The slow lane Take steps to simplify your life with these helpful hints from Natalie Walton’s new book, Still: The Slow Home

BE INSPIRED TO SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE AND TAKE STEPS TO EMBRACE THE PRINCIPLES OF SLOW LIVING WITH DESIGNER AND AUTHOR NATALIE WALTON’S LATEST BOOK, STILL: THE SLOW HOME

Never before have we been presented with such a rare opportunity to hit pause and evaluate our lifestyles – to stop and take a deep breath. Spending more time at home than we ever have before, we’re enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime chance to review and reset the way we live, to break bad habits and also to adopt new practices (goodbye forever, single-use plastic). So Still: The Slow Home by Natalie Walton could not have come at a better time. Within its beautiful pages, Natalie explores 20 stunning homes from around the globe and details the steps each homeowner has taken to live a slower life. Turn the page here to read the author’s best tips for making changes within your own home. >

“When we create using our values as a guide, our homes can become more meaningful” ~ natalie

build A VISION

We can live more responsibly within our homes when we consider that our decisions have an impact not just on the world today, but on the form it will take tomorrow. So let’s consider our legacy. What mark do we want to leave on the world? What gift do we have to give? To this end, we can consider the Japanese concept of ikigai – a reason for being. It is based upon the idea of what we consider to be of value in our lives and what gives them meaning. Let us consider the contribution we want to make. When it comes to our homes, can we create them in a way that makes a positive contribution – buildings and spaces that others want to maintain or preserve, for example? Can we embrace choices that will withstand trends or at least won’t deplete the world’s resources irreparably? Our vision is our guide and compass to living in a way that is more aligned with our values.

DEVELOP A VALUE FRAMEWORK

When we gravitate towards making change in our lives, we do so in the hope they will be better. But how do we know which path to take? We find our way when we establish the same framework for our lives as for the homes we’re creating. First, we envisage the big picture, then lay the foundations and build the framework to make improvements step by step. When it comes to our lives, once we have created a vision, we should consider what we stand for – our personal value system – and this becomes the framework that guides our decision making. So what do we value? What is most important? For many of us, it might be family or the future, but it can also be nature or community. We can value more than one element, although sometimes we have to prioritise one over another. >

“give careful thought to when to say yes and when to say no”~ natalie

“Let’s care more about what we value and less about what’s not worth our time or money” ~ natalie

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

Let’s consider who benefits most from many of our daily decisions. It’s good to question if what we desire is a need or a want before we make any purchase. We can also build a pause into our decision-making process. Do we need to move house or build a bigger one? Do we need to make structural or cosmetic changes? And, if we do, can we make them more responsibly?

Can we wait? Are we opting for timeless choices that will withstand trends? Throughout the world, previous generations built structures and furniture, rugs, pots and much more in a slow and considered way. These buildings and objects have lasted for hundreds, sometimes thousands, of years. Given all we have access to, is this not still possible? We also have the ability to choose our response – from what we believe to how we behave. We can cultivate self-awareness. Pay attention, be proactive and do the work. Small steps lead to consistent results. Good habits yield good results.

FOCUS ON PRIORITIES

Once we have a clear understanding of our values and purpose, we can set boundaries around how we live our lives. Our attention and self-control are under siege from the moment we wake until just before sleep. Ask anyone what matters most to them and the answer is easy. However, if we look at how we spend our time, our days are filled with contradictions. The data is clear. We are addicted to our devices. We know the truth, even if we sometimes struggle to admit it. Yet, how much time do we spend completely engaged with our family on a daily basis? Our homes are ideally placed to create boundaries. Devices can be left at the front door, and mealtimes and gatherings reserved for real-life connection. Bedrooms can also be preserved as sanctuaries from technology.

Photography CHRIS WARNES

In the historic village of Tisvildeleje, on the north coast of Denmark, this charming thatched cottage (above & opposite) featured in Slow serves as a cherished weekend escape for its interior designer owner.

Preserving the past while looking to the future was a high priority for the owners of this 1oo-year-old home in Mallorca, Spain (left & above) – a sentiment shared by the owner of the Danish cottage (opposite), who gravitated towards using natural and raw materials in the interior of her home, which is also imbued with a sense of history.

The family homestead atop this gorgeous property in the Byron Bay hinterland (above & opposite) was renovated using as many old and recycled materials as possible – for both sustainability’s sake, as well as adding a sense of history.

This is an edited extract from Still: The Slow Home by Natalie Walton, published by Hardie Grant Books. Photography by Chris Warnes. Available from $60 in stores now.