How to Infuse Dopamine into Your Space - Concetti
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How to Infuse Dopamine into Your Space

May 20, 2024 | Wellness

The concept of dopamine décor – the use of colors, patterns, textures, furniture, and accessories that bring you joy in your space – is on the rise…and we are LOVING it! Because we create space that becomes you, authenticity is at the center of everything we do at Concetti. We couldn’t imagine limiting you to a certain aesthetic – it’s all about what sets your unique soul on fire!

Our latest project – Suburban Sanctuary – is essentially dopamine décor on steroids. It’s a result of our client wanting to transform their home into a serene, open-concept oasis, flooded with natural light and seamlessly connected to the outdoors.

While this home isn’t everyone’s version of dopamine décor, the project’s principles can help you get in touch with your own version of it! Read on to learn how to infuse dopamine into your space and nurture your mental health in the process.

 

 

Stay Authentic

Authenticity needs to be the very foundation of your space…it’s an extension of who you are, after all. Being in touch with your wants, needs, preferences, goals, and even paths of travel will help guide how your space looks, feels, and functions. It’s fulfilling to speak your values and passions in your everyday life, and you deserve a space that does the very same.

In Suburban Sanctuary, this meant a simpler, modern, open-concept floor plan with high-contrast colorways. The 100-year-old home’s aesthetic and floor plan were on the traditional side and didn’t quite fit our client’s style. They partnered with us not just to upgrade the home’s look, feel, and functionality, but to invest in their own authenticity. From the sleek console table and the black and white geometric wallpaper to the chic front door – this home oozes our client’s vibe from the inside out.

 

 

Dedicate Areas for Self-Care

Out of all the tips, this one is the biggest no-brainer…but it bears repeating! Prioritizing self-care throughout your entire space is important, but having a single dedicated space for self-care is vital. A specific space dedicated to self-care can help you turn down noise from the outside world and truly prioritize recharging.

Maybe it’s an ultra-cozy bedroom, a makeup vanity, or a reading nook. In Suburban Sanctuary, it’s the spa-like primary bathroom, complete with a sauna for unwinding and a Japanese soaking tub beneath the existing skylight.

In a world that so often forces you to be practical, you deserve (at least) one indulgent area in your space. Treat yourself!

 

 

Minimize Clutter

It doesn’t matter if you’re minimalist or maximalist – clutter is clutter, and it can weigh on you. At least with maximalism, there is intention behind the pieces in the space. But you know your limits, and too much clutter can affect how you think and feel. Smart storage is key!

In Suburban Sanctuary, there was a lot of underutilized storage because it just didn’t jive with how our client used their space. We helped elevate storage in a few ways, including a mudroom with built-in storage. We also laid it on thick in the kitchen, where functionality meets aesthetics with a hidden fridge, open shelving, and a hidden pantry under the stairs that used to be an underutilized foyer coat closet.

Additionally, reducing clutter in Suburban Sanctuary also meant reimagining the floor plan and opening up walls. Introducing an open concept was one of the biggest ways we helped our client feel less cluttered and claustrophobic.

 

 

Connect to Mother Nature

Even if you don’t consider yourself the outdoorsy type, a connection to nature within your space can have a profound impact on your mental health. Suburban Sanctuary takes an immersive approach to incorporating nature into the home. From this deep green accent wall to a literal plant wall, this space was designed to elicit feelings of the great outdoors. It’s further complemented by natural textures in areas like the natural wood mantel and woven rugs, as well as pops of earth tones in the accessories. Custom millwork and slatwall also helps boost the feeling of bringing the outside in.

However, if this isn’t your thing, you can make it as simple as physically being able to see outside. See how we reoriented this sofa in Suburban Sanctuary to face the fireplace and mounted the TV above it so they can enjoy their favorite show in front of the fireplace AND an outdoor view.

 

 

Make Space for Movement

Movement is key to mental well-being. Period. Making space in your space for exercise is convenient and practical for when you don’t want to venture out (especially for those of us who live in areas with seasonally inclement weather).

Suburban Sanctuary had the opportunity to incorporate a meditation and yoga room. However, there’s no rule in dopamine décor that says you MUST follow this same route. Even just a few square feet for a walking pad can make all the difference!

 

 

Let the Light In

Lastly – lighting is key. For Suburban Sanctuary, they had the opportunity to knock down walls. Natural sunlight was a huge priority for our client, and they weren’t afraid to get creative to bring in as much as possible (hence the plant wall).

However, not everyone has the interest or resources to remove walls or add in windows. An efficient and more affordable way to elevate your lighting game is by incorporating ambient lighting (great news if you have a moody aesthetic). Overhead lighting can tend to feel harsh and sterile, and ambient lighting can set a calmer vibe and help you wind down more easily after a long day.

 

 

 

 

Need help infusing dopamine into your space?

LET’S CONNECT

What does “dopamine décor” mean to you?

Rachel: It’s the pieces that make you happy when you see them. An instant smile or giggle. For me, it’s unexpected whimsy and humor. In my house, I’ve got a brass fox head wearing sunglasses and a monkey-head planter with a gold tooth. They never get old. It’s about surrounding yourself shamelessly with things that make you happy. I can’t wait to bring pieces like this into my new home, Divinely Detroit, the historic church located in Indian Village.

 

How did you land on the name Moxie?

Rachel: At Concetti, our brand persona is “genuine moxie” which means kind, calm, loving, but bold in who you are. We’re always building our clients up to take that bold, courageous step. Moxie is the bold part. The “I don’t need permission” part. When you choose dopamine décor, you’re choosing to surround yourself with pieces others might not understand, but you love.

 

Who is Moxie for?

Rachel: It’s for anyone who’s been told they’re too much, too loud, too bold. It’s for the person who wants that little empowering piece in their day whether that’s a trucker hat, a beautiful candle, or funky lamp. It’s for people who want to surround themselves with pieces lovingly crafted and curated to give you a little dose of empowerment.

How do you stay creatively energized when building something from scratch?

Rachel: I’ve never subscribed to the idea that your life should follow a certain timeline. Since I was 16, I knew I wanted to be an interior designer. That’s 23 years of being dedicated to one decision, and it still feels good and in alignment.
When I create something new, it’s like a spark goes off. I listen to that inner knowing. I tell my team, “One step in front of the other.” It might be clumsy, but you’ve got to start moving.

What design rule do you love to break?

Rachel: Any of them. If I want to turn my dining room into a recording studio or a kids’ playroom, then I will, and you should feel empowered to, as well. The only rules worth following are the ones that make you feel good in your own space.

What advice would you give to creatives who feel “too much” for the design world?

Rachel: There’s no such thing. What you’ve been told is “too much” is your superpower. That’s what makes you different and magnetic. Stand in your power. Make decisions from alignment, not shame or guilt. Be unapologetically you because that’s when you really shine.

Favorite dopamine décor brands or artists?

Rachel: Regina Andrew (Detroit-based and stunning), Seletti (monkeys holding lightbulbs, peacock lamps), Noir (the hand chair!), Bold Monkey, Zoe Bios (customizable art), and Eric & Eloise (quirky brass animal heads). I make them weird with purple lights in my basement because it makes me laugh every time.

What do you hope people feel when they bring home a Moxie piece?

Rachel: I want them to feel excited and happy. I want unboxing to be an experience that exceeds expectations whether it’s something you wear and feel empowered in or something in your home or business that gives you that hit of joy every time you pass it.

What does success look like for Moxie?

Rachel: Moxie is more than numbers, it’s a movement. It’s about inclusivity, empowerment, and telling people they’re perfect exactly as they are.

One mindset shift that changed everything for you as a founder?

Rachel: Realizing that everything I need is already within me. I can surround myself with mentors and partners, but at the end of the day, I’m the only one living my truth.

Advice for creatives carving their own path?

Rachel: Persistence wins. Your journey is your own. Do the things that light you up and keep going. Pause to reflect on what’s working, what’s draining you, and what you can add back in to make you excited again. There’s no one else like you so own it.

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