Awakening Spaces

Awakening Spaces Full-service interior design and environmental consulting firm dedicated to designing and educating

01/22/2026

When we don’t address EMFs in the home, the body can stay stuck in a state of constant stress and defense.

And when the nervous system is always “on,” it becomes harder to:

• clear mycotoxins

• calm inflammation

• support immune function

That’s why when someone comes to me wanting to create a home that prevents mold exposure, EMFs are always part of the conversation. Not from a place of fear, but from physiology.

I always offer options, because budgets are real.

But when it comes to health, EMFs are foundational.

We simply can’t thrive, or fully recover, if the body never feels safe enough to rest.

Healing requires a nervous system that’s allowed to exhale.

Our homes should help us do that.

Comment “EP20” and we’ll send you the link to this episode.

12/05/2025

One of the biggest issues I see with our modern day home is that we’re building homes way bigger than we need and paying for it in more ways than one.

Every extra room requires energy, maintenance, and attention. When we’re not actually using the spaces except for once or twice a year, there’s a lack of attention and awareness that often leaves things gone unnoticed.

So before you design or build, ask yourself: How often will I actually use this space? Not only will it make the cost of the build less expensive, you’ll have less to do on a daily basis in terms of maintenance.

Comment “EP14” and we’ll send you the link to the full episode where we talk about building smarter, not bigger.

12/02/2025

About 70% of the people who call me want to skip hiring an architect.

They’re trying to save money which I understand but cutting the architect is one of the costliest mistakes you can make.

I push for architects all the time, because I’ve seen how much they actually save on a project.

Yes, you pay more upfront…

But you save exponentially more in:

✔ avoided mistakes

✔ clear drawings and less questions

✔ fewer change orders

✔ smoother communication

✔ reduced conflict

✔ and avoiding the lawsuits I’ve seen far too many homeowners dragged into

It’s heartbreaking what people have had to endure simply because they didn’t have proper plans.

And here’s the thing:

Ask any good builder if they want to build without an architect.

They won’t.

They know that without clear architectural drawings, the entire project is set up for misalignment, confusion, and cost overruns.

A solid design team is not a luxury it’s the foundation for a healthy, efficient, and conscious build.

✨ Comment “EP17” and we’ll send you the link to this episode.

11/27/2025

When we talk about designing a home that’s prevents microbial growth and/or makes it easier to monitor, the first place I look is permeability.

I want wall assemblies that can actually dry out.

That means knowing the perm rating of every layer of the “wall sandwich,” from the exterior façade all the way to the interior finish.

Because if a wall can’t dry, no monitoring tool in the world will save it.

In this episode Kelly and I discuss ways to design in mold preventative measures. One of them being looking at the permeability of materials.

When we install Vinyl wallpaper and other impermeable finishes on the inside face of the wall, they can trap moisture inside the wall with nowhere to go.

Airtight design is important but airtight should never mean v***r closed.

The question I’m always asking is:

If the systems shut off tomorrow, would this home stay healthy?

That’s the heart of conscious building.

✨ Comment “EP17” and we’ll send you the link to this episode.

***ropen

11/21/2025

In this episode, Kendra reflects on how easy it is for anyone to become a mold remediation company. This showcases how there can be so many ill-advised, unexperienced remediation companies out there.

Here’s what they found:

- The entire course was lecture-based.
- No one practiced building containment or using negative pressure.
- And the instructor didn’t even know what mycotoxins were.

For context, mycotoxins are the toxic byproducts produced by certain molds.

It’s something every professional in the field *should* understand.

This story is a reminder to vet your professionals carefully!!

Training and certification don’t always mean competency, but asking the right questions can reveal a lot. If you’re trying to vet a remediation company or dealing with mold in any capacity, you won’t want to miss this episode where we deep dive into topics that could save you a lot of pain in the process.

✨ Comment “EP12” and we’ll send you the link to this episode.

11/20/2025

I hear it all the time:

“My house is only two years old… there’s no way I have mold.”

But here’s the truth:

Anytime there’s a pipe behind a wall, a toilet on tile, or any hidden moisture source, there’s potential for water damage. And according to the EPA, mold can begin growing within 48 hours of water exposure.

This isn’t about panic, it’s about awareness.

Because I’ve been on the other side of brain fog, exhaustion, and feeling like I couldn’t finish a sentence… and I know what it’s like to rebuild your life after that.

Your home can be a powerful part of your healing when you understand how it works.

Comment “EP16” and we’ll send you the link to this episode.

11/19/2025

Thinking about becoming an owner-builder on your project? Here’s some hard-earned nuggets of wisdom from

- Everything looks smaller on paper. It’s easy to add six feet here and there in the design phase, but it adds up quickly in real life.
- Discipline and perseverance are everything. Building your own home takes time, often years, and a lot of weekends spent working, problem-solving, and learning as you go.
- Plan your finances early. Getting a traditional loan as an owner-builder can be difficult without a licensed GC. Make sure your funding and site requirements align before you start.

Building consciously means pacing yourself, planning wisely, and staying grounded in the long game.

✨ Comment “EP11” and we’ll send you the link to this episode.

11/18/2025

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through building and remediation projects? Ask questions, and pay attention to how people respond.

If you ask a contractor a simple question and they say, “Don’t worry, I’ve been in the industry 30 years,” that’s a red flag. Your contractor doesn’t necessarily have to have “healthy building” experience, but they do need to keep up with the latest building science and if not, then they should at very minimum be willing to learn.

Experience doesn’t replace the desire to learn. In fact, sometimes it can hinder it. Especially when people become complacent.

And if someone can’t answer your question clearly, or worse, redirects it with something like, “Is your husband home?” that’s your cue to move on.

You deserve to understand what’s happening in your home. So ask the questions. Take up the space. Anyone who’s unwilling to walk you through things and explain them to you in a clear, kind manner, is probably not someone you want to work with.

It’s so easy to feel gaslit by professionals, especially when we’re new to all of this house stuff!

This is your reminder, to never feel bad for wanting clarity. Go with your gut. If you feel like someone is bulldozing you, move on. There’s good professionals out there, but it can take time to find them.

We discuss this in great detail in Episode 12!

✨ Comment “EP12” and we’ll send you the link to this episode.

11/17/2025

You don’t need fancy tools to start creating a healthier home. Sometimes the best ones are actually free…

Comment “EP14” and we’ll DM you the link to the full episode for more simple, powerful steps.

11/15/2025

Our energy flows where our attention goes. I think about this a lot as it pertains to healing from mold exposure. I used to scan my environment for threats on a daily.

Traumatized from living in homes with hidden mold issues, unknowingly wrecking my health. The thing is, we can also choose to look at the beauty around us too. Our energy will flow where our attention goes.

How much attention are we giving to the HARMFUL things in our environment?

Whether its the mold, the drinking water, the toxins, etc. It’s important to be conscious of these things, but it’s also important to make space to see the good in the world and our environment.

Being intentional with your space doesn’t mean striving for perfection. It means choosing alignment. It means creating an environment that reflects the energy you want more of—calm, clarity, creativity, connection.

Start small. Open a window. Move a chair to catch the morning light. Clear the countertop that’s been quietly stressing you out. Notice how your body responds. Add a piece of art to the wall.

Because your space is always shaping you, just as you are shaping it. And when your home supports your energy, everything else in your life begins to flow with more ease.

If you want to tune into our chat on building a healthier home and building up a strong internal foundation within ourselves, check out this chat with me and David from PLH exclusives.

✨ Comment “EP10” and we’ll send you the link to this episode.

The winner for our least favorite interior finish goes to...Yep, I'm saying it... CARPET.Carpet is usually made from syn...
11/11/2025

The winner for our least favorite interior finish goes to...

Yep, I'm saying it... CARPET.

Carpet is usually made from synthetic materials that heavily off-gas for about 48 hours after install but continues to off-gas for many years at low levels creating poor IAQ (Indoor Air Quality).

Aside from the toxicity of Carpet to our health, Carpet creates pollution at every step of the process until the final product eventually ends up in a landfill - Taking up 7% of our landfills!

Carpet isn't typically a building material with health in mind, for people or planet.

So let’s talk about what we can do if we have carpet.

✨Make a no-shoe policy in the house (especially on the carpet)

✨If you have pets, don't let them in carpeted rooms (if possible, as a pet owner I get how hard this can be)

✨If there is a spill on the carpet, make sure to dry it out completely - you might even put a fan on it to make sure it dries below the surface.

✨Invest in a HEPA filter vacuum and use it on the carpet often

✨Use nontoxic and odorless shampoos when you have it cleaned.

✨If you just moved into a home with a new carpet and it's off-gassing, AFM SafeChoice makes a carpet sealer that helps prevent off-gassing (depending on the carpet type)

✨Consider using a Hypochlorous Acid Solution (like Briotech) or EC3 solution mist on carpets monthly to control the natural mold levels.

If you're in the process of buying a new home, we can help you select materials that DO have your health in mind.

And if you can't quit carpet - we can help you select carpet that is less toxic and safer for you, your family, and the planet. 🙌

Comment “Mindful” and we will send you a link to our materials guide with 100+ pre-vetted materials for your new build/renovation project.

11/10/2025

Feeling overwhelmed by mold? Take a deep breath.

Here’s the truth: mold illness is absolutely treatable. It is not a hopeless or fatal diagnosis. Many times, it’s even tied to a past exposure rather than your current home.

For those who’ve been chronically unwell with confusing symptoms, anxiety, or depression, finally getting an answer can be the turning point. Because once you know what you’re working with, you can start taking steps toward healing.

People get their lives back from mold every single day. And you can, too.

Comment “EP8” and I’ll send you the episode link + giveaway details for a chance to win a seat in the Conscious Construction Container! 💫

Address

Pittsburgh, PA

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(412) 913-0737

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Awakening Spaces posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Awakening Spaces:

Shortcuts

Share