Design Is a Feeling

I recently spent five days on staycation. I seriously never left my house. Not because I had nowhere to go. Quite the opposite. I simply didn't want to leave. I’m consistently out and about all day long, so for this vacation I just wanted to be home. It was fabulous!

It made me think about something I believe deeply as a designer: Good design isn't just something you see. It's something you feel.

My home grounds me. It feels like a retreat. The architecture constantly connects me to nature. The way the windows frame the arborvitaes in my yard makes me feel like I'm outside, even when I'm curled up inside. Whether it’s the green of summer or the snow-white winters I have a perfect view of nature. I truly love it!  The warm mix of redwood and oak in my home brings a sense of comfort and history, while the imposing squareness of its mid-century modern architecture creates structure and calm.

Our windows become artwork. The trees become part of the room. Natural light moves through each room during the day. Every element within has a purpose, but nothing feels overly precious. My home makes me want to stay put. I think that's one of the greatest compliments you can give a home.

As designers, we can talk about floor plans, materials, proportions, lighting, furniture, and finishes, and all those things matter. But ultimately, the best spaces create an emotional response. They make you exhale. They make you linger at the kitchen island a little longer. They make you want to sit by the window with your coffee. They make you invite people over. They make you feel grounded at the end of a long day.

For me, design is about creating that feeling.

It's about creating a home that feels so connected to who you are that you don't feel the need to escape it.

So, after five days of staying home, I'm curious: Does your home make you want to stay put?