Handshake with nature - where wellness meets design blog by Mache

the wellness onion journal

peel back the layers of healthy + sustainable living

Wood, Cork, Foam, Oh My! Select the Best Yoga Block for Your Practice

July 15, 2025 — Brienne Derosier

Today, we’re diving into one of those yoga accessories that often gets overlooked or misunderstood — the humble yoga block. If you’ve ever wandered into a yoga studio, seen those little rectangular blocks on the shelves, and thought, “Hmm, what on earth do I do with those?” — you’re not alone. Yoga blocks often get pigeonholed as “beginner props”... but that could not be further from the truth.

Yoga Studio Design Tips to Reflect Your Values + Attract Students

January 16, 2025 — Brienne Derosier

When designing a yoga studio or wellness space, it’s essential to align your interiors with the principles you’re promoting: health, balance, and sustainability. Let’s dive into some specific tips to create a yoga studio that resonates with your values and draws in new members like bees to lavender.

From Waste to Wellness: See How Brands are Transforming Ocean Plastics

August 9, 2024 — Team Mache

10 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean and one of the biggest offenders is "wellness products". In light of this ever-expanding issue, some forward-thinking brands are taking the initiative to keep humans–and the planet–protected from plastics. While ocean-polluting plastics are still a menace, read up on how some brands are turning plastic waste into wellness essentials.

Beyond "Plastic-free July": 5 Ways to Embrace a Non-toxic Home Year Round

July 29, 2024 — Brienne Derosier

Ready to design yourself a plastic-free home? As a wellness design professional, I’m here to help you transform your living spaces into havens of natural beauty and sustainability. This article outlines the first five areas I suggest you start to detox your interiors from off-gassing chemicals and cultivate healthy indoor air quality at home.

Green Living: The Role of Algae in Creating Biodegradable Home + Sporting Goods

February 26, 2024 — Team Mache

Environmental consciousness has made its way to the forefront of global discussions, which has led to the increasingly focus on sustainable goods and everyday products. Algae is emerging as a promising new eco-friendly, biodegradable material and this article explores the fascinating journey of algae from ponds to products, highlighting its role in promoting green living.

Understanding "Sick Building Syndrome": Causes + Prevention Tips for Healthy Indoor Air

February 6, 2024 — Team Mache

Sick Building Syndrome serves as a stark reminder that our human well-being is intricately linked to the indoor environments we design and build. By implementing these tips and fostering awareness about indoor air quality, we can ensure our homes and workplaces promote health and vitality, not discomfort and disease.

Lower the Environmental Impact of Holiday Shopping with these 5 Sustainable Shopping Strategies

Enjoy Guilt-free Gift Giving with 5 Sustainable Shopping Strategies

November 26, 2023 — Team Mache

Sustainable shopping isn't just about buying eco-friendly products; it's a holistic approach that encompasses how we choose, use, and dispose of gifts and decorations. By adopting sustainable shopping strategies, we can enjoy the spirit of the season while also caring for our planet. In this article, we'll explore five transformative strategies to make your holiday shopping both joyful and environmentally conscious.

Eco-friendly Day of the Dead Decorations: Celebrate Sustainably

October 27, 2023 — Team Mache

For those looking to embrace the Day of the Dead while also being eco-conscious, it's essential to understand the cultural significance of the celebration. By doing so, we can ensure that our eco-friendly adaptations are respectful and in line with the tradition's core values. This article delves deep into the cultural and historical aspects of the Day of the Dead, offering sustainable alternatives to classic favorites.

Healthy Holiday Gift Guide: Align your Shopping List with your Holistic Values

October 11, 2023 — Team Mache

As we step into the holiday season, a time synonymous with gifting and indulgence, it is an exceptional time to take a brief moment to align your shopping choices with the "Wellness Onion" principles. In doing so, you may notice a significant up-tick in your holiday spirit as you contribute directly, and meaningfully, towards healthier living and a greener planet.

Exposing the Hidden Toxins in Luxury Interiors

September 12, 2023 — Team Mache

In recent years, a spotlight on sustainable living has illuminated the hidden corners of the luxury interiors market, revealing a landscape that, while seemingly opulent, often harbors a toxic secret. In this article, we take a closer look at five materials, commonly found in luxury interiors, uncovering their hidden toxins, and offering sustainable alternatives for a home that is both luxurious and non-toxic.

5 Healthwashing Scams the Wellness Industry Doesn't Want You to Know

August 20, 2023 — Team Mache

So, what exactly is "Healthwashing"? Healthwashing is a deceptive marketing practice wherein products are dressed up as health-conscious or eco-friendly, while in reality, they may be harmful to both our well-being and the environment. In this article, we'll delve deeper into the top five healthwashing scams to avoid in your self-care spaces and healthy lifestyle, and we'll shed light on the implications of falling for these misleading claims.

What is a V.O.C.? Identify Off-gassing Plastics in Your Home+ Know Why They are Harmful to your Health

What are VOCs? Understand Off-gassing Plastics + Why They are Harmful to your Health

July 13, 2023 — Team Mache

VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are harmful airborne chemicals that released into the air through a process called off-gassing. In this article, we explore what exactly VOCs are, we call out the most common off-gassing plastics found in our daily lives, and we explore why these sneaky and prevalent chemicals pose a threat to our health.

1 2 · Next »

Mid-century modern interior design entry bench

Mache Design studio circular wood sconce

Yoga Pearl yoga studio in Portland Oregon

Yoga Shala custom yoga cubbie storage and Holey Cannolis

Design Consultation | Wellness Interiors with Brienne

Meet with our CEO and wellness designer Brienne in a 90-min virtual design consultation to cover wellness design strategies to improve your space such as Color for Wellbeing, Non-toxic Materials, Eco-friendly Furnishing, and Healthy Lighting Design.

Brienne will help you tackle the most important priority on your design project list, so you can build wellness directly into the interiors that support your life. Once ordered, Brienne will send you a project intake form from which you may organize your project and your thoughts, prior to the virtual meeting.

Do you have a unique project in mind? Share your ideas with us at goodday@heymache.com and we will draft up a custom design quote for your review.