Julie Lindahl ~ Nordic Wellbeing

> We know that there are certain indoor environments and objects that make us feel good and others that don't. What is it that makes the difference? Is it just taste and cultural heritage or is there more? Are there any basic elements of design that reach out to each of us as humans and that, irrespective of individual taste and cuture, we recognize as appealing?

In my book, "On My Swedish Island: Discovering the Secrets of Scandinavian Wellbeing" I take an unprecedented look at the elements of the famous Scandinavian design that have appealed not only to Scandinavians but to people all over the world. I look into state-of-the-art thinking about design and health and apply this to Scandinavian design to explain that special brand of Nordic feng shui.

I am delighted that America's number one architect-with-a-conscience, Sarah Susanka has reviewed and endorsed my work on Nordic Wellness Design. Sarah is author of the best-selling No-So-Big House series, Home by Design and The Not So Big Life.

Subsequent to the publication of this book, I have given presentations about this subject as well as received a number of questions from readers, particularly in the United States, concerning the implementation of Nordic Wellness Design in their lives. Even if you are trying to achieve a classic Nordic look, there is no cookie-cutter approach. There are, however, certain basic principles that you can work with to realize an appealing and wellness-giving environment that matches your own tastes.

In an age when we spend 80 to 90 percent of our time indoors, the design of our homes and work spaces has become a more important component of health than ever. The experience of beauty, balance and other physical aspects such as light and ventilation each play an important role. In an age where thrift in use of resources has become a wellbeing factor in homes, Nordic Wellness Design provides a refreshing approach.

In 2006 I designed a Nordic skin care series (see Purely Nordic Products, below) which paid particular attention to realizing Nordic design principles in packaging.