A few years of clutter and chaos has been cleared away from our Studio to finally create a modern workspace from home! I wanted to create a healthy and harmonious workspace that ensured natural materials and finishes were prioritised and had no chemical (VOCs) off-gassing and integrated Feng Shui principles. As well, reduce my exposure to ‘normal’ office electro-magnetic radiation fields.
These are some of the normal things that I check for in my Healthy Home Audits, so its great to design with these in mind when renovating or creating new spaces.
Previously used as a potter’s & writer’s Studio, the space is still flexible allowing it multiple functions at different times: a workspace, guest space with kitchenette and a meditation/ exercise space. Creating this space involved:
- Clutter removal (big time!)
- Simple, long and open EO grade plywood workbenches (no formaldehyde off-gassing) for maximum flexibility. Sealed with natural, sealant (Bio Oil- Wood Oil $35/ 1L)
- Standard sheet sizes to minimise waste and offcuts created shelves (Approx. $500 plywood material cost)
- Natural cork pin boards with low-tox adhesive ($16/ pack cork floor squares x 6)
- New efficient LED light bulbs and new pendant light shades (low tox as possible- Approx. $60)
- Repurposed, fold out second hand couch with unbleached, natural calico fabric ($5/m2 from Spotlight)
- New GOTS certified, organic curtains to create lightweight storage corner to room ($25 each x 3)
- Reused a plywood bookshelf (prev. kids storage shelf!) into a new bookshelf/ part height room divider that we’d made
- Reused another white side table we’d previously made 10 years ago near couch
- New plants for improved air quality and aesthetics
- New cables– longer cords to move the Router as far away from my workspace as possible, computer connected via cable (not WIFI and WIFI setting turned off computer), printer now turned off when not in use (so no WIFI radiation field created) and electrical cables under bench moved as far as possible
- Feng Shui design principles used to create a more harmonious workspace
- Space Clearing to clear away all negative energy and that of previous occupants (done weekly to maintain good, clear, positive energy that I’m working in).
- Geopathic Stress has all been cleared from this workspace
- New Earthing Mat– to ‘earth’ whilst inside allowing me to connect to natural terrestrial energy outside and have more balanced energy when working inside.
- Maintained connections with outdoors, nature & natural, passive ventilation.
- Space for my new artworks to be displayed (hint- schedule in more drawing time!)
It’s also maintained with a weekly, low-tox clean involving:
- a good vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter (best for allergies and high indoor air quality- link to post on more info here)
- microfiber duster & mop
- all surfaces wiped over with a microfiber cloth and homemade general spray (vinegar + water + essential oils).
- computer screens and electronic equipment cleaned down with microfiber cloth and general spray to remove the charged, toxic dust particles
- Shoes off when in Studio
It has been a pleasure to work in this space and the flexibility is great. Being a separate space from the main house, it’s great to create a private area away from the kids and be able to ‘turn off’ from work when working from home.
Knowing its been handmade and created from healthy, natural materials and finishes with good feng shui, low-tox living and design principles has been worth the wait! I hope your workspaces are as equally uplifting for you too!
