"Living in sweatpants . . . "



Greetings,

So, the exciting life of an interior designer sometimes includes a quiet Friday evening sorting laundry and watching a back-to-back marathon of "What Not to Wear" with Clinton Kelly and Stacy London. It's one of my favourite guilty pleasures. But, it also has me thinking . . .

Tonight's episode was about a lovely woman who's spirit and self esteem seemed to be broken, who just never believed that she was beautiful . . . and thus, never tried to be - spending almost everyday in baggy, ill-fitting clothes. It was almost too heartbreaking to watch. But, it was also spectacular to see her slowly discover the wonderful individual that was waiting inside . . . and how focusing time and energy on herself helped bring out the amazing person that she was hiding from. Chic. Stylish. Confident.

So, why might someone who writes a design blog be chatting about this? Well, I wonder how often our home environments might suffer from the same sort of malady. How many folks aren't 'living in' their full potential? Just as it takes effort not to throw on the sweatpants and a t-shirt . . . is there an interior design equivalent? What might the design counterpart of 'wearing frumpy clothes' be? And what are ways to avoid this?

One of the ways I keep from 'living in sweatpants' is using my good china for every meal. Beautiful bedding helps me keep the 'frumpy clothes' monster at bay. oh, and fresh flowers do wonders.

Comments ? Thoughts ?

Comments

You are right on with this. I couldn't agree more. Do we not carry ourselves in a different way when we are dressed well? The same holds true for our homes. Doesn't the coffee always taste better out of the china? Doesn't a room come to life with fragrant cut flowers? (O.K., so you can't smell them, but at least you can enjoy their beauty, right?)
I love a bowl of cereal in Marie Antoinette and a big ol Chrysanthemum silver spoon. Great post. la
margot said…
Amen to that! Banish cupboard doors that stick, stained carpet, cushions with lumpy foam rather than down and feathers, visible electronic cord jumbles (personal pet peeve).....instead, fine home fragrance, OJ in a cut crystal flute, a lavender sachet on your pillow, wallpaper inside the closet and of course, a furry unconditional love-giving friend.
Sandra said…
This post is wonderful! I am sometimes guilty of saving the "good stuff". But saving it for what???? I will have to say that I live in every square inch of my house. Gone are those days that the living room is the room just to look at - use it every single day now!
Have a great weekend!!
I think you nailed it on the head. It takes effort to dress well and more effort to keep a nice home. But, sometimes it's just the small things at home like candles, cut flowers, china, great linens, a quality throw to wrap yourself in and proper lighting that can make a home feel luxurious. Even if you live in a shoebox.
xo,
Christina
you are right on the money.

everything is better when you utilize the best you have...
i have a theory....
you can never be over dressed....
but, boy oh boy , there is nothing worse than being under dressed.
Scott Fazzini said…
scooter- great post! I honestly think about this often. I wonder how much happier people would be if they lived in more well appointed homes, used less over head lighting, considered fine bedding and china, etc. Guess there is only one way to find out - you need to host a better living show on Bravo!!
Scott -

*runs to the doors to see if a producer from Bravo is waiting outside*
Alicia said…
Nail meet head!!!
I watched it too & felt such empathy for her.
I think mess & cheap products are the cornerstone of baggy pants design. Not bargains but the notion that its only...3.99, etc.
Stevie Nicks talked about quality in an interview waay back in the late 70s...
Her mom gave her money for summer sandals & she bought one good leather pair to her moms dismay. She tried to explain to her mom that the leather ones would last forever while 3 pairs of cheap ones would fall apart.
Even at 12 years old I knew she was right & still use that example today. Okay I'm rambling but you get my point. I wish people always do.
For me its my little tin pots of lip balm from Spain. All natural & the peach...smells like a day ina Gerogia orchard!!!
Oooooo . . . Spanish lip-balm. it sounds delightful.
I believe the soul is calmed by beauty and for me that is the garden. To create, to nurture, to enjoy. But I garden in sweatpants!
red ticking said…
you have not ordered your matteo bedding yet????? he he
Grant K. Gibson said…
LOVE IT!
You should try watching "Say YES to the dress" after "WNTW"- I find it addictive! I love my TiVo!
I think that it is SO important to eat on the nice china and the nice silver everyday. If you use the nice silver as well- the everyday use of it makes it so that you don't have to polish it as often from the constant use.
Flowers are a must- and I love a big bowl of lemons and a fully stocked bar in the corner of my living room :)
Grant,

I love "Say Yes to the Dress!"

Scot
Pinky said…
Just cruising your blog and found this! I SOOOO agree. I love to use "the good stuff", am known for setting my tables, and at this time of year my hubby and I work our butts off to create a beautiful yard to enjoy all summer. Not many people see it but it is for US to live with and enjoy, every day! I take mt breakfast out to the deck every day that it is possible, listen to the waterfsll in the pond, watch a bird building a nest in the birdbox on our deck, etc. LOVED this post!!!! Pinky

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