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DECEMBER 8 , 2023 COASTALREALESTATEGUIDE . COM
HEALING HOMES
From design to construction , consider these elements to help create cleaner , less toxic living spaces .
By ELIZABETH NUTT / COURTESY OF LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE
Wool rugs and plenty of green plants are often incorporated among other clean , natural elements in projects by interior designer Lisa Berman .
Interior designer Deana Duffek uses natural materials like custom white oak millwork , stone , lime wash , organic wall coverings and other products , all with minimal off-gassing of chemicals , to create a healthy space for those living in it .
Nearly four years ago , Laguna Beach-based interior designer Deana Duffek found herself chronically sick . After an arduous journey to get to the bottom of her symptoms , which included headaches and chronic fatigue , Duffek made the shocking realization that she was suffering from mold toxicity , caused by mold found in the heating and air-conditioning system throughout the home she was living in .
After moving , recovering and later purchasing a new home in south Laguna , Duffek saw the silver lining in what had happened to her : She decided to use what she had learned to help others . Duffek expanded her business , making it her mission to educate both herself and her clients on how to make mindful , research-backed decisions and changes to create living spaces that support whole body wellness . She has even opened a showroom , Pure Design House , as a resource for others .
Duffek , owner and principal designer of Pure Design House and Duffek Design & Development , is joined by others in the area who are prioritizing creating beautiful home environments that don ’ t compromise health and wellness . Natural living spaces are a growing trend in home design that is undoubtedly gaining traction as more research is made available about how products are made and the myriad invisible dangers that potentially lurk in everything from insulation to bedding .
Here , local designers weigh in on how to detoxify your digs , whether through small , simple changes or a total home transformation .
A FRESH START Over the past few years , Duffek has been working tirelessly with a curated team to create what she refers to as a “ clean home ,” which will serve as a prototype for clients , designers and other community members who utilize this new showroom .
“ I became really sick and it caused me to press pause with my design business and take a look at the materials we were using and really start to dive into nontoxic materials , and not just clean and environmentally friendly , but healthy for the body ,” Duffek says , adding that while clients ’ ideas of health and wellness may vary , her goal is to ensure that every detail is as clean and nontoxic as possible to achieve a healthy living space . She starts by offering an initial home consultation and begins planning from there .
According to Laguna Beach interior designer Lisa McDennon , owner of the eponymous Lisa McDennon Design and the home and lifestyle boutique , Nuance , demand for these types of living spaces is increasing steadily among her client base . “ With people spending more time at home , there is a desire to create a haven that is not only clean and germ-free but also a healthy sanctuary ,” McDennon says . “ Yes , aesthetics are important , but creating a harmonious space is also about creating a space that promotes well-being and is supported by a healthy atmosphere .”
To that end , awareness around volatile organic compounds is at the forefront of the healthy home movement ; VOCs are the fumes released into the air ( through off-gassing ) from chemicals like formaldehyde that can be found in countless manufactured items around the home , and which are known to contribute to indoor air pollution and can cause cancer and other health problems . “ One example I like to use is a lot of people put insulation in their walls , and they can spray it on or roll it in sheets , but oftentimes those [ products ] are covered in formaldehyde . There are other solutions we can utilize , like New Zealand wool ,” Duffek says .
Another common culprit is flooring : For example , some engineered wood and laminate flooring can be high in VOCs due to the adhesives , glues and finishes used in manufacturing or installing , so it ’ s important to read up on different options before making a decision .
McDennon recommends looking into natural flooring materials like hardwood , stone and terra cotta , but says popular luxury vinyl tile — a cost-effective and durable flooring that looks like wood — can be a good choice in many circumstances . However , since vinyl products in general can off-gas , someone who is concerned about this should read the product ’ s labels and search for brands manufactured with fewer chemicals . “ Be sure to research your options and look carefully at how it ’ s made ,” she says .
Perhaps the most obvious must-haves when creating a purified space are , of course , healthy air and water . One of the top design elements that Lisa Berman , founder and principal designer at Laguna-based Studio Gutow , has seen being implemented into homes today to create healthier environments are high-end air purification systems . “ These systems go beyond standard air filters , using advanced technology to remove allergens , pollutants and even viruses from the air ,” Berman says . For her part , Duffek strongly recommends purchasing and installing a water filtration system , especially one that uses reverse osmosis , which is considered one of the more efficient ways to eliminate contaminants from drinking water .
Furniture , too , plays a large role in the overall health of a home , given its size and the number of pieces most homes contain . “ Clients are opting for furniture made from sustainably sourced wood and nontoxic finishes , and pieces made without formaldehyde-based adhesives
HEALING HOMES , PAGE 3
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