Designing for Wellness : Catch us on CW50!

Jan 15, 2021 | community, Education, Entertainment, interview

We are so honored to have been asked by Lisa Germani and the Community Connect team at CW50 to discuss why now, more than ever, the thoughtful design of your space is so important for your mental health and wellbeing.

We hope you're able to tune in to catch all the tips and tricks I'm sharing about making your home a healing and healthy space. For a preview of what we'll be discussing with Lisa Germani, check out our hot tips below.

When working from home it's so important to differentiate spaces for working and spaces for relaxing. For some people, this means creating a traditional home office. Many people, including our client #RiseOvertheRiver, need to find creative ways to effectively have spaces play double duty. At #RiseOvertheRiver her kitchen needed to function as a home office as well as a space to cook and entertain. Using strategic design strategy we re-imagined one of the pantry cabinets in her kitchen to house all of her office needs. Now, when she's ready to work, she pulls out all her supplies and then is able to pack it all away when she logs off for the day.

We experience space through our body, therefore through our senses. We really need to be cognizant of what we are surrounding ourselves with. Choose colors, materials, and accessories that are going to evoke a sense of joy. Through our Discovery Process, we learn what it is that makes each client unique so that their space can feel like a true representation of them and their family. In our #KaleidoscopeClient we honored our client's love for bold color with pops of blues and purples in their master bedroom. Graphic wallpaper and textural accents were all thoughtfully curated to create a space that feels uniquely them. When asked by the Detroit News about the space Jerry, our client, said it's like entering a “living work of art.” We prioritize creating this connection between our clients and their spaces more so than following the latest trends.

A hot trend that we are starting to see amongst our clients is creating designated areas within their homes with the sole purpose of relaxation, meditation, and mental health. Whether it be converting an unused guest room into a meditation studio like our clients chose to do above, or creating a designated corner of your bedroom – having a designated relaxing respite is the perfect way to signal to your brain that it is time to disconnect and decompress.

Watch the segment below where Rachel shares all of these tips and more!

Feeling inspired?! If you have a room in your home that you would like to transform to better suit your needs, send us a message! We are Interior Design Strategists and would love to find a custom solution that enhances your everyday life and delights all of your senses!

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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