Guest Blog Entry #19, Entry #256, August 26, 2010
What does your home represent to you? Is it only a place you rest your head at night? For most, home represents a sanctuary of comfort and safety. From early childhood we are taught that your home is where your family lives, grows, and embodies the sanctuary of loving what belongs to you.
Today, my guest blogger is Michael Guy from the deign blog DesignSpots. He highlights Julia Roberts’ new movie – Eat. Pray. Love and how such simple concepts for life can directly be applied to our homes. How fortunate I am to have Michael share his personal interpretation of the movie and how “Home” inspires all of us.
How Does ‘Home’ Inspire you? – Scene from Eat. Pray. Love
The recent release of the movie ‘Eat. Pray. Love,’ the journey tale of renewal and spiritual awakening has me thinking about the space we call ‘home.’ If our homes represent true reflections of ourselves at what point do we feel the need to reinvent or refresh? Trends come and go; a can of paint and new throw pillows are the least expensive way to shake things up a bit. Who can afford to start from scratch nowadays? I’ve become very frugal with regard to whims and ‘must-haves.’ That doesn’t mean I do without: I simply reinvent and repurpose the furniture and accessories I have. In the spirit of renewal why don’t you shake things up a bit?
Color Inspiration from – Eat. Pray. Love
EAT:
The formal dining room has taken quite a hit for several years; minus holiday dinners and special occasions most dining rooms are museums to their former glories. A recent move to a smaller, more affordable space eliminated a dining room altogether. My dining room table seemed lackluster surrounded by four traditional chairs; minus the occasional lively dinner party it was a void catch-all. Recently I admitted that I wasn’t using my dining table for meals and repurposed its function by creating a tabletop bar and display area for special treasures. The casual clutter of favorite books, candles, small framed etchings and bric-a-brac transformed a barren glass tabletop to an arresting visual focal point. Rethink your dining room table: place a lamp in the middle and stack art books or framed family photos around the perimeter. Scatter a variety of affordable glass bud vases in varying heights with cuttings from the summer garden for something fragrant and pretty. Create any number of interesting displays beyond the expected centerpiece and two candlesticks; we ‘eat’ with our eyes — create something special or meaningful to enjoy every day that speaks to your soul.
We “eat” with our eyes….
PRAY:
Is there an important piece of furniture or accessory that you’ve been praying for? I’ve had my eye on the Baker Thomas Pheasant ‘Constellation’ mirror for ages. It’s well beyond my current budget but that doesn’t mean I have a blank wall above the living room sofa. An acquaintance placed a masking tape outline on her hardwood floor to indicate where a much-desired sofa would rest some day. The outline was there for months; she never bought her ‘dream’ couch and stopped entertaining altogether because of limited seating for guests. While some school of thought would suggest holding out for the top-of-the-line I’d opt for something similar of lesser quality than manage without. For example, a less-than sofa would get major oomph by the addition of over scale pillows or a luxurious throw in a unique color. Source your local design center for end of season floor sample sales; I’ve discovered beautifully trimmed Kravet silk pillows for less than a third of their original cost. Like most bargains timing is everything; build a rapport with an associate at your favorite home goods store — they’ll be delighted to share advance sale information with you.
What item have you been “Praying” for?
LOVE:
If you don’t love your home environment change it. In our ever-shrinking world of ‘need now’ ‘asap’ and instant access via the social network buzz it’s truly important that home feels like welcome sanctuary. And though technology is never far from fingertips I’m comfortable tweeting updates from a Sheraton shield back chair pulled before an antique secretary filled with shabby, gilt-trimmed leather books and bits of neoclassic, flea market tchotchke. My space only speaks to me — about me.
Surrounding ourselves with things we love shouldn’t fall short because of indifference or limited budget. Weekend warriors like myself scour shops and discount retailers always on the lookout for the big score. Focus your search to those items you need; just because something has a SALE tag doesn’t always make it right. If you have pieces or accessories that no longer seem quite as special or useful, pitch them. It’s a hard-line approach particularly when one has spent good money but the constant reminder of ‘someday I need to replace that’ is a drag on the soul. Edit and purge with a vengeance annually. I exchange framed artwork with a friend every so often; we both get a ‘new’ look minus the expense.
We’ve all lived with mistakes; curtains too short, sofas too large, refinished floors stained too dark or too light, paint that looked heavenly on a two-inch chip but horrid on the walls and so-so budget carpeting. I love my living room sofa but its arms must be removed to move it from one apartment to the next; a minor inconvenience on moving day but worth the trouble for a sofa I’m in love with. Big purchases require big thought; consult with a design professional first to avoid costly mistakes. Errors in judgment happen but correct the situation or you’ll be constantly reminded of the oversight; know your home’s layout and measurements and always carry a tape measure!
These budget conscious times have freed my thinking on how I approach updates in my home. Like businesses who’ve had to adjust and right-size, I’ve edited my collections to the things that I truly enjoy and cherish. I’m mindful of trends but challenge myself to get a fresh update while working with what I have or can source inexpensively. Take up the challenge to reinvent and refresh; home is definitely a journey of the heart when one is surrounded by the things they truly love.
Love your home! – Scene from Eat. Pray. Love
Michael Guy’screative eye was honed by a 30-year advertising career in the role of creative director. His award-winning legacy recently ended; like so many today Michael now finds freedom in exploring ‘next steps’ and pursuing new interests. His passion for interior design, fashion and architecture has found a new home at his blog, “DesignSpots.” He is currently writing a book and recently fulfilled the role as judge for a creative excellence awards ceremony to be held in conjunction with a national recruiters/employment branding conference this October in Florida.
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For a childless couple, getting rid of the dining room table might be a good choice, but I think it would be a disaster for a family. Families should eat dinner together every night. I cannot think of anything that is more important than that, because without it, values are not passed from one generation to the next.