The Space to be Well

The Four Elements Your Home Needs To Function—Nature As A Wellness Design Principle Have you ever noticed how you gravitate to certain rooms in your home without thinking about it—how you take your coffee to that one window, or how everyone ends up in the kitchen even when there's a perfectly good living room? Meanwhile, other spaces sit empty despite being beautifully decorated? In this episo...

The One Thing Every Great Home Has In Common—Season One Finale What if the thing you want most from your home is something you’ve never thought to ask for? The season one finale of The Space To Be Well, reveals what every great built environment has in common—and why almost no one can articulate it even though everyone wants it. Discover the one-word difference between homes that work and homes th...

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, Mi...

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 thi...

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...

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 balan...

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...

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...

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...

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 de...

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...

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 phil...

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 s...