Do I Look Skinny In This House?: How to Feel Great In Your Home Using Design Psychology
188
Do I Look Skinny In This House?: How to Feel Great In Your Home Using Design Psychology
188Paperback
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Overview
We all want our homes to be our havens, our nests-our nerve centers for life. We look to our homes to represent our emotions, our passions, our travels, our families, and our careers. No longer are our dwellings a protection from the elements or a simple place to cook a meal. We wear our homes like we wear haute couture, and put them on display for all to see. Learning to design your home in a meaningful way and understanding "why" you adore certain colors, styles, and decor is more important than knowing where to place furniture in a room. Understanding the principles that create ambiance, feeling, and mood in your home are key to creating your ideal haven.
Start with the "why" rather than the "how" when remodeling and your home will become your haven-and you will experience more joy, fulfillment, and the contentment you seek.
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781614488972 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Morgan James Publishing |
| Publication date: | 04/08/2014 |
| Series: | Morgan James Publishing Series |
| Pages: | 188 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.40(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.60(d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
CHAPTER 1
Why Design Psychology?
Why do we "ooh" and "ahh" over certain colors, styles, trends and accessories and turn up our noses at others?
Why do some rooms in our current houses completely inspire and invigorate us while others leave us feeling cold?
Why do we spend so much time watching home remodeling shows on TV, flipping through magazines about making our homes more beautiful, and trying to make our houses into homes and havens?
Why?
It's quite simple: Design Psychology.
The who, what, when, where and why of Design Psychology
Design Psychology, the study of design and its effects on emotions and well-being, is all about being intentional with design. It is a combination of life coaching, interior design and environmental design, and it influences our lives much more than we realize.
Design Psychology moves us beyond our basic needs of food, water and shelter – four walls, a floor, ceiling, door and windows – and explains why we want our walls, our rooms and our finishes to influence and perhaps change the way we feel.
What does your home say about you? More importantly, what does it say to you? What voices do you hear when you walk through your front door and do you like what they have to say?
And why is this so important?
I ask myself this question after every meeting with every new client. To this day, I am still amazed that even after all the DIY shows, home improvement stores and magazines, there are still thousands of people searching for the perfect environment and that certain feeling. They are still trying to create the spaces that speak to them. I needed to further understand why there is such a struggle. Why can't we find comfort and satisfaction in our homes and offices – is it so complicated? What is it my clients are really looking for? Is it more than just decor?
Design Psychology goes beyond the how – how to update your house, how to paint your walls and how to decorate your living room – into the why.
Why do we make the choices we do when it comes to our houses?
Why do our rooms make us feel the way they do?
Why do some spaces make us feel happy while others instantly bring us down?
Why?
Again, it is all about Design Psychology – getting to the heart of our decisions, our emotions, our reactions and our intentions when it comes to design and the places we live, eat and breathe every day.
By applying Design Psychology, you will be able to create a haven and a true "home sweet home," a place that makes you feel happy, fulfilled and alive.
CHAPTER 2What Design Psychology is Not
As you continue through this book, you will learn a lot about what Design Psychology is, and how it can literally change your home and your life for the better. To dispel any confusion about this unique and newer branch of interior design, I wanted to briefly share what Design Psychology is NOT:
• Design Psychology is NOT a one-size-fits-all solution. Different parts, philosophies and ideas will work for different people, different spaces and different tastes. Take what you like, implement it in your home and office, and feel free to discard the rest. It IS a solution that can work for you when you customize Design Psychology to your needs.
• Design Psychology does NOT require an advanced degree. While you can pursue higher-level academic studies in the field, that's not really want this book is about. It is more about finding simple solutions to make lasting changes in your favorite spaces and places.
• Design Psychology is NOT black and white – gray is allowed here! There aren't a ton of rules that you absolutely have to follow or risk being wrong. There are a few good ones that you should definitely keep in mind, but it's rarely an either/or proposition when it comes to creating places that feel great to you.
• Design Psychology is NOT necessarily linear. You don't have to go in a certain order (you can even skip around this book to the chapters that appeal most to you) in order to implement these principles successfully. You can do a little at a time, and then come back later and try something else. It IS, however, about creativity, feeling and that true sense of home.
• While Design Psychology is NOT something you'll find written about in most of your favorite magazines, its principles are used by every design magazine, whether they know it or not.
• Design Psychology is NOT just a fancy name for interior design. Rather, it takes interior design a step further to get to the heart of the matter – and that's what I think makes it so amazing!
And now that you've got all of this under your belt, read on to learn more about what Design Psychology IS and how wonderful and inspiring it can be in your home and your life!
CHAPTER 3Why Feeling is So Important to Design
When I meet with clients, we often talk about how a room looks – its design elements, color scheme, layout, lighting and accessories – but quite honestly, we talk even more about how a room feels.
I truly believe that rooms can evoke feelings and emotions, which mean that it is incredibly important to give voice to the feelings you want to surface whenever you walk into a certain room.
For instance, when you step foot into your living room, how does it make you feel? What emotions and sensations come up? Joy, frustration, fun, uncertainty?
How about your bedroom? Your office? Your kitchen?
What if your room turns you off? Puts you in a sad mood? Gives you heartburn and anxiety? Makes you want to turn around or run away? While that might be in the case in your current home or office, we can change all of that.
When you create a room, you truly give it a voice and a feel – it is all about being intentional using the guidance of Design Psychology in your rooms and homes. It's about look and it's about feel.
Rooms have voice and feel
In my case, I want my home office to have a very strong voice, something that is authoritative and something that reminds me that I need to get x, y and z done by the end of the week. I take all of this into consideration when planning the layout and flow, colors and furniture – everything that I put into (or sometimes more importantly, take out of) the room.
For my bedroom, on the other hand, I love to hear an elegant voice and feel, something that is very pleasant and relaxing and beautiful. Again, this informs every decision related to this space.
When it comes to my living room, I actually want to hear more of a formal voice, something that is refined and adult. While the living room will always be a family space, I need to keep in mind this preference in its look and design.
And my formal dining room actually looks like a library, so it feels very British in nature to me. When I designed this room, I imagined creating a space where a scholar would want to sit and read a book.
Those are the feelings and voices that I want to hear and the ones come through loud and clear in my home.
Simply put, your rooms need to speak about you and they need to speak to you.
I recently met with a client who gave voice to this notion when she said, "I'd like to give my rooms a variety of different feelings." She explained in detail how she wanted each room in her house to feel and sound.
For example, she wanted her laundry room to have a farm-like feel, and so I pictured a sweet country voice when she said that. And then her kitchen is modeled on a French chateau, so I imagined that that room speaking with a gorgeous French accent. All of this information informed every color, item and decision we added or subtracted in her home.
All of these ideas, feelings and voices can help me – and you – create amazing spaces – it's all about Design Psychology in action.
How do your rooms speak to you? And what do they have to say?
When I am designing and looking for the voice of a room, I keep all of these comments and thoughts in mind when selecting design elements and working to create the overall feel of any room or space. When you take the time to give your rooms a voice, they will start to speak volumes about you.
Every room is so much more than just a wall and a door and a window and a floor and a roof. Rather, it's about creating a voice, a feel and personifying our homes, so they speak and feel the words and emotions that we long for.
Our homes are a true reflection of us – who we really are. Our home is where we live. It is where we breathe. It is where we have our families and socialize, work, sleep and dream. Since we spend so much time in these surroundings, it only makes sense that we want to understand them on the deepest level. Start to pay more attention to feeling than to thinking, and notice how various rooms and places make you feel. Feel free to write these down in a journal or on your computer, so you can return to them as you get into planning, organizing and updating your rooms.
That is really the essence of Design Psychology. As a society, we are clearly searching for something to make us feel better, more connected, more alive, more ourselves. When you get more intentional about the voices and emotions within your rooms, you can focus on creating positive, welcoming spaces in your home.
When you can create bliss by walking into your bedroom, energy by entering your kitchen and warmth by stepping into your living room, your house will truly become a joyful reflection of yourself.
And that's why feeling is so incredibly important to Design Psychology and the design of your home.
CHAPTER 4A Brief Historical Tour of Design Psychology
Believe it or not, Design Psychology has been around for centuries – we just didn't always call it that. It has influenced interior design throughout the ages. When you look back, you will probably find threads of Design Psychology throughout your personal history as well.
The ancient Egyptians are usually credited with the development of interior design, as they started to decorate their huts with simple furniture and accessories such as painted vases, sculpture, pictures, animal skins and more. Likewise, the more lavish Egyptian tombs showcased gold, ornamentation and objects that – through design – helped to define and distinguish wealth.
Taking that a step further, both the Roman and Greek civilizations also focused on interior and exterior decoration – creating furniture, tapestries, roofs, vases and more that we continue to recognize for their unique beauty today. Again, decorating and accessorizing became a form of pride as well as an opportunity to combine beauty and comfort.
While the Dark Ages emphasized austerity and simplicity in style and lifestyle, Europe led the way from the 12 century on to the French Renaissance or the rebirth of society's focus on beauty, art, design and spaces that made their occupants feel happy, proud and safe, and then on to the baroque, rococo and neoclassical styles – all elements of Design Psychology throughout the ages.
Both interior and exterior design in the United States and Europe eventually started to focus more on personal expression, ranging from minimalism to art deco. Likewise, home owners and interior designers had to adapt to changing technology – for instance, how to integrate televisions and telephones, washing machines and other newfangled machines into a home or office's design without getting overwhelmed by them.
All in all, interior design started as a form of expression, but was chiefly used by wealthier citizens before becoming an everyday trend in the 1800s. While function was always very important, especially in earlier dwellings that were exposed to the elements, art and ornamentation continued to make their mark on design from the earliest days of civilization.
Historical trends with modern applications
Designers today can pull from trends from the past years, decades and centuries to help their clients create dream homes and dream spaces – that's definitely part of the fun of being an interior designer. Likewise, understanding the psychology of our homes and our preferences also helps anyone designing a space better understand it and its dwellers.
Shaped by history, culture, art, technology and, of course, personality, interior design and Design Psychology through the ages can help us better understand the homes and homeowners that came before us and give us so many amazing looks and ideas for inspiration when it comes to creating our dream homes today and tomorrow.
Visit Worksheet 1
to note your favorite trends and styles through the ages.
CHAPTER 5Design Psychology Ages and Stages
You might be surprised to learn that the principles and concepts of Design Psychology can follow us throughout our lives, throughout every age and every life stage. While we are more unconsciously influenced by it at younger ages, we can get that much more intentional about Design Psychology and our spaces over time.
Take a peek at how Design Psychology can apply and work throughout our life spans:
• Babies: Naturally, babies aren't in charge of the design of their nurseries (although they do have something to do with its destruction some days), however, parents can certainly use Design Psychology principles to create an intentional space for their little ones. What colors make you happy when you see them each day? You can think way out of the pink and blue box. Maybe a soft gray is especially soothing to you and that will make you a more content and calm parent when you are getting up four times a night to feed and change your newborn. Likewise, how can you be more intentional about organizing and setting up the room, so that it both functions and feels good? Design Psychology does not and should not have to cost you a lot of money; you can use multipurpose pieces, repurposed items, and your own creativity and imagination to create the perfect haven for your newborn.
• Toddlers: Now that you have more toddler movement and action to deal with, how can you intentionally create spaces in your home, playroom or nursery that allow for additional exploration and interaction? This might be as simple as rearranging a few pieces of furniture, adding some pops of color or great educational toys, or creating a safer house for everyone. You can have a lot of fun at this stage!
• Kids: If you have a 7-going-on-27-year-old, you probably recognize that kids start to develop strong opinions and preferences about their environments at a pretty early age. Maybe your child requires a super cool night light that plays soft music, or maybe he adores being in dark, quiet rooms, or maybe she loves being outdoors as much as possible. In any case, how can you bring this childhood inspiration to life to make life more interesting and enjoyable for your child? Childhood creates a lot of strong and lasting memories, so anything you can do to create harmony, peace, fun and joy for your children now will very likely last a lifetime.
• Teens: You may not be able to do much (other than get out of their way) to make your teens especially happy right now, but that doesn't mean Design Psychology can't. Help them create the haven they need for a little privacy. Get involved together on a DIY weekend project that involves simple updating of colors and lighting in your teen's room. You will enjoy some time together as well as some grudging approval from your teen along the way. And make sure to take their opinions and preferences into account: You don't have to paint the entire room black, but you certainly add some cool black accent pieces, for example.
• Adults: Once you are out of school and on your own, this is the ideal time to put everything you have learned and will continue to discover about Design Psychology to work for you. As a matter of fact, this book was written just for you! Whether you are living in your first apartment or just moved to a 10,000-square-foot home on the water, you can use the ideas of intention and inspiration (much more to follow!) to create the home or office of your dreams. Ask yourself why certain rooms make you feel a certain why, how your home can become more of a haven and what aspects of your personality could be added to your current home or office.
• Seniors: Perhaps you are helping one of your parents settle into senior living or are considering downsizing or transitioning into a different living situation yourself. In any event, you do not have to live a drab lifestyle just because you have moved into a different environment that perhaps focuses more on health and safety and less on lifestyle and beauty. How can you incorporate your favorite colors and objects into your new residence? How can you create a special haven in a new place? What is most important to you at this stage in life?
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "Do I Look Skinny in this House?"
by .
Copyright © 2014 Kelli Ellis.
Excerpted by permission of Morgan James Publishing.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
DedicationIntroduction
Chapter 1: Why Design Psychology?
Chapter 2: What Design Psychology is Not
Chapter 3: Why Feeling is So Important to Design
Chapter 4: A Brief Historical Tour of Design Psychology
Chapter 5: Design Psychology Ages and Stages
Chapter 6: No Need to Break the Budget
Chapter 7: Design Psychology the Celebrity
Chapter 8: There's No Place Like Home
Chapter 9: Losing a Home in a Disaster
Chapter 10: Know Yourself
Chapter 11: Design Psychology "F" Words
Chapter 12: Getting Trendy
Chapter 13: Lessons in Appreciation
Chapter 14: Quick Fix Tips
Chapter 15: House Lust: The Model Home Syndrome
Chapter 16: Organize to Downsize
Chapter 17: Get Down to Work
Chapter 18: The Many Shades of Color Therapy
Chapter 19: Scent: The Nose Knows
Chapter 20: Light the Way
Chapter 21: The Other Senses in Design Psychology
Chapter 22: Get Inspired
Chapter 23: The Natural World
Chapter 24: The Power of Biomimicry
Chapter 25: Creating Privacy in Homes
Chapter 26: Design Psychology and Special Populations and Needs
Chapter 27: Let Your Heart Lead the Way to Your Haven
Chapter 28: Starting Your Own Business
Chapter 29: Interior Design Camp for Everyone
Chapter 30: A Design Psychology Recap and Review
Conclusion
Resources and References
Glossary
About the Author: Kelli Ellis
Acknowledgements
Stay in Touch
Worksheets