What does it truly mean to be well within the spaces we call home?
This question resonated deeply as we gathered for m studio interior design’s inaugural Design + Wellness Half-Day Retreat: Live Beautifully, Live Well™. Hosted in the oh-so-vibrant, light-filled Plant Daddies nursery-like setting in Irvine, CA, in collaboration with my dear friend and colleague Shannon Ratcliffe of Curated Connections, the experience was transformative, uplifting, and profoundly moving.
With a heart full of gratitude, I was honored to have lead this intimate gathering, not just as an interior design expert, but as a fellow traveler on the path to wellness. We welcomed a wonderful group of clients and wellness enthusiasts, all eager to explore the deep connection between our surroundings and our well-being.
A Vision Taking Root: Where Design Meets Wellness
This retreat was the realization of a long-held dream to cultivate a design studio that extends beyond creating beautiful spaces to nurturing holistic wellness. I envisioned a serene, California-chic sanctuary where creativity flows and exquisite materials inspire, with an ultimate goal of promoting wellness in the home where practices like yoga, meditation, and sound healing are woven into the very fabric of our design process. Imagine a place where wellness isn’t an afterthought, but the cornerstone of every creation.
My vision initially centered on a space near my home in Long Beach, overlooking the marina. Each morning walking Willow (my sweet-angel-face rescue-doggy!) past a particular storefront, I felt incredibly drawn to the space. Though when an offer I had submitted wasn’t meant to be, I found myself guided to The Plant Daddies through Shannon’s introduction revealing a new iteration of what this vision was unfolding to become. The greenhouse vibes provided the perfect canvas!!
Wellness and Design in Our Daily Lives
Did you know that most people spend 90% of their lives indoors? This incredible statistic, which I learned while preparing for my WELL Accredited Professional exam, fundamentally shifted my perspective on design.
Of course, I cherish crafting visually stunning homes. Yet, my deepest passion lies in creating environments that feel exceptional, homes that embrace tranquility, support wellness rituals, and empower us to truly flourish. From selecting lighting that promotes restful sleep to designing layouts that encourage movement, every decision is an opportunity to enhance well-being. And who can forget the joy of at-home steam therapy? These details are paramount and led to the birth of our tagline: “Live Beautifully, Live Well.”
Design and wellness are not simply related, they are inseparable. They resonate together, forming a symphony that elevates our daily lives.
A Day Designed for Connection and Renewal
We curated three distinct experiences to guide our guests towards deeper connection, both within themselves and within their spaces:
- A grounding yoga session to awaken the body and set intentions.
- A serene meditation practice to quiet the mind and find inner peace.
- A profoundly restorative sound bath to soothe the nervous system and release tension.
Each moment was designed to nourish, replenish, and inspire. During our group recovery & rejuvenation, we savored delicious eats and explored some of my cherished wellness tools, including amazing tips from my fave design brand Mr. Steam!! What an exceptional way to end a morning of movement… I mean, who doesn’t love a good chair massage and a facial with steam!?
A Circle of Gratitude and Inspiration
The day was made even more extraordinary by the presence of some of my dearest clients Janet and Todd & Allison. Having had the privilege of designing and remodeling their homes, all of which have received regional and national design awards, it felt like a beautiful full-circle moment. It was a reminder that wellness-focused design not only creates stunning aesthetics, but also nourishes the soul.
Their presence reaffirmed that this work is about so much more than the physical spaces, it’s about the people who inhabit them, the connections we forge, the community we build, and the holistic wellness we embrace.
Looking Ahead: A Future Filled with Wellness
This was just the beginning!! My heart is brimming with anticipation for our NEXT Live Beautifully, Live Well retreat, which promises to be even more transformative (and yes, steamy!!!). As soon as these babies are ready, we’ll delve into portable steam rooms and infrared saunas, and offer hands-on guidance for transforming your bathroom into a personal wellness sanctuary.
More Live Beautifully, Live Well Moments
If you feel any tinge of FOMO reading this, know that you’re warmly invited to join us next time. Stay tuned!! ✨
Xoxo,
Megan
