Sense of home
With This Is Home.
What makes a home? It’s a simple question, but the answer is a little more complex. In many ways, homes embody how we live and see ourselves, and these spaces evolve when we focus on what makes us happy. When we create a place that meets our needs on many levels and expresses our character, we can enrich our lives.
Homes that have a strong sense of identity often belong to people who are thoughtful with all they do. That’s not to say you need lots of money to create a beautiful home. In fact, many wonderful homes belong to people who live quiet lives. They’ve been considered in their choices and made decisions based on their needs and what works in their home, because it brings them contentment and joy.
EVOLUTION
It’s easy to become attached to the idea of establishing a certain ‘look’ at home. But a sense of style evolves through the prism of our values, and when we let these be our guide, a visual voice emerges that can adapt to the constant changes of life. Do you want to prioritise quality, simplicity, artistry or innovation? Our values can provide a decision-making framework for the plans we draw up, the materials we choose and the atmosphere we create.
EXPRESSION
Our homes can be one of our most expressive creations – does yours tell your story? Objects that evoke memories can forge and enhance important emotional connections, and when we become interested in the layers of how something is made, it also becomes a more valuable part of our lives. Learning about an object’s maker can enrich our experience when we see it and touch it at home. When we embrace handmade and artisanal wares, craftsmanship and vintage pieces, we connect to a human story – and weave it with our own.
PRIORITIES
The process of designing a life that complements our values begins when we compare how we fill our days with what we’d prefer to be doing. Maybe you want to spend less time tidying and organising your home. Perhaps you’d like to make room for downtime, or entertain more often. It’s possible to create spaces that encourage behavioural change. Some people choose an expensive TV over a sofa or rug; others buy second-hand furniture so they can invest in art. When we’re aware of our priorities, we can adjust how we spend our money.
IT HELPS IF WE’RE NOT TOO PRECIOUS ABOUT OUR SPACES. WHEN WE LET GO OF PERFECTION, WE REDUCE OUR STRESS LEVELS.
SENSES
Our senses can evoke strong feelings. Consider the sound of footsteps on timber floorboards versus lino, and how each experience makes you feel. Or your response to seeing sunlight dance along sheer curtains. Design and emotion are intricately linked. It’s well known that colour plays a huge role in our perception of a space and this is true of materials too – our bodies can feel the difference between natural and synthetic fibres. What if we embrace materials that accentuate our senses?
BALANCE
Balance at home contributes to our wellbeing. When rooms breathe, we feel at ease, and when objects are placed in harmony, they can create a calming effect. Over time, we add to our collections and accumulate more, but we can feel liberated when we live with less, ridding our homes of all that’s superfluous and the pieces that were never really part of our story. Living simply comes with other benefits too, creating a home that’s easier to maintain. Sometimes what’s left out of a space says as much about our values as what’s inside.