Designing Better Sleep

During these challenging times when we are not only working from home but being Chief Educator, P.E. teacher and Chief Cook and Bottle Washer, our stress levels can skyrocket leaving us worn out yet unable to sleep. Interior Designers focus on making your home healthy and safe as well as beautiful. We study data collected in university studies that tells us how to create sleep spaces that promote healthy sleep because we know that good sleep is the foundation of healthy living. I recently participated in a Facebook Live interview with acupuncturist Amy Landolt of Northshore Acupuncture to talk about how considering design elements in your bedroom can help you have better, more restful sleep. Click here to watch on Facebook and ask questions in the comments, or scroll to watch the embedded Youtube video below.

Here are some additional thoughts:

  • Screens in the bedroom- as I talk about in the video, I’m not a fan of having computers, TV’s or phones in the bedroom as they emit light that disturbs our body’s production of the sleep-inducing hormone melatonin. What they also do, as studies have shown is emit EMF’s or electro-magnetic frequency waves (even if turned off) which disrupt our brainwaves, causing them to cycle higher than they should for sleep.
  • Sound attenuation- when selecting new furnishings for your bedroom consider softer elements like upholstered beds or headboards along with adding in soft window treatments that block light when closed and reduce the amount of noise that comes through the windows.
  • Light- As I discuss in the interview, the type of lighting in your room is important for creating a space that promotes sleep. If you only have overhead lighting, please consider adding a dimmer switch so that in the evening you can dim the lights to promote melatonin production. CFL or compact fluorescent lighting is not conducive to good sleep (or good lighting- but I won’t get on my soapbox just yet..) If you have LED lighting in the room, consider warm-dim bulbs that are now more accessible. These are LED’s that might have a 3000K color temperature (closer to the color of daylight) that can be dimmed down at night to 2700K (the color of light later in the day and the golden color of incandescent lights). Sorry, I know a bit of nerdy technical info but helpful information when you are lighting your room.

Here’s how I pulled these concepts together in my own bedroom. As mentioned in the video, I choose the soothing choose Benjamin Moore Providence Olive HC-98.

I could go on and on but in the interest of brevity I’ll say that there are many ways to promote healthy sleep but don’t forget design elements which can be the foundation for helping all of the others. Check out our pinterest board for samples of ideas from the video. Sleep healthy, my friends!

Earth Day – Everyday

I was 10 for the first “Earth Day” and I remember it well. Our entire school went outside, and we planted a tree and talked about the environment and what we could do to keep it clean. I went home and created a little flyer that I distributed up and down my neighborhood that was titled “STP – Stop Treacherous Pollution!”.  A little nerdy, but I was a convert. Fast-forward 50 years and I am in an industry that is working to not only uphold the ideals established on that first Earth Day, but actually is finding ways to be even more conscious of our resources and environment. Here are just 5 things you can consider when remodeling or building that will not only be healthier for you – but for our environment as well.

Choose no or low VOC paints – this protects the environment inside your home from the off-gassing of harmful ingredients. It’s not just for the initial painting, but on-going health for your home.

Sherwin-Williams “Harmony” and Benjamin Moore “Natura“

Choose locally sourced materials – and support local artisans who are using reclaimed or re-purposed materials. You’d be surprised at their beauty. They’re not just for hippies anymore!

Choose cabinetry that is made by companies participating the Forest Stewardship Council. They are environmentally considerate when sourcing their products.

When doing a remodel that involves a considerable amount of demolition, consider donating your wood flooring, cabinets, countertops, sinks, faucets and appliances as well as other construction materials. There are several companies that will take them and what a great way to help out others AND keep construction waste out of landfills! Two that I like are Renovation Angel and Recyclean.

Select materials like ceramic tile that not only has a long life-span but may include recycled elements and flooring like Tarkett’s laminate and sheet vinyl flooring. Tarkett not only has many products that are asthma and allergy friendly, but as a company they are committed to producing sustainable products.

Last, but certainly not least- if you’re in need of a good desk chair to support you comfortably while we work from home, take a look at Humanscale’s Smart Ocean Chair. It’s made with nearly 2 lbs. of recycled fishing net material.

Yes, this year’s Earth Day will definitely be a different one. Maybe our current experience will remind us of the impact we all have on each other for the health and well-being of all. Click here for a pinterest board of ideas for sustainable products for your home. Happy Earth Day.

(images from pixabay.com)

The “New Normal” – Working from Home

So, we’re all pretty much doing it. (Working from home!) It may be a scramble for you to figure out WHERE you’re going to work and on/with what. Here are some suggestions for keeping a bit of sanity and a place for you to work.

  • Try to find an out-of-the-way space that’s doesn’t see much traffic. It could be the laundry room, (make sure it’s presentable when doing Zoom meetings), a corner in the basement (lighting will be important) or a spot in the guest room.
  • You needn’t carve out a huge space – especially if you’re working on a laptop- as little as 24 – 30” can work.
  • Make sure it’s tidy – it helps keep you focused.
  • Good lighting is important – utilize floor lamps or clip-on lamps if needed.
  • Have a comfortable chair.
  • Consider getting a laptop stand for ergonomics.
    • The top of your screen should be at eye level, so you’re not spending the day with your head bent.
    • If you have adjustable arms on your desk chair, adjust them to the height of the keyboard- much better to prevent carpal tunnel.
  • Make the space as welcoming as possible. Add a photo or two of the family, maybe a plant, or position yourself as close to a window as possible.

Yes, these are challenging times, but good and thoughtful design can help you work well, feel well and stay optimistic. Check out our pinterest board for ideas to create your own work space.

NKBA Event with Ellen Cheever February 2020

It was great attending this educational event hosted by Caesarstone at Café La Cave!  Ellen Cheever, one of the very first educators in the kitchen and bath industry, an icon and inspiration to me and many other designers is giving her farewell address to the industry.  She will be missed but leaves behind a phenomenal legacy to generations of kitchen and bath designers!

KBIS Presentation (left); with Michael Menn and Nancy Jacobson (center); with Nancy Jacobson and Ellen Cheever – kitchen educator extraordinaire! (right)

“Best Of Houzz” Badge for Service 2020

I would like to thank my wonderful clients who took the time and effort to post reviews about our work together. You are the reason that we’ve been able to be awarded a “Best of Houzz” badge for Service since 2017!

Visit our Houzz page to take a look and be inspired: https://www.houzz.com/pro/catherineschager/catherine-schager-designs.