inspiration

it's late winter and i am in my decluttering, organizing, rearranging, and redecorating phase. each year, at this time, after the holidays have come and gone, i like to simplify, go within, reevaluate what is working and what is not serving me and my family any longer.  there is a sense that spring (and the feeling of renewal that comes with it), is around the corner and it's time to have the presence of mind to get still, enjoy the silence, savor the slow, and cozy up to good thoughts and new ideas.  i am a "coffee table book" junkie and, as i think all artists do, i am on the hunt for new ideas, more creativity, new materials, new ways to use old things, etc.  this year, along with many others, i picked up the book Relaxed Living, Happy Home -- A Simple Guide to Creating Sustainable and Beautiful Interiors by Atlanta Bartlett and Dave Coote.  as focused as i am towards the outdoors, i also love interior design and the concept of merging the two spaces that make up our homes.  it is important to me that my family and i feel comfortable and refreshed and happy in our surroundings inside and out and i wish that for my homeowners as well.  in the intro of the book it reads... "Inspiration is a never-ending journey of exploration and discovery, and it comes in many shapes and forms -- poems, films, walks on the beach, postcards, holidays, books, history, a chair leg or a scrap of fabric are all part of the process too.  The current social climate and our changing planet also have a part to play.  In our fast-paced, consumer-driven lives, set against a backdrop of worldwide economic problems, we see a need for a more realistic and responsible attitude to design.  houses that have been designed as status symbols, or the notion of design for design's sake, have never appealed.  We prefer a holistic approach and believe a home should, first and foremost, be a place for living.  We also draw inspiration from practical considerations and the simple things in life, such as spending quality time with our family and minimizing our carbon footprint through use of sustainable materials, recycling and repairing wherever possible."  i love this passage and what it has to say about being cognizant of the comfort and sustainability of our homes.  it applies to inside our homes and the outdoors.  a homeowner's wish list, good design, concern for the earth, and a team of people working together is what's needed to create something beautiful and useful.  here's to inspiring design and the construction of comfortable and cozy spaces where we can all rest, eat, connect with family and friends, read, have morning coffee, sit by a fire, recharge, and live.  here's to thoughtful design and a nod to mother earth.  here's to winter inspiration to be brought to life come spring.