Galway Advertiser 2005/2005_04_21/GA_2104_E1_018.pdf 

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18

Galway Advertiser

April 21 2005

NEWS

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FASHION

BEAUTY

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H E A LT H

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LIFE

MARY O'CONNOR Creating a holistic home
More and more people are reassessing their way of living as they tire of the endless rat race and the pressures and demands of modern society. They are paying more attention to their health and wellbeing too and are keen to achieve a work/life balance. Home has become an important cutoff point, a sanctuary where they can unwind and recharge their batteries. But is your home fulfilling that purpose? Or is it contributing to your stress levels by being cluttered or untidy or lacking any real personality or warmth? Joy O'Keeffe, a local holistic interior designer, says we spend more time in our homes than anywhere else so it is wise to make them as inviting and comfortable as possible. Many homes do not measure up, she says. "The idea of keeping up with the Jones' has caused home owners to lose sight of the true purpose of the home. We have become obsessed with creating houses that give off the right impression yet they lack any real personality and do not reflect the interests of their occupants. "They have become a showpiece instead of a haven of peace and tranquillity. Harmony in the home should not be considered a luxury but a necessity of modern living. After all, stress is said to be the number one contributor to ill-health so by creating homes that nurture us and alleviate stress we could be adding years to our lives." So where should you start? Begin by using colour to maximum advantage, she suggests. View it as a form of therapy. "Pure white light when broken down reflects the seven colours of the rainbow - violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. Your aim should be to have a balance of these colours in different shades and intensity throughout the house from pastels to brights. This creates a harmoniously coloured home." She describes violet as meditative and suggests using it in a room where you plan to relax. Indigo aids restful sleep and also helps act as a natural painkiller and sedative - ideal if your child is teething - while blue is perfect for a bathroom. Joy says its antiseptic and cooling properties make it an ideal choice. Green is a wise choice for a living room, it is a restful and calm shade, reinforcing our connection to nature and blurring the divide between outside and inside. She suggests yellow for kitchen and dining areas because it aids digestion and stimulates the brain for conversation. This colour is also ideal in a study area or office. lead pipes or soldered copper pipes. Choose wood rattan, wicker and bamboo furniture. Ensure chimneys are swept and seal all cracks.

Dos
* Clean and de-clutter. A tidy house creates a calm atmosphere * Burn scented candles and aromatherapy oils for relaxation and atmosphere * Have lots of plants. They purify the air and link us to the great outdoors. You can place a plant next to your desk in your office or study. * Erect mirrors. They bounce and reflect light around the room making it appear brighter. They also create the illusion of more space making a room feel bigger than it actually is. Make sure all your mirrors are polished and dust free.

Sociable colour
Orange is ideal for creating a sunny and inviting hall as it is a very sociable colour, she says. "A splash of orange in a bedroom too can boost energy levels and enhance romance and fun. Add a splash of red in a bedroom to increase passion. A word of caution, when using red be careful not to overdo it as this may lead to arguments." She says yellow and orange are best avoided in children's bedrooms as they can lead to insomnia. Opt instead for violets or blues which will aid restful sleep. If a child's bedroom is already painted yellow or orange introduce violet or blue accessories, such as cushions, throws or lamps to create a colour balance. Be alert to sick building syndrome. "Every year thousands of man hours are lost by workers' ill-health and energy imbalances. Sick building syndrome can also occur in the home

Avoid
* Painting the whole house brilliant white because this is a clinical and sterile colour within which it is difficult to relax. It is also difficult to maintain because it shows the dirt easily * Fluorescent light fittings as these tend to flicker and the vibrations from flickering can cause headaches
"View colour as a form of therapy," says Joy O' Keeffe, a holistic interior designer.

causing and aggravating ailments such as asthma, sinusitis, headaches, skin irritations, neck and back pain and exhausting and allergic reactions.

Do not get carried away with the latest trends because they can have a short lifespan.

Just as serious is the psychological impact of a ` sick' building on its occupants, loss of concentration, low motivation, a critical outlook and even low grade depression." People who are suffering from any of the above symptoms and who have ruled out other causes, may well be reacting to working in a sick building, she says. The syndrome can be caused by external factors such as ground, air and noise pollution, lack of natural sunlight and fresh air and gasses and vapours emitted by heating systems, cooking appliances, air conditioners and fridges. Toxic fumes emitted by building materials and household cleaning products can cause problems too. " Other causes include toxic dust particles from furnishings, fabrics, floor coverings and insulation material such as asbestos as well as toxins produced by the body such as acetone, ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol and ethyl acetate." Joy advises against using nylon and polyester carpets, vinyl or plastic floor tiles, underlay adhesive and particle board, plywood and hard board flooring. "Wool carpets are a better choice as are stone and ceramic tiles, slate or linoleum flooring. Natural underlay, such as hessian, and solid timber are good choices too. Avoid metal paints,

* Aggressive cleaning products and chemical based paint finishes and varnishes. These give off toxic vapours which can harm breathing and cause skin disorders, rashes, etc. Opt instead for natural cleaning products such as organic or low "voc" (volatile organic compounds) paints and varnishes * Over furnishing a room. Use a few key pieces to avoid cluttering up the space so that you can move about freely * Getting carried away with the latest trends, these have a short lifespan and will soon be out of fashion. It is expensive to keep up with and will need constant updating. Instead stick to a classical neutral style which dates better and lasts longer. A few up-to-the-minute accessories can modernise your look * Solvent based paints and varnishes because these can cause breathing difficulties, headaches and nausea

A number of places are available on a six week holistic interior design night course being run by Joy O' Keeffe at Galway Technical Institute, Fr Griffin Road on Wednesday nights from 7.30 to 9.30pm. Telephone Joy at (085) 1449698 for details.