Designing for Ritual: Finding Stillness at Home
Small rituals that nourish the soul
This past weekend, I was at a gathering with friends — most of us parents — and we started talking about those early postpartum days. One friend shared how the simplest rituals helped her through some of the hardest times: making her morning tea, sitting in silence before the day began, lighting a candle at night.
It got me thinking: postpartum aside, we all need rituals.
They help anchor us — something small to hold onto — and they quietly nourish the soul. Our homes are often the canvas for these rituals, so why not design them with that in mind? Why not let our spaces encourage the moments that restore us?
Otis Interiors: Project Glen
My Own Ritual: The Evening Bath
This time of year, one of my favourite rituals becomes even more sacred: a long, hot bath after the house has gone quiet.
I wait until the kids are asleep. I light my favourite candle and place it on the ledge of the tub. The water runs just shy of too hot — that perfect in-between temperature — and I pour in my current favourite: a purple Brazilian milk bath. My phone stays far away; the world can wait.
As I settle in, I feel my breath slow. The gold Kohler fixture catches the candlelight, sending warm reflections across the coral tile. The water dances with soft swirls, and I watch the flicker of the flame shimmer on the surface. For twenty quiet minutes, I’m suspended — the day slips away, and I am at peace.
This small ritual reminds me that design isn’t only about what we see — it’s about how we feel inside the spaces we’ve created.
Designing for Ritual
Every home holds the potential for ritual. The seat by the window where you sip your morning coffee. The corner you retreat to in the evening light. The simple act of switching out seasonal branches on your table.
When we design intentionally — using light, texture, and placement to support how we want to live — we turn ordinary routines into meaningful moments. It’s where design meets wellness, and where home becomes deeply personal.
From My Home to Yours: A Simple Ritual to Try
Chamomile & Mint Tea Ritual
1 organic chamomile tea bag or loose leaf
1 organic mint tea bag or loose leaf
1 tbsp maple syrup
Brew as a single cup or in a pot. Find a quiet corner, take a breath, and sip slowly. Let this be your five minutes of calm.
As we move into the chillier months, may your home become a sanctuary that supports the rituals that fill you up — the ones that remind you to pause, breathe, and find joy in the in-between moments.
What do your rituals look like?
I’d love to hear what brings you calm, joy, and presence in your own home.
Send us a note and share your favourite home ritual.
With warmth,
Jasmine