Seeking Creativity

These designers live well to boost their creativity.

BY BECCA HENSLEY

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SHOWS THAT BEING CREATIVE boosts brain power, improves concentration, strengthens problem solving skills, benefits mood, and supports well-being. The flip side is that when creative people don’t work (we all have the capacity for creativity) and don’t avidly practice self-care, a devastating funk may ensue. Depression can send our lives into a tailspin. Perhaps that’s why so many artists, writers, fashion designers, interior designers, musicians, and other creatives have turned to wellness as the rocket fuel that keeps them on track.

The path to well-being varies for everyone. It might include spending time with children, playing pickle ball, drinking green juice, getting enough sleep, being in nature, or following a specific diet. The goal is to figure out the recipe that gets you to your harmonic happy place. We talked to a few vibrant creatives to find out what they do to stay mentally and physically well. Their answers will inspire you.

JAY JEFFERS, INTERIOR DESIGNER AND OWNER AND DESIGNER OF THE BOUTIQUE HAVEN THE MADRONA IN HEALDSBURG

Fun facts: On ELLE Decor’s A-list, he’s best known as founder of Jay Jeffers Inc., the auther of two design books, and the designer of luxuriously livable interiors.

I always find time to prioritize my wellness routine. I’m a big fitness buff. I’ve got a personal trainer in San Francisco whose office is about a mile away. Sometimes I run to my workout for added cardio. When at The Madrona, we do our workout on Zoom in the boutique hotel’s gym. I love the Peloton strength classes on their app—particularly the bodyweight core classes. I enjoy doing them on The Madrona’s private gym deck for an added sunshine boost. This year, I’ve added some additional dynamic stretching into my routine. For stress reduction, I aim for “sofa puppy time” with my two cavalier King Charles spaniels for at least an hour each evening.

LANE MCNAB, INTERIOR DESIGNER AT LANE MCNAB INTERIORS, BERKELEY

Fun facts: Lane McNab Interiors specializes in homes, boutique retail spaces, and larger projects. Her forte, incorporating contemporary elements to historical architecture, has been widely touted.

On top of it being a new year, I am turning 50 in a couple of weeks, and taking time for myself is essential. I start every day with a meditation/wellness podcast. My current meditation is on abundance. I try to really visualize where I want my business and life to go in the coming years. The other thing I’ve been doing consciously is working on strengthening my female friendships. I have a lot of amazing women friends, but I am making a conscious effort to spend more time with them and to nurture and cultivate those relationships. It’s the best kind of self-care.

NICOLE MILLER, FASHION DESIGNER, NEW YORK CITY

Fun facts: Renowned for her colorful fabrics, bodyclinging cocktail dresses, and neckties, this fashion designer also boasts her own wine label.

My favorite exercise is spin class. I go several times a week. I feel like I get both cardio and upper body in one session. I didn’t get to work out as much during COVID, since so many places were closed, but now things are back to normal. I prefer to work out in the morning and not after work.

There are so many exercise options in Tribeca, and I do go to Pilates as well. I am also very into sports: I ski, ice skate, water ski, wakeboard, and roller skate. I am rarely sitting still. I think it’s really important to keep moving and walk when you can and make sure you are active. I only have one coffee a day in the mornings. My diet is pretty much a French idea: only eat things that taste good and don’t overeat. I love having fresh juice in the morning, especially grapefruit. I try not to deprive myself, but I don’t really have a sweet tooth, so one bite of dessert is usually plenty for me. Also, I get on the scale every day and have always maintained the same weight. That pretty much sums up my routine!

STEPHANIE GOTTLIEB, JEWELRY DESIGNER, NEW YORK CITY

Fun facts: Garnering a huge celebrity following and 400,000 Instagram followers, diamond expert and trendsetting jewelry designer Stephanie Gottlieb creates sophisticated, fun-to-wear pieces with distinction. Look for them on Bethenny Frankel, Kyle Richards, and Abby Wambach, among others.

Self-care for me is a fun day with my husband and kids, followed by a bath, an eye mask, and a glass of red wine, and then three hours of trashy TV to follow.

JOHANNA PRESTON, SHOE DESIGNER, CO-FOUNDER OF PRESTON ZLY, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA

Fun facts: An integral figure in the Australian fashion scene with a global presence, Johanna Preston began Preston Zly in a small warehouse workshop in Fitzroy. Her bespoke, hand-crafted shoes, comfortable, edgy and stylish, have been featured in thousands of fashion shows and photo shoots around the world.

In terms of self-care, I have spent many years struggling with anxiety, so I rarely drink anything with caffeine—even my tea is decaffeinated. When I am particularly anxious, I find that grounding myself by engaging all five of my senses calms me down. We really like to go camping over the summer months, away from phone or internet coverage. I like getting out into nature and letting my bare feet touch the earth. We have recently stopped drinking alcohol—as we find ourselves going pretty hard at times—and are determined to keep it up for at least a year. This has had a huge impact on the quality of my sleep. I aim to get at least seven hours of good quality sleep a night. And I love good sheets, so it’s great quality linen that helps me achieve this!”

MELISSA BOWER, INTERIOR DESIGNER, ART CONSULTANT, AND STYLIST, NEW YORK

Fun facts: Now with clients as delicious as Sonia Rykierl, Miami Beach’s Faena District, and Helmut Newton, Melissa Bowers started her career in fashion as a visual merchandiser for Katayone Adeli in the 1990s. Recently, she has become the go-to interior designer for a bevy of restaurants and bars in New York City.

I practice Vedic meditation twice a day for 20 minutes with a mantra. I’ve been doing it for six years. I meditate within the first hour of sunrise and the same in the evening at sunset. There is no better way to clear the head and get into a creative state. My wellness routine includes a meditation, a workout, or a run (client Anna Kaiser’s are my favorite workouts). Every few weeks I visit Healing Arts New York (healingartsnyc.com) for vitamins and supplements.

HOLLY A. KOPMAN, INTERIOR DESIGNER AT HOLLY A KOPMAN INTERIOR DESIGN, MILL VALLEY

Fun facts: Based in Mill Valley, Holly’s style epitomizes rebellious glamor with pops of color and artistic riffs throughout. Marin Magazine dubbed her Marin County’s best designer this year.

I am an avid downhill skier, so during the week in winter, I do HIT (high intensive training) training three to four times a week. I have to move my body every morning. It’s the answer to my job stress. HIT is very intense. The days I don’t do that, I work out with a personal trainer.

BY OLIVIA DECKER

FEATURED IN ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST, THIS WORLD CLASS residence showcases panoramic views of the San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the entire skylines of San Francisco and Sausalito. A magnificent masterpiece in a dramatic setting, this property has a most prestigious location and is comprised of a ±8,131-square-foot home on a ±0.67-acre lot. It features four bedrooms, five full baths and two half-baths. This work of architectural art was designed by the world-renowned architect Charles Gwathmey and boasts spectacular outlooks from every corner of the expansive 4-level floor plan. The primarily vertical organization of this house takes advantage of its sloped site on the southern coast of Belvedere Island.

The uppermost level contains a 3-car garage with glass doors, an elevator which descends to a courtyard where you will find a detached one-bedroom, one-bath guest house and a spacious wine cellar. The main house’s three remaining levels are situated between two large retaining walls which follow the site’s natural contours and splay outward toward the Bay. The house’s compact organization within the precinct formed by the retaining walls ensures privacy.

An interior circular staircase winds around an elevator and forms a cylindrical focal point. A barrel-vaulted ceiling articulates the living and dining room at the entry level of the main house, and a large deck projects toward the bay, extending the space into the landscape. Three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a study, and a two- story entertainment room occupy the intermediate floors, while a media room, a beautiful wet bar, a full bath with steam shower, and a sauna fill the lowest level which opens onto a spacious outdoor terrace with an infinity edge pool. The “infinity edge” of the water establishes a poetic connection to the San Francisco Bay.

The interior floors are limestone and wide plank Bubinga wood, and the cabinets are lightly stained maple. The exterior is clad in gray stained cedar and a curved, standing seam, zinc roof. All exterior windows, doors, and decks are teak; all terraces are paved in beige or gray flamed limestone; and the retaining walls are painted a warm white stucco.

Perched at the water’s edge of the San Francisco Bay with magnificent, panoramic views of the Bay Bridge, San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, and Mt. Tam, this exquisite home offers extremely high quality materials and state-of-the-art smart house features. It is within walking distance of the San Francisco Yacht Club, Corinthian Yacht Club, and downtown Tiburon where you will find ferry services to San Francisco and Angel Island and dozens of fine restaurants, including Michael Mina’s Bungalow Kitchen, French Bistro Left Bank, an Italian restaurant at Café Acri, Sam’s Café, Caprice, and the upcoming Malibu Farm. This beautiful tip of Belvedere Island is known to be private and safe, and it boasts one of the best views in the world. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to acquire such a unique residence. Details and pictures on www.445BelvedereAve.com.

Lydia is a passionate advocate of healthy living. She has launched and positioned many health and wellness-related companies, products, technologies and organizations receiving more than 100 awards nationally and internationally. Her focus in the health sector is specifically on healthy living, aging and longevity. She is a partner and investor in several recognized national brands. She sits on the board of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging whose mission is to eliminate the threat of age-related disease for today’s and future generations. It is the only independent research organization globally dedicated to extending the healthy years of life. Like the scientists at the Buck, Graham envisions it will be possible for people to enjoy life at 95 as much as at 25. To support Buck’s mission, please visit www.buckinstitute.org.