March 15, 2023

Neuroaesthetics… What is all of the Buzz about?

AI Photo Credit: midjourney.architecture

Neuroaesthetics is Science

When worlds collide: art meets, academia, which meets science, medicine, interior design, architecture and MORE!

The terminology and verbiage to explain neuroaesthetics is relatively Industry specific. Like with anything else, We tend to state things so that our audience can assimilate the messaging. So, the definition is simple yet complex since it is slightly different as delivered from each group.

It is all about the brain. The human interaction with fine beauty. How the brain and nervous system process that information and assimilate it. Research has proven that being exposed to refined beauty, even in micro doses, can improve overall health, heal your mind, body and enable people to flourish.

Although the term has been around and being studied for nearly 2 decades, It has only recently been adopted by the masses as disciplines come together to meld theories into one central concept.

As an interior designer with a background in neuropsychology, environmental psychology and human behavior I am ecstatic to have other disciplines acknowledging and talking about the concepts that I started researching and incorporating into my work almost 30 years ago.

What is beauty

and

is it the same for

everyone?

Art, Architecture, Sound, Nature, Design… have specific elements that are perceived as beautiful. They can be incorporated into a space and your life with healing effects.

The perception of what is beautiful has an organized approach with solid principles. Not all art or design is created equal when it comes to Neuroaesthetics. Art for art's sake and art that is meant to evoke a reaction or be thought provoking definitely has a place in our world; it just may not be what we are referring to in this instance.

The same holds true for interior design. What may be right for one person or buying into companies that market well to the masses; just may not land and achieve the desired health benefits for each individual. Mediocre design will be a hit and a miss.

Interior Design must be intentional, holistic and take the entire client into account when designing a healthy space.

Kimberly Reyes Interiors Designs an Energetic Blueprint ©

Using Environmental psychology and basic design principles coupled with additional data helps us to design a holistic environment for our clients to live their healthiest and most fulfilled lives.

Ancestry and the origins of your canalized traits.
Gender traits
Learning Styles
Introversion vs. Extroversion
Lifestyle and Professional stimuli

We ask key questions... and then listen. We want clients to experience the benefits without knowing the what and why. It should just feel good.

How you can start adding

Neuroaesthetics into your Space TODAY!

Biophilia - the innate human instinct to connect with nature and other living beings.Humans have a deeply ingrained love of nature which is an intuitive and natural drive imprinted into our DNA.

Sound - Add a water feature such as a Tabletop Fountain or Outdoor Water Bubbler (a client has this and not only benefits from the seeing movement from the water, hearing the sound of the bubbling water - she also watches the hummingbirds that are attracted to the bubbler)
Light - Natural light is an essential part of a healing home. We want to invite the outside in.

Skylights can be added.
Large windows need draperies that can be pulled back to let sunlight in.
Hard window treatments such as shutters need large louvers so that they can let light in when opened.
When natural light is not available Light Therapy Lamps are a good addition for sensory and light deprivation solutions. We have a client that uses this next to her reading chair. It looks good and does the trick!
If you have to get up before the sun… you can also incorporate a Smart Sleep and Wake Up light with natural sounds to make going to bed and waking up a gentler process that is supported by light and sound.

Nature - Add living, breathing plants and flowers. It’s not all about the succulents. We Love to add trees. Huge impact and many are easier to care for than small house plants. A little goes a long way. You don’t have to start with a living wall… But, the health benefits are enormous. Start small.
Repeating Patterns found in Nature - Part of Biophilia is our innate draw to patterns found in nature. These are identified in architecture, fabrics, art, tile and many other aesthetically pleasing items. Use them sparingly and make sure that they bring you a sense of peace, calm and joy when you look at them.