Filed under: Your Home, Bathroom, Living Room, Furniture
Feeling frazzled from work even after you walk in your front door? That's no good. Six designers tell us how to make your home a stress-free zone.We've already explored how your home can make you look younger and help you wake up early. Now, we're putting it to work again. We reached out to the New York Design Center's new Access to Design designers to get their thoughts and tips on how your home can help you decompress after work. (You can also get great advice and find a designer at accesstodesign@nydc.com.)
L'Amant at Kohler Design Center; John Loecke Inc.
Laura Kirar of Tru Design starts with the bathtub:
"For centuries, people have de-stressed in the bath. I absolutely prefer my Kallista VirStil Shower and body sprays ... nothing soothes like steam and hot water."
--Image is from the L'Amant at the Kohler Design Center.
Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke of John Loecke, Inc are all about bringing the fun:
Jason: "To quote Miss Sheena Easton and her classic 1980s tune, Morning Train (Nine to Five): 'My baby takes the morning train, he works from nine till five and then he takes another home again to find me waitin' for him.' And when our baby comes home, we want to have a cool cocktail waiting for him and fabulous seating where he can kick back and put up his feet. The key to a stress-free existence? You can never have enough swill or supremely comfortable sectionals."
John: "After taking all those trains, take a load off and drink up, buttercup! So here's a home we crafted in New Orleans with decidedly chic but über-comfortable seating in the form of a sectional from Hickory Chair. Of course, we want to engage our baby, too, so we added lots of color in the form of throw pillows and amazing artwork. And we stocked up on plenty of gin in the cupboard. Voila! Martinis are served."
Courtesy of Kevin Isbell
Interior designer Kevin Isbell focuses on warm touches and an edited selection of items.
"Modern living is fast paced and stressful, so your home should be a comfortable, inviting respite from the outside world. In this intimate sitting room, I wrapped the room in warm textures, within a controlled color palate, so that only the items which stood out are those that have meaning and importance to the client. Create an environment surrounded with things you love, and you will have forgotten all your troubles within moments of returning home."
Courtesy of Drew McGukin
Drew McGukin of Drew McGukin Interiors relies on the perfect chair:
"I recently added two barrel chairs on swivel bases in a small, Upper East Side living room. My client now emails me at least once a week to say how the chairs have turned out to be the most comfortable and fun for the whole family. When I think 'DE-stress,' I think sit down, don't move, everything at your fingertips. Why not have a 360 degree advantage, right?"
Courtesy of Richard Lee Interior Design
And Richard Lee of Richard Lee Interior Design keeps it simple:
"I enjoy coming home and lying in a chaise lounge with my dog Leo."
Looking for more problem-solving home ideas? Check out:
How to Decorate: Start With a Statement Rug
Decorating Styles 101: Flirty
Decorating an Empty Room