Unlocking the Hidden Language of Our Homes
As I sit down to write this article for the ABC Home & Renovations website, I can’t help but take a good, long look around my own home. It’s a scene that feels all too familiar – a kitchen dresser overflowing with mugs, cards, and various trinkets the kids have made over the years, including a small elephant fashioned from a recycled milk bottle cap.
In contrast, the backdrop of my Zoom call with Kimberly Garner, the American founder of the School of Holistic Design, couldn’t be more serene. Her desk overlooks the shimmering waters of the Pacific Ocean, with Vancouver Island visible in the distance. It’s a stark difference from the chaos that often permeates my own domestic space.
As we begin our conversation, Garner shares an insightful perspective: “Our home is like a living vision board. It reflects who we are, and each room reflects a part of us. It’s much like our physical body, where we have all these organs, each with an important function. If one part isn’t working well, none of the others will either.”
Holistic Interior Design: A Deeper Approach
Holistic interior design, as Garner explains, is not about the Marie Kondo approach of clearing clutter and ditching items that don’t “spark joy.” Instead, it’s about exploring how we design, arrange, and occupy our homes, and how that “silent, yet visceral conversation” with our subconscious mind can influence our thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
“Each room should fulfill a specific purpose,” Garner advises. “The kitchen is like the central organ of our home, reflecting our vitality, abundance, and health. Our bedroom, on the other hand, reflects our love, rejuvenation, and dreams.”
As I ponder this, I can’t help but notice the stark contrast between my kitchen – a busy thoroughfare that connects our office and playroom – and my bedroom, which feels more like a sanctuary from the chaos of three young children. In fact, it’s the only room in the house with a lock on the door, a testament to my need for occasional solitude.
Unveiling the Hidden Language of Our Homes
Garner’s insights have prompted me to take a deeper look at the hidden language of my home, and how it might be communicating with my subconscious mind. “Our home communicates a hidden language with our subconscious mind,” she explains, “so bringing our awareness to this language opens up a new realm of possibility.”
I’ve always thought my home, nestled in the Cotswolds, reflected my personality quite well – a bit shabby around the edges, generally inviting, and anything but pretentious. The porch door opens directly into the living room, with a large fireplace at the heart, almost as if you’re going straight into the center of things. It’s a reflection of my own nature, I suppose – cluttered in parts, like my mind, but with an overall sense of calm.
Until, that is, you open one of the overflowing kitchen drawers. Garner suggests that this “secret clutter” might actually represent an inner turmoil, an undesirable part of ourselves that we don’t believe is good enough. “Clutter is like a visual poison for our body and mind,” she says. “When we experience an uncomfortable emotion, every cell in our body receives the signal that something isn’t right and sends out a message to the rest of our body, perpetuating stress on some level.”
Cultivating a Harmonious Home Environment
As I take Garner’s words to heart, I can’t help but notice the abundance of family photos adorning the surfaces in our home. She believes this reflects the centrality of relationships in my life, which is accurate, but also suggests that I could benefit from clearing some space on those surfaces, and therefore, in my mind, rather than dedicating all that space to other people.
Garner also points out that any objects with a negative or toxic association should be removed, such as an old plate that a family friend gave us during a particularly turbulent time. “We often keep something we don’t really like because it was a gift, or we feel we ‘should’ keep it or can’t justify getting rid of it,” she explains. “Yet the priority should be protecting our mental real estate and our peace of mind.”
The utility room, or laundry room, is another area that Garner believes can have a significant impact on our overall well-being. “Our utility room is a bit like our kitchen. It needs to function well for the household to function well,” she says. With three kids, the constant flow of laundry can create a “bottleneck” effect that ripples through other areas of our lives, causing a sense of overwhelm and a never-ending to-do list.
Practical Steps Towards a More Harmonious Home
Garner believes that one of the quickest ways to make a positive change in our homes is to consciously align our spaces with our values and intentions. “Make sure the first thing you see when you step through your door is something that feels good and reminds you of what you love about yourself and your home,” she advises. This could be as simple as a cherished photograph or a cozy rug.
Another crucial step is to remove the unnecessary “stuff” we’ve accumulated over the years, from the bread maker we never use to the chair we hate. “By removing obstacles within our space, we’re making space for more of what we want within our mind,” Garner explains.
It’s also important to ensure that every item in each room is aligned with the function of that space. Do you really need to keep that photo of your ex up there over the TV? “Bring your awareness, intentions, and curiosity to each room and think about how it’s impacting you and the way you feel,” Garner advises.
Ultimately, it’s about recognizing the profound impact our homes can have on our thoughts and well-being. “It’s a game of changing our perception and how our mind translates our environment and circumstances into meaning,” Garner says.
As I take in her insights, I can’t help but feel a renewed sense of purpose when it comes to my own domestic space. Perhaps it’s time to clear out that kitchen dresser, tidy up the laundry room, and create a harmonious environment that truly nourishes my mind, body, and soul. After all, our homes are so much more than just four walls – they’re a reflection of who we are, and who we aspire to become.
