about
My name is Dana Waldman, and I’m an interior designer with a mission: Harnessing the power of nature to create healing spaces that promote well-being and foster an authentic connection to the natural world.
the story of how i got here:
After completing my BFA in interior design, I found myself at a crossroads, feeling disconnected from the industry I'd worked so hard to enter... My heart longed to be frolicking in fields of ferns, dancing to the melodies of birdsong, drifting in the gentle waves of the ocean, and carried by the wings of butterflies. But with each passing day, I felt a growing heaviness, burdened by news of fires, deforestation, pollution, death... I was consumed by questions of 'what can I do' and 'how can I help'.
In search of answers, I embarked on a journey, seeking guidance from environmental lawyers, ecologists, landscape architects, and science communicators. I thought one of these paths had to be a better fit for someone like me, yearning to make a meaningful impact...
My journey came to a halt as the pandemic unfolded. I was holed up with my dad, living in my childhood bedroom, feeling overwhelmed, uninspired, and helpless. I'd seek refuge in the woods nearby, amidst the sheltering embrace of the forest canopy. I'd sit for hours by the creek, nestled comfortably at the base of a tree, listening to the water, watching the deer graze. This was where I went to tune out the noise, to find safety and stillness. To feel held. To feel hope. I found myself trying to recreate these feelings inside- moving furniture to create cozy nooks, fashioning canopies out of scarves and garlands. Surrounding myself with softness, whatever fragrant finds I brought back from the woods, and half a stimulus check's worth of plants. By recreating my interactions with nature, I managed to turn my childhood bedroom (complete with pink carpet, yellow walls, and blue trim) into a sanctuary of peace.
I laid under my canopy, enveloped in green, and became saddened by the notion that access to nature has become a privilege, when it should be our right. This was followed by a moment of clarity: I realized that my role as an interior designer could be a catalyst for change. I have a unique opportunity to create spaces that bring the nurturing benefits of nature indoors, fostering healing and enhancing the quality of life for those who need it most.
We all have a role to play in making the world a better place. Me? I want to start by helping you find peace. To give you a place where you feel comfort, serenity, stillness, and presence. To ignite your senses and bring you back into your body. To relieve you from life's everyday stresses, and to rejuvenate you so that you can be the best version of yourself.
Nature-infused spaces have the power to mend not only our relationship with ourselves but also with the world around us. When we reconnect with nature and our inner selves, we become better, more compassionate beings. We learn to protect what we love, and in turn, heal the world we call home.
With a heart full of passion and purpose, I invite you to join me on this transformative journey. Together, let's embark on a mission to rewild our spaces and souls, for the well-being of ourselves and our planet. Together, let's create harmony.
my superpowers are:
Empathy: I have the capacity to care and connect very deeply. I use this as an opportunity to lift up what and who needs lifting. I will always fight for the underdog and do what is in my power to give a voice to the voiceless.
Design: Using empathy to understand clients’ needs, I ideate and develop a concept to completion by organizing all the elements into a cohesive, beautiful, and functional design.
Micro/Macro Lens: I view the world through both a micro and macro lens, understanding that all elements are a part of a larger system, and that it is equally important to pay mind to both the individual elements as well as the holistic picture.
Problem-Solving: I am a problem solver and a solutions-based thinker. I always see to it that action is being taken to address an issue, and find resourceful and innovative ways to approach situations.
Mediating: I read and listen to people very well and have both an innate and practiced understanding of how to relate to people of various viewpoints- finding common values, de-escalating conflicts, and remaining goal-focused.
I am passionate about using my superpowers to cultivate compassion and curiosity for the natural world in order to create a just and regenerative planet.