14 Feb Hearts, Health and a Dose of Blush.
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in #BDHomeLove, Art, Color Obsession, Design, On our Turf, Photography, Sustainable Living, Uncategorized
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By: Stephanie Andrews
Happy Valentine’s Day, my friends. I hope my email finds you well. In Atlanta, my family, our Balance Design team, some friends, and I have been through it! (A Norovirus that acted like the worst food poisoning I have ever had.)
Couple that recovery with a difficult work week, and let’s say that I am looking forward to next week. This week can be over for good! Forgive me for complaining to you; you do not deserve it!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I thought a light-hearted article on the beauty of designing with reds, pinks, and the lovely heart shape would be appropriate eye candy, worthy of the Design Pulp motto. (Equal Parts Eye Candy and Meaty Design.) It’s surprising how many people shy away from the heart shape or “girly” colors like pink and red. As a child of the ’80s, I believe they’re missing out! My daughter Allie’s birthday is also close to Valentine’s Day, so these colors and hearts have always been a festive part of our celebrations.
A Girls Room Designed by Melody Richardson of Balance Design. (Room may appear cleaner than real life.)
Photography by Christina Wedge.
Pink, often referred to as blush, has also made a major comeback. It’s moved beyond girls’ bedrooms and into main living spaces, like my own dining room and other gorgeous lime-washed rooms. Red, however, is a much harder sell to clients. Yet, red is dramatic, powerful, and incredibly chic. From Taylor Swift’s signature red lipstick to the stunning living rooms of Miles Redd, it takes a brave soul to embrace red.
My Blush and Red Dining Room embracing Farrow and Ball Setting Plaster and an Antique Persian Rug.
Are you willing to give it a try? It’s a bold departure from the neutral palettes we see in catalogs daily, and I challenge you to consider red – even if it’s just in a small space like a butler’s pantry or powder room.
The one and only Gail Turner-Cooper, best friend and certified health coach.
Photography by Liz Stubbs.
Because I love you, I spoke with my best friend, Gail Turner-Cooper of Align Health Coaching, about the best ways to avoid getting sick during this highly contagious season. Of course, she said, I should wash my hands longer than I think necessary. She also recommended asking people how they are feeling before planning a get-together.
Bath designed by Marlee Vlassis of Balance Design. (This little shot is a reminder to wash your hands!)
Photography by Christina Wedge.
But what are the two most important ways to stay healthy? Good sleep and a healthy gut. What? It was not the answer that I was expecting! She explained that I need to prioritize my sleep, getting 7-9 hours every night. She stressed that my nightly routine was critical. Let go of screens @2-3 hours before bed, consider a ritual nighttime tea, reading, and journaling at night so that I can wind down. She also recommended not having caffeine after 11 am. Being a person who has often struggled with sleep (and caffeine), I knew she was right, it just seems much more difficult to do the steps religiously.
Ahh-the blush, red and terra cotta of this bath! Interior Design by Marlee of Balance Design, photography by Christina Wedge.
The other big thing is our gut health. She is really into this one and has been talking about it for a VERY long time. What does this mean? She explains that your gut biome is critical to your overall health, and it houses almost 70% of your immune system! She said that if our gut is out of balance due to poor diet, stress, or an imbalance in proper gut bacteria, then our immune system can become compromised. To nourish our guts, she suggests fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, plain yogurt and kefir can introduce beneficial bacteria. A high-quality probiotic is also a good idea.
I found this Andy Warhol card at the MoMa Design Store.
I hope these tips from Gail help you to stay healthy this season! I thought that I would end with a heart-inspired card, by one of my favorite artists-Andy Warhol. Thank you for indulging my love of the heart. Hope your day is full of love! Let me know how you feel, because few things seem to divide people, like hearts and the color red!
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