There’s a huge amount of fear that creeps in with color selection for many clients and projects, but exterior color brings a whole collection of emotional challenges. “What will my neighbors think?”
Read moreThis Beautiful House - An Essay
She’s old, this house. Not ancient or historically noteworthy, but she’s lived things. She’s seen things. Things I will never know. Her foundation is strong. She’s sturdy, even after all these years.
I love her, this house. It’s taken some time, but learned to love her. She’s not perfect, you see. Not even close. She has aches and pains and some deep wounds from being unloved for so many years. I hope she knows it wasn’t her fault.
Read moreThe Memory of Home
Part of what we know home to be is memory.
Read moreIt's Times Like These
It’s times like these when we are reminded that the meaning of home is so much more than a perfectly placed pillow or a shiny marble countertop. It’s times like these when I find myself feeling grateful for having a soft bed to sleep in. For having food in the fridge, and the sun streaming through the west windows, warming my face and feet. For having a car conveniently parked in the driveway, running water, heat and doors that lock. For being able to wash my clothes and take a hot shower. For being able to walk outside for a breath of fresh air, and listen to the birds chirping in the plum trees.
It’s easy to get caught up with the not-so-perfect. The things that need to be fixed, redesigned, cleaned, and organized. But home is a gift, even when it’s undone. Interior design is truly a luxury and a privilege. That doesn’t mean it’s not important. It absolutely is, and I adore helping my clients transform their spaces. I wish for all of us to live in impeccably, authentically designed homes. What a dream! But even more, I wish for all of us to have a safe place to rest our heads, bodies and souls each night. And that every single home on this planet, however done or undone, is filled with peace, not war.
Introducing Vegan Interior Design Services
I’ve been vegan for over four years now. It’s seriously one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. (If you want to read more about why I’m vegan, I posted about it here.)
Being vegan isn’t just about the food we eat. It’s about the choices we make in nearly every aspect of our lives. Every single day we have the opportunity to support cruelty-free businesses, products and practices. Interior Design is no exception. From area rugs to furniture upholstery to pillow inserts, we can make kind and conscious decisions about what we bring into our homes.
Over the past few years, I have shifted to vegan design in my own home. For me, this means no wool, silk, bone, leather, down, or any other animal product. Or any product that directly or indirectly contributes to the abuse or exploitation of animals. I feel strongly that when we bring the energy of an animal that has been abused and killed into our home, our home’s energy is directly impacted. And not in a good way.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult to create vegan-friendly spaces. There are so many products available now and the market for cruelty-free home decor is only going to grow (as we’ve seen from the booming vegan food and beauty industries.) These are exciting times. And I’m super optimistic as we move into 2019 that we’re going to see more and more conscious home decor and design products become available. (I’m waiting for a sofa line by Pinatex. It’s leather made from pineapples!)
I’ll be starting a Cruelty-Free Guide right here on my website to help us all figure out what is/isn’t vegan. It’s not always straightforward, so I plan on doing the legwork and research. And if you have any tips or insider information, please share. We can make a change. We can work together to make this world a better place for the animals. And our homes can still be beautiful. And kind.
If you’re interested in working with me to create a vegan/cruelty-free home, send me an email at kelly@storyandspace.com. I’m super excited to add this new specialized service, and it would be an honor to work together creating your own conscious, kind space.
The Bull
When my client’s artwork arrived with a few dings in the frame, I had the opportunity to snatch this piece up for my own home. 🐮
The blank wall above the dining table (which I am NOT showing you because it’s an IKEA just-gonna-use-this-for-a-few-years-now-we’ve-had-it-for-15-years-table) is its new home.
I wonder about this bull’s life every time I gaze into its soulful eyes. Where was this photo taken? Was the animal killed? Was it on a sanctuary? Did it know love? Or only fear?
Also, being vegan, I’ve wondered if it’s weird to have in my house, and especially in my dining area. If I don’t know if this animal was exploited or not, is it still ok to have in my home?
I’ve landed on this: it is ok. It’s more than ok. I am honoring the animal now. His beauty. His strength. His spirit. When I look at him, I see all animals. He reminds me that we are all connected. And he’s a daily reminder of my pledge to continue to honor and respect all creatures in the best ways I know how, for the rest of my days here on earth.
So thank you, Bull. And bless your spirit, wherever you are.
(artwork: Trowbridge Gallery; photo Ben Woods)