yourHOME by design
Nico Smutylo - Founder of yourPARO.
** New episodes every other Wednesday! **
Your home is more than just a place—it’s the backdrop to your life, shaping your mood, mindset, and overall well-being. In this podcast, Nico uncovers the powerful link between interior design and neuroaesthetics, exploring how your environment influences your brain, body, and sense of fulfillment.
From practical design tips that make your space more functional and beautiful, to the science behind how thoughtful choices can boost your mental, emotional, and physical health, each episode shows how your home can become a tool for personal growth. Nico dives deep into how small design changes can foster better habits, help you become the person you want to be, and support a lifestyle that aligns with your goals for wellness and fulfillment.
Whether you’re redecorating, renovating, or simply curious about the psychology of design, this podcast offers research-driven insights, expert advice, and heartfelt stories to help you create a home that doesn’t just look good, but feels good—and helps you thrive.
Join Nico, founder of yourPARO, as she blends design expertise with the science of neuroaesthetics and wellness, showing how your space can elevate your health, happiness, and lifestyle.
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Top 10 yourHOME by design Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best yourHOME by design episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to yourHOME by design for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite yourHOME by design episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Beyond Brick and Mortar: The Transformative Power of Outdoor Plazas on Health and Community
yourHOME by design
06/15/24 • 35 min
Find me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/nico.smu/
Episode Description
This episode focused on outdoor plazas, public spaces, and their impact on health and well-being. Drawing from personal experiences and professional insights, Nico explores the historical significance of public spaces, tracing back to ancient Greece and Rome, and their role as hubs of community life.
Discussing the benefits of outdoor plazas, Nico highlights their role in boosting local economies, fostering cultural expression, and promoting health and well-being. She encourages listeners to visualize their experiences in public spaces, reflecting on the memories and connections made there. Nico also shares insights into some of the world's coolest gathering spaces, including the Jama el Fanah in Marrakesh, the Old Town Square in Prague, the Piazza San Marco Square in Venice, and Exchange Square in London.
Nico concludes the episode with a quote by Jan Gell, highlighting the reciprocal relationship between cities and their inhabitants: "First, we shape the cities, then they shape us." She emphasizes the importance of public spaces in fostering community and cultural exchange, leaving listeners inspired to explore and appreciate the outdoor plazas in their own lives.
Show Notes:
Website: www.yourparo.com
Resources:
Bathroom Serenity Guide www.yourparo.com/bathroom-serenity
Living Room Essentials Guide www.yourparo.com/living-room-know-how
Waitlist: The Power of Home (mini course) www.yourparo.com/miniseries
Renewal and Transformation: Spring's Influence on Our Living Spaces.
yourHOME by design
05/19/24 • 25 min
Join host Nico as she delves into the theme of renewal that accompanies the arrival of spring. Discover how this season of change, growth, and new beginnings sparks a desire for improvement, cleanliness, and organization in our homes, mirroring our personal quest for renewal. With expert advice and practical strategies, this episode empowers you to align your living environment with your personal objectives, creating a nurturing and motivating space that fosters personal growth and well-being. Get ready to embrace the spirit of renewal and make beneficial changes in your living spaces to enhance your personal development and well-being. Tune in now and transform your home into a sanctuary of rejuvenation, progress, and positive transformation.
Website: www.yourparo.com
Resources:
Bathroom Serenity Guide www.yourparo.com/bathroom-serenity
Living Room Essentials Guide www.yourparo.com/living-room-know-how
Waitlist: The Power of Home (mini course) www.yourparo.com/miniseries
Navigating Grief at Home Part 2 with Guest Natassia Valli: Designing for Healing: Creating a Nurturing Home Environment
yourHOME by design
05/09/24 • 44 min
Today we explore the transformative power of our living spaces during times of grief and loss. Join us as we delve into Natassia Valli's inspiring story of how her home became a sanctuary to navigate the grieving process after losing her husband. Discover how Natassia found solace and comfort by creating intentional spaces, embracing minimalism, and incorporating therapeutic practices into her home.
Gain insights into the profound impact of our living environment on our well-being and learn how to create a supportive and nurturing home environment during difficult times. Tune in to 'Your Home by Design' for a heartfelt exploration of the connection between our homes and our emotional well-being."
Follow me on Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/nico.smu/
Website: www.yourparo.com
Resources:
Bathroom Serenity Guide www.yourparo.com/bathroom-serenity
Living Room Essentials Guide www.yourparo.com/living-room-know-how
Waitlist: The Power of Home (mini course) www.yourparo.com/miniseries
04/30/24 • 27 min
In todays episode, Nico delves into the theme of grief and its connection to the home environment. The home is portrayed as a space for transformation, reflection, and self-expression. Nico discusses the importance of acknowledging and dealing with grief within the home setting, and offers strategies for managing grief at home. The episode emphasizes the significance of safety, comfort, and personalized design elements in navigating the grieving journey. Stay tuned for part two, where a guest will share their firsthand experiences of grief and the role of their home in the healing process."
Website: www.yourparo.com
Resources:
Bathroom Serenity Guide www.yourparo.com/bathroom-serenity
Living Room Essentials Guide www.yourparo.com/living-room-know-how
Waitlist: The Power of Home (mini course) www.yourparo.com/miniseries
Balance In Design: Important Not Only For Your Look But For Your Life
yourHOME by design
03/17/24 • 21 min
Nico explores the significance of balance in interior design, and its impact on our well-being. Balance is defined as the visual weight and proportion of a room, and it can be achieved by carefully considering the placement and arrangement of furniture, objects, and colors. The benefits of balance in design are discussed, including the creation of a harmonious and comfortable space, reduction of visual tension, improvement of spatial organization and functionality, and enhancement of cognitive processing and emotional well-being. At the end of the episode Nico mentions some practical tips on how to create a balanced environment, such as using symmetrical or asymmetrical design and considering the visual weight of objects. Overall, balance in interior design enhances the aesthetic appeal of a room and promotes a sense of harmony and comfort. A fundamental element of interior design and a fundamental element in creating spaces that foster our overall wellbeing.
Website: www.yourparo.com
Resources:
Bathroom Serenity Guide www.yourparo.com/bathroom-serenity
Living Room Essentials Guide www.yourparo.com/living-room-know-how
Waitlist: The Power of Home (mini course) www.yourparo.com/miniseries
Mastering the Art of Home Project Planning' 8 Steps for Success
yourHOME by design
03/02/24 • 30 min
In todays episode Nico emphasizes the crucial role of effective planning and goal setting in achieving successful home projects. Nico compares planning to a puzzle, where each piece of the project is carefully decided and organized in advance to ensure a positive outcome.
Aligning the project with personal values and long-term goals is stressed, highlighting the benefits of delayed gratification. Research suggests that effective planning and goal setting can provide several benefits, including creating momentum, guiding focus, building confidence, and freeing up cognitive resources.
The importance of defining project goals, creating a budget, establishing a timeline, engaging in the design process, material selection, costing and ordering, and clear communication during the execution phase are all highlighted as crucial steps in the planning process. Thorough planning and attention to detail are crucial for achieving a successful and rewarding home project no matter the size of your project. Here are 8 steps to success!
Find me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/nico.smu/
Website: www.yourparo.com
Resources:
Bathroom Serenity Guide www.yourparo.com/bathroom-serenity
Living Room Essentials Guide www.yourparo.com/living-room-know-how
Waitlist: The Power of Home (mini course) www.yourparo.com/miniseries
The Pitfalls of Impulsive Decision-Making in Home Design
yourHOME by design
02/09/24 • 28 min
Todays episode explores the topic of impulsivity and its impact on decision-making in our homes. Nico shares a cautionary tale about the regret that can come from impulsive decisions, emphasizing the importance of taking the time to make informed choices. She stresses the significance of considering all factors and options before making a decision, as well as the role of personal values in decision-making.
Nico also discusses the tendency to prioritize immediate rewards over delayed rewards and encourages listeners to consider the long-term impact of their decisions. Ultimately, Nico emphasizes the importance of creating spaces that bring joy and pride, while avoiding the feeling of regret that can stem from impulsive choices.
Website: www.yourparo.com
Resources:
Bathroom Serenity Guide www.yourparo.com/bathroom-serenity
Living Room Essentials Guide www.yourparo.com/living-room-know-how
Waitlist: The Power of Home (mini course) www.yourparo.com/miniseries
01/24/24 • 25 min
Are you suddenly craving change in your home? If that sounds like you, then listen up!
Todays episode Nico chats about the desire for change in our homes and shares some guidance on how to effectively embrace and execute that change. Nico discusses the reasons why we crave sudden change, including the influence of springtime, personal wellbeing, trends and comparison, and dissatisfaction with current design and decor.
Nico emphasizes the importance of being connected to nature, creating authentic interiors, avoiding blindly following trends, and planning properly before executing changes.
We also discuss trends for the year, such as the color of the year, incorporating vintage and antique pieces, sustainability in design choices, and the trend of romanticism.
Nico encourages you to recognize what can be changed and plan accordingly, while staying true to their own needs and aesthetic preferences. Trends and all!
Website: www.yourparo.com
Resources:
Bathroom Serenity Guide www.yourparo.com/bathroom-serenity
Living Room Essentials Guide www.yourparo.com/living-room-know-how
Waitlist: The Power of Home (mini course) www.yourparo.com/miniseries
The Impact of Atmosphere in your spaces on Mood and Well-being : Designing Authentic and Intentional Atmospheres.
yourHOME by design
01/12/24 • 24 min
The podcast episode explores the concept of atmosphere in interior design and its impact on our mood and well-being. Nico begins todays episode by sharing a personal anecdote about how music and the environment can inspire creativity and set a specific mood. Nico defines atmosphere as the mood and sensorial qualities of a space that guides our feelings and informs our experiences. The importance of creating a unique atmosphere in our homes that reflects our individual emotions, experiences, and preferences is emphasized.
Nico delves into various aspects of atmosphere, starting with color psychology. And explains how different colors can evoke specific emotions and how they can be used to create a desired mood in a space. Lighting conditions are also discussed as an important factor in influencing our mood and cognitive function. The right lighting can create a warm and inviting atmosphere or a bright and energizing one.
Spatial design is another aspect of atmosphere that the Nico explores. She explains how the layout and arrangement of furniture and objects in a space can affect our behaviors and emotions. Considering the flow and functionality of a room is emphasized when designing its atmosphere.
Biophilic design, which incorporates elements of nature into built environments, is also discussed. The host explains how incorporating natural elements such as plants, natural light, and organic materials can have a positive impact on our well-being. The calming and stress-reducing effects of nature are highlighted, along with the sense of connection to the environment it can create.
The interaction between different elements in a room and how the atmosphere can affect us even if we are not consciously aware of it is emphasized, referencing a paper by cognitive scientist David Kirsch. This highlights the subconscious influence that atmosphere can have on our mood and well-being.
The role of atmosphere in shaping our perception and feelings within a space is also discussed. Our experiences of atmosphere are subjective and can vary from person to person. Considering our own preferences and emotions when designing an atmosphere is important.
Creating a mood is identified as the key to designing an atmosphere. The function of a room should be considered before deciding on the desired mood. Being authentic and intentional in the design process is emphasized, and a list of moods is offered as a downloadable for inspiration. DM for the list!
The episode concludes with a quote by architect Louis Bargon, highlighting the role of architecture in creating aesthetic emotion and promoting well-being. This quote reinforces the idea that atmosphere is not just about aesthetics, but also about creating a space that enhances our emotional well-being.
Website: www.yourparo.com
Resources:
Bathroom Serenity Guide www.yourparo.com/bathroom-serenity
Living Room Essentials Guide www.yourparo.com/living-room-know-how
Waitlist: The Power of Home (mini course) www.yourparo.com/miniseries
Inclusive Home Design: Enhancing Well-Being Through Collaboration.
yourHOME by design
10/16/24 • 24 min
Find me on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/nico.smu/
Episode Description
Ever find yourself the only one who knows where things are at home? Or maybe you’ve added a new decor piece, quietly hoping no one objects to your vision before it’s complete? Sharing a home often means one person becomes the ‘home lead,’ managing everything from aesthetics to organization. But what if this home, shared by many, only truly reflects one person’s needs and preferences?
In this episode, we’ll explore how to better align our homes with everyone’s values, habits, and aesthetic preferences. We’ll introduce the concept of neuroaesthetics—a powerful tool for understanding how the design of our spaces influences our emotions, well-being, and behavior. You’ll also learn how to engage everyone in the household, from the kids to the “man cave” aficionado, in creating a home that fosters relaxation, creativity, and health.
Plus, I share ways to help bring everyone’s input to the table, so you can start making intentional design choices that work for the entire family. It’s time to rethink your home for harmony, beauty, and well-being.
Website: www.yourparo.com
Resources:
Bathroom Serenity Guide www.yourparo.com/bathroom-serenity
Living Room Essentials Guide www.yourparo.com/living-room-know-how
Waitlist: The Power of Home (mini course) www.yourparo.com/miniseries
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FAQ
How many episodes does yourHOME by design have?
yourHOME by design currently has 34 episodes available.
What topics does yourHOME by design cover?
The podcast is about Self Improvement, Art, Psychology, Lifestyle, Design, Wellness, Diy, Podcasts, Interior Design, Self-Improvement, Education, Brain, Science, Health, Arts and Wellbeing.
What is the most popular episode on yourHOME by design?
The episode title 'Outdoor Oasis: Creating Your Home in Nature.' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on yourHOME by design?
The average episode length on yourHOME by design is 25 minutes.
How often are episodes of yourHOME by design released?
Episodes of yourHOME by design are typically released every 9 days, 20 hours.
When was the first episode of yourHOME by design?
The first episode of yourHOME by design was released on Sep 25, 2023.
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