Between the Layers | Design Guide Series
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Lifestyle

How to Infuse Mindfulness Practices into Your Everyday Routine

Here are a few things I’ve learned that might help you feel more calm and centered throughout the day

A blog post for my fellow peace-seeking souls. Let’s dive into a conversation that’s all about bringing harmony and zen vibes into our daily routines, aka mindfulness. We just got back from our getaway in Sun Valley for the 4th of July weekend. The scenery, my friends, was an absolute dream – a haven of majestic mountains and lush greenery. 

In the midst of this paradise, spending quality time with my loved ones proved to be the ultimate mental refresh. It was like the perfect symphony of peace and tranquility, with a hint of adventure. Let’s take a look at how we can conscientiously and seamlessly weave these practices into our lifestyles.

 

1. Seeking mindfulness through outdoor escapades

Now, let’s venture into the wild side – hiking! Oh, the stories the trails of Oregon could tell! For me, hiking is the key that unlocks the door to mindfulness. Whether you’re wandering through mountains or exploring a local park, nature invites you to rediscover yourself and connect with the world around you. It can be a journey of self-discovery and breathtaking beauty that no designer showroom can match. 

Source: Jake Arnold Idaho Cabin
Source: Jake Arnold Idaho Cabin. An unexpected sensibility where rustic meets rare

2. Rise and shine with intention

Mornings are the canvas upon which you paint your day. Carve out a slice of tranquility for yourself, whether it’s sipping on a warm cup of herbal tea, stretching your body with gentle yoga poses, or simply embracing a few moments of silence. Setting a mindful tone from the get-go infuses my day with clarity and allows me to focus on all that I want to accomplish. One way I like to feel refreshed is by using this cleansing face oil that I absolutely adore. It nourishes my skin in a way like no other. The simple act of applying skin care can be a meditative experience, where I take a few moments to slow down, be present, and engage in a little pampering. 

Source: The Ivy House

3. Unplug and embrace mindfulness

In a world buzzing with notifications and screens, it’s crucial to designate specific times or spaces to disconnect from the digital realm. Especially as a designer/influencer, my days are filled with lots of social media screen time. The service up in the mountains really allowed me to embrace the activities of the outdoors and recharge my own internal design aesthetic. By living in the moment, I tap into my creativity, resulting in designs that capture the essence of a space and resonate deeply with those who experience it.

Source: Jake Arnold Idaho Cabin

4. Reflect and rest

Lastly, before embarking on dreamland adventures, I find it helpful to take a moment to reflect on the day’s triumphs and lessons. A journal can be a great way to gather and express  all of your feelings. Simple things like expressing gratitude for the blessings of the day, and releasing any worries or tensions that have been holding you back, are incredibly calming. It’s a mindful practice that grants you peace, promoting restful slumbers and energized awakenings.

Design aficionados, mindfulness is the secret ingredient that elevates your spaces from mere aesthetics to havens of peace and serenity. And guess what? You don’t need to be whisked away to far-off places to embrace its magic. By infusing mindfulness into your everyday routines, you can create a sanctuary right where you are, surrounded by the beauty you’ve curated. So, let mindfulness guide you as you design a life filled with mindful living. Remember, life is short, make it beautiful ✨

1

L'Ete Woven Tote Bag Clare V.

Playful weaving and colorpop embroidery transform this spacious, unstructured tote into your new weekend fave. Did you see the 'I should have been a Cowboy' tote bags over on our instagram? To die for! I had to find something similar for you all.
L’Ete Woven Tote Bag CLARE V.
2

Classic Refillable Journal

You will need a chic, handmade leather journal like this one. It'll add a level of sophistication to your everyday journaling practice.
Classic Refillable Journal
3

Caudalie Vinoclean Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil

I picked up this oil based cleanser in SV. Totally loving it! Adding just ONE new product to your skincare routine can be a total game changer in how you look + feel :)
Caudalie Vinoclean Makeup Removing Cleansing Oil
4

The Poplin Caftan Dress

Keeping you cool and comfortable, the Poplin Caftan Dress is an easy outfit-in-one. I'm all about rolling out of bed while on vacay and throwing on an effortless, breathable look!
The Poplin Caftan Dress
5

Straw Checkered Hat Lele Sadoughi

No more tanning oil friends -- it's 2023. We are protecting ourselves from the sun! It's summer, and the top is off my Jeep. Full sun exposure means this Lele Sadoughi hat has not left my side. The under-chin strap is essential for those classic caught-off-guard windy days ... or Central Oregon thunder storms.
Straw Checkered Hat Lele Sadoughi
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Seems crazy for me to say this because I love summer... but I think I’m starting to crave fall.🤎

The sweaters, a fire going, slower mornings, being a little more cocooned at home. Maybe that’s what has me thinking about how much the smallest things in a home can change the way a day feels.

Not the big renovation decisions. The mug you always reach for. A lamp that makes the room feel extra ozy at night. The old chair in the corner that somehow gets better every time someone sits in it..

None of it has to be important (or expensive) to make everyday life feel a little more special. I think you just have to notice what does.

Videography: @bozemanmediadesign 

But before I get ahead of myself... are we ready for fall yet?
I can usually tell within the first few minutes of meeting someone what kind of client they’re going to be. Not because of their style. Not because of the size of their house. It’s in the way they talk about their home. Sometimes they’ll apologize for it before we even walk in. “I know it’s kind of all over the place,” or, “We’ve lived with this for years.” And almost every time, I find myself thinking the same thing:
Your home isn’t the problem. It’s just waiting for someone to make a few confident decisions.

I think people assume interior design is about having better taste than everyone else. It isn’t. It’s pattern recognition. After twenty years of walking through homes, I don’t see a room the same way most people do anymore. I’m noticing what your eye keeps getting stuck on. Where the proportions feel off. Why one side of the room feels heavier than the other. Which thing is quietly throwing everything else out of balance.

Those aren’t things most homeowners should have to know. That’s what we’re here for. And honestly, that’s one of my favorite parts of this job. If you’ve ever hesitated to reach out or don’t know where to start with your project... message me, I’d love to chat!
There you have it... the den, for now.

I always say the best rooms aren’t the ones that feel perfect-they’re the ones that make you want to stay awhile.

This room has become exactly that. Morning coffee, evening happy hour, football games, reading, hanging with family... it’s already getting lived in the way we hoped it would.

Those are always my favorite projects.

Tell me your favorite part of this room!
Comment ‘EDIT’ and we’ll send it straight to your inbox when it goes live this evening.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the difference between something that’s simply trending... and something that actually changes the way a home feels.
This month I keep coming back to vintage textiles over oversized artwork.

Bathrooms that feel more like living rooms than bathrooms. Why I think plug-in sconces are one of the most underrated design tricks. Cherry red (in the smallest doses❤️). And why I’ll almost always tell a client to invest in a beautiful faucet before a trendy finish somewhere else.

These are the conversations we’ve been having in the studio. The screenshots I’ve been saving. The products sitting in my cart. The little ideas that slowly find their way into client projects and eventually into our own home.

I’ll dive much deeper into all of it in today’s edition of Between the Layers, along with my favorite sources, products, and the “why” behind each one.

I hope you’ll join me!