Every individual ought to have a tranquil area within their dwelling, be it the bedroom, bathroom, or a quaint corner under the staircase, offering a respite from the usual familial tumult. However, some require more than just a quiet corner to feel at ease with their surroundings. This, according to interior stylist, Pippa Jameson, is indisputable.
Having spent a quarter of a century in the world of interiors, she instinctively knew her comfort lay in specific environments. So when she was diagnosed as neurodivergent late in life, it didn’t come as a shock, as she was already aware of the similar needs of her autistic daughter.
“Only when I started understanding my daughter’s diagnosis, did I spot parallels in my own experiences,” she admits. “Looking back, I had issues with focus and felt often overwhelmed in certain settings. After my schooling was over, I found my true passion and learned to adjust because that was the need of the hour. It’s no wonder I am self-employed, giving me a feeling of control. My work environment is of my choosing. My job is particularly specialised, and my thought process is very binary. This implies I am capable of making unambiguous decisions regarding work. I frequently ponder if my motivation is derived from a lesser appetite for risk.
She saw the significance of environment, in her own daughter’s experience when a nursery school found it challenging to handle her daughter’s overwhelm and asked her to leave. “This was a tremendously tough phase for us as a family, leading to a sense of feeling forsaken and isolated. Yet, as soon as we moved her to a different nursery, that was larger, hosued more natural light, and was noticeably quieter, she flourished. I could not have asked for stronger evidence that our surroundings have the power to alter our mood and behaviour.”
Jameson’s pivotal encounter made her realise the profound influence of sense-intuitive surroundings on her and other neurodiverse individuals. She felt inspired to be a staunch advocate for teaching individuals about the significance of environments and sensory design.
Recognising this, the Dublin-based, DFS-affiliated mother of two aged 16 and 14 decided to utilise her skills to transform her residence into a haven offering safety and serenity for her daughter. She saw how her child’s environment drastically affected her mood and behaviour as she aged. This led her to change her perspective on their home and take the first steps towards a transformation.
Presently, there are snug, relaxing spaces in their home, perfect for solitude. The house is equipped with adjustable lighting allowing the brightness to be tuned in accordance to the occupants’ mood or preferences. Additionally, both her daughters’ rooms have adjustable coloured illumination, giving them autonomy over their surroundings.
Additional changes include sensory alarm clocks which has altered their waking routine; bee greeted by soothing sounds of nature and the gradual lightning akin to a natural sunrise as opposed to the usual disruptive gongs of a regular alarm. Fixtures and décor in the house avoid introduction of bright colours and patterns; instead, they focus on green and neutral tones and natural items – things evoking a sense of security and comfort, with plants playing a significant role in achieving this.
Jameson also considered the sound element, introducing soothing background music along with noise-cancelling headphones for family members needing total silence. The furniture offers maximum comfort with the addition of throws, rugs, and a weighted blanket, contributing to the home’s tactile comfort, muted ambiance and enclosed safe feeling.
Coupled with each window offering views of either the front or rear gardens, this continuous link to nature fosters a sense of tranquility and openness, regardless of one’s location in the house.
The founder of The Sensory Home and seasoned stylist and writer, shared that she purposely aimed to set up a consistent surrounding and realised the tremendous value it brought to her whole family. This inspired her to pen a book on the subject to aid others in finding the same peace of mind.
The origin of her book, The Sensory Home, surfaced in 2017 when her neurotypical daughter expressed profound comfort in their home. Her daughter’s appreciation for the hues on their walls, the music around, the cosy throws, and the scent of a burning candle triggered a revelation on the crucial link between one’s home ambiance and their mental health.
Her book explores the significant role our senses play in how we organise living spaces. It invites readers to assess whether their dwellings support them or if they are the source of their stress. The book caters to anyone intrigued by home decoration and mindful design, but it is extraordinarily beneficial for neurodivergent individuals or families dealing with sensory sensitivities keen to explore sensory design.
Based in England and married to Stuart, Jameson asserts that everyone can make uncomplicated adjustments to their homes, which can make them more inviting for all inhabitants. She explains that sensory design isn’t just about the visual aspects but also concentrates on the feel, sounds, scents, and even the room temperature and light impact. A tranquil space can help alleviate anxiety, whereas a disorganised room may trigger intense feelings. Sensory design offers a path to improve our daily spaces and thus boost mental health.
But this approach isn’t solely for homes. Jameson has participated in numerous panels, discussing the integration of sensory design to places like schools, suggesting solutions like dynamic lighting and noise-absorbing materials.
She states that for people with sensory sensitivities, vivacious environments can be too much. It’s impossible for individuals, particularly young children, to maintain focus or acquire knowledge when they are in a stressful state.
Jameson has extended her expertise on a philanthropic level, giving her services free of charge to families with neurodivergent members to explore the sensory implications of our home settings. She remarked, “I am eager to proceed with this aspect of my journey with The Sensory Home, making an impact for families in genuine need of assistance.”
Tips from Pippa Jameson on sensory-oriented home design:
Observation
Firstly, analyse the functionality of your home, right from the moment you rise and continuing throughout the day. Focus on your visual, auditory, and olfactory senses, and record your cognitive reactions and emotional state in response to these senses. It’s possible you’ve overlooked how the noise of cups on the coffee table irritates you, or that the kitchen lighting causes you distress. Maybe the artificial air freshener creates headaches. Recognise your sensory experiences, pinpoint sources of stress, and tackle one at a time.
Designing a tranquil spot
Incorporate a few significant objects, and make sure the area feels pleasant without any irritating rough textures. Sitting and reading, or simply taking a pause can be beneficial when done in a tranquil environment. For young children, create cosy, soothing spaces with pop-up tents in bedrooms or impromptu dens in peaceful corners – this can be done simply by throwing a blanket over some chairs and adding twinkly lights. The sense of seclusion or being wrapped up is often pleasing to children. Weighted blankets can give a feeling of security, particularly for those with sensory issues.
Spaces free of clutter
Maintain neat spaces as they lessen anxiety and stress. Invest in storage solutions accessible for the whole family. Shelves with boxes make for a simple and effective solution. This helps in keeping the surroundings serene and tidy.
Comfortable seating
Choose seating that marries comfort and support. For comfort and relaxation, consider ergonomic chairs and plush couches. Children, particularly those who seek sensory stimulus, might enjoy bean bags or hammock chairs suitable for their age.
Selecting soothing colours
By applying colours scientifically proven to be soothing, you can lower stress levels. Neutral hues, greens, and blues, and earthly shades are ideal but personal preference comes into play. It’s advisable to avoid overly vibrant colours and designs as this can lead to overstimulation.
Practice mindfulness.
Consider the effect of potent cooking odours on any individuals who might be adversely affected by sensory overstimulation in your proximity. This extends to everyday tasks such as emptying the dishwasher or having numerous sounds at the same time. If it’s a typical behaviour for your child to get distressed by specific sounds, this might be caused by sensory overload. Likewise, evaluate the arrangement of the bedrooms in your house, and if necessary, reorganise them to ensure that those with sensory sensitivities aren’t situated in the loudest room.