"Sprawl"

Were we to know the world of today 150 yrs ago, I think we would have, after having a conniption, started heading back to the Renaissance.

[Frustration]

Where are the old book barns, with books piled upon kindly books; where no amount of solitude and no number of titles begun was too much? Where are the quiet country lanes that pass over brooks and meander around shy hills? Where are the meadows and fields to ramble across on your way to you know not where (only to discover you’d better head back before you lose your way entirely)?

These are the things I yearn for: To have time for reflection on one’s own life; a space to call one’s own, for a little bit; a place of “beauty, peace and joy for you and me”. Perhaps this is not reasonable anymore. And to not have to drive more than 20 minutes to this said place! Whatever happened to the world of Larkrise? We are the patrons of a very modern Candleford.

There is one necessary evil of human evolution that I cannot condone: sprawl.

HA! To think I even complain of sprawl when there are places like Phoenix where you literally cannot escape the sprawl except to drive miles and miles only to hit desert. And perhaps that would be a welcome in comparison to what was left behind. I cannot say.

I guess I yearn for travel, deep down. Escape. Freedom from care, work or worry.

But it is more than that. It is Solitude. But not in a dreary, chilled house in summer; it can only be found on sunny days and select novels.  It’s more than Wanderlust, as it requires for certainty of Self not a distant location but an inner locution.

We seek a wild Unknown that has only to be discovered by lifting off the veil of our own Uncertainty. And it comes by way of Woods and Words.

I have known it before. That is what makes it all the more sad that it is now missing. My mind races ahead for all the things I might do today. Or tomorrow. Or next week. But then my body gets as morbid as my mind soon becomes, for I cannot realize what I so desire.

‘Tis a sad fate when you can’t escape the neon signs and the broken sidewalks with flickering street lamps by night, or properly welcome the sunlight of day except by an effort that seems superhuman after coming down sick…

I need the Solitude that night brings in broad daylight. Is that too much to ask?

“I need the darkness, someone please cut the lights.”

"UnBeige"

We’ve all seen it: the off-white couch, with the white walls, and beige pillows. The beige living room is ubiquitous in home and décor magazines of late. Harking back to the 1990’s and early 2000’s, the “new neutrals” have pervaded the world of design, becoming a mixed blessing. Words that make the color scene seem appealing are: shabby chic, romantic, cottage, French country, new country ….however, when it comes to this somewhat insipid shade, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.

A few months ago I stumbled across a design blog aptly named. It’s called UnBeige. Apparently, the blog was named after the graphic designer, Tibor Kalman, who believed cream and off-white were “the color choices of those afraid to offend.” In his own words, “when you make something no one hates, no one loves it.” Two editors were recently hired for the blog because of their inclination in design towards “imperfections, quirkiness, insanity, unpredictability.”

Unfortunately, this inclination towards neutral is rather easy to slide into. This is what makes it so dangerous, if a color can be dangerous.

Beige works in magazine pictures when there is variety: variety of texture, color, items and furniture. Also requisite is a small colorful flower arrangement and/or openness to the outdoors (and green!) It is most sad when the only color visible in the room is found in the flowers and the text displayed (perfectly photo-shop matched).

 Beige works in a room when there is originality of ornament: vintage pieces, antique finds, old books, unique wallpaper, unvarnished wood floor boards, bold accents, and keepsakes artfully displayed. If there is not enough of this bohemian variety, the result is less than desirable (at least in my eyes).

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Having a white/beige room is easy. And maybe that’s why so many people opt for it. However, choosing all neutrals is not a choice; it is the antithesis of choice. You are choosing no-color. If the owners realize how dull their house becomes (that is a big if), then they may think they can salvage their couch coverings and wall color by adding “pops of color”. Yes, anyone can add “pops of color”; it’s easy. Easy doesn’t always mean beautiful, artistic or well done. In fact it seldom does.

I get that having a neutral couch color can in fact allow for more colorful decorating choices around and on the couch. But then that means make those colorful, bold choices; and don’t be afraid to have too much fun.

As it suggests on SheKnows.com, “rooms should be grounded with neutral creams, and the rest of the palette can be bold and bright.”

So if your personality is just Beige, so be it, have a room that reflects that. But if you are more bold and colorful, don’t let me see you watering down your design sense because of some passing trend that should never have been one.