THE SENSUAL HOME

     As Autumn approaches with all of its splendor and riot of outdoor colors, we also know that we’ll soon be spending a lot more time indoors. Everything in an environment affects us. The sharing of space with other people creates challenges that can sometimes be easily addressed. To make our homes even more inviting and comforting for the cold months ahead, let’s explore the Five Senses and how they can translate into home decorating.

     A sensual home wraps you in comfort and delight. It can ignite and feed your passionate nature. Jot down your favorites in each of the five senses. Commit to give yourself a few sensual treats to ward off winter doldrums.

SIGHT

     Oh, the delight of visual pleasures like candlelight, fire flames, raindrops on window panes, drifting snowflakes and reflections in dark nighttime windows! What do you want to look at during the winter? Are photos on display that bring you a sense of connection to loved ones and cherished memories? Is the art on your walls more than decorative – does it reach your soul?

      Do your walls have color or pattern that make you feel good? Reconsider those white walls. On an overcast day, they can create a mood-dampening atmosphere.

     Change your window treatments to rich warm colors in heavier weight textiles (velvet, corduroy, wool challis). Use thermal lining and you get energy-savings as well.

     The right lighting is a key element to feeling good in your home. If major changes are not in the budget, a simple solution is to add canister uplights to brighten and warm cold, dark corners. Similarly, adding low-wattage picture lights to your artwork adds a nice glow on chilly days and evenings. Also, plug-in wall sconces add great layering to your lighting scheme; covers are available to hide the cord.

SOUND

     Beyond the din of electronic media, do you have pleasing sounds to meet your emotional needs for comfort or energy? Have you reviewed your music collection and organized your very favorite selections so they are readily available?

     One antidote for a gray, cold day is playing tropical, summery songs with Latin and Jamaican rhythms to lift your spirit and get you moving! Many people find comfort in chimes, gongs, running water fountains, even a faux fireplace DVD with the snap, crackle, pop! sounds of burning wood.

TASTE

     Treat yourself to a few favorite taste sensations or be adventurous and find some new things. Your local specialty foods store (e.g., Jacksonville Mercantile - Jacksonville, Oregon; Whole Foods Market; Oakville Grocery - Yountville, California) or ethnic market would be great places to start your treasure hunt.

     Keep fresh fruit and nuts in a bowl in easy access for TV or movie time. Enjoy that delectable chocolate nibble now and then. Incorporate favorite comfort foods like healthy, hearty stews and soups into the winter menu.

TOUCH

     What textures do you enjoy? The surface of denuded madrone tree bark can be captured indoors by having smooth stones, finished wood objects, leather surfaces and similar things to touch in your favorite sitting area.

     The gnarly feel of an oak tree can be enjoyed indoors on woven reed boxes, carved wood pieces, and bamboo or twig placemats and table runners.

     The cozy softness of a rabbit’s fur can be translated into home decorating with a luscious throw to curl up in - silk velvets and faux furs are yummy! 
 

SMELL

     There a myriad of ways to satisfy your sense of smell. Scented candles, essential oil diffusers, incense, simmering pots of fragrance, stew and soup, oven-baked breads and casseroles, hot baths and showers with fragrant gels and salts – think spicy and invigorating or mellow and soothing. Ask your dwelling mates what their favorite aromas are. See where you agree and fill your rooms with those delights.

DISCOVERIES

     You may find that being indoors more causes you to discover an area of your home that actually assaults one or more of your senses. Yikes! I hate opening that closet and seeing that clutter. Whooeeeee! My son’s bedroom reeks of athletic shoes and under-the-bed hidden food. Eek! That tile floor is so cold under my feet. Decide to address these problems quickly and you’ll open the door to even more pleasure at home.

     To quote one of my favorite interior designers, Clodagh: “To truly support us, a home has to stretch beyond its material properties and sustain our complex human needs.” Stretch your imagination.  Live in a home you love – one that loves you back.

(c) 2009 Cheryl von Tress Design, LLC  All rights reserved.

A DECORATING PANTRY

       The adage, “familiarity breeds contempt,” can be especially true of decorative accessories in your home. Your eye tires of seeing the same vignettes. That vase on the same table with the same tired-looking flowers month after month. The painting that has not changed location for years. The spent candles now cast anything but a warm glow.

       Photo A

       My remedy?  Develop a pantry of decorating accessories and move things around once in a while. It may be that certain artwork can only be located on certain walls due to its size and shape.  However, when possible, switch out your paintings and pictures at least once every two years or at a minimum, change the decorative accessories nearby.
       Accessories can be anything that your eye finds pleasing and, if properly displayed, will bring a sense of beauty to your room.  To develop your cache of decorative objects, you can look to various sources, e.g. home decor departments, internet sites, nature and your own collection of treasured things.


WHAT’S ON YOUR SHELF? 
       A decorating pantry might store various things:
       – candles (varied in shape, size and color), votive holders and candle sticks; 
       – vases and bowls (wood, metal, glass, ceramic, pottery) of different scale and size;

       – dried floral items, e.g. seed pods, “chocolate” artichokes, kumquats on a stem, leggy branches (these can be spray painted for seasonal touches) and more;

       – stone, metal and wood objects d’art to rotate on tabletops;

– seasonal changes of table and bed linens, curtain panels and pillows;
– photos of family and friends – move from room to room or switch out the display on your walls and flat surfaces; and
– memorabilia from vacations, family heirlooms and children’s handiwork.
       The key is to have a place to store these items. Closets, drawers, clear plastic bins or tubs of woven or fabric material with good accessibility work well. To make seasonal or rotational changes quickly, assure that you can change out items easily.
       Admittedly, I have a few vignettes and plantscapes that have been in place for a while. To sharpen the visual aesthetics, I add cut flowers and freshen my home decor by bringing in new accessories, fabrics, linens and house plants to breathe an air of newness.



Photo B

A FRESH COAT OF PAINT
       Another little trick to employ: so many existing or new items can be transformed with a simple coat of spray paint. Krylon brand Fusion spray paint has been a great decorating find. My former collection of glazed outdoor pottery is now a glossy black to give my front entry a contemporary flair. Woven vinyl outdoor armchairs received a coat of black spray paint and ‘Voila!’ they transformed from drab to fab in a manner of minutes. Your tired-looking woven or wood trays and baskets also come alive with a new paint finish.

GET FRESH!  INVIGORATE YOUR DECOR

       Garden trimmings are an easy, quick way to freshen a room. Easy-care houseplants can be created with peace lily plants placed directly into water in clear container with a base of rocks. I add a little liquid fertilizer a few times a year. Diffenbachia, philodendron (large leaf variety) and scheffelera cuttings make long-lasting arrangements or centerpieces when placed in water.  As with fresh flowers, cut the stems routinely and freshen the water every couple of weeks.  (See photo notes below.)

                                                                           Photo C

PLUNGE IN
     No matter what your decorating scheme is changing things up now and then is not only a quick way to transform a room, it invigorates your creativity and renews the enjoyment of a your home.
       Be adventurous. Take risks as you build your pantry. Think eclectic and mix up styles (retaining some common color scheme) or go more subdued. Try out a new genre and see what’s interesting and comfortable. It’s your home, your style. Do it your way and fall in love with your home all over again!
              

PHOTO NOTES:

A - Artful fireplace niches were created by removing existing shelves and decorative clutter.  Client can now change her accessories easily.  Clean-lined framing with hidden rope lighting were added to enhance contemporary style, warmth and drama of the room.

B - Cake plate turned upside down as floral container. Single Green Goddess blossom and button carnations. Mini-pendants from Justice Lighting Group "Limoges" wave pattern in porcelain bisque.

C - 24" glazed shallow bowl from Pier 1 Imports with cuttings from Madrone and Japanese maple trees.  Contemporary glass vases with similar cuttings.  This arrangement could be set up for a dining table centerpiece or for display on an entry table, cocktail table or buffet.  Museum tack is advised under the vases to avoid spillage.