Why Design Matters
Does design matter? Does art or beauty really matter? And what does it mean to live gracefully? There's a persistent belief among many that good design is only important or attainable for people who aren't worried about meeting their primary needs. Interior design can feel like a distant or frivolous concern when we feel harried or pulled in many directions - be it mentally, financially, or physically.
But living gracefully is about living with intention and gratitude, not about how much time or wealth you have. To live gracefully is to be thoughtful about the simple aspects of your day, to color them in some way with beauty, attention, or style, and to notice the beauty that exists in even the small or mundane details of life. The simple act of noting beauty (wherever you find it), or creating it is both joyful and graceful.
Many of us feel we don't have time to notice - much less create - beauty in our lives. Art and beauty don't get much air time; economic, political and celebrity coverage dominates news at the expense of artistic and cultural subjects. While most of us know on an instinctive level that beauty and art are important culturally, it can be hard to articulate why we need them in our lives. And yet, we all respond physically and mentally to spaces we love. We know somehow they matter.
In my childhood home, my mother made the cultivation of beauty a basic necessity. She never failed to light a candle at our dinner table and always found a way to have fresh flowers in the house -- regardless of our financial situation. Our home was inspiring: it wasn't large, but it was built by a modernist architect, Paul Thiry, who designed a wall of windows for every room, allowing the Northwest's silvery light to flow through our house at different angles year round.
Why do simple forms of beauty have such an impact on us? We've all had the experience of walking into a room which feels welcoming and lovely, or one that feels unpleasant or awkward: there is a physical reaction to beauty (or lack thereof) in the spaces around us. Our surroundings can elevate or depress our mood, health and cognition. Research shows that views of nature help improve mood and attention span, high ceilings lead to creative thinking, and compact, cozy spaces promote focus and relaxation. Unquestionably, architecture and interior design impact our brains and bodies.
What does this mean for daily life? Design and beauty are more important than many of us realize. Beauty not only "feeds the soul," but also impacts children's ability to learn, adult's blood pressure, the creativity of our thinking and the openness of our minds. Exposure to beauty is a basic human need. Appreciating beauty gives meaningful joy, and creating beauty and art is one of the highest expressions of the human spirit. My design firm is founded on the belief that beauty is vitally important -- in everyone's life. I believe beauty matters. I love working in interiors because I get to witness the dramatic and joyful impact beauty and design has in everyday life.
In addition to my interiors practice, I hope to create a broader awareness and conversation about the importance of beautiful spaces. Beauty in public spaces is especially important; public parks and works of art can be oases of inspiration, stress relief, and joy for disadvantaged populations with limited access to beautiful environments. If you are interested in working with me or hearing more, contact me or follow me to stay engaged in the discussion of why aesthetics and design matter.
But living gracefully is about living with intention and gratitude, not about how much time or wealth you have. To live gracefully is to be thoughtful about the simple aspects of your day, to color them in some way with beauty, attention, or style, and to notice the beauty that exists in even the small or mundane details of life. The simple act of noting beauty (wherever you find it), or creating it is both joyful and graceful.
Many of us feel we don't have time to notice - much less create - beauty in our lives. Art and beauty don't get much air time; economic, political and celebrity coverage dominates news at the expense of artistic and cultural subjects. While most of us know on an instinctive level that beauty and art are important culturally, it can be hard to articulate why we need them in our lives. And yet, we all respond physically and mentally to spaces we love. We know somehow they matter.
In my childhood home, my mother made the cultivation of beauty a basic necessity. She never failed to light a candle at our dinner table and always found a way to have fresh flowers in the house -- regardless of our financial situation. Our home was inspiring: it wasn't large, but it was built by a modernist architect, Paul Thiry, who designed a wall of windows for every room, allowing the Northwest's silvery light to flow through our house at different angles year round.
Why do simple forms of beauty have such an impact on us? We've all had the experience of walking into a room which feels welcoming and lovely, or one that feels unpleasant or awkward: there is a physical reaction to beauty (or lack thereof) in the spaces around us. Our surroundings can elevate or depress our mood, health and cognition. Research shows that views of nature help improve mood and attention span, high ceilings lead to creative thinking, and compact, cozy spaces promote focus and relaxation. Unquestionably, architecture and interior design impact our brains and bodies.
What does this mean for daily life? Design and beauty are more important than many of us realize. Beauty not only "feeds the soul," but also impacts children's ability to learn, adult's blood pressure, the creativity of our thinking and the openness of our minds. Exposure to beauty is a basic human need. Appreciating beauty gives meaningful joy, and creating beauty and art is one of the highest expressions of the human spirit. My design firm is founded on the belief that beauty is vitally important -- in everyone's life. I believe beauty matters. I love working in interiors because I get to witness the dramatic and joyful impact beauty and design has in everyday life.
In addition to my interiors practice, I hope to create a broader awareness and conversation about the importance of beautiful spaces. Beauty in public spaces is especially important; public parks and works of art can be oases of inspiration, stress relief, and joy for disadvantaged populations with limited access to beautiful environments. If you are interested in working with me or hearing more, contact me or follow me to stay engaged in the discussion of why aesthetics and design matter.
Contact me if you would like to work with me on a design project; I love to talk about design and to hear about new projects.
EMAIL: allison@dehnbloomdesign.com
TEL: 415.261.8557
If you are interested in the research above, here are a few places to learn more:
The Aesthetics of Joy, a blog written by Ingrid Fetell, which explores the connection between beauty and joy.
"How Natural and Built Environments Impact Human Health,"
by Dr Nancy Wells, Director of Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell University
"The Psychology of Design: How to Create an Environment in Which You Will Thrive," by Sally Augustin, Ph.D, Psychology Today.
The Nature Movement, a blog by Richard Louv, Author of "The Last Child in the Woods"
Salon, "No Sympathy for the Creative Class", by Scott Timberg, an interesting article on why our culture doesn't place a greater emphasis on the importance of art and beauty.
EMAIL: allison@dehnbloomdesign.com
TEL: 415.261.8557
If you are interested in the research above, here are a few places to learn more:
The Aesthetics of Joy, a blog written by Ingrid Fetell, which explores the connection between beauty and joy.
"How Natural and Built Environments Impact Human Health,"
by Dr Nancy Wells, Director of Department of Design and Environmental Analysis at Cornell University
"The Psychology of Design: How to Create an Environment in Which You Will Thrive," by Sally Augustin, Ph.D, Psychology Today.
The Nature Movement, a blog by Richard Louv, Author of "The Last Child in the Woods"
Salon, "No Sympathy for the Creative Class", by Scott Timberg, an interesting article on why our culture doesn't place a greater emphasis on the importance of art and beauty.
