Because of the stay-at-home requirements put into effect by governments around the world, many peoples are experiencing a feeling of being “closed in” in their residential spaces which are resulting in behavior problems.

I am one of the millions of peoples knowing that situation.

In the information on the current housing industry that comes across my desk, there is a movement to change the spaces in which we live as a result of this pandemic.

There is a desire for more and versatile rooms.

People want more space to be, move around, participate in more and varied activities, and to experience less limiting and claustrophobic ambiances and yet still have some private and personal space.

People also want, and need for over all health, more access to out door spaces such as balconies, patios, yards, et cetra for their homes.

In addition, there are more concerns about air quality, germs, and other aspects that may affect one’s health.

This movement is not based upon status, egos, trends, or other such aspects.

These movements and concerns only emphasize the importance of quality and intelligence designing for all aspects of our residential interior environments for one’s physical, mental, emotional, aesthetic, and all other aspects of our health and well being.

Here, as in many situations in life, it is often times wise to think in terms of the long haul.

No one knows how long this pandemic will last or what are the permanent changes that will take place in this world because of it, but we have to look realistically at how it is affecting our lives and try to do what is wise, effective, and healthy for the preservation there of.

Food for thought.

Even though it is not as prominent today for some people as in the past, there are still those people who follow trends especially those in some of the more popular shelter magazines.

These sources are filled with cute and do-it-your-self “ideas” to make changes in your residential space.

While these doings may make a shallow temporary change to the ambiance they are more emotional and decorating than intelligence and design.

If a residential interior space is well designed intelligently, there exists no needs to make changes. Such spaces are complete, balanced, and full on their own merit.

A secondary effect of those people who do and follow these trends is that they get caught up in the movements and loose sight of the results that can be achieved by designing intelligent long lasting results.

Would you prefer to have a series of fast food meals or opt to dine on well planned meals.

Of course, money and other resources are factors in what is chosen to be done. The most deciding factor is not the amount of money in the budget, but how that money and other resources are expended.

Higher long lasting beautiful residential spaces can be achieved when the best possible use is made of what is available that can be used.

With enough thought, planning, research, and designing, any residential space, regardless of the factors involved, can be designed to a high intelligent aesthetic level that will have no need to be trendy.

Which do you choose?

Food for thought.

As I write this blog, most of this country and the world, because of the international epidemic, is spending much if not the majority of their lives in their homes.

In addition to the necessary day-to-day living tasks that need to be performed, we have an increased need to make special efforts to maintain our psychological, intellectual, and emotional sanity.

These conditions offer a unique opportunity to take a thorough look at our residential interior environments.
Look at all of the elements of your interior spaces as design compositions consisting of lines, forms, masses, colors, and textures.

What are the sources of light and how do they illumine the spaces?

How do the proportions of the rooms, doors, windows, furnishings, et cetera there of relate to each other?

What are the intensity, lightness, and surface reflections of all of the colors used and how do they relate to each other in an overall scheme?

What are the functions of each room and how does the room and it’s furnishings fulfill these roles?

What is the overall ambiance of the space and how does it feel to be living in it?

Look at your personal spaces as you have not looked at them before and see everything on a higher psychological, intellectual, and aesthetic level.

Such will nurture you and enhance your living during this world wide climate of challenges.

Food for thought.

Since my childhood I have been aware of the behavior of many people who are thinking of building a new house, remodeling their present one, or those who live in high rise residences.

They will spend much of their research and planning time driving around looking at new houses and new developments and what ever else is available for them to see of present housing. And in high rises there is always talk about what some one did with their space.

They will then analyze and digest all of these options and use the results as a guide for what they plan to do.

In doings such, these people severely limit themselves and in the long run their lifestyles.

What can be done is not limited to what one sees in one’s immediate housing environment.

Get out of you box. Get out of your present state of thinking. Get out of your present neighborhood.

Think. Imagine. Explore.

Look at what is going on else where in the world that could be used and adapted to expand your thinking and your life style and are advances and options available today.

Thusly, you can raise your residential interior environment and life style to a whole new level.

And remember. What was done in residential housing in the past does not limit what can be done in this current time.

Don’t limit your thinking to what you presently see and where you presently exist.

And remember that every thing that exist was new at one time.

Of course, there probably will be people who choose to live in their present box environment and such is their choice.

Food for thought.

For most of our design decisions relating to residential interior designs we follow certain rules, most often subconsciously, which have become prevlant in our cultures over the centuries.

Such as: straight lines are best, things should match, things should be centered, surfaces should be smooth, certain colors and objects don’t go together, what was done in the past is best and should be copied, new approaches have to be questioned, designs should appeal to the masses, et cetera, and the list goes on.

To manifest the best aesthetic results in residential interior designs, questions should be asked: what is the purpose of these rules and are they the best route to take in today’s world?

It is my position based upon education, experience, and talent that rules are chosen to be used because such users are ignorant of the principles of design which is what determines the aesthetic results.

Are not results the ultimate goal?

It matters not what period of design, what size, what budget, what materials, what functions, what ambiance, et cetera, the principles of design determine the physical results.

It’s that simple.

But it requires thought, intelligence, planning, and proper execution.

So, the choice is yours.

What you choose is what you get.

What’s your choosing decision for your residential interiors?

Food for thought.

Among the current goings on in the housing industry that come across my desk are several instances where people have visited or studied or come into contact with Japanese residential designs and are inspired.

The essence of these designs seems to be simplicity.

Simple designs are intellectually complex and results manifest in a degree as naive or superior depending upon the extent that design principles are applied.

For simple residential interior designs to be successful, it is necessary that the functions of the rooms and the life styles as well as the emotional needs for the users of the room are met. Otherwise, one could end up with just a display setting.

Simple is one of many design approaches that can be used in the manifestation of residential interiors.

Always go for the long term design that is you.

Food for thought.

” My experience is what I agree to attend to. “ William James

So, how important is the residence in which you live to you?

What do you do and experience in your residence that contributes to your heath, well being, comfort, life style, and joy of living?

What level of quality and what kinds of do you want your experiences to be?

What you choose to do to and with your residence determines what is your residential life.

It’s that simple.

It’s your choice.

Food for thought.

Once, I observed a sales woman trying to sell furniture immediately from off the floor to a married couple very explicitly proclaim: “Well, a man don’t like to wait.”

Many executives, business owners, professionals, MBA’s, and others in charge expect every thing they want to be manifest immediately because they say such.

In today’s world of computers, electronics, fast foods, and instant results, much emphasis is on speed and not quality or long term results.

Our society is increasingly becoming more oriented toward a fast pace life style.

You can’t distill thirty year old scotch in six months.

Some people prefer thirty year old scotch as opposed to nouveau wines .

How important is that for which you wait?

Some things in life take time to manifest and cannot be affected by computers or speed.

Some things take time and are worth the wait.

You have to decide which is more important to you: immediate results or quality results.

The interior design of residences should be thought of in terms of years and not in terms of quick delivery.

Food for thought.

Listening and observing while growing up, I became aware of certain rules, laws, customs, and positions relating to the uses of colors.

You can’t use those colors. They don’t go together.

Those colors are so ugly!

Using those colors is not in good taste.

Certain colors are masculine and certain colors are female. (In my decades of working with colors, I have never seen genitals or activity there of on any color.)

That’s a race color.

Those colors are so old fashioned and out of date.

You should only use colors that are what they are doing now.

And the number of opinions goes on.

Who makes these proclamations and what is their basis?

Colors in and of themselves have no intangible characteristics.

Through the centuries and cultures those traits have been projected by the populace on to colors.

We now live in the twenty-first century.

What was done with colors in the past in not necessarily best for the present.

In any design manifestation, any colors can be used alone or in combination with any other colors where they are the best choices for the highest level of beauty results.

With science, technology, inventions, and new materials, uncountable new colors are available to the world at large.

Get out of your box. Be free and experience the unlimited choices of colors that are available today.

Food for thought.

I don’t need any furniture. I have a house full of furniture.

I get my furniture from North Carolina.

We just bought new furniture.

I only live with furniture that I inherited.

Furniture stores are my competition.

Such are some of the replies given to me when people learn of my profession.

As if furniture is the be all and end all of interior design.

Actually, furniture is one of the smallest elements of a designed residential interior.

It accounts for about six to eight per cent of the overall volume of residential interior spaces.

Yet, many people concentrate on furniture and ignore the other over ninety per cent of the room.

Look at the total spaces and take in every thing including the walls, floors, ceiling, all of which they are made, what they do, and what contributes what to the overall design of the space.

The more you look and completely see, the more you will understand, appreciate, and enjoy the beauty there in.

Food for thought.