The Clean Living Consciousness
Detox, green, wellbeing, vegan, yoga and mindfulness have become synonymous with the overarching category of clean living.
As this trending lifestyle concept is rapidly growing, the world is certainly giving plenty of compelling reasons to adopt a more conscious based lifestyle centered around the concept of wellbeing.
So what exactly does Clean Living Consciousness really mean?
When we are conscious, we are aware and present in the current moment. When we are practicing clean living, we are intentionally adapting daily habits and behaviours that are geared to the optimal health of our body, mind and soul.
So what does this actually look like?
Our Inner Home…the wellbeing of our mind.
Adopting a daily meditation practice or dedicating an amount of time each day to get still and quiet the mind.
The benefit is twofold.
Firstly, when we quiet our minds, its serves to recharge our energy. A 15 minute mediation can actually give you ore energy than a 1 hour nap. The second benefit is the ability to reconnect with our inner being.
By quieting the noise in our minds we create the space to receive the messages from the deepest part of ourselves…our soul. This soul centered space is our Inner Home and the safest place we can turn to in any situation. The conscious choices we make from this state of being are decisions based on clarity rather than confusion from an emotional reaction.
Nourishing our Bodies
When we speak of Clean Living, a clean diet is what usually comes to mind. A clean diet is definitely part of clean living, but there is more to it.
The way we eat, the way we prepare food, the way we feel as we eat our food and the way we buy our food.
Using fresh ingredients, preparing or choosing freshly prepared meals while avoiding processed foods, fast food and sugar. Drinking plenty of water instead of soft drinks and limiting the amount of alcohol consumption.
When buying food, choosing locally grown (if possible) organic fruits, vegetables, grains, and responsibly raised eggs, fish and meat (if non-vegan). Incorporating responsible buying instead of panic buying or hoarding.
Exercising our bodies also nourishes our bodies. Whether you are running, doing yoga/pilates, or HIIT fitness classes, the circulation of oxygen is nourishing your body as well as strengthening your muscles including your heart while ridding the body of stress. Exercise raises our endorphins and dopamine hormone levels which raise the levels of our mental energy and boost positive moods.
Our Outer Home…the wellbeing of our personal living space.
Our personal living environments reflect the state of our inner home. Cluttered homes reflect cluttered minds. When you’re living space is untidy, cluttered and unorganised, it directly affects your state of being and mood.
Belsize Lane Project by Callender Howorth
By implementing a strategy of sorting out the clutter, ‘one cupboard at a time’, you will be absolutely amazed at how good you will feel. Small decluttering steps lead to big steps in wellbeing.
Our living environments are our refuge from the outside world and provide us with a sense of safety and wellbeing. Our homes are our personal source of inspiration and reflect our individual personalities.
City Penthouse Project by Callender Howorth
Touch upon all the senses.
Incorporating favourite decorative pieces, emotive calming scented candles, lighting, comfortable furniture, art, freshly cut flowers and plants, linens, textiles and colours all come together to create the landscape and feeling of your Home.
Regardless the size of your home, whether a small studio flat or individual house, this is the place where you live, sleep, eat, and for many of us, work. Live/work spaces are a current trend that we can expect to see more of as we have recently experienced with the global pandemic of the coronavirus.
Staying in is the new Going Out!
Our Soul Space…the wellbeing of our consciousness
Our deepest connection to ourselves and the collective universe.
When we tend to our soul space like a garden and give our attention to how we feel and deep dive to why we feel the way we do, we are creating an alignment within ourselves that impacts those around us as well as to the energy of the universe. From that perspective we are able to give meaning and purpose to our lives.
Regardless of your spiritual path or religious beliefs, we are a community of people living on this planet and the energy we give to each other directly affects the energy of the universe. It is for these reasons that as humans we create physical change and transformation of the planet.
People like Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela who just by their steadfast values, selfless actions and unbound energy created phenomenal changes in our world. Their connection to the greater good is what fueled their passion that drove their actions thus changing the lives of millions including future generations. A legacy of new consciousness.
With climate change, differing geopolitical landscapes and current global health concerns, a Clean Living Consciousness is a way of keeping us grounded and healthy as we move into unchartered waters in the sea of uncertainty of the next phase of our humanity.
Maison et Objet : Trends for 2020
Just after the announcement of Pantone Classic Blue 19-4052 as 2020’s colour of the year, we were curious to explore the newest musings at Maison et Objet in Paris. What we were most after was the tangible feeling of design influence as we begin a new decade.
What we found was the sentiment of returning to deep seated values, a collective statement that as we move forward we are doing so with a newfound agency for appreciation of nature, wellbeing, responsibility and authenticity.
A similar feeling as if you just came back from an exotic transformational retreat. Reconnected.
True Blue
A safe approach, timeless yet smart.
Classic Blue never fails as accent pieces or for suggestively setting the mood. Whether an elegantly understated vase or velvety banquette, this true blue is always lovely to work with and always catches the eye when subtly appointed.
Bert Frank
Staying Neutral and Natural
Certainly a reflection of today’s regeneration movement, we are seeing more eco-friendly pieces and materials.
More sobriety in living areas without compromising luxury. Mineral shaped lamp bases or suspension lighting, a wink to the emitting energy found in nature.
Natural luxury is steadily moving towards becoming the new luxury….sublime and responsibly sincere. Lots of bamboo weaves everywhere.
HKliving
Curved and classy
The soft and intimate influence of curved pieces from sofas, seating, lighting, and sideboards reveal the desire for more connection and conversation.
The soothing feeling of cocooning the space as our own sanctuary from a world gone mad.
Cozy and curved by Dooq.
Greys and Greens
Elegant grey, versatile for any space lends its presence subdued yet stable can be paired endlessly.
Like the colours of beach pebbles in different shades, grey reminds of its natural and neutral imprint and considering the organic theme of wellbeing throughout the show, it mirrors a stable source of strength.
FOREVER
Green Vitality
Like the vital energy as if you have just walked through the forest, the deep greens are noticed in accessories, prints, sofas, seating, plates, and wall colours.
Breathing the vitality of life into spaces more than just with indoor plants. We can all use more of that!
@boliacom
Made by hand
A soulful calling for handcrafted unique pieces, speaking originality and authenticity.
This is one trend that is truly reflecting the appreciation for our unique talents and gifts. One unlike no other.
Beautiful work by Villari
We were delighted with this year’s Maison et Objet and are always enthusiastic attending these industry exhibitions that are at the forefront of design.
We look forward to attending Milan and Stockholm later this year so that we can continuously share new ideas and concepts with our clients. Watch this space!
Supplier of the Month: Crownwell Basements
At Callender Howorth, we strive to help our clients make the most of their homes, leaving no stone unturned in the quest to invigorate an interior design project. In fact, when it comes to bringing a home to life, we believe in starting from the bottom up: enter Crownwell Basements, a valued supplier of Callender Howorth.
About Crownwell Basements
Crownwell Basements is a specialist design and build contractor – one that boasts over 20 years of experience in taking what appears to be ‘dead space’ and transforming it into a high-end, luxury extension to your living space.
Experts at fulfilling a basement’s potential, Crownwell look at their clients’ lifestyles and listen closely to their needs before suggesting ideas. It could be a wine cellar for the amateur sommelier, a home spa or gym for the busy executive, a study that provides peace and quiet, or a games room for all the family. The possibilities and ideas from Crownwell Basements are endless. It’s all about thinking outside of the box.
Jacob Puddy, Managing Director, elaborates:
“People tend to be put off by the idea of a dark and dank room, but with modern decor, good insulation and ambient lighting, the basement can become just as warm and inviting as any other room in the house. Even the smallest room can be made to look spacious and designers employ plenty of tricks to make tiny rooms look airy and elegant.”
What They Offer
From architectural drawings to planning consent, structure reports, heritage statements and listed building consent, the team at Crownwell Basements are on the case from conception to completion. They even offer specialist basement design services that include methodology statements, hydro-geology reporting and flood risk assessments.
It’s practical things like this that can make all the difference. Styling an area is one thing, but it is senseless to install a gym in the basement of a home if the floors can’t absorb the vibrations of a treadmill, and it’s not a good idea to store books and art in a basement if the temperature isn’t conducive to their long-term conservation.
That’s not to say creativity isn’t their strong suit too. From repurposing old items, such as baskets and metal cabinets, for storage, to carefully arranging pieces of art, ergonomic furniture and specifically placed, high-quality lighting, Crownwell Basements excel when it comes to the finishing touches.
Collaborations
At Callender Howorth, we pride ourselves on only collaborating with the best of the best. Recent years have seen a surge in popularity of basement renovations, especially in London, with the best UK interior design companies helping to maximise a limited space.
With Crownwell Basements, however, experience long supersedes this current mood for digging. This is a company where extensive knowledge and an innate sense of artistic requirement offer a winning combination – an expert skill set that most definitely runs deep.
Collaborating on many projects with Crownwell Basements, we have transformed many houses by installing basement spaces for the families to enjoy. Does your house have the potential to gain a floor? Contact the friendly team at Callender Howorth to start your home’s transformation.
How to Blend Vintage and Modern in Your Home
Our interior design services provide the opportunity to enjoy your home every day, whether having your family over for a feast, watching a film with friends or throwing an elegant soiree. One way that we do this for clients is by blending chic modern design with vintage class. We can create not just a home but a collection of pieces that are personalised for your family; various talking points that include the treasures you found on your travels, items of sentimental value, and unusual features that convey a sense of your personality.
Exchange Building
The great thing about interior design is that you can marry vintage and modern together to characterise an aesthetic that characterises you.
Mix contrasting shapes, styles, colours, materials and patterns to achieve your desired mix.
Exchange Building
Achieving a fine blend of modern and vintage furniture is a work of art and can turn your home into a stylish space in which to entertain. Such an interesting blend of styles can make the room visually interesting and inviting.
One could draw inspiration from our Nice Apartment project, which fashions a large, bold, modern chandelier as the focal point of a room. To achieve a desired style, we utilised softer vintage lamps to underpin the elegance and balance of the room’s design.
Nice Apartment
Theres no need to stick to one era when designing; pay testament to your eccentricities and tastes. Assemble a space over time to find only the best items, don’t order from the pages of a catalogue.
If you don’t want to be too bold you could source interesting works of art to create a strong look. Buying a vintage painting and displaying it in a modern frame perfectly blends vintage and modern, evoking sophistication and style. Alternatively, hang a modern work in a vintage frame – or place it on a vintage table, as in the Exchange Building project – to create a gallery wall that attracts your guests’ attention.
The most exciting and inspirational rooms combine different colours and textures to emphasise both the old and new and to generate the feeling of stylish effortlessness. The Cordy House project was recently completed by our designers and blends different styles from varying eras. The team scoured the world for the perfect items; a vintage table that was sourced from the Eiffel Tower in Paris is a particular highlight!
Islington Townhouse
Nice Penthouse
If you’re struggling to pull elements together, give us a call and book an appointment.
Supplier of the Month: LBConstruct
In order to deliver bespoke projects of the highest standards, we have been working closely with a range of distinguished partners here at Callender Howorth. From builders to art consultants, and everything in between, our contacts bring the best in construction, design and production to our projects, perfectly complementing the refined interior design services for both commercial and residential properties that we at Callender Howorth already offer.
Valued partners of Callender Howorth, the committed team at LBConstruct specialise in bespoke craftsmanship and joinery for both residential and commercial interiors. The company produces bespoke furniture, tailored wardrobes, kitchen units and bathrooms for both professional and domestic settings. The company is based in Bethnal Green and, according to Louis Baker of LBConstruct, being “a small cabinet makers and joinery company enables [them] to deliver a very personal service.”
Among recent projects, LBConstruct were essential in the transformation of the Belsize Park penthouse apartment, located within a redbrick mansion block in an exclusive area of London. We worked closely with the team to honour the building’s original charm, while adding a sophisticated portrayal of modern interior design. The tired apartment was converted into a timeless space with the careful placement of LBConstruct’s polished and contemporary furnishings.
Showcasing the latest in contemporary London interior design, Regents Park House is a conversion of three former mews houses. Positioned alongside an inviting cobbled court, the slick modern door hints towards the modern interiors of the upscale home. LBConstruct worked closely with Callender Howorth to create a design that is unique in its aesthetic, channeling modern methods of design and production for innovative results. LBConstruct’s crafted furnishings are illuminated by the custom gull windows and floating swimming pool that spans the length of the building.
The exclusive Kensington House, a family home located within the Boltons, had not been renovated in 30 years until Callender Howorth and LBConstruct set about bringing the space’s potential to life. The high end furnishings were crafted using organic and natural themes in order to contribute to the homes overall relaxed atmosphere. The children’s bedrooms feature crafted elevated beds with the added feature of a slide, allowing for a quick dash to the large sociable spaces of the Kensington House. This project best demonstrates the adaptable manner with which LBConstruct approaches a task.
The Flamingo International Offices in London exemplify LBConstruct’s ability to transfer their skills into a commercial environment. The property was recently brought up to date in terms of design, with this creative interior design. Through the close partnership with us at Callender Howorth, LBConstruct furnished the space using modern interior design techniques. Bold colours were utilised with the added touch of modern pop art in order to emphasise Flamingo International’s forward-thinking approach. The ambience of the brainstorming areas allow for colleagues to relax in areas which incubate creative thinking.
Through our joint effort with LBConstruct, we carefully placed modern fixtures to create a space that was both sophisticated and creative.
Please contact Callender Howorth to find out more information on how our partnership with LBConstruct can benefit your interior design.
How to Choose the Right Colour Scheme for your Interior
A hint from the best London interior designers: when it comes to decorating your home there is nothing more important than the colours you choose. They affect everything from the obvious aesthetic to the emotions we feel. For example, using rich deep reds can make a room feel vibrant and warm, but too much exposure has proven to increase stress. Therefore, choosing a theme or colour before you begin is absolutely vital. Ask yourself, do you want the décor to be cool or warm? Cosy or business-like? Bright and cheery or subdued and reflective?
Is slow design the new luxury?
While design projects seem to be completed in increasingly shorter timescales in order to cut not only time but also money, a trending tenet of contemporary interior design seeks to overturn this habit of rushing, extolling the virtue of patience within the industry.
The art of Slow Design – a phrase coined by designer, Alistair Fuad-Luke – promotes a ‘paradigm of design philosophy’ that values quality, in all aspects of approach, over any other design factor. Fuad-Luke says that slow design aims to ‘balance socio-cultural and individual needs with the well-being of the environment,’ in order to remove ‘the time constraints of the economic growth and expediency’ to go ‘beyond the fabrication of things for the marketplace.’¹ Six core principles of Slow Design include reveal, expand, reflect, engage, participate and involve.
Slow Design is characterised by edifying traits: an extended design procedure, with increased preparatory efforts; a preference of locally sourced materials and regional processes; an acknowledgement of region conventions; a nod to natural time cycles; and recognition of general wellbeing.
Companies such as Front Rugs produce products with the Slow philosophy in mind; their projects often take years to complete and are inspired by the beauty of the natural world. The collections from designer Micheala Schleypen, for example, are named after nature – ‘Beach,’ ‘Ocean,’ ‘Palm Leaf’ and ‘Lotus.’
So can contemporary design projects really benefit from the use of slow design products? Can the Slow Design approach really yield a worthwhile end-product? Are the added expenses, which are invariably incurred from Slow Design, really justifiable?
Promoting sustainable and environmentally-friendly methods of design are admirable, but not always realistic. It is an unavoidable fact that interior design projects are often backed with a commercial interest at hand. Whether multinational corporations or small-scale businesses, companies that commission interior designers in the UK, for example, are necessarily restrained by a financial boundary. Moreover, it is usually the case that time plays a crucial role and a rapid turnaround is necessary. In these circumstances, Slow Design is a luxury that is simply out of the question.
While an increasing number of interior designers are favouring Slow Design projects over conventional design method, it is plain to see the flaws in the phenomenon, which seems to be a luxury that is reserved for projects with high budgets and a lengthy timescale.
Callender Howorth Studio Event
At Callender Howorth, we value our clients greatly and enjoy working on the many and varied interior design and architecture projects with them.
We host a quarterly “party” at our interior design studio for past and present clients. Generally a fun evening with excellent food and wine.
We also get to present some of the latest products on the market and key trends in interior design.
Take a look at the photos taken during our latest get together. Needless to say…a good time was had by all!
The event was organised in association with TEN concierge.
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