… to Creating a Beautiful Home
The temptation to slide in with the crowd is a big one. How we dress ourselves and our homes is clearly an expression of “us”. It can also be evidence of how we want to be viewed by those around us–or how we wish to view ourselves. But hopefully it’s simply a reflection of what makes us feel good, just us and no one else. Optimistic? Perhaps. But I hope not.
I’m a big believer that beautiful homes are collections. They are not assembled in one day. Expensive is not a deciding factor (although some things are worth a splurge). Nor are trends (although they may have their place). Beautiful homes are often beautiful because they are warm and inviting. More often than not, this allure is precisely because the contents, the vibe, the treasures found, have been gathered together over time and they collectively tell a wonderfully unique story.
Surrounding ourselves with the beautiful things that we’ve found along our way (and our journey is never over until it’s over) seems to be the only guarantee on filling our homes with that warmth and beauty we all crave. It does not all need to match. It does not all need to be sparkly name-brand. It just needs to hold memories or conjure up happy feelings. Attention to detail, which includes everything from craftsmanship to colour, can make all the difference. A cheap but memorable print found on your gap year (perhaps reframed?!), a lamp base you grew up knowing that’s now yours (a new shade may be in order?), a captivating textile you stumbled upon (stranger things have happened!)… they can all be a part of that lovely world you call home.
So whether you find part of your own collection at shenouk (we can only hope!), or absolutely anywhere else, remember that your home is yours alone. It should be where the temptation to slide in with the crowd is lost because a crowd does not live in your home, only you do.
xx
Sherine