Ever notice how we often put photos of our loved ones on our desk regardless of whether our desk is at home or in an office? We do so to remind ourselves of what is important to us in our life. Let’s take it further. Ever notice how plants and paintings soften a space not just aesthetically but also improve the air and energy in that room? Even how we place furniture can have an impact on our perspective and how we feel. Good design is deliberate. It not only shapes a space to be aesthetically pleasing, it sees a space for its ability to affect our health and wellbeing. And today, we need that more than ever. With mental ill health on the rise and a sense of feeling disconnected to others becoming more prevalent, the spaces we occupy can help bridge the gap between existing and thriving. And that is where Paolo De Simone, design director and WELL Accredited Professional comes in.   Paolo De Simone is passionate about how design can affect our health and wellness. As a WELL accredited professional, his job is to ensure that every aspect of a design project meets the standards that affect our health, mental and physical in a positive way. For him, growing up in a small town outside Naples in a close-knit family that shaped his view oftthe world, one that was filled with an appreciation for art, for culture, for family, and for how it all leads to an important ingredient in life, and that is connection—to others and to ourselves.   Follow us: Website, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, WeChat