heima
The first goal when I get my place is to do a complete physical and spiritual cleansing. I will first create and clean space by using homemade and environmentally friendly cleaning products. This will include washing all rooms, walls, floors, shelves and closets as well as the appliances including the refrigerator and oven.
After the space has been cleansed and purified the next step is too bring in furniture. I want my space to be like an exotic womb, environmentally friendly and minimal. Define and construct the space using furniture that is solid, well crafted and fits without blocking ch’i. The furniture is not to be the focus but to be the foundation layer.
The second step is to build texture using muted colours and textiles. White sheets, earth-coloured textiles, a proper mattress for the bed. Comfort and texture is most important.
The third step is to buy basics such as plain white dishes, flatware, glassware and small appliances. This is another foundation layer as it provides a foundation of functionality.
The fourth layer is too build on texture and create softness. This is the nurturing layer. I plan to buy hand-crafted textiles and art pieces that use a variety of textures and brighter colours to enhance the muted foundation colours. This will bring the womb feeling to the space and also the exotic touches that is important to provide character and individuality to a minimalist environment.
Colour plays a hugely important role since I am obsessed with colour. I want the colours to reflect cleanliness, naturalness, the inside of summer flowers and the vitality of green foliage. My space will be a study in the four elements—earth, air, fire and water.
Earth will be, like in nature, the foundation element. The walls and floors and furniture will be very solid and earthy. Dark to light woods mostly but I would also like a very airy glass dining table. I don’t want to overwhelm the space with the furniture so some of it will have to be made of contrasting but complimentary materials like metal and glass. Earth will also represented in the use of heavier textiles such as blankets.
Air will be represented in the wall colours, glassware, glass and ceramic decorations and lighter textiles such as towels and sheets. Earth being heaviest element is foundation, air being the lightest element will contrast by being opposite but therein lies the brilliance. It lightens and balances the Earth element.
Fire will be represented in the decorative textiles such as pillows and also in art objects. Fire will enhance the muted tones of the earthy textiles by using brighter colours to compliment them. Colours in my space won’t be about using a broad range but by using a few colours and shades that build interest and emotion, layer by layer—light and dark, muted and bright. The bright colours enhance the muted colours while the muted colours soften the bright colours.
Water, for me is my favourite and most personal element. Water is fluid and either soft or forceful. Water will be represented in curved lines, glass and crystal, and cool colours. These cool colours will help temper the heat of the fire colours (a lot which will be of Southeast Asian influence). Water elements will help ch’i flow and provide a sense of impermanence and flow through the pure space.
So, the Earth elements creates the foundation, the Air elements brings joy and lightness, the fire element brings energy and creativity and the water element brings wisdom, movement and temperance. The Earth and Water elements being of the Goddess and the Air and Fire elements being of the God.
Fabrics will include cashmere, silk, cotton, muslin, linen. Heavier fabrics such as cotton and cashmere will be for rugs, blankets and fabric while silk and muslin and linen will be for decorative fabrics and sheets so that includes pillows, mosquito netting, curtains and towels. I will also being using heavy cotton for furniture and lighter cotton for towels. I want to invest in a set of organic bamboo sheets for my bed. The rule of wabi-sabi is less colour more texture.
I guess the trick is build layers through subtle change. Varying shades of white for example to add depth and structure then create mood and personality through light, thoughtful touches of colour. In my case a lot of greens to make my space feel alive and shots of eastern colours to add exoticism.
Moving to Medicine is my new beginning. Finding a place of my own to call home and be under complete control is one goal realized. Now I feel unshackled from other people’s rules and idiosyncrasies. My home will be my chance to finally live by my rules, morals and values. To be a holistic, organic and intellectually centric home where body, mind and spirit is truly the focus. It will honour and nurture my spiritual beliefs and my focus on improving the environment. It will be a very sensual home.
At this moment there is truly a fresh slate. There have been no mistakes made and I have the opportunity to put what I’ve learned over the last 31 years to use. I will also be able to nurture myself and I hope to take advantage of my newly adopted city to help support my health, artistic and spiritual goals.
