Page 23 - Decor & Lifestyle 2025 Issue 1

LIFESTYLE

Sound is another subtle yet powerful tool:
the murmur of a tabletop fountain, the creak
of wooden floors, the rustle of garden leaves
through an open window.

Scent connects directly to memory and
emotion — lavender for calm, citrus for energy,
sandalwood for depth.

Tactility rounds it out: the weight of a woollen
blanket, the cool smoothness of ceramic, the
comfort of natural linen.

When these elements are layered with care,
space transcends function — it becomes a
feeling.

Mood Zones: Designing for
Restoration
You don’t need a complete home renovation to MICRO-STORIES: These are not grand gestures.
create sanctuary. What you need is intention — What Sanctuary Means They’re small rituals that anchor
and a gentle curiosity about how your spaces us. And in a world where everything
make you feel. Think in terms of mood zones "Sanctuary isn’t silence. It’s a feeling asks for our attention, sanctuary
rather than strict rooms, and ask yourself: of being held, without expectation." gives it back.
Where does my body exhale? Where does my — Leah M., therapist and trauma-
mind come home? informed design advocate The Why
This is not about perfection. It’s not
• The Spa-Inspired Bathroom "I built a space where nothing about trends or Pinterest boards.
Elevate the everyday. Swap harsh flashes or dings. I think better
downlighting for dimmable wall sconces. there. I’m a better father there." It’s about creating a home that
Introduce textures like stone, wood, and — Sipho D., homeowner, reflects your rhythm, not the world’s.
woven baskets. A rainfall shower, plush Johannesburg
towels, and a tray for bath rituals — candle, In an age that worships visibility and
book, bath salts — turn a utilitarian room into "The first thing I do when I get velocity, choosing sanctuary is an
a restorative haven. home? Kick off my shoes and act of rebellion.
• The Cocoon Bedroom light that one candle. The scent is
This is your nest. Your sensory retreat. memory. It tells my brain: you’re Your home is not a showroom.
Prioritise softness: upholstered headboards, safe now." It’s a refuge. A reset.
layered textiles, blackout curtains. Keep — Caro B., interior stylist A quiet resistance to the rush.
tech out. Add scent — lavender pillow mist,
beeswax candles — and sound — a white
noise machine or soft instrumental playlist.
Every detail should whisper: rest now.
• The Reading Nook / Unplug Zone
Create a space that invites stillness. A
comfortable chair. A reading lamp with warm
light. A tactile throw. Books within reach.
Crucially: no charging station, no screens.
Let this corner remind you what attention
feels like when it's not fragmented.
• Nature-Forward Terraces or Patios
Outdoor spaces, however modest, offer
deep restoration. Add life with planters,
vertical herb gardens, or a single potted
tree. Use furniture that encourages
lingering — a hammock, a bench with
cushions. These are your sky-gazing,
barefoot-on-stone, hands-in-soil moments.
Sanctuary isn’t always quiet — sometimes,
it’s birdsong and breeze.