Australian designer advises Vogue Adria on how to design a space that elevates mental and physical energy to a whole new level.
Tina KovačićekOctober 17, 2025
Australian designer Melissa Penfold enjoys a rich career as a writer and interior editor for leading international design and home décor magazines. She has been a brand ambassador for Dash & Albert, created table settings for Wedgwood, and this year she is presenting her fourth book, Natural Living by Design (Vendome Press), which showcases healthy, life-enhancing interiors from designers around the world.
I am currently working on my own interior design project and have been thinking a lot about it, and her book immediately sparked a lot of questions for me. I bought an apartment near a forest, thinking it was a great idea. She confirmed for me that, no matter where you live, it is important to find ways to connect with the natural environment. Living in harmony with nature allows us to thrive in our personal little sanctuaries while also being gentle with the planet. It will be easy for me to connect with nature near the forest, but housing circumstances vary and are not always aligned with our desires. Melissa emphasizes that, regardless of the situation, an eco-conscious approach to home design is the one that can improve both physical and emotional well-being.
Think about natural light, non-toxic materials, plants, storage space (because clutter creates stress), and colors that inspire joy, she tells Vogue Adria, emphasizing that the most important thing is to let light in. A lack of morning light can negatively affect sleep, mood, and health. A home filled with natural light can feel twice as large, even in densely populated cities. But what if you don’t have much natural light? You may not be able to create more, but you can enhance what you already have: use light tones (preferably matte finishes that reflect light better), hang mirrors to make light ‘dance’ across the room, and clean your windows regularly. Create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, one that says, ‘It’s all okay, you are safe here.’
Her motto is that eco-conscious interiors enhance quality of life, and that design can be a powerful force in improving our physical and emotional well-being. In her book, she presents projects from around the world – from Mexico, Tangier, Aspen, New York, Paris, Provence, and the Hamptons, to, of course, Australia – revealing natural, clean, and warm interiors filled with light and organic materials. The most important thing is to understand the impact of our own choices and ensure that our spaces have a positive effect on both ourselves and the planet. Only then can we truly thrive.
For this occasion, she shares seven key tips for creating an interior that strengthens mental and physical energy – and don’t worry, there’s a solution for every home.
Eco-friendly decorating can boost physical and emotional wellbeing. The most important thing is that your house is very easy to live in. In addition to being warm and textural, it works. Enjoying little details such as good ventilation and insulation. Add layers of blinds, shutters and awnings to control glare and heat which means you don’t need to turn the air conditioning on. Make eco-friendly adjustments from textiles to flooring, to furnishings to air flow. You want to recreate the sights, scents and sounds of nature. That includes silence. Look at noise around the house. Those pans that clang everytime you put them away. Get dividers. The creaking floorboards outside the bedroom. Get a runner. That squeaking door. Oil it.
Buy the best you can afford — it’s cheaper and more sustainable in the long run. “Shop” your home by repurposing things you already own, and rearrange the furniture to optimize flow. Don’t use flame retardant and stain repellants. If you have a gas stove, consider an induction model. Insulation can lower energy bills. Even small amounts can quadruple energy efficiency. Seal up cracks around windows. Make your home airtight for the cooler months. It’s like wrapping your home in a woolly jumper and making it more energy efficient. The issue for us all is to understand the effects of the choices we make, and ensure our decisions have a positive impact on us, and the planet. So we can flourish.
Color choice is a budget-friendly way to enhance the mood of rooms. For a soothing feel, try neutral shades or, to sharpen your focus, cool colors. Blue and green aid mental focus. Yellow is energizing,. Calm and serene for bedrooms and baths. Uplifting and joyous for kitchens and living areas. It might seem silly, but simple changes in colors can save lives. All around the world, each day, the color blue saves lives, by bathing a premature baby in blue light. Blue is just one color, so imagine what the whole rainbow could do with a little research. Maybe now you’ll think a little harder about that colour you paint your walls – not only what it will say about you, but what it will do to you.
Choose natural, non-toxic materials such as clay, plaster, sustainable wood, stone and metal. Opt for fabrics and textures that evoke nature such as chenille, rattan, hemp, linen, leather, sisal, and more. Make your seating as inviting as possible with sofas and armchairs upholstered in tactile fabrics such as cashmere, mohair, lambswool, cotton and hemp, and top them with comfortable throws and down cushions. Lower the volume by hanging a sound-dampening textile panel or tapestry on a wall to create a quieter environment. Explore the chalky, nuanced texture of limewashed walls that give off such a serene atmosphere. For example, Portola Paints’ Patagonia in the Roman Clay finish is a mineral-based, natural limewash with zero VOCs, and the sandy colour just gets better with age.
It’s almost impossible to overstate the benefits of plants for our wellbeing.. Homes that incorporate plants, or are open to the outdoors with garden and tree views are a reliable booster of happiness and productivity. Plants enthrall the senses, reduce anxiety, and induce calm. It’s the simplest styling trick in the book, but we’re constantly amazed by the way that one little plant or a sprig of leaves in a jug—can add cheerfulness to a whole room.
Optimizing the flow, or movement, through your home is essential for your sense of well-being. The goal is for the circulation within rooms, between rooms, and between indoor and outdoor spaces to have the same benefits as you might experience walking in a natural environment such as a forest.
Natural materials like stone, wood, terracotta, and linen never go out of style and have a positive impact on health. Even the scent of wood can lower your pulse. Don’t forget the magic – play with design! Striped walls, cheerful tables, botanical-patterned wallpapers, or large antique mirrors can bring a touch of magic and personality into your home.
