Mindfulness Matters
Due to rising stress levels and the pressure to deliver in all aspects of our lives, people are turning towards mindfulness in an effort to live a more happier and healthier lifestyle. In the midst of our daily struggles we often find ourselves not having the mindful living space that would inspire us to be the best version of ourselves. Mindfulness is a way of engaging with the world, maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, actions, feelings and surrounding environment. The act of being mindful is is being completely engaged in the present moment and involves the conscious and deliberate direction of our attention. To be mindful of something isn't just to be fully aware of that thing, it also means that you're fully engaged.
Lighting a Space Just Right
Lighting is essential to any interior. Psychologists have found a direct correlation of lighting to mood. Bring in natural light as much as you can. When not using natural light it's crucial to select lighting schemes tailored specifically to various spaces in the home. For example the introduction of low-tech devices like Knauf and Brown’s Standard Table Lamp, which can only be turned on by manually connecting a circuit helps users consciously engage in everyday objects in a mindful way. The idea is that, by removing the on-off switch, the act of turning on a lamp becomes more contemplative. .Knauf and Brown believe that "If we are mindful of domestic objects — that is, if we approach them with a heightened meditative-like sense of awarenes, we we will no longer consider them disposable."
Knauf and Brown's table lamp does not have an on or off switch. It challenges the way people interact and engage with their objects at home.
Colours can trigger specific emotional responses. Therefore it is integral to select colours that creates a sense of warmth and brings harmony to your living space. An important way of bringing balance into a space is through nature. Breaking down the divide between the outside world and the interior space leads to the emotional well-being of the people living in it. Brighten your space with greenery. Flowers and plants are a fantastic way of bringing freshness and vibrant energy into your house. Additionally, they clean out negativity and bring positivity. Surrounding yourself with objects in your home made from natural materials or organic shapes and elements to produce a calming, restful and balanced atmosphere. Invest in pieces of natural or raw materials such as wood, marble, clay and cork. The uniqueness of earthy materials adds character and warmth to your abode(via Dezeen) or keep a room from feeling cold or bland.
Changing for the Better
Let yourself be inspired by your living space.“Shifting furnishings around and staging them differently can feel like a renewal,” says Joseph Ferrari, a professor of psychology at DePaul University. Little changes like adding a throw or accent cushions to your living room couch for warmth and texture, painting your walls creates newness in a small yet significant way to your existing home. The secret to creating a mindful space is to ensure you activate as many of your senses as you can and being more conscious of the items that inhabit your world. A peaceful and calm environment is the stepping stone to a more content lifestyle and helps to welcome more positivity into your life.
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Hong Kong's art market has become the third largest in the world. Local and international artists have merged together to bring about inspiring exhibitions, hidden gems of urban art and creative art installations for art enthusiasts across Asia. The city hosts some amazing art fairs, creative galleries and unique street art. We've rounded up Hong Kong's must see art fairs and exhibitions in March and outline what gives each one it's edge. Make sure you mark your diaries!
When it comes to art, Katie Alice Fitz Gerald knows a thing or two. She has spent the last few years living in New York as one of the founding partners of Denny Dimin Gallery. Prior to that she held the position of Gallery Director at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery in New York. In 2017 she relocated to Hong Kong with her family and is now the Director of Denny Dimin Gallery Hong Kong (DDHK).
We spent some time to speak with Katie Alice about Hong Kong's evolving art scene and her contribution to Arts Month with the exciting launch of her new Denny Dimin contemporary gallery.
Have you stopped to think about the source of your home furnishings, homewares and lifestyle accessories? Who made them, where did they come from and how long they are likely to last? At KBEN & HOL, we have a transparent production process that produces sustainable pieces and helps those who create them.
Nicole Lui
March 11, 2019
Beautifully said. No matter where I am or how big or small the space is, I decorate the space the way as I vision. Everything created by and starts from home.