Decorating For the Artist Within
There is an artist lurking within all of us. The creative fire
burns in every human, propelling us to create, to express, to
shape the world around us. Even though we may be unlearned, or
perhaps even unskilled, still the urge to impact our environment
is so inherent that we do it without even thinking about it.
Every twist of the magazines on the coffee table, every
centering of a portrait, every adjustment we make is our inner
self yearning to impact the world around. By making a conscious
effort we can guide these impulses into a form of art that will
both beautify our surroundings and strengthen our inner self.
When you decorate, the artist does not have to be buried in the
dark. You can be brave; taking strength from the fact that the
person you are is good and right and what you want is good and
right for you. If something sings to your insides then that is
the right decision.
This does not, however, mean that you are always right. An
artist’s concept on the inside is perfect, it is only once it
has been expressed that it becomes open to fallibility. This is
fine. The only way to teach yourself what it is that you want is
to experiment with what you think.
Utilize the full creativity of your mind when planning a room.
Close your eyes and imagine colors. Walk along the walls of the
room, touch them, feel the shape of the space within. Understand
the sense of the room. Then close your eyes again and find what
you want from the room. What does that look like? What would be
the feel in the perfect room? Sketch out ideas and keep notes.
When you are ready get as many samples as you can. Match color
swatches to fabric, hold pictures of different furnishings up
against different colors, try out carpets and be sure that you
feel comfortable with everything.
Don’t agonize; the important thing is to have fun. When you have
fun your mind relaxes and works better, it pulls information
from different places and creates impressions that make up your
artistic insides. Listen to your instincts, and test everything.
When it is time to actually decorate, use the room as a canvas.
Place items and hues into the room carefully, judging their
effect on the rest of the space. If you have to, throw some
things out. You can even start over. The important thing is the
satisfaction you get as you apply your décor.
When you are done you may feel unsatisfied. Finish the project,
and then walk away. Try not to dwell on it for a week at least.
When you return you will see more clearly. Then you will be able
to judge your work. Be gentle, this is not a contest. This is
about you being comfortable and happy. If you aren’t, change
things. Even if you are, it is good to think of decorating as a
constant work in progress. One day something belongs here,
another it belongs somewhere else. Only you can tell where it
needs to be. Experiment and have fun, and things will turn out
beautiful.
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