“It is undeniable that our current situation will have a lasting influence on our homes and our lives. Articles and shared conversations confirm thoughts I’ve pondered and brought up subjects I have not considered. I love this discussion — the discussion of what we are gaining from our situation, how we are morphing, how we are influenced, and how we will move forward.”
Beth Haley shared these words with us, along with links to relevant articles touching on the pertinent topic of adaptation during a time of change (specifically in the world of design). Although restrictions are being lifted, and life promises to resume to a familiar sense of normalcy, it is undeniable that the effects of the current situation are lasting. Days on end spent inside the space we call home have changed our perspective on design. They have changed how we use our space and the things we love (and dislike) about it. Today, we’d like to share a few of the many articles that have resonated with the Beth Haley Team in regards to this topic. We’d also like you, our friends and clients, to participate in the conversation.
How are you using your home? How has your home morphed to accommodate your new daily patterns? Does your home nurture you? Are you able to find peace, security, and comfort inside? Is the design of your home impacting your mood? Is sunlight finding its way in? Are you getting enough fresh air? Do you have enough personal space?
17 Architects and Designers on How the Pandemic Will Change Our Homes Forever
dwell | written by Duncan Nielsen | read more here
“Houses have the power to bring joy and meaningful connection to our physical world. And in this moment of being homebound, while we need our interior spaces to be flexible to accommodate temporary activities, more importantly we need to enjoy the space regardless of what function it serves. We delight in natural daylighting, quality materials, healthy indoor air quality, and access to livable outdoor spaces. In many ways, this analog moment is a return to simple living, and in designing future homes, we will think more about what is essential to the experience of how we want to live.” — Vicki Yuan, associate at Lake|Flato Architects
This Is How Team Domino Is Working From Home
Domino | written by Domino Editors | read more here
“I live in a one-bedroom apartment with my boyfriend, where there are exactly four places to sit: the kitchen table, the couch, the bed, and…the floor. Finally last weekend I adjusted the height of the lowest, deepest shelf on my Elfa shelves to desk height and set up “workstations” for my boyfriend and me. Yes, it’s a glorified windowsill—but having a physical space dedicated to work makes it so much easier to maintain the mental space to get things done.” — Liz Mundle, Managing Editor
See How Designers Are Making It Work While Working From Home
Architectural Digest | written by Katherine Burns Olson | read more here
“I love creating zones to establish some mental division between work and play. We are accustomed to visual cues that signal us that it’s time for a certain task, like leaving the house to go to your office, or taking the kids to a playground to burn off some energy. These cues are very powerful and can be used within our homes as well. Look for a quiet corner in your house that’s away from your usual day-to-day activities, like cooking or laundry. Set up a little office there so your brain knows when you sit down, it’s time to work. The same thing can also apply to your children. Instead of having toys scattered throughout your home, create a spot in your home to set up a craft, or better yet, build your own obstacle course outside that feels novel and new to your little ones.” — Marie Flanigan, Marie Flanigan Interiors
How Previous Epidemics Impacted Home Design
Clever | written by Elizabeth Yuko | read more here
“Whether you realize it or not, a number of the design features in our homes today originated, or were popularized, because of previous infectious disease outbreaks, like the 1918 flu pandemic, tuberculosis, and dysentery. There is a very long, very interesting history of the intersection of health, architecture, and design going back to ancient times …”
Self-Quarantine Is No Time for an Instagram-Ready Kitchen
New York Times | written by Sophie Donelson | read more here
For those with a desire — and the resources — to connote a certain kind of idyllic domesticity, the home’s function was primarily determined by aesthetics. This or that design layout is how a nice home “should” look, according to social media.
But shoulds are unhelpful at a time when the demands on the home have increased exponentially: Dining tables are doubling as classrooms. Living rooms are home offices. Kitchens that ably moved takeout dinners and microwaved plates are now bracing through three meals and three snacks a day. The sofa, once only for Netflix and occasional guests, is now the site of back-to-back Zoom sessions. (Followed by Netflix.)
Do you have thoughts to share? We’d love to know how your space has changed or how your opinion about your space has changed. Drop us a line here or on Instagram.
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Like many of you, we are navigating a new work situation in light of the current events. In an effort to keep our design team and clients safe and happy, we have decided to limit the in-person meetings at the Beth Haley Design studio. In the meantime, Beth Haley Design will continue to be a resource for interior design services, as well as a source of inspiration. Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about our virtual interior design services during these stay-at-home times.
