Today’s ‘Mental wellbeing, my home and me’ star is one of my favourites to follow on Instagram – I love the simple, considered nature of her soft beige interior and was delighted when this talented designer agreed to come on the series. From the parquet flooring and all-white linen bedding to the minimalist lighting and vases of fresh flowers, this Berlin apartment exudes calm and elegance.
But it’s all for a reason. Rebecca Goddard is a talented, multi-faceted designer that likes to spin a few plates, from blogging and interior styling to designing her first interiors range for sustainable furniture brand FORESTA. As someone with ADD, she says it’s in her nature to dip her toes in different waters. At home, she’s created a light, uplifting and organised space that helps keep her focused. ‘There’s usually lots going on in my mind, so I need our home to reflect the exact opposite of that — simple, subdued and minimal,’ Rebecca explains.
In this warm, wide-ranging interview, we talk about appreciating the unexpected and finding gratitude in change, the little ways Rebecca has curated her home to support her ADD and uplift her mood and productivity, and why flowers can be the simplest joy. As she says, ‘The things we surround ourselves with draw our attention, and therefore our energy too.’ By creating a considered, soft beige interior that supports her, Rebecca has found a way to appreciate her home afresh every day.
All images courtesy Rebecca Goddard
Hi Rebecca, how are you feeling at the moment?
Actually, I’m feeling pretty great today! I’ve been quite busy with all types of work projects and it feels like summer has set-in properly here in Berlin — lots of good things to keep my energy high.
For those who don’t know you, can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
In short, my name is Rebecca and I am an American freelancer, living in Berlin with my German husband and working in all types of creative capacities with people and brands around the world. I stay quite busy, and sometimes I find it tricky to quickly distill what I do in a to-the-point summary, but I’ll give it a try.
Most of my work is focused around design, particularly in interiors but I work across a wide range of topics now. Before I moved to Germany and began life as a freelancer, I worked as a product development engineer and furniture designer for a contemporary furniture brand in the US.
Recently, I’ve collaborated with a young, sustainable furniture and materials brand called FORESTA — I’ve designed their first interiors collection which we’re launching this September (showcased last week at 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen), and I’ve been supporting them a bit with branding as they come onto the market.
At the same time, I author a design-focused lifestyle blog called RG Daily, and create content for brands who share my zeal for paired-back aesthetics, intentional living and style. And sometimes, I work with local clients in Berlin on design consultations and interior styling. Perhaps it’s in my nature as someone with ADD to work across so many different areas which could seem unfocused, but I love what I do and it’s all work that comes from the heart.
How was lockdown for you – what has brought you comfort while you’ve been spending more time at home?
I have to say, Sven (my husband) and I have been really fortunate when it came to the lockdown. The change for me wasn’t too difficult to adapt to since I’m already quite used to working in home office, and Sven was able to continue going into his office since he works with a very small team. I spent six straight weeks at home without leaving at all, because I myself was sick for a while. That was difficult, absolutely — but right before COVID picked up in Berlin, we had coincidentally moved into a bigger, brighter flat with a little balcony (which we didn’t have before).
I couldn’t help but feel thankful that we had the opportunity to move before the circumstances became a bit tougher, and those unforeseen changes made me appreciate our new home even more. So, big feelings of gratitude for our home helped keep my spirits high, for sure. I can’t even recall how many times I’ve said out loud, ‘I’m so happy we moved before Corona times!’.
Also, I’ve been super thankful that all this has happened during a time when we have so much connectivity to each other online. I moved away from my home country almost three years ago, so I guess that having such a huge distance between my family and friends was an aspect of life I had already needed to navigate and adapt to — even before COVID. It’s a huge comfort knowing that those daily connections, through video chats and phone calls, are possible. It’s what gave me the courage to move to Europe, and of course helped me stay sane during quarantine.
When did you first become aware of the impact your surroundings can have on your mental health?
Ever since I was a child, I’ve been very sensitive to my surroundings. Having ADD can make it hard to concentrate when things aren’t in order, and I often times felt really lost and overwhelmed — especially when I felt as though I didn’t have much control in my direct environment. I remember as a young kid going over to friends’ houses to play and asking if we could ‘organise’ the Barbie stuff, doll house things, or room before we played. Very unusual, I know… what type of child actually likes to clean?! For me, it was a way of coping. As an adult, I still operate in a similar mode, but I’ve learned to be less impulsive about it.
How did your experience with ADD and anxiety influence how you have decorated your home? How does your home help support your condition?
For me, ADD and anxiety seem to come hand-in-hand. When I find myself off-kilter, unable to focus, and overwhelmed, feelings of anxiety and stress are usually quick to follow. So, by creating a space that’s calming and not too visually all-over-the-place, my brain feels less all-over-the-place too. I find that keeping the styling and details at home really light, neutral, and organised helps tendentiously. There’s usually lots going on in my mind, so I need our home to reflect the exact opposite of that — simple, subdued and minimal.
What makes you feel most calm at home – is it a certain object or corner, or is it more an ambiance or feeling you’ve created?
Light has such a big impact on me — when we have beautiful soft light, I feel the most calm and focused. I love seeing the way that the light changes in our home throughout the day and find it really necessary to live in a place with south-facing windows, at least in the main living areas. I also try to plan my days around this, so that I can be doing focused work when the light is softer, and work that needs more energy when we have full sun. My husband always jokes that I am ‘solar-powered’, and I totally agree.
What little rituals help you feel uplifted and inspired in your home?
I really love rearranging the little details around the home, and making small changes that bring a new energy into the room. The activity itself of organising and tidying is a bit therapeutic to me, and I always like the restored feeling when little changes happen. It keeps the space from feeling stagnant, and keeps me re-appreciating our home and our belongings in new ways.
What’s the one thing (which isn’t a person or a pet) that you couldn’t live without in your home?
Besides the basics (bed, sofa, desk) I for sure couldn’t live without flowers! We don’t have many decorations or art in our home, but I love to decorate with flowers. It’s almost silly how happy they make me. Flowers keep me connected to nature and the seasons, and also bring life and colour into our space. I really like how, through flowers, you ‘test-out’ a new colour in your home that you might not be fully committed to. Sometimes I’m in the mood for the dusty subtle green of eucalyptus, sometimes I want all the vibrancy of orange and pink tulips, and sometimes I like the soft feminine romance of white peonies. Flowers are really my simple joy — I could go on about them forever.
What’s the one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to create a calm, comforting space at home?
Have less stuff! For me, de-cluttering is the absolute key for creating a home that not only supports you functionally, but emotionally as well. The things we surround ourselves with draw our attention, and therefore our energy too. As someone who is hyper-aware of my surroundings and easily distracted, clutter can feel mentally crippling. I like to embrace a bit of openness on walls and surfaces in our home — between the bareness, I always find calmness and room for contemplation.
Thank you so much for chatting to me Rebecca! Where can people find you online?
I love connecting on Instagram @rebeccagoddard, and I can of course be found via my blog rgdaily.com!
