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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New project in Bend, Oregon.🤍

We just signed on with the sweetest family, and one of the first things they said was, “We don’t really love our house.” A home can be objectively beautiful and still not feel good to live in.

In this house, the kitchen, dining room and living room are all one big great room. It sounds ideal until you realize the dining table is taking up the exact real estate the living room desperately needs.

Instead of making the kitchen bigger, we’re making it smarter. One move solved several problems at once: more storage, a better dining area, and enough square footage to give the living room the footprint it deserved.

Now we’re moving into one of my favorite phases... layering in materials. This is why I love the conceptual phase. Before a single cabinet is ordered, we’re already changing the way this family will live in their home.

If you’ve been looking around your own home thinking, “I know this could work better, I just don’t know how,” we’d love to help. Whether you’re planning a renovation, reworking your layout, or just need an expert eye before making expensive decisions, that’s exactly what we have to offer!

Check out our services through the link in our bio or send this post to a friend who’s struggling with this exact thing.
While renovations are an investment, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned after years of designing homes is this:
It’s not about how much you spend. It’s about where you spend it.

The homes that feel the most elevated aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest budgets. They’re the ones where every decision was made with intention.

That’s the philosophy behind everything we do. We help our clients understand where it’s worth investing, where they can save without sacrificing the overall look, and how to create a home that feels layered, timeless, and beautifully functional. Because a thoughtfully planned home will always feel more luxurious than one filled with expensive choices that don’t work together.

Good design isn’t about spending more.
It’s about making every dollar work harder for you-and creating a home you’ll love living in every single day.

If you’re planning a renovation or a furnishing project, we’d love to help. Learn more through the link in our bio.
People often ask why renovations have always been my favorite. The easy answer is that I love watching a transformation. But if I’m honest, I think it’s something much deeper than that.

Years ago, our family walked through a season that forced us to start over. It wasn’t something I would have chosen, but looking back, it changed the way I see everything. Homes. People. Even myself. I stopped looking at what something was and started paying attention to what it could become. Maybe that’s why fixer-uppers have always felt so familiar to me. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re starting over. I know what it’s like to wonder if something beautiful can come from a season that feels uncertain. That’s why I love renovations. They’re hopeful. Every wall that comes down makes room for something new. Every decision is an act of believing that what’s ahead can be better than what was there before.

The funny thing is... I don’t think this is really about houses. I think all of us have something in our lives that feels unfinished, overlooked, or in need of another chance. I’ve learned that the middle of the story rarely looks like the ending. And sometimes the most beautiful things aren’t built from scratch. They’re simply revealed.
For anyone who’s ever had to start over... I’m rooting for you!
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the little things.
After moving across the country, leaving behind everything we’d known, and living in the middle of a major renovation, I’ve realized that joy isn’t waiting for me on the other side of a finished house.

It’s in the fresh flowers on the counter.
The windows open on a summer morning.
A glass of rosé at the end of the day.
Clipping greenery from the yard.
Lighting a candle just because.

These small rituals have become the way I slow down, stay present, and make this house feel like home-even while it’s still a work in progress.

ICYMI, I wrote all about this in my post “A Home That Feels Like Summer.” It’s a collection of the simple rituals, thoughtful edits, and favorite finds that are helping me embrace this season instead of waiting for the next one.

You can read the full story through the link in our bio.🤍
For a long time, I lived with a “one day” mindset.
One day, when the house is finished...
One day, when life slows down...
One day, when there’s something to celebrate.

But moving across the country, leaving behind everything familiar, and renovating a home while living in it has taught me something I never expected.

If I keep waiting for the perfect moment, I’ll miss the life that’s unfolding right now. So now I set the table on an ordinary Tuesday. I buy the flowers. I light the candles. I pour the wine. Not because everything is perfect. Because it isn’t.

It’s because I’ve learned that every season of life is worth enjoying—even the messy, unfinished, uncertain ones.
Ironically, some of my favorite memories have been made in a home covered in dust, with projects half finished and paint samples still on the walls.

Maybe that’s the real purpose of a home. Not to impress people. But to remind us to slow down, gather together, and find beauty in the season we’re living in.