Making sense of a sense of place!

  Quotes from The Most Important Place on Earth by Robert Wolgemuth

• "Greeting the most important people in the world should always be a celebration. " Think about that!  Who are the most important people in your world?  Shouldn't you celebrate every time you see them?!  Years ago I took a wonderful class at UCDenver.  It was called "Symbol and Form" and I learned how to focus on the symbols of daily events.   What things symbolize celebration to you?  I like table linens and the "better than everyday" dishes and silverware, and teapots with little tiny doilies to catch the drips from the spout.  Fresh flowers and napkin rings.  In the guest bedroom, a hatbox for her and a cigar box for him of sample sized toiletries, a towel bar behind the door, lavender on the pillows and several old Reader's Digests to choose from for bedtime reading.  None of these are expensive but the value of the thoughtfulness is great to those very important people in your life! 
• "Home is a place that should make people feel special."  Where do you feel really special?  What is it about that place that makes you feel so good?   Bring that special something home to your house and share it!  It might be as simple as how you are greeted.  (Linda, at the library, calls everyone by name - not just me!  But I sure felt special when she did it!)  It might be that the best chair in the room has been saved for you.  It might be the coffee!  But if it made you feel good  it will make your guests feel good too!
• "We thought we were just doing the dishes.  But we were doing what families have been doing for centuries: working together, laughing together, and learning to love each other in the process.  …creating laughter is going to have to be part of the plan"  Did you remember to leave room for laughter  when you designed the room?  Are the chairs and sofa placed so people can really look at each other when they tell the stories of their days?  Is there a table to gather around for food and fellowship and games?  And are the games nearby so they can be reached without bother? You see, money cannot buy this kind of design.  It comes from the heart not the wallet (but there is something so indulgent about a silk pillow now and then!)  Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against fine things - I have spent most of my 37 years in design selling very fine furniture and fabrics - quality has its place.  But a room filled with quality... without a sense of place ... is just a room. 

Suggested reading:

Simple Abundance and Romancing the Ordinary by Sarah Ban Breathnach

Tell me about your favorite way to celebrate the people you share your home with - I'd love to hear from you!  You know, we learn best when we learn from each other!
Susan