Better Living
It takes some skill to get a space aesthetically right. To create something that pleases your eyes.
But if you are interested in interiors and aesthetics, you learn about these things naturally, by living and moving around in your home.
You learn about light and color and material and proportion and contrast.
Yet the thing that is most appealing to all living creatures, and probably most difficult to orchestrate in a space, is the type of harmony and beauty that is about the feeling of wellbeing mostly. Where the beautiful details do not lead the design but follow it.
A space that does something to you. Where you feel more like yourself, more at ease, where your spirits are lifted but you do not necessarily know why.
Like all homes, mine is a work in progress eternally. Never unfinished, never finished, but simply alive and reflecting the current state and dreams of us living within.
After falling in and out of love of several different styles and looks, I have gradually moved away from being an amateur decorator into something that could be described as ‘a student of good life, what supports it, and what hinders it’.
And by good life I mean both short term pleasure and long term sense of clarity, contentment and wellbeing.
What would be wonderful? How could I make this better? What would it take for this moment to be extraordinary?
A pillow arranged in a certain way behind your back can be a profound factor in how you feel. Something so small can make a great difference.
Yet when we start to decorate, too often we choose with our eyes only, and end up with a pillow, or whatever, in just the right color, but with no other function than serving as a pop of color, a decoration.
If you are tired of buying yet another scented candle or home accessory in aim to make your place feel cozier, here are some ways to improve your living space from a holistic viewpoint – and most of them cost nothing.
Light and air
Let light and air in by opening curtains and windows.
Clean dirty windows, mirrors and reflecting surfaces.
Use candles and oil lamps as a light source.
Use unscented or mildly scented cleansing products.
Scent a room to fit your mood.
Acoustics
Apply felt pads under pieces of furniture that tend to scratch the floor and make a noise when moved around.
Oil squeaky door hinges.
If you have a wall that lets in noise from the stairway or the apartment next door, consider placing your bookshelf or closets there to muffle the sounds.
Use rugs to soften echos.
Use coasters, placemats and tablecloths to harmonize kitchen sounds.
Make playlists for different moods: I have one for writing, one for daydreaming when traveling, and one for entertaining.
Uplifting textiles
Make your bed every morning. It will not only look nice but it would feel lovely to crawl back in come evening.
Teach children to make their beds.
Have a closet for fresh, pressed and neatly folded linen.
Change bedlinen and towels often.
Use real tablecloths and napkins, if not every day, at least every week.
Have your clothes carefully folded and hanged, and shoes polished. Dressing up is such a pleasure when things are ready to be worn.
If you have children, teach them to fold and care for their clothes.
Creative mood
Keep on show only things that are appealing to you.
Keep surfaces clean and touch every object regularly.
Stones, branches, floral arrangements and bowls of fruit can be magnificent artworks.
Hang a wreath or lucky charm on your front door for a warm welcome and general good vibes.
Make (head)space for pleasure and creativity: freshen up your place.
Cook and bake often.