The Air We Breathe.

The EPA indicates that you spend about 90% of your time indoors and the quality of indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than the worst outside air.

The EPA also states that the three sources of poor indoor air quality in offices are : “ the presence of indoor pollution sources like asbestos from insulation, formaldehyde, carpet, cleaning materials, air fresheners, and copying machines; poorly designed, maintained, or operated ventilation systems; and uses of the building that were unanticipated or poorly planned for when the building was designed or renovated.”

This makes us think--what are we doing to better the air we breathe?  How often are you dusting your space, cleaning the air vents or shampooing your carpets?  Are you getting fresh air into your office at all? Have you considered the materials and finishes you chose may be harmful to your health? There is some good news--you can take certain steps to improve your interior environment.  

Here are a few:

1-      adding plants in your space removes CO2 and adds oxygen

2-      getting your ducts cleaned

3-      changing air filters often

4-      shampooing your carpets

5-      getting an air purifier with a HEPA filter that removes dust, dirt, pollen and other allergens in the air

6-   selecting low-emitting carpet and paint

Also, as we have recently talked about LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification before, the USGBC has Indoor Environmental Quality as one of the six areas covered in the LEED process.

If you are looking to renovate or expand into new space, going after LEED certification is something to consider.  Or if you just moved into a LEED certified space, there are certain points that have already been obtained from the checklist.  This means planning, implementing and maintaining indoor air quality, thermal comfort, increased ventilation and daylight through views have been achieved or considered.

Let NKB Design and Management help you come up with an indoor air quality action plan which would include selecting materials that are low-emitting such as paints, carpets and adhesives and possibly adding LEED certification into your project.  

Check out this informative image on the benefits of indoor plants!

image from urbanplanters

How Colors Make Us Feel.

Design is influential to our daily lives whether we realize it or not.  One element of design is color which plays a huge role in our decision making from the foods we choose to eat to practically every purchase we make. 

What’s your favorite color? This is a question providing an answer into your personality.  For example, if you like the color red, it has been psychologically related to words like powerful, bold and exciting. 

When you think about choosing the right paint for your space why does it become such a difficult decision?  Could it be our color choices change with our mood or even the season?  Try this tip, think of words that come to your mind when you think of your favorite store or restaurant.  Do any of these words come to mind: energized, calm, romantic, elegant or dignified?  Marketing and branding companies really focus on how colors can draw customers in.

One should keep in mind that color choices are subjective which is precisely why painting your child’s room their favorite color is great…because it is a reflection of them…well at least for maybe the year!  However, when you’re thinking about selecting colors for your business, you should get feedback from others and if you want to make a bold statement, like for example if you’re using the bright green color from your company’s logo, then pick one wall to do so—i.e. the accent wall and then pair it with some neutrals.    Another point to keep in mind is color choices can be different based on age groups, gender and cultural backgrounds. 

Check out this cool graph from Painters of Louisville which breaks down colors regarding psychology and feelings, see how many of these you agree with.

And next time you decide on a color for your space, think about how the color(s) makes you and everyone using the space feel.