Centring her clients’ well-being and the health of the planet elevates this designer’s work. 

Alicia Ruach is an interior designer whose work goes beyond aesthetics – she wants the rooms she creates to bring her clients peace, calm and positive emotions. As owner of the Toronto-based Alicia Ruach Design + Co., her goal is to help clients create unique spaces that reflect their personal style and improve their physical and mental well-being, as well as make design choices that are healthy for humans and the planet. With such a unique focus, we wanted to learn more about how she designs beautiful, personal homes that feed the soul.

KL: What is holistic design and what makes your practice unique?

AR: Holistic interior design is about creating authentic spaces that connect to the identity of the end user to support their physical,
spiritual and mental well-being. It involves understanding their aspirations, lifestyle, and emotional and health needs. Holistic design creates a sensory stimulating, visually inspiring and healthy environment that’s also aesthetically pleasing.

Photography Alicia Ruach Design + co.

KL: What are three simple ways we can create a holistic healthy home?

AR: A lot of the time, it’s a matter of seeing things in a new light, which can instantly freshen up your space. First, repurpose and upcycle old furnishings that can be painted, reupholstered or changed in some way. Not only will you have a unique piece, you can also feel good about giving it a second life and reducing waste. Second, add greenery to enhance your decor and instantly liven up your space with colour and texture. The right houseplant will not only look good, but it can improve air quality by absorbing harmful gases and dust. Finally, try to rearrange items or move objects to different rooms of your home for a fresh look.

KL: It’s easy to think of a modern home as the perfect candidate for your decorating practice. How would you handle a traditional maximalist…a.k.a. cluttered…home?

AR: We should think of our home as a place that reflects our identity, family and way of living, and a place where we feel happiest and most like our true selves. It’s only natural for people to be drawn to different styles, whether minimalist, modern, boho or traditional maximalist. Regardless of a client’s design style, we always start with the “decorate with intention” approach. With a maximalist, we would separate items into two main categories: “I absolutely love it” or “I can live without it.” The goal is to display your most meaningful objects that bring you joy every time you look at them. That will create a sense of comfort and belonging. Not only will this approach improve your mood and feeling, decluttering can also have a positive impact on your mental and physical health, and we are all for it.

KL: Are certain colours more conducive to holistic decorating? Can you recommend a good neutral and non-neutral paint colour? 

AR: Colour affects your mood and behaviour, so it’s important to choose wisely to create the atmosphere you desire. If you aren’t sure where to start your design scheme, first decide on the feeling and mood you want to create – it could be fresh, calming, moody, luxurious or warm. Lighter colours are more airy and can make rooms feel larger and even brighter. Darker colours are considered more refined and make rooms feel warmer and more intimate. The goal when choosing colours is to create a feeling of wholeness and a connection to the space. For a neutral, Sherwin-Williams’ Agreeable Gray is great, and for a non-neutral, I like Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke. 

 

Green Smoke 47, Farrow & Ball (left)
Agreeable Gray SW 7029, Sherwin-Williams (right)

KL: Would decorating with vintage furnishings fit into a holistic home?

AR: Absolutely! Sustainability is a cornerstone of holistic design. Incorporating vintage is an environmentally friendly choice that gives an older item a second life, preventing waste. Also, no two antiques are the same, which makes your space unique and serves as a conversation starter with guests.

Photography Alicia Ruach Design + co.

KL: Does technology have a place in holistic decor? 

AR: Smart technology can support you, free your mind of clutter and simplify your life. It can help with creating grocery lists, reminders, and let you control lighting, thermostats, air purifiers and even playing relaxing music to create a calming atmosphere. The advancements of technology have made it possible to use less energy; for example, energy-saving appliances, electronics and lighting that are efficient and suit your personal style. 

KL: How important is light and sound?

AR: They are just as important as the physical things in a home. When used effectively, they can reduce stress and support mental and physical health. Natural light improves our mood and supports our immune system to resist disease and the effects of stress.
We love to maximize natural light, but adding adequate artificial lighting to create different moods and atmosphere is also key. With sound, when we’re exposed to constant noise it can cause stress, which triggers reactions in our body, including the secretion of certain hormones, such as adrenalin and cortisol. When designing, we incorporate soft furnishings that absorb sound, which makes your home quieter and more comfortable. If you can’t eliminate unwanted noise from outside, create healthier noise inside with music or a water feature. Music elevates our mood and can be comforting, mood lifting and healing.