TAKE IT SLOW
Enjoy a simpler life, connect with the space you live in and cherish what you have
Reconnect with your space this month
What does ‘slow living’ mean to you? Is it a lifestyle – long brunches and lazy afternoons reading a good book? Or an ethos – a desire to invest in local craftsmanship instead of mass production, a recognition that the best things take time? The ‘slow movement’ itself is based in the latter. It emerged 30 years ago after a group protested against a Mcdonald’s opening by the Spanish Steps in Rome’s Piazza di Spagna, resolute that the square be reserved for small local businesses rather than a worldwide fast-food chain. The same desire to support local artisans – and to be more conscious about what and how we consume – has trickled into every area of our lives, from food and fashion to our homes.
Slow living is the latest incarnation of this, and we can all incorporate it into our lifestyles. In her new book,
Still: The Slow Home, author Natalie Walton explores ways in which we can do this and inhabit a simpler world.
Bronwyn and Andreas Riedel, Saxony, Germany
Being able to bring life back to an old German manor house was an irresistible opportunity for Bronwyn and Andreas Riedel when they discovered a 13th-century schloss in the region of Saxony about 10 years ago. They decided to buy it the moment they saw it. ‘It was like falling in love with someone,’ says Bronwyn. While renovating the house, they used it for weekends and holidays. But about two years ago, the couple moved in permanently to establish a European base for their lime paint business, Bauwerk Colour, which they now run from part of the ground floor.
‘The pace of life is of our own making. We’re in a quiet place, which is very peaceful and green. This house is a refuge. We can’t imagine living anywhere else’
‘Our homes are ideally placed to support and promote the slow philosophy, which encourages “SLOW” – Sustainable, Local, Organic, Whole – choices,’ explains Walton. While this can range from the materials used in construction to how we furnish our homes, it also extends to our local environment and the impact that can have on our wellbeing. At its core is the idea of being more conscious about the choices we make. ‘These choices don’t have to be at the expense of creating a home that feels welcoming, though. Instead, they can actually make us feel better about how and where we live,’ says Walton.
The homes in the pages of her book may share a beautiful and sometimes expensive aesthetic – and certainly, investing in artisanal objects can come at a cost – but slow living doesn’t have to blow your budget. There are plenty of creative ways to bring elements of its ethos into your home. That could be buying second-hand from charity and vintage shops, Etsy and ebay, shopping at your local greengrocer, growing your own or choosing products from small independent retailers rather than chain stores. The idea is that you buy less, cherish what you have and make it an investment for the future
In Still: The Slow Home, Walton interviewed people from around the world who have taken steps to embrace the principles of slow living. For some, this involved moving out of the city for a slower pace of life, while others put time and love into renovating an old property. ‘Although everyone’s journey was different, home was at the heart of every story,’ says Walton.
SIMPLE STEPS TO SLOW LIVING
There are many routes to SLOW. It’s not about being perfect, but finding what’s right for you. Embrace it one step at a time. Consider Sustainable, Local, Organic, Whole choices and develop a rhythm that works for your life and, most importantly, find pleasure in the process. Sustainable
While we might want to create more sustainable homes, what does this mean? We’re exposed to an overwhelming amount of information
– and misinformation – when it comes to building and furnishing sustainably. The words ‘natural’ and ‘sustainable’ are often used interchangeably, but that can be misleading. For example, all woods are natural, but not all of them are sustainable. Bamboo, for instance, is fast-growing and a good sustainable choice. Try Graham and Green and Rose & Grey for smart bamboo furniture and accessories. Avoid both mahogany and teak as they are depleted.
Tanya Jonsson and Kris Isacsson, Pound Ridge, New York, USA
‘I love being surrounded by things that bring back memories and inspire me,’ says Tanya Jonsson, who moved with her film and TV writer husband, Kris Isacsson, from their Brooklyn apartment to Pound Ridge in New York State when their daughter, Liv, was a baby. They wanted a family home with more space. Tanya has been a collector of art, sculpture and furniture for more than 20 years. The majority of her finds are from ebay and Etsy. ‘Most of the things I buy have had many owners,’ she says. ‘They have had a life and are better quality. When I look around my house, I see life – [my purchases] remind me of who I was with at that time.’
‘Every day, I witness the landscape waking up and changing. I love how the seasons directly affect the mood of my home; it’s my greatest inspiration’
● Become aware. Organisations such as the Forest Stewardship Council help provide consumers with clear guidelines on which timbers have been derived from responsibly managed forests.
● Do what you can. Taking steps to reduce energy usage not only reduces costs but also helps create a more sustainable home. Where possible, insulate your home for more efficient heating; utilise double-glazed windows or curtains with thermal backing; install water- and energy-saving devices.
Talk about your choices. This normalises them.
● For example, greater awareness of single-use plastic has led to a change in our consumption.
Local
While we often think about ‘local’ in terms of proximity to where we live, there are also wider benefits. Shopping local, for instance, can reduce carbon emissions and the need for less packaging. Engage with your local community.
● When we connect with our neighbours, there are more safe places for our children to play, or we can carshare. We can also share knowledge and ideas, laugh and feel valued. Social engagement has even been shown to help extend our lifespan. Take pride in your surroundings.
● This not only benefits the environment but being outdoors is good for our physical and mental health, too. Bring ‘local’ into your home.
● Simply using branches from local trees as decoration can help us feel connected to nature and our surroundings.
Organic
While we often think about organic in relation to food, organic can also mean a product or material free of chemicals. In some ways, the term ‘organic’ is a misnomer because it describes food and materials in their natural state. Everything else is nonorganic, processed or synthetic.
● Be aware. When it comes to our homes, there are many objects that are made and finished with chemicals, some of which can have a negative impact on our health and the environment – volatile organic compounds in paints and sealants, and formaldehyde in mattresses, for example.
● Be thoughtful. We spend a lot of time in and money on our homes. Try to consider the materials and products we allow into them.
Whole
We can embrace slow living at home when we take a more whole-istic approach to our decisions. ‘Wholism’ is based on the idea of viewing systems as wholes, not just a collection of parts.
● Be mindful. Remember that our choices have an impact on other areas of our life and the wider world. For example, when we buy soap in a plastic bottle, there is a ripple effect – from the resources needed to create and ship the bottle to recycling it.
‘This home feels happy and solid, which creates a sense of security that allows us to give ourselves over to just being’
Juli Daoust and John Baker, Stirling, Ontario, Canada
‘This home feels happy and solid, which creates a sense of security that allows us to give ourselves over to just being,’ says Juli. When Juli Daoust and John Baker first saw the stone-built house dating from 1840 in rural Ontario, they were attracted to its location, nestled within rolling hills and enveloped on three sides by fields of corn. ‘We were looking for a place where we could spend weekends and summer breaks, where we could engage with nature. There was a peaceful magic about the property,’ says Juli. The couple haven’t been in a hurry with the renovation, partly because it isn’t their primary residence. ‘The process became intuitive,’ says John. ‘For some people it’s a race to the finish, but it’s nice to take it slow.’ Juli adds, ‘This house is all about simplicity.’ Nothing is built-in and there’s a wood-burning stove for heating and cooking. ‘Our time spent here is all about being intentional,’ she concludes.