It seems that the eternal battle in the family home is not between siblings or spouses, but between Design and Functionality. We all want a space to be visually appealing, but at what cost?
Can a minimalist house be suitable for 4 children who have all the SpongeBob toys on the market? Can a French country kitchen provide the storage space needed for a master chef to move like a whirlwind? Where does style meet substance and is there a point where the two come together to meet the challenges of home?
The solution… Moderation and Balance!
Moderation – Anything, including design, can be deadly if not taken in moderation. If you love cupcakes, go ahead and eat one… maybe two… pushing it into three. Twenty or thirty though, and you’ll most likely end up on your back on a gurney (on the way to the hospital) or doubled over in pain in the bathroom!
An overly designed space focuses too much on how things look and not how they work. It’s all very well to have a beautiful space, but when it doesn’t meet the needs of the person living in the space, what good is it? . We long for beautiful white marble countertops with no thought to our four children who would give it “patina” as soon as the installers walked out the door or a gleaming hardwood floor that our dogs are giving “character” with their chasing games.
It’s important to make design decisions that fit not only our lives but also our personalities. For example, a feature or accessory that requires constant maintenance is best suited to a Type A personality who has the diligence to make it what it should be. They just might be able to achieve spaces that the rest of us can only drool over in a magazine. And a comfortably “lived in” design would only drive that type of personality crazy.
We have to take an honest look at not only the way we live, but also what we really want to get out of space. If you want an oasis of calm after a hectic life, don’t fill your space with “stuff” but clear the clutter for a sense of serenity. On the other hand, if you want to achieve a comfortable atmosphere to put your feet on the table, you can leave some specific accessories to improve the feeling.
Balance – Rolling meadows in all their beautiful splendor impress us not only with the colors and textures they provide, but also with the life and interaction they support. We want to see the butterflies dancing around the flowers…we want to hear the birds sing their songs…we want to smell the sweet nectar of the wildflowers that seems to drive the bees crazy!
You may still have the space you’ve always dreamed of, but knowing a few important things about yourself and the items you plan to bring into your space can save you a lot of heartache. Research the different products and their pros and cons. Sit down with a list of your wishes for the space. You may need to give yourself a reality check from time to time when your desires don’t fit your lifestyle, budget, personality, etc.
Good design is always a compromise, why do you think they call it a “marriage” of form and function? At the end of the day, you may have had to make a few compromises, but what you’re left with is a beautiful space that’s customized exactly for you.
No one can live in an image. Although it may seem beautiful, much more is needed to support human interaction and all the complexities of modern life. The union of Form and Function can be achieved through the implementation of Moderation and Balance. It’s not easy, but it’s worth the effort!