The Beltaine Report 🌷
Portland spring is totally going off!
Hi friends,
Want to know what my favorite interiors are? Exteriors. As in, Nature.
I feel wide awake to the scent, color, and sounds around me, like I’ve finally come out of hibernation. It’s incredible how you think you’re doing “fine”… until the environment changes and you realize: you needed that sunshine, color, and fragrant plants to wake you up. I’m leaning into the felt sense of being in tune with the Earth and all her delights. Nature is the ultimate restorer. All we're really trying to do with biophilic design and neuroaesthetics is replicate natural patterns so you feel slightly less aggravated by a built environment your brain doesn’t fully comprehend. (It’s even clearly stated in the Terrapin Bright Green reports that their research basically validates what’s intuitively obvious: Nature makes us feel good. Duh.)
The why behind this is endlessly fascinating, and I love geeking out on the science as much as the next neuroaesthetics designer. (Looking at the person who recently declared on Instagram that they were the only neuroaesthetics designer in Oregon...👀 Um, hello?) In case you’re curious, we both took the course by Science in Design. I’m also certified in Biophilic Design from Living Future Institute and I’m a ‘healthy materials advocate’ through the Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons School of Design. Now my challenge is implementing in meaningful ways that are accessible, as my projects are generally smaller in scale rather than ‘at scale’ where much of this research is geared. This is ‘evidence-based design’ or some are now calling ‘research- based design’.
"You can take the person out of the Stone Age, not the Stone Age out of the person"
Nigel Nicholson
Truthfully, though, I struggle with the constant positioning required to “stand out” as a designer. I just want to help create environments that feel good to be in, don’t break the bank, and support local businesses and vendors with a triple bottom line mindset.
I’m ready for a new paradigm that’s not living off the fumes of late-stage capitalism. But in the meantime, I’ll keep changing the world one treatment room, bathroom remodel, or living room design at a time. 😅
On Wellness, Optimization, and Space as Sanctuary
Recently, listening to Sophie Strand on The Numinous Podcast, I was struck by her challenge to “healthism” and the culture of endless optimization. As a recovering orthorexic, and someone with multiple health challenges that were not ‘preventable’, I deeply resonated with this conversation.
“The body is not a machine to be optimized. It’s a doorway.” —Sophie Strand
We’re pushed toward self-help perfection, while societal and ecological collapse progress around us. Similarly, we can design for optimal outcomes—but perfection isn’t the goal. We want sanctuaries. Spaces to unwind, breathe, and reconnect, not sterile case studies of sustainable materials.
🌿 On May 5, I’m attending a Mindful Materials pop-up with the Portland Materials Transparency Collective to explore ways small designers like me can prioritize safer materials.
🌿 I also attended a Sustainable Furnishings Council webinar with researcher and advocate Arlene Blum, Ph.D., where I learned more manufacturers are phasing out toxic chemicals like PFAS and flame retardants. (A win!)
Heads up: If you’re sourcing vintage furniture from 1975–2014, it may still contain "forever chemicals," so sourcing thoughtfully matters.
🎧 Listen to Design the Future : Krista Egger on healthy, resilient housing for all.
🛁 New Bathroom Remodel Project Live!
Photos now up on my website—take a peek!
🎤 Upcoming Webinar: Designing Healing Spaces That Work
I'm thrilled to collaborate with ClinicSense!
Your space isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a healing partner in your practice.
🗓 When: May 6, 12pm ET / 9am PT
📍 Where: ClinicSense Community (Join here)
You’ll learn:
⭐ How to style your space for photos and social media
⭐ How sound impacts the client experience
⭐ How to layer lighting for relaxation
⭐ Tips for maximizing small treatment rooms
🛋 Virtual Design Consultations Are Back!
Feeling stuck with a space—living room, office, or treatment room?
I’m here to help with 1-hour virtual consultations where we’ll tackle layout dilemmas, paint decisions, sustainable swaps, and styling refreshes.
I was interviewed by The New Modernist proprietor Emma de Crespigny! Please go check out her space on the lower level at Cargo, Inc in SE PDX.
A few personal sparks to share:
✨ My dear friends Siobahn and Graeme came to visit from LA, and by total serendipity, we ran into our old meditation teacher Noah from years ago. I’d sat with his group, I think it was then called Dharma Punx, in SF. I found his group after attending my first Vipassana retreat, right around the time my mom died. Then he bopped off to NY and I returned to LA. Then he landed in LA, and I returned to his sangha. After I moved to PDX, Siobahn and other mutual friends found his Monday night meditation group, then renamed Against the Stream Meditation Center. The last time I’d seen him was when he was teaching at Breitenbush, near Portland. What’s more, the week prior to this I was assisting a stylist (shout out to Beverly James Neel) and she was reading his father’s book “A Year to Live”. When I was in LA I was part of a group that worked with this book for a year together with Noah. As you can imagine, about half of us dropped out to go live our best lives… lol. I think it was the perfect time to bump into him again and return to a regular meditation practice. Come find me on zoom Monday nights at 7 PST.
🎉 My friend Juliet just finished her book Muse Mysteria! Pre-sale on now.
🤝 I created a PDX community resources & referrals page on my blog for anyone looking to connect with local healers, craftspeople, and sustainable design allies. This will be a living document that I continue to update.
🚙 I’m selling my beloved Westy “Pixley”. Know anyone ready for Vanlife adventures?
Did you know I’m also trained in astrology and magic?!?! I’m offering a few sliding donation based readings for friends and community this spring. Reach out if you’re curious!
Thanks for reading this longer digest, and I hope you’re staying safe and well!
xx Jamie
ps: If you need a moment of pure comic relief (and who doesn’t right now) please watch the first six-ish minutes of Good Hang with Amy Pohler.