Why Beauty Is A Human Need (Not A Luxury)—The Fourth Principle Of Wellness Design
Have you ever walked into a space and felt moved emotionally even before you could name exactly what made it beautiful?
In this episode of The Space To Be Well, we explore beauty as a principle of wellness design—and why it’s far more than what meets the eye.
Drawing from 25 years of design in the beauty industry, Michele shares how true beauty works from the inside out.
Discover why beauty needs to be felt rather than just seen, how to know when something truly resonates with you, and the role that collaboration and trust play in creating spaces that move you at a deeper level._______________
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How To Create Spaces People Can’t Stop Thinking About—The Second Principle Of Wellness Design
True quality is invisible because when it’s there, you don’t have to think about it. Yet it profoundly affects how you feel, how you move, and how you carry yourself through each day. It’s the difference between a space that constantly demands your attention and one that quietly supports your life.
In this episode of The Space To Be Well, Michele Pelafas and Valerie Putman reveal quality as a fundamental principle of Wellness Design—one that delivers freedom from worry, peace of mind, and the confidence that comes from knowing your environment truly has your back.
Discover why quality environments directly impact wellbeing just as powerfully as quality nutrition, how to make strategic decisions between quality and disposable (and why both can be right), and the surprising connection between the quality of your space and how you carry yourself in the world.
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Have you ever noticed how certain spaces make you feel immediately cared for, even when no one is actively serving you?
In this episode of The Space To Be Well, we explore why hospitality is actually a core wellness design principle. And what the best hotels have to share about creating environments that anticipate our needs, nurturing daily wellbeing at home.
Discover how certain spaces create an “afterglow” that stays with you long after you leave. And how small, intentional design choices—from the pillow on your bed to the presentation of your morning coffee—can fundamentally change how you, and everyone else, feel in your home every single day.
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When you think about luxury, what comes to mind—a handbag, a sports car? In this episode of The Space To Be Well, Michele Pelafas and Valerie Putman challenge conventional thinking about luxury and reveal why livable luxury is a core principle of wellness design—not because of price tags, but because of how it makes you feel.
Discover why true luxury goes deeper than lavish materials, how to balance your head and your heart when making investment decisions, and how luxury can help you integrate more self-care and inspiration into your everyday life.
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How Design Becomes Transformation Not Decoration—The Heart of Wellness DesignMost people think home design begins and ends with visual impact—choosing the right colors, following current trends, updating tired finishes. But what if those design decisions could actually support your growth, help you navigate life transitions, and create genuine wellbeing? In this pivotal episode of The Space To Be Well, Michele Pelafas and Valerie Putman explore the heart of The Resonant Space Framework—your central truth—and reveal why understanding what you’re missing matters more than chasing what you want. Discover why asking the right question changes everything, how to find your real why beneath circumstantial and superficial reasons, and what becomes possible when you stop treating design as decoration and start using it as a tool for transformation.
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The Art and Science of Bringing Your Space to Life—The Sensory Dimension of Wellness Design
The ability to translate exactly how you want to feel into physical space—that’s what separates good design from transformative design. And it lies in the details most people never consciously notice but absolutely feel.
In this episode of The Space To Be Well, Michele Pelafas and Valerie Putman share the fourth dimension of Wellness Design—the artistry that brings homes to life.
Discover what happens when designers shift from information-gathering to artistic creation, the specific moment Michele and Valerie know they’ve nailed it, and how wellness designers know exactly which rules to break to create the atmosphere you’ve been trying to achieve.
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Have you ever wondered why certain spaces make you want to stay and soak in the atmosphere while others push you away?
In this episode of The Space To Be Well, Michele and Valerie turn their focus to connection—the third dimension of wellness design—and how design choices quietly invite people to relax, open up, and feel at home together.
Discover the ways a single fireplace or lamp can transform a room’s social energy, this episode is about creating spaces that support meaningful human connection—without sacrificing beauty.
Enjoyed the show? We’d be so grateful if you left a review. It’s one of the best ways to support the show, and helps more people who care about beautiful, intentional living know it’s worth their time.
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How Your Daily Rituals Should Drive Your Design—The Behavioral Dimension of Wellness Design
Are you accepting daily frustrations in your home that could be solved through better design? In this episode of The Space To Be Well, Michele Pelafas and Valerie Putman explore the Behavioral dimension of The Resonant Space Framework—showing how your daily rituals and activities should drive your design decisions.
Discover why lifestyle-driven design goes far beyond traditional form and function, how eliminating friction in your space can give you back precious time, and what happens when you stop accepting pain points and start designing for flow.
If you found this episode valuable, we’d love to see how you apply these ideas in your own home. Share a photo on Instagram with #SpaceToBeWell—and let us know what resonated with you.
Enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you left a review. It’s one of the best ways to support the show, and helps more people who care about beautiful, intentional living know it’s worth their time.
Subscribe to The Space to Be Well on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.
Why Your Truth Matters More Than Trends—The Identity Dimension of Wellness Design
Does your home represent who you truly are, or does it reflect what's popular on Pinterest? In this first official episode of The Space To Be Well, Michele Pelafas and Valerie Putman explore the Identity dimension of The Resonant Space Framework—the foundation for creating spaces that genuinely support your wellbeing.
Discover why wellness design is a philosophy rather than a style, how authenticity in your environment impacts your emotional and physical wellbeing, and what happens when you prioritize personal meaning over popular trends in your space.
If you found this episode valuable, we’d love to see how you apply these ideas in your own home. Share a photo on Instagram with #SpaceToBeWell—and let us know what resonated with you.
Enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you left a review. It’s one of the best ways to support the show, and helps more people who care about beautiful, intentional living know it’s worth their time.
Subscribe to The Space to Be Well on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.
Design That Feels Like Home—The Philosophy Behind Wellness Design
Does your space support who you are, how you move through your day, and what matters most to you? In this intro episode of The Space To Be Well, Michele Pelafas and Valerie Putman explore how design goes far beyond green juices and fitness equipment to create spaces that genuinely support your mind, body, and soul.
Discover the philosophy and framework behind 20 years of creating spaces for beauty, wellness, and residential clients—and learn why the connection between design and wellbeing deserves far more attention than it currently receives.
If you found this episode valuable, we’d love to see how you apply these ideas in your own home. Share a photo on Instagram with #SpaceToBeWell—and let us know what resonated with you.
Enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you left a review. It’s one of the best ways to support the show, and helps more people who care about beautiful, intentional living know it’s worth their time.
Subscribe to The Space to Be Well on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode.
Welcome to The Space to be Well—the podcast where luxury interiors meet real wellness. Hosted by design experts Michele Pelafas and Valerie Putman.
Each week, you'll learn how your home might be quietly hurting your wellbeing—and what to do about it.
With over 20 years designing spas, salons, and high-end homes, Michele and Valerie share real stories and smart ideas.
You'll see how your space shapes your morning routine and the way your family spends time together.
This isn’t about trends or paint colors. It’s about how your home feels to live in. How it meets your needs and supports your life.
If you're ready to stop chasing Pinterest perfection and start building a home that works for you, subscribe now.
New episodes weekly on wellness design, luxury interiors, and living well at home.
Learn more at michelepelafas.com
