Mental Health

Why is Biophilic design in a ‘green’ rut

If you were to look up biophilic design or at the many interiors that follow biophilic design principles, it’s likely you’ll be met with a sea of green, wood and green plants. I’ve been speaking to lots of designers and they’re all saying they are noticing this and asking why are we just limiting ourselves…

Colour, design and creating positive mental health

Back in 2018, one of the leading UK interior trade shows, 100% Design, released their forecast of the upcoming trends in design, and right up the top at number 2 was mental health. Five years on mental health in design is still a hot topic even more so with the impact of the pandemic lockdowns…

mental health navigating grief through colour karen haller

Mental Health Awareness UK, navigating grief through colour

For Mental Health Awareness Week, I take a look at how UK clinical psychologist Dr Julie Smith demonstrates the process of grieving through the use of colour.

Why colour has the power to bring us joy

Have you ever associated colour with joy? Have you ever noticed that certain shapes, patterns, design styles make you feel happier than others? This is the subject of a really fantastic Ted2018 talk by Ingrid Fetell Lee’s Where joy hides and how to find it (if you haven’t seen the video there’s a link to…

2020 Colour Vision: seeing colour in a new light

Every culture and civilization has wondered about it. From the earliest humans to the present day, it has fascinated and perplexed us, amazed and delighted us. We are surrounded by it in the natural world and marvel at the change of seasons for all its glorious wonder. It’s so innately a part of us that…

how colourful plants can help reduce workplace stress

Growing up our house was full of plants which is no surprise given my mother is Dutch… Boy, do they love their indoor plants. I definitely picked up my mother’s love of plants as every house I’ve lived in, no matter where in the world I was based one of the first things I did was…

clerkenwell design week 2018 karen haller altro

explore colour at clerkenwell design week 2018

Tucked away in a little corner of east London is an area called Clerkenwell which is famous for its abundance of design showrooms, studios and architectural practices. And for three days every May, this design quarter truly comes alive for what is regarded as one of the UK’s leading independent design festivals. I’m thrilled to…