Moving Energy, by working on your home.

Last week I signed up for Apartment Therapy's 8 week cure. maxwell Gillingham-ryan has this lovely blog, http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ and he's written a book by the same name. I saw the email inviting participants to sign up and I decided to go for it. I've been reading some design blogs, to learn about interior design. I have to say there is something about our house that just doesn't work. Now there are many many things that do work, don't get me wrong. But something is missing, and partially I think it's budget. You know you spend a lot of money to buy a home, and often don't have a lot of money left to decorate. But honestly, I've made homes look and feel sweet, without any money, and this house is eluding me. So when the chance came up to do the 8 week cure, I ordered the book right away.

I've always thought that your home reflects your mental state. Inner reflects outer is what I've said before. But if that's true than by changing outer you can change inner. You can move energy in many ways. If you're ever stuck on something, go clean out a closet and see what I mean. Maxwell clearly understands this. As soon as I read his introduction I felt like he'd be a wonderful guide to teach me about design. Here's why.... I suspect in the back of my mind that only those with money have the energy and time for design. It seems like a wasteful and superficial thing to do. I know that's not necessarily true, but I can't help thinking that. REading his introduction really got to me because of his background, he studied design and worked for a design firm, but felt isolated from the clients, there was no direct client involved! He felt it was empty and then went on to get two masters, one in literature and one in education and then he taught at a Waldorf school. These two experience inform his approach to clients needs and I love it. He stresses that we are attached to stuff, and that we can do with less. He stresses that a home feels good, not because of the money spent on it, but because it has a head, a heart, breath and a body, and that it's health is important for its impact on YOU.

Here's the interview, to get me started thinking about my style.

Favorites:
List your favorites in each category:

Actress: Helena Bonham Carter, Myrna Loy, Katherine Hepburn,
Actor: Johnny Depp, Cary Grant, Phillip Seymor Hoffman
Artist: ANdy Goldworthy, Gustav Klimt, the starn twins, Mark Ryden
Writer: Tolkien, Charles De Lint, William Gibson, Charles Bucowski
Music: Tom Waits, Iron and Wine, The Clash, The Cure, White Stripes
Restaurant: Stone BRewery, Mix at The Hotel in Vegas
Automobile: Mini, Aston Martin, Audi A8
Television Show: Mad Men, True Blood
Clothing: Anthropology, manolo blahnik shoes, Frye Boots

How would you describe your style (3 words)
1. Functional
2. Sexy
3. Simple

Personal History
Where have you lived?
Where were you born: Washington DC
Where you grew up: Annapolis MD< Hagerstown MD, Benicia, cA
As an adult: Boulder Creek, San Rafael, Oakland

Whom would you consider a role model?

Wendal Barry

What are three adjectives that describe the qualities that you admire in this person?
1. Simple life, living by ideals
2. Family oriented
3. Thinker and writer

Apartment:
What is the problem with your apartment? (3 words)
1. flow
2. Decor
3. Function

If your apartment could speak, what would it say is the problem?
She just doesn't understand me.

What one thing would you like to do more of in your apartment?

Create and Mediate

Eight weeks form now, when this project is done, if friends come to visit, how would you like them to describe your home? (3 words)

1. Warm
2. beautiful
3 Comfortable

Also rating the house in the areas of head, heart, breath and bones, it seems we need work in Head and Heart, that means decoration and function. The house is basically healthy, we scored an 11 on the rating, but it could use improvement in at least one area and toning all around.

I'm so excited. See my next post for Week One and before pictures.