Stone Horizon’s Post

Design inspiration can come from the most unexpected places! During a charity trip to Cambodia with Raw Impact, I stumbled upon a brilliant room layout that sparked some fresh ideas for properties in Australia. The hotel made clever use of cabinetry to separate dining and sleeping areas, maximizing the space in ways I hadn’t seen before. It got me thinking: Could we bring this kind of innovation to our rooming houses back home? What do you think—would you go for a creative layout like this or prefer a more traditional design? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Designing for Wellness: A Look Inside Our Latest Space In today’s fast-paced world, design profoundly impacts how we feel and function. That’s why, in our latest project, we prioritized wellness at every turn. 🌿 The Concept: A space to disconnect, ground, and recharge! 💡 Key Features: Biophilic Elements: Lush indoor greenery and natural light maximize connection to nature. Sustainable Materials: Locally sourced, low-impact finishes that embody the circular economy. Mindful Use of Colors: The use of green walls to give a sense of renew and recharge. The result? A space that feels like a breath of fresh air—literally and figuratively. Design is more than aesthetics; it’s about impact. I’d love to hear how others are integrating wellness and sustainability into their projects. Drop your thoughts below! 👇

Great design doesn’t have to look “clean”. Here is a great example of how design can work well. These are the “men’s toilets” at Bordeaux’s Darwin Eco-systeme (an ancient brewery turned start-up ecosystem). Notice how they used the beer containers to become urinols and how they have leveled them to comfort for people of different height. 😉 They look grundgy, which is the ideal street-art feel, but still show so much ingenuity and intent in the design.

Design > brand. Or we need it to be. This quote from design leader Karim Rashid follows a similar one I posted the other day from the CEO of MARUGAL - Distinctive Hotel Management. "Simply put the world is under-designed and over-branded," said Rashid. "We're destroying the earth, we're overproducing, we're over consuming, and yet a lot of what we're consuming and producing doesn't have any real place in our daily lives. "Design should be about elevating the human experience, progressing and evolving humanity." https://lnkd.in/ecNZT8P6

#Biophilicdesign is fundamentally about eroding the barriers between nature and the built environment. Maximising access to vegetation, natural light and fresh air, which are essential for positive well-being and health. It’s also about creating comfortable spaces that people want to hang out in, which is a fundamental part of the retail experience. All that said, I think it's important that 'biophilic design' doesn't become shorthand for 'sustainable design'. Society tends to see natural materials as more sustainable, but that school of thought is somewhat outdated. The harvesting of natural materials can be enormously damaging. So materials for biophilic designs must be selected with rigour, if we are to consider both human and planetary wellbeing. #designthinking #circulardesign

What goals do you have for your home for this coming year?

𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬: 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐨𝐰-𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Are you feeling the urge to refresh your space without the disruption, high cost, and carbon footprint of a full renovation? As they say, 'A change is as good as a rest!' We believe in finding the win-win: delivering the renewal you need or crave through sustainable approaches that build toward a better future. You can start by identifying spaces that no longer serve you, rooms that don't spark joy, and areas needing care. We'll craft a plan that aligns with your goals, values, and investment level. Here's how we approach design optimization: ➔𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 - Transform existing pieces through repair, refinishing, or reinvention. Consider relocation. Your current belongings have the smallest impact on both health and budget. ➔𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗧𝘄𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀 – Refresh for impact through room layout, lighting, colour, and window treatments. Consider using lime wash finishes or zero-VOC paints. Choose window coverings that support privacy, room darkening and glare management with textiles that carry Greenguard, Oekotex, or organic certifications. Invest in joy, not just stuff. ➔𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘁𝘆 - Reimagine the use for spaces, double up on their functions, invest the most on high-impact rooms and choose fewer but meaningful pieces. Buy art from a local artist or swap with a friend. ➔𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 - Optimize for wellbeing with the latest clean air and water systems. Choose organic beds & bedding, stress-reducing lighting, and proactive maintenance. Prioritize efficiency, aesthetics and peace of mind with every update. ➔𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 - Prioritize vintage and well-preserved furnishings for better value, unique character, and carbon-neutral impact. Support your local makers, artisans and materials—they connect you to your community and support good vibes. Let's renew your connection to your home while contributing to your well-being and our planet's future. Ready to explore how strategic planning can clarify direction before diving into major renovations? Are you interested in discovering alternative approaches to achieving your goals? Let's connect. Book a free chat using the link in the comments.

7 Design Trends That Will Make Your Home More Sustainable

7 Design Trends That Will Make Your Home More Sustainable

7 Design Trends That Will Make Your Home More Sustainable