It’s absolutely not a necessity that one has to be an artist by nature to cultivate a keen eye for design in the home, but it doesn’t exactly hurt things, either. The advantages are perhaps readily apparent, although there are likely some drawbacks as well. If you happen to be James Turrell, it would probably be a bit of a heavy burden, with expectations that would be entirely too high. The blinds would have to be absolutely magnificent, well-chosen, and so precisely perfect for the room that they would be simultaneously unnoticeable and also the very first thing that stands out.
Fortunately, most people don’t have to deal with the burden of being a famous and successful artist, and can be relatively free in their selections for perfect interiors. Setting out to reconstruct the look of a room is sometimes a bit frustrating, but mostly fun. Considering the room from the vantage point of an artist, or simply pretending to be an artist, can indeed induce some radical and subtle ideas that can truly make a room rise to another level of beauty altogether. Even making the conscious decision to infuse a space with a graceful sensibility can begin to set things in motion that will ultimately shine.
Windows can define a space, and this can be a very good thing or a very bad thing, depending on a combination of given conditions as well as creative adjustments. It would be nice to consider how an artist like Turrell might find inspiration in the simple and everyday movements of the earth, as if there were no effort required. With a perfectly-placed window, where the play of light can enter the room with a kind of precision, there is no effort, but that is rarely the case.
A balance of good judgment and an experimental spirit can make the possibilities in any space come to life, and this is nowhere more true than in window treatments. Vintage or contemporary styles can radically alter the immediate effect. Knowing a little bit about the subtleties can bring it all together in remarkable ways. Honeycomb shades, for example, have a way of refracting light that can transform certain kinds of afternoon light from the beautiful to the absolutely sublime. Experimenting with shades, in terms of style, color, and even angle, can lead to some remarkable interior views.
At the end of the day, of course, it’s really not about impressing guests or appearing to be one of the great artistic minds of your generation. It’s about how you feel about where you are. Paying attention to what you see where you are, however, can make the end of the day a moment of utter beauty.
Image: James Turrell, “Skyspace, Piz Uter”, (inside) – 2005, – Switzerland, Graubuenden, Zuoz, near to Hotel Castell; Author: Kamahele, 2009-10
