// HOME & IDENTITY

I often find that our interiors say much about us. What we like, how we live, what we care about, and sometimes what we aspire to be. Like that, the spaces we reside can tell our story

There’s many attributes I enjoy regarding an intentionally designed space. Of course, holding metaphorical space to appreciate the carefully selected components is always a top contender, but even more so what those components say about the resident who reside there. I often find that our interiors say much about us. What we like, how we live, what we care about, and sometimes what we aspire to be. Like that, the spaces we reside can tell our story.

Over the years I’ve continuously worked towards developing my personal style through iterations and iterations of “adding this”, “subtracting that”, and in some cases starting from scratch and rebuilding a whole new vision. It’s always been important to me to be better than my former self on every level. To always be growing and evolving, inspired by the discovery and creation of it all. The spaces I have lived, have lived many lives as have I. I’ve discovered much of my ever evolving personal style through this process. Meanwhile, becoming more and more cognizant of who I am simultaneously.

Furthermore, I’ve dabbled in many interior styles along the way from influences of bohemian, to mid century, to contemporary, back to mid-century (this time more refined). I’ve played with moderately accessorized spaces with emphases on books and tchotchkes, to more minimal approaches. There’s been experiments on natural color palettes, vs moderate use of color. Nonetheless, I’ve always been in a continuous state of evolving and digging deeper to find my voice through design. Fast forward to recently when I had an epiphany about my preferences surrounding my personal space, why I feel the way I do, and how that may reflect me as an individual.

As unorthodox as it may sound, for me there’s something about the feeling of a minimal “un-finished” space. A space that doesn’t feel fully complete. There’s an element that feels as if something is missing. As if the residents just moved in, and not everything has been unboxed yet. There’s no centerpieces. Modest use of ornamental elements. Perhaps the art hasn’t been hung yet and leans against the wall waiting. There’s an emphases on negative space that hasn’t yet been filled with objects.. There’s a transient quality, and subtle void you can’t quite place your finger on. What will come of it?

There’s an air that the residence aren’t fully settled in, but settled in just enough to provide comfort and functionality. But, at any point they could pick up and leave should an opportunity arise, or should they change their mind. The table lamp in the bedroom sits on a chair as the nightstands haven’t been unpacked yet and although temporary, there’s a feeling of optimism as the space slowly comes together. Belongings are slowly placed in locations that appear complimentary contenders, yet remain tentative leaving room for movement, for change. Room to leave things undecided.

The un-finished quality alludes to a work in progress. The un-finished quality alludes to room for change. The negative space creates room for the imagination to wander, to fill the empty boxes, to play a thousand mental exercises of what could be. The lack of visual weight feels lofty. The space is visually simplistic, and not fussy. A space free of clutter to put a mind at ease and busy thoughts to rest. A space which doesn’t over stimulate and bombard, but rather relaxes the nervous system and creates room for us to exist in the softest way. A space that doesn’t hold one at the mercy of its confines, but creates room for grace.

Selective minimalism. There's a subtle tension between the negative space and items it consists of. The pieces that are present are intentional and leave just enough room for imagination. They’re unique in their own ways and carry their own, yet work in tandem with the others. Theres a focus on materiality, quality, and refinement. The space was left so minimal as if only to serve to emphasize the limited components, so carefully curated in the most effortless way. The tensions between these pieces and the negative space allows us to really appreciate the finer details, perfect where they lay, appearing un-calculated, and un-finished, by design.