Carving Out a Sanctuary Amid the Chaos
Have you ever found yourself craving that elusive sense of peace and stillness amidst the relentless whirlwind of daily life? A place where you can truly unwind, recharge, and nurture your overall wellbeing? If so, you’re not alone. In our fast-paced, screen-saturated world, the need for restorative sanctuaries has never been greater.
Interior designer Sarah Barnard understands this yearning all too well. As a WELL and LEED accredited designer, Barnard has made it her mission to create environments that support mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. And when it comes to designing a true haven of tranquility, the bathroom retreat is where her expertise really shines.
Redefining the Bathroom: From Functional to Transformative
In the not-so-distant past, the bathroom was often an overlooked and underutilized space – a purely functional room that served its purpose and little else. But Barnard and a growing wave of wellness-focused designers are challenging this outdated notion, transforming the humble bathroom into a true sanctuary for self-care and rejuvenation.
“Bathrooms are one of the few spaces in a home affording privacy. So, I focus on creating tranquil bathroom retreats that enrich daily moments of ritual and calm,” Barnard explains.
Embracing Biophilic Design
One of the key principles guiding Barnard’s approach is the concept of biophilic design – the idea of incorporating elements of nature into the built environment to foster a deeper connection between people and the natural world. This philosophy is especially evident in her bathroom designs, where she incorporates organic materials, soothing colors, and nature-inspired motifs to create a serene, spa-like atmosphere.
“When nature isn’t available, incorporating art into home design can help improve wellbeing. There have been studies about the reaction we have when viewing artwork, finding that beautiful art activates pleasure centers in the brain similar to falling in love,” Barnard shares.
One such example is a recent bathroom design she created that takes inspiration from the graceful pollinators we often overlook – bees. The bathroom features honey-toned walls, gold and copper-hued tiles, and custom floor tiles made with marble and inlaid bees, all working together to evoke a sense of calm and wonder.
Prioritizing Functionality and Personalization
But Barnard’s approach to bathroom design extends far beyond mere aesthetics. She also places a strong emphasis on functionality and personalization, ensuring that each space is tailored to the unique needs and preferences of her clients.
“Every person has individual needs and will require an individualized space for optimal health and happiness. I explore solutions that fully support my clients’ lifestyles, providing an approach to home design centered around their physical and emotional needs.”
This might mean incorporating specialized features like custom storage solutions, ergonomic fixtures, or even integrating technology to enhance the user experience. By truly understanding her clients’ daily routines and preferences, Barnard is able to create bathroom retreats that seamlessly blend form and function, transforming the mundane into the magnificent.
Promoting Holistic Wellness
But the true magic of Barnard’s bathroom designs lies in their ability to foster holistic wellbeing – addressing not just the physical, but the mental and emotional aspects of self-care as well.
“Sarah Barnard’s designs promote a relationship with nature, a connection known to help people feel calmer, happier, and healthier,” notes the NKBA in their recognition of her as the 2021 Person of the Year.
Cultivating Calm and Mindfulness
By creating spaces that are visually soothing, tactilely pleasing, and imbued with a sense of tranquility, Barnard’s bathroom retreats encourage a state of mindfulness and relaxation. From the soft lighting and warm, earthy tones to the carefully curated art and decor, every element is designed to help her clients unwind, reset, and reconnect with themselves.
Prioritizing Indoor Air Quality
But Barnard’s commitment to wellness extends beyond just the aesthetic appeal of her designs. She also places a strong emphasis on using non-toxic, sustainably sourced materials to optimize indoor air quality – a factor that can have a profound impact on our physical and mental health.
“Creating a space with improved indoor air quality can help to better sleep, reduce headaches, and in some cases may help with allergies and breathing,” Barnard explains.
By eliminating harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), Barnard ensures that her clients can truly breathe easy in their sanctuary, allowing their bodies and minds to fully recharge.
Designing for the New Normal
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of creating restorative, wellness-focused spaces has become even more paramount. With many former sources of relaxation and respite now off-limits, our homes have been forced to shoulder an even greater burden in meeting our physical and emotional needs.
As the Sha Wellness Clinic in Mexico aptly notes, “The home has become a safe haven, a place to restore, a place to reconnect with ourselves.”
And when it comes to creating that much-needed haven, the bathroom retreat is emerging as a true oasis of calm and control in an otherwise uncertain world.
“Because bathrooms are one of the few spaces in a home affording privacy, Barnard focuses on creating tranquil bathroom retreats that enrich daily moments of ritual and calm. She recently designed a bathroom looking to pollinators as inspiration, creating a honey-toned space with warm lighting and custom floor tiles made with marble and inlaid bees.”
By designing bathroom retreats that cater to our need for privacy, self-care, and a connection to the natural world, Barnard and other forward-thinking designers are empowering people to cultivate a sense of wellbeing and balance, even in the midst of chaos.
Crafting Your Own Bathroom Sanctuary
So, how can you bring this transformative approach to bathroom design into your own home? The team at ABC Home suggests starting with a few key considerations:
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Embrace Biophilic Design: Incorporate natural elements like wood, stone, and plants to foster a sense of calm and connection to the great outdoors.
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Personalize the Space: Work with a designer who will take the time to understand your unique needs and preferences, crafting a bathroom that truly reflects your lifestyle and supports your wellbeing.
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Prioritize Indoor Air Quality: Opt for non-toxic, sustainably sourced materials to ensure the air you breathe in your sanctuary is as pure and rejuvenating as possible.
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Cultivate Mindfulness: Design the space to encourage relaxation and self-care, with features like mood lighting, plush textiles, and calming artwork.
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Integrate Technology: Explore innovative solutions like smart showers, touchless faucets, and built-in sound systems to elevate the overall user experience.
By approaching your bathroom renovation with a focus on holistic wellness, you can transform a once-mundane space into a true oasis of tranquility – a haven where you can retreat, recharge, and emerge feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the world.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to design your very own bathroom sanctuary and unlock the power of wellness-focused home design.
