05 Jul Creating Moments that Stop Time.
By: Stephanie Andrews
In my family, I am not known for my promptness. In other words, I have a reputation for being late. My mother calls it “one-more-thing-itis”, in that I often think I still have time to do one more thing before I leave. I have actually been working on my promptness for the past 2 years after a car accident due to rushing around in the rain. Yet still, in my family, a reputation is hard to break.
In designing spaces, one of my goals is to create ‘moments’ that stop time. Lingering, dawdling, whatever you may call it, I want to explore a few ways I have found to create spaces that make you lose track of time in your home.[/vc_column_text]
Natural elements are essential to creating these moments. Nature soothes our souls. Starting with a 100% wool hand-knotted rug, for your feet to relish and your eyes to feast on every day. These rugs have been made for millennia in places like Turkey, Iran, India, and Nepal and they can ground and inspire us. A quality rug is an heirloom with history and culture that will never fall off trend, thus making the space feel timeless and authentic. Another natural element that I like to incorporate is a vintage wood piece. Age, for me, soothes and calms a busy mind. So, an old wooden coffee table or antique chair adds a layer of not-newness that creates space for contemplation.
My chaos will often spring from clutter (see last blog about too much stuff.) My peace comes from a place of comfortable minimalism. This means the space should not be too sparse or sleek, but should embody a comfy, soft, and colorful simplicity. There must be plenty of room to move around (think blind old dog ) in each room. I want a functional yet comfy place to sit down and read, yet be able to look around and feel spaciousness.
Creating a cozy nook or a focal point with a special piece of art can also create moments to lose time in. To know the artist and be able to tell the origin story of a piece creates a sense of connection to your space. I love to add a meaningful piece of art from travels or a local artist.
Finally, I would not be able to lose time if I did not have books. I think books are a bit of a miracle-working recipe. Personally, I am big on non-fiction books (as you may have noticed in previous articles). My current book is: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet by Thich Nhat Hanh. I have to say that I love this author- a Buddhist monk with so much simple advice that is not really simple. This is my fourth book by him, and I am learning so much! Seeing books on shelves that have been read, or are beckoning to be read, adds comfort to my life.
One of my goals as a designer is to help my clients to create a space to relax and lose a sense of time. I want to create homes that are expressions of the people who live there and that provide a genuine sense of comfort and beauty. Perhaps this makes it a bit harder to leave home… In essence, I am trying to embrace being a little late sometimes…(don’t tell my family!)
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