices, and the trend of romanticism.

Nico encourages you to recognize what can be changed and plan accordingly, while staying true to their own needs and aesthetic preferences. Trends and all!

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Resources:

Free Living Room Know How. Free Bathroom Serenity Guide. Get the Free Guides Here! https://www.yourparo.com/free-guides

Digital Course: Design Your Home for Better Living https://www.yourparo.com/course

The Impact of Atmosphere in your spaces on Mood and Well-being : Designing Authentic and Intentional Atmospheres. Ep #15

Saison 1 · Épisode 15

vendredi 12 janvier 2024 • Durée 24:11

The podcast episode explores the concept of atmosphere in interior design and its impact on our mood and well-being. Nico begins todays episode by sharing a personal anecdote about how music and the environment can inspire creativity and set a specific mood. Nico defines atmosphere as the mood and sensorial qualities of a space that guides our feelings and informs our experiences. The importance of creating a unique atmosphere in our homes that reflects our individual emotions, experiences, and preferences is emphasized.

Nico delves into various aspects of atmosphere, starting with color psychology. And explains how different colors can evoke specific emotions and how they can be used to create a desired mood in a space. Lighting conditions are also discussed as an important factor in influencing our mood and cognitive function. The right lighting can create a warm and inviting atmosphere or a bright and energizing one.

Spatial design is another aspect of atmosphere that the Nico explores. She explains how the layout and arrangement of furniture and objects in a space can affect our behaviors and emotions. Considering the flow and functionality of a room is emphasized when designing its atmosphere.

Biophilic design, which incorporates elements of nature into built environments, is also discussed. The host explains how incorporating natural elements such as plants, natural light, and organic materials can have a positive impact on our well-being. The calming and stress-reducing effects of nature are highlighted, along with the sense of connection to the environment it can create.

The interaction between different elements in a room and how the atmosphere can affect us even if we are not consciously aware of it is emphasized, referencing a paper by cognitive scientist David Kirsch. This highlights the subconscious influence that atmosphere can have on our mood and well-being.

The role of atmosphere in shaping our perception and feelings within a space is also discussed. Our experiences of atmosphere are subjective and can vary from person to person. Considering our own preferences and emotions when designing an atmosphere is important.

Creating a mood is identified as the key to designing an atmosphere. The function of a room should be considered before deciding on the desired mood. Being authentic and intentional in the design process is emphasized, and a list of moods is offered as a downloadable for inspiration. DM for the list!

The episode concludes with a quote by architect Louis Bargon, highlighting the role of architecture in creating aesthetic emotion and promoting well-being. This quote reinforces the idea that atmosphere is not just about aesthetics, but also about creating a space that enhances our emotional well-being.

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