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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When life gives you lemons… you make lemonade. 🍋
But for us, it wasn’t just a saying.
For over 20 years, I had been designing our homes… but when Derrick lost his job, everything shifted. What felt like everything falling apart was actually the beginning of something new.
After years of being a stay-at-home mom — the role that meant everything to me — I stepped into something completely unknown and started my design business. I was terrified.
Somewhere along the way, Derrick and I found our rhythm, and what started as helping each other turned into building something side by side… Clouz Houz.
And then… we did it again.
We left everything familiar and moved to Tennessee, starting over in a place where no one knew us. No reputation. No safety net. Just a dream… and a lot of faith. And if I’m being honest, it’s taken more grit and determination than I ever imagined. Because starting over midlife hits differently — when so many around you are slowing down, you’re asking yourself to dig deeper, push harder, and believe bigger.
There have been moments I’ve questioned everything. Moments that felt heavy, lonely, uncertain.
But also moments that feel like… this is it. This is the life we fought for.
“Life is Short. Make it Beautiful.” came from one of those turning points — when we realized life wasn’t going to wait for us to feel ready. So we chose to begin. 
Again.
And in this season of rebuilding, I’ve found myself being pulled toward something new… a different way of sharing what I’ve learned, what I see, and what I love.  It’s stretched me in new ways — and in some ways, it’s been unexpectedly therapeutic.
I can’t wait to share more soon. 🤍✨
Office reveal… but also a little life update.
We’ve been working from this space behind the scenes, and it finally feels ready to share. This is where client projects come to life…where we’re sourcing, planning, and building what’s next for both our Oregon projects and the ones we’re beginning here in Tennessee.
Oregon will always be home for our work. Our roots are there and very much staying, but we’re excited to now be creating in Tennessee as well, while continuing to serve clients nationwide.
We have three project openings this summer and are currently taking on new clients in both locations.
If you’ve been thinking about starting a project, you can inquire through our website…we’d love to work together. 🤍
What started as a “simple” fireplace update quickly turned into one of those classic renovation plot twists.😅 
Here’s how it actually unfolded:
1. Planned to install tile over the existing fireplace tile — that was the original vision.
2. Began demo and discovered some serious structural damage to chimney. Immediate pivot.
3. Tore in further and uncovered the original brick hiding underneath.
4. Brought in the mason to re-mortar and clean everything up.
5. The brick went from dusty and rustic to bright red and very classic — and yes... I freaked out a little.
6. Lived with it for a bit to see if I could make peace with the new look.
7. Ultimately we applied a watered down lime grout (what was used by mason) to give it that old-world imperfect feel again.
8. Polished/stained the original stone hearth to refresh it without replacing it.
9. Stripped down the fussy details from the wood mantle and surround.
10. Painted the mantle and reinstalled it — and finally, it all felt right.
Renovations rarely go exactly as planned, but sometimes uncovering what’s underneath leads to something better than you imagined in the first place.