Life, Styled
Home is our place of refuge, the place where we can recharge and refresh ourselves before heading out for another day at the office, whether that is driving to town or walking down the hall to our desk. Our home is also our safe zone, especially when it comes to our health. We implement things that help us maintain and protect ourselves against illness, such as easy-to-clean surfaces and materials that hinder the growth of bacteria. Multiple companies are dedicated to the health of their customers, which is why they continually develop products that not only limit the spread of disease but also promote overall wellness, whether physical or emotional. Both work together to help maintain our good health. Let’s discuss some great home products that can be utilized in your home to increase wellness for yourself and those you love.
Have A Landing Zone
Most of us know what a drop zone is in a home, but a landing zone may be a new term for many of you. While they share similar qualities, a landing zone refers more to the direct entry and exit points in a home. This is a place with a designated place to take off and put on your shoes. When you keep your outside shoes at the front door, it prevents many germs from entering your home, especially in areas such as the kitchen and bedroom. When designing a landing zone, consider the essentials you will need, including a seating area to facilitate taking them on and off, as well as a storage space for them. It might also be a good idea to keep your house slippers there, so you can immediately put them on and reduce the risk of contact with any germs on your bare feet. It is also recommended to have the items you use regularly, such as keys, sunglasses, and even coats, conveniently stationed nearby. A landing zone can help increase your wellness by limiting the amount of germs that enter your home through your shoes. Gather a few more helpful ideas in this article from Houzz on landing zones.
Limit Your Clutter
Clutter can be one of the causes of stress and even anxiety as it slowly begins to take over your home. This is why it is important to invest in items and even designs that help you stay organized. However, before you can get things organized, you need to decide what you really want to keep and what can be discarded. Clothes, books, and even dishes can pile up and leave you feeling overwhelmed by a lack of space. Once you have made the difficult choice to declutter, it’s time to consider implementing a plan and certain strategies to help you maintain it. Extra drawers in kitchens are a great way to couple items together, such as utensils, platters, and even pots and pans. Built-ins make it simple to display books nicely while keeping them organized and providing easy access. Large baskets and furniture with hidden storage are another great way to maintain a calm and clean environment. To avoid running into the same problem again. Consider having a yearly clean-out where you purge items you haven’t used in the past year. You can even donate clothes and toys to local nonprofits, allowing others to benefit from the things you don’t use. Often, peace of mind can come from a home that is free of clutter.
Outdoor Space
These continue to remain a popular choice with homeowners, as we love the chance to spend time outdoors, enjoying the beauty and calm of nature. Having a place to sit is a must, so consider a patio set that is large enough for the whole family to enjoy together. Taking a break from the four walls of your home can promote wellness since nature’s color palette is soothing and welcoming, especially if much of your time is spent looking at a screen. Having a place to sit and let the warmth of the sunshine spread over you can instantly lift your mood and even ease the tension from a stressful meeting. Consider adding some raised flower beds and exchanging your traditional back door with a glass one. This allows you to enjoy the sunlight in your home, as well as the beautiful view of your outdoor area. Creating such a space can be as simple as purchasing some patio furniture, or you can build your own private oasis for your family to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. An outdoor space is one area that can really improve the overall wellness of your family. Discuss with a designer the options available for you and your little haven.
Real Plants For Fake Ones
While we all enjoy the perks of fake plants, namely that we never have to water them, they can also be a dust trap, not to mention a source of allergen buildup. Neither of these is suitable for air quality, and when you add a fan blowing or an AC vent stirring it up and spreading it throughout the home, it creates an urgency to remove them. Replacing them with real plants not only rids you of dust and allergens, but they also clean the air for you. This is a great help in increasing the wellness in your home. Even if you don’t want real plants, perhaps due to a pet, designers still advise getting rid of fake ones to help with the overall air quality in the home.
Check Your Bathroom
Our bathrooms are a regularly used area in the home and can also be a place where mold builds up due to the humid environment caused by our showers. This is why ventilation is a crucial consideration when seeking to enhance the wellness of your home. If your home is older, it might be a good idea to check the efficiency of your current fan, as it may not be performing as well as it used to. Newer models will also run better and use less energy, which saves you money. Be sure to run your fan when taking showers, as it will reduce the chance of mold buildup. Once mold has begun to grow, it becomes harder to remove and negatively impacts your air quality. If you don’t have one already, it is a good idea to install one. Additionally, having a window is a good option, or even a combination, as it allows you to let in fresh air periodically.
Granite, Quartz, Marble, or Quartzite?
These are the top contenders when it comes to selecting the perfect countertop material for your kitchen or bathroom. Each one brings its own strengths, aesthetic appeal, and practical considerations—making the decision both exciting and a bit overwhelming.
Granite is a natural stone known for its durability and unique, one-of-a-kind patterns. Quartz, on the other hand, is an engineered surface that offers a wide range of color options and is prized for its low-maintenance qualities. Marble stands out for its timeless elegance and heat resistance, though it requires more upkeep. Quartzite closely resembles marble in appearance but offers greater durability and easier maintenance.
When making your selection, it’s important to consider factors such as heat and stain resistance, ease of maintenance, and of course, budget. Below, we break down the key differences, pros, and cons of each material to help you determine which surface best suits your lifestyle, design vision, and practical needs.
The kitchen pantry is often one of the most underutilized yet high-potential spaces in the home. While it can easily become a catch-all for clutter, a well-designed pantry is a true hidden gem—capable of transforming the functionality of your kitchen. From storing oversized serving pieces to housing everyday essentials, a thoughtfully planned pantry helps keep countertops clear and mealtime prep more efficient.
Whether you have a compact pull-out pantry, a spacious walk-in, or a dedicated butler’s pantry, innovative organization is key. A well-designed pantry not only maximizes storage but also supports the flow of your kitchen. Below, we’re sharing a few of our favorite design ideas and practical tips to help you better utilize your pantry space—and maybe even inspire your next kitchen upgrade.
Our showroom’s grand opening was the culmination of two years filled with vision, planning, and hard work—a dream brought to life through dedication and passion. Now, as we prepare to celebrate our second anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting on how quickly time has passed. It feels like only yesterday that we opened our doors and welcomed our very first clients into the space we’ve come to love so much.
Join us as we take a walk down memory lane and revisit the milestones, challenges, and moments that brought us to Uptown Shelby. This anniversary isn’t just a celebration of time—it’s a celebration of growth, community, and the relationships we’ve built along the way.
Walker WoodworkingThere is more to color than simply a large selection of hues. Color sends a message and can represent thought and emotion, especially in the world of design. Each year, Pantone announces its choice for the color of the year, a tradition that started in 1999, and designers everywhere eagerly await the news. Classic Blue was this year’s choice of color, a color that represents the future.
As we prepare to close the door on one decade and begin anew, many are filled with anticipation of what the coming year will bring. Blue has always been associated with stability, relaxation, and tranquility, as is seen in nature with the ocean and sky. We understand that hectic schedules and stressful office days generate a need for a place to unwind and completely relax. Here are a few ways to incorporate the color of the year into your home and give it that welcoming environment that will last throughout the coming decade and beyond.
Walker WoodworkingLight is one of nature’s most captivating elements, and its presence has the power to transform a space. In the world of interior design, natural light plays a vital role—not only by enhancing aesthetics but also by elevating the overall atmosphere of a room. It can create dramatic contrasts that bring depth and interest to a space, while also highlighting architectural and design features.
Natural light, when thoughtfully incorporated, makes interiors feel larger, warmer, and more welcoming. At Greenbrook Design, we embrace a design approach known as daylighting—the intentional use of natural light to shape how a space looks and feels throughout the day. It’s one of our favorite tools in the design process.
Here are just a few reasons why we love incorporating natural light into our projects…
Walker Woodworking