HEARTH & HOME
Outdoor sanctuary
by noted interior
designer Christopher
Grubb, founder
of Arch-Interiors
Design Group Inc.
As I sat in my own peaceful nook one night (a room with a bright
red desk and large floral prints, decorated just for me and indicative
of my large personality), I wondered more and more about what’s
trendy versus what actually makes people feel at home. When I asked
my friends and acquaintances what they love about their own homes,
the feelings were all over the place, and generally, also very indicative of
their place in life.
A friend who is renting simply said a new home of his own would
make him happy. The house he’s in is beautiful, but it’s not his. Another
friend mentioned dreaming of a tiki-themed bar. Would the “Property
Brothers” Drew and Jonathan Scott do that? Probably not. But would it
make this homeowner happy? Absolutely.
Sunrooms and rooms with large windows were popular answers for
a good reason: A third of us have mood disorder issues directly related
to not receiving enough light. Light feeds the soul and makes a home
feel open and connected to the outdoors. My yoga teacher described
her meditation space and concluded that to make her happy, living
things like plants and animals are necessary in her home, which is
another connection to the outdoors.
Some just wanted a small, organized spot for themselves, where
nobody else was allowed. Feeling like we can retreat from the woes of
the day to a place all our own is a form of self-care in and of itself.
As someone who creates beauty for a living, I am a firm believer
that any space and any idea can be made beautiful. Trends come and
go, but classic styles will always remain classic, and individual tastes
should always be considered when renovating. Grays are very popular
right now, but if gray makes you feel gloomy, then you cross that color
off your list. Combining the personal with the trendy and the classic is
something I pride myself on, and I hope to share ideas that will help you
love your home and let your own self-love shine through to anyone who
walks in the door.
Bodnar is a real estate investor and home renovator, and the owner of RAD
Real Estate in St. Louis. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or via
email at [email protected].
SAVVY I SOPHISTICATED I SASSY
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