A Beautiful Meaningful Space Called Home
Once again I am drawn to share something that is meaningful to me. Something that I am in deep gratitude for and something I like to think I am well versed in: a beautiful meaningful home. This time I want to share the emotional aspects of home and by sharing this I hope to inspire one person to create a space that means something to them and that resonates as a loving and connected space with energy that brings them in and embraces their spirit.
When I first got my own apartment I had nothing, I was a full time college student who was basically broke. At the time I was hitting one particularly great thrift store in Logan Square in Chicago. I dressed as if I was rich in vintage clothing that was made of cashmere wool and fine cotton. Each items I bought went to the cleaners before wearing and looked impeccable. The Latino students at Northeastern University use to ask me where I bought my clothing and I never made up a story but kept the location of my favorite thrift a big secret. It was at this time that I realized that one does not have to have money to look beautiful and that "you cannot buy taste".
It seems the next logical step in my life was to buy furniture from thrift stores. At the time there was a truly stocked Salvation Army in Lincoln Park where as we know there is money to be had. The first thing I found of value was an oak table and chairs that were painted that I stripped down to the wood and varnished, all by hand. The table was beautiful and I owned it for many years before I grew into some new modern furnishings. For me it was all about the lines of each item and this was the start of something special that to this day I continue to appreciate. There are a few thrift finds in my home and an old dresser of my mother's that I painted in a mat black.
To me creating a beautiful home is more about filling a space with artifacts that say something about me whether its a vintage black glass and brass bowl or white slipcovered sofas. I chose things that mean something to me like the table top book of Mexican design with the silver lizard holding one of the pages open. Every lamp is intentional where it is located and the lighting it provides. I love modern lighting and so most of my lamps are contemporary and some could be interpreted as sleek. One of my favorite finds are three mat white porcelain rabbits in various yoga poses sitting in front of white hurricane teas light holders. At night I light about 15 tea-light when I just want to feel special. I accented beiges and whites with some orange accents like a lacquered tray on the ottoman. The idea is that you only buy the things that "speak to you".
I think a space should be beautiful, uncluttered and comfortable. I also believe in conversation areas. Where the furniture is placed should provide for optimal interaction and where people can see one another and chat. The tables in my home are close enough to reach by the persons sitting on the sofa or sofa chairs. As may designers might say "less is more". There is not a need to clutter up and fill up a space to the hilt. The beauty of a space comes from the balance of materials and color. It comes from the accessories one picks. The most important things is that accessories intercept with one another and are not all placed side by side.
A home for me is more than a place to live, otherwise I would refer to it as a house. I think a home is sacred while a house is a structure. Our relationship with our house is either disconnected or connected but a home is a beautiful place we connect with, honor and tend to. It is something we are grateful for each day and as such we should treat our homes as a sacred space. I know many of you out there are still trying to connect with your space and my advise to you is to take the time to create a space that honor you in every aspect, a space you'd like to spend time in and enjoy.
As the day approaches for a friend to come and visit from California I cannot help but to think of my visit to her home. Without knowing it apparently I had inspired her to buy a set of festive dishes. Perhaps I mentioned something about Mexico or something slipped out of my tongue but in the end she shared with me how I'd inspired her and I knew there was something of my excitement about a home that I had passed on to her. As I prepare for her visit I have bought Egyptian cotton sheets for her bed and washed them. I will fold the towels neatly on her bed with a think satin ribbon around them tied into a perfect bow. It is what I do when my friends visit or when I have a family dinner. That is what home means to me. A beautiful space to share with people I love.
Coach Elliott.
When I first got my own apartment I had nothing, I was a full time college student who was basically broke. At the time I was hitting one particularly great thrift store in Logan Square in Chicago. I dressed as if I was rich in vintage clothing that was made of cashmere wool and fine cotton. Each items I bought went to the cleaners before wearing and looked impeccable. The Latino students at Northeastern University use to ask me where I bought my clothing and I never made up a story but kept the location of my favorite thrift a big secret. It was at this time that I realized that one does not have to have money to look beautiful and that "you cannot buy taste".
It seems the next logical step in my life was to buy furniture from thrift stores. At the time there was a truly stocked Salvation Army in Lincoln Park where as we know there is money to be had. The first thing I found of value was an oak table and chairs that were painted that I stripped down to the wood and varnished, all by hand. The table was beautiful and I owned it for many years before I grew into some new modern furnishings. For me it was all about the lines of each item and this was the start of something special that to this day I continue to appreciate. There are a few thrift finds in my home and an old dresser of my mother's that I painted in a mat black.
To me creating a beautiful home is more about filling a space with artifacts that say something about me whether its a vintage black glass and brass bowl or white slipcovered sofas. I chose things that mean something to me like the table top book of Mexican design with the silver lizard holding one of the pages open. Every lamp is intentional where it is located and the lighting it provides. I love modern lighting and so most of my lamps are contemporary and some could be interpreted as sleek. One of my favorite finds are three mat white porcelain rabbits in various yoga poses sitting in front of white hurricane teas light holders. At night I light about 15 tea-light when I just want to feel special. I accented beiges and whites with some orange accents like a lacquered tray on the ottoman. The idea is that you only buy the things that "speak to you".
I think a space should be beautiful, uncluttered and comfortable. I also believe in conversation areas. Where the furniture is placed should provide for optimal interaction and where people can see one another and chat. The tables in my home are close enough to reach by the persons sitting on the sofa or sofa chairs. As may designers might say "less is more". There is not a need to clutter up and fill up a space to the hilt. The beauty of a space comes from the balance of materials and color. It comes from the accessories one picks. The most important things is that accessories intercept with one another and are not all placed side by side.
A home for me is more than a place to live, otherwise I would refer to it as a house. I think a home is sacred while a house is a structure. Our relationship with our house is either disconnected or connected but a home is a beautiful place we connect with, honor and tend to. It is something we are grateful for each day and as such we should treat our homes as a sacred space. I know many of you out there are still trying to connect with your space and my advise to you is to take the time to create a space that honor you in every aspect, a space you'd like to spend time in and enjoy.
As the day approaches for a friend to come and visit from California I cannot help but to think of my visit to her home. Without knowing it apparently I had inspired her to buy a set of festive dishes. Perhaps I mentioned something about Mexico or something slipped out of my tongue but in the end she shared with me how I'd inspired her and I knew there was something of my excitement about a home that I had passed on to her. As I prepare for her visit I have bought Egyptian cotton sheets for her bed and washed them. I will fold the towels neatly on her bed with a think satin ribbon around them tied into a perfect bow. It is what I do when my friends visit or when I have a family dinner. That is what home means to me. A beautiful space to share with people I love.
Coach Elliott.
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