Why WLLW Now?
WLLW emerged from personal experience and a guiding belief that the home plays a central role in health and healing. That belief led to a commitment to help others create environments that actively support wellbeing.
WORDS Lisa Sternfeld
What if your home could actively support your health and wellbeing? Beyond shelter and aesthetics, the environments we inhabit shape how we feel and function. The materials that surround us, the quality of the air we breathe and the rhythms of daily life within our homes quietly influence our long-term health. When designed with intention, a home can support the nervous system and restore a sense of balance in a world that rarely slows down. When those choices also honor fair labor and environmental regeneration, their impact extends beyond our walls, strengthening communities and supporting the ecosystems we depend on. Feeling well does not begin with a single habit or product, it begins at home.
As a designer, I spent much of my professional life planning and executing spaces for others. When it came to my own home, I believed I had done everything right. I paid close attention to finishes, furnishings and visual harmony. I refined every detail until the space felt calm, cohesive and welcoming. I was demanding of myself, but I was proud of the home I had created for my family.
That confidence was disrupted when my toddler began experiencing severe respiratory issues. What followed was a long and unsettling search for answers. We followed medical guidance, ran tests and explored conventional explanations, yet nothing fully accounted for what we were observing. It was during this time that I was introduced to an environmental consultant specializing in building biology. His work focused on identifying pollutants and chemical exposures within homes, many of which go unnoticed in everyday life.
What we uncovered was unexpected. Despite its appearance, our home was actively working against our health. The air quality tested poorly and our water contained elevated levels of harmful substances. Mold and other chemical compounds were present on our walls, many known to irritate the respiratory system and contribute to chronic health issues. That realization marked a turning point; it changed how I understood my home and fundamentally reshaped my work as a designer.
"The future of design requires a shift toward transparency, biological awareness and human-centered thinking."
Lisa Sternfeld
As I began searching for guidance, I encountered another challenge. Reliable information was surprisingly difficult to find. Ingredient transparency was limited, standards were inconsistent and marketing claims often replaced meaningful disclosure. Greenwashing was widespread, making it difficult for homeowners to distinguish between what was genuinely healthier and what was simply well branded.
We can no longer afford homes filled with unhealthy materials or interiors that prioritize style over the people who live within them. The future of design requires a shift toward transparency, biological awareness and human-centered thinking. It asks us to design with nature, not against it, and to recognize that our homes are living systems, not static backdrops.
My mission is to connect our readers with a global network of experts, designers and makers who are reshaping how homes are built, furnished and lived in. We champion products that are not only beautiful and functional but also verifiably healthy and responsibly made. Through practical guidance, research-backed education and carefully curated gatherings, we aim to support meaningful change. A beautiful home is a healthy home. I believe the spaces we live in should actively support wellbeing, particularly for communities facing disproportionate health burdens and higher levels of environmental exposure. Health-forward design should not be a luxury. It should be accessible, informed and rooted in care.
It is time to see our homes as foundational to health and wellbeing. My hope is that WLLW serves as a trusted guide, offering clarity in a crowded landscape and empowering people to make informed choices for their homes and their lives. This is how we begin to build a well life, lived well.
Warmly,
Lisa Sternfeld
Founder & CEO
Photography: Erin Derby
