Transforming My Living Room To An Eco-Friendly Paradise

Hey there, Restyle Family, I'm Shavonne, your sustainable interior design bestie and organizer. Welcome to week one of the Cleanish challenge, where we’re diving headfirst into transforming our dining and living room spaces! As many of you know currently, I'm on a mission to redesign, reorganize, and remove toxins from our home, all on the journey to convincing our first child. This year's Cleanish challenge holds an even deeper significance for me as it's about more than just creating a beautiful space—it's about nurturing both our physical and emotional well-being.

After five years of struggling to conceive, my husband and I realized that toxins in our environment could be impacting our fertility. This realization prompted us to reevaluate every aspect of our home, from the products we use to the materials in our living space. Armed with determination and a desire for change, we're tackling our dining and living rooms with gusto. Our goal is to create spaces that not only look beautiful but also prioritize our health and the health of our future child.

For this week our Cleanish challenge began with decluttering and reimagining our dining/living room space. Using the "Four-Pile Method," we sorted through items to decide what stays and what goes. Clearing out the clutter was the first step toward creating a fresh, inviting space that promotes relaxation and well-being. With each item we removed, we made room for positive energy and new possibilities.

Next, we turned our attention to elevating the design of the space. Instead of traditional paint, we opted for renter-friendly peel-and-stick wallpaper to create a captivating feature wall. This textured wallpaper served as a focal point, setting the tone for the entire room and adding depth and visual interest. By choosing these materials, we not only enhanced the aesthetic appeal of our space but also minimized our environmental footprint. Since peel and stick are often made from eco-friendly materials such as recycled paper or vinyl that is PVC-free and printed with water-based inks. This makes it a more sustainable option compared to paint, which can contain harmful chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are released into the air during application and drying, contributing to indoor air pollution and posing health risks.

Then, we brought nature indoors by transforming our cluttered bar area into a thriving indoor herb garden. With the help of LED grow lights, we created an environment where herbs could flourish year-round, providing fresh ingredients for cooking and cocktails. This not only enhanced the room's aesthetic but also fostered a connection to nature and supported a healthier lifestyle. Growing our own herbs ensured pesticide-free produce, crucial for hormonal balance and fertility, especially during conception journeys. Additionally, tending to the garden offered therapeutic benefits, reducing stress and promoting overall well-being.

Finally, we added personal touches to fill up all the blank wall spaces by tackling several DIY projects. We created a collage wall, refurbished roadside bar stools, and crafted DIY artwork, transforming the walls into a gallery of our own creation. Each project reflected our personality and style, infusing the space with warmth and authenticity.

Join us each day throughout the month of April on Instagram to see the transformation of our home that not only reflects our personal style but also promotes a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. Also, stay tuned for more updates from the Cleanish Challenge, and don't forget to share your own eco-friendly home makeover stories with us! Together, we created spaces that inspired and uplifted us every day.