Environmental Control
Lani Joy, Environmental Attorney
We live in a fragile World that is undergoing major changes. The rising oceans threaten the existence of all low-lying land and those people who rely on its existence. The picture shows indigenous people of the South Pacific, but this could be our outer banks or the beaches of Florida. As individuals we cannot change the world but we can change our environment and we can show you how.
Environmental Wellness
The Two Environments
There are two environments that are important to us humans, the first is the close environment we choose and protect for ourselves, our home, our workplace, even our destinations. The second is our world environment which mankind has taken for granted for thousands of years.
It is as if Mankind has just woken up from a very long nap. Suddenly, our close environment we have protected so carefully throughout our lives, is in danger of being shattered. Our insurance policies have had that little clause “An act of God”, and we have looked at it and thought, well that won’t happen to us, well now we realize it can. There have always been wars and catastrophes of one form or another, but we have tried to plan it safely, so these things avoid us. Well ever since hurricane Katrina we have started to realize bad things can happen that are way out of our control at any time and any place.
The World is changing, temperatures are rising, glaciers are melting, oceans are rising, but unless your life is on the brink of being washed away it is easy to say this is not my problem.
I have earned my living designing environments for kitchens, offices, bedrooms, long-term care, hospitality etc. and have learned unless your client has a leap of faith to spend the money needed to produce the best solution, then economics overruled, and the environment suffers.
If a video of the world’s history was taken and then made to last one year, mankind would be in only the last two seconds of the video! So, what gives us the right to plunder and spoil this wonderful world of ours?
My Story
John Brandon, Designer
I have been designing interiors for over 40 years and have specialized in senior living. In the photograph you can see my patented furniture.
For people over 55, people downsizing, aging in place, first and foremost you need to surround yourself with the things most important to you and the things that inspire you the most.
We are all different and we all need different things around us, but the same thing applies we are on a journey through life, and we need things of meaning to us as much as we need a toothbrush.
We need room to prepare our food and drinks and have clean unpolluted air to breathe.
Even living in the countryside there is no guarantee that the air is clean to breathe. We have better control over what we eat and drink than what we breathe.
As for the needs and comforts of your own home, this is your palace so treat yourself. Remember it does not have to be photographed for Architectural Digest (my designs have been on the pages of AD). The homes in AD are often the 3rd, 4th and 5th home of some star, TV executive or Sports player, they are not that person’s Comfort Zone.
My home is as much a comfort zone for my grandchildren Keone 6 and Owen 3. They have a play area in 4 rooms including my studio for when they visit. My schedule includes 4 hours Tuesday morning with Owen 1 on1 and Saturday morning ice skating with Keone ending with brunch out. I feel so blessed.
For those people adjusting to aging in place, my recommendation based on reality and economics is “do not jump the gun”. One day you may need a chair lift to go up the stairs, one day you may need wheelchair access, one day you may need a walk-in tub or shower, but that one day may never come. My mother-in-law lived alone until she was 94 when she went into hospital, she was worried about who was going to dig up the potatoes she planted; she passed 4 weeks later in hospice care.
I am here to help and assist, not to charge thousands for a home makeover, if you have a question or would like information please send me an email. info@pullourownweight.com