How Blur Approaches Design
I recently read a fantastic book called The Aesthetic Brain. It dives into the science behind how we perceive beauty, and it was truly eye-opening.
One of the coolest things I learned from the book, something I’ve always intuitively known, is that beauty has the power to ground us in the present moment—it makes us truly present. When we encounter beauty, it brings us comfort, calms our nervous system, and heightens our awareness.
Acknowledging beauty is a natural human reaction.
Have you ever walked into a space and felt a sense of awe, wonder, and excitement, with your senses heightened? That space makes you feel ALIVE.
That, my friends, is the power of GOOD DESIGN.
We’ve all experienced the opposite—you walk into a dingy space with terrible fluorescent lighting, and suddenly you become acutely aware of your surroundings, overwhelmed by a strong urge to leave. Or you might even start to feel physically ill. There’s a term for that—Sick Building Syndrome. But that’s a topic for another day.
As the founder of Blur and a designer with experience across various environments—from hospitals to senior living facilities, fire stations, hotels, and multi-family buildings—and through my certifications in wellness architecture and evidence-based design, I’ve learned how our surroundings deeply impact our mental and physical well-being.
Over the years, I’ve become a total design geek obsessed with beauty that is equally healing. My passion lies in helping people enhance their lives through good design. It’s honestly at the core of everything I do and stand for. I believe in creating spaces that not only captivate the eye but also nourish the body and soul.
Most people don’t lead their life they accept their life.
- John Maxwell
I’ve had this quote by John Maxwell on my refrigerator for years. It resonates with me because it used to be me—I simply let life happen to me, with zero intention behind it. I had hopes and dreams, but I never stopped to add intentionality to them.
I think the same holds true for many of us when it comes to our homes and environments. Most people don’t create a space that truly supports their life; they simply accept what is. We see these beautiful pictures in magazines of celebrity homes and assume that someday it will just happen for us, without any plan of how to get there. Or we buy something we like at a store with no idea where it’s going to live in our space. Our homes become disorganized, cluttered, and confusing. We lose sight of who we are in the spaces we inhabit, which is a shame, because your space should reflect and empower who you are.
If you’ve read Charles Duhigg’s book The Power of Habit, you know that our environments have the power to set us up for success. By curating a space intentionally, we can significantly impact our willpower and help achieve our goals. It’s amazing how a clean, organized, and aesthetically pleasing space can make you feel empowered. It brings awareness and ownership to who you are.
At Blur Designs, it’s not just about interior design; it’s about creating environments that foster well-being. Our approach is grounded in the principles of conscious design, prioritizing elements that bring peace, balance, and vitality. From using natural materials to designing spaces that encourage movement, our goal is to ensure that every detail contributes to your well-being.
xx B