A few years back there were some catchy phrases in the design world. Things like a "curated" home, or "curating" a home. While it was trendy to describe your home in this way some people felt it was not an appropriate application of the term, as it is often used to describe museums. I catch myself using "curated" occasionally, and truthfully I don't feel it is misused and I kind of love the word. I certainly don't want my home, or any home, to feel like a museum- where you can't actually live and be comfortable (this doesn't mean it can't be beautiful and feature amazing art though).
I was thinking about the phrase "curating a home" this week (while running- see I do think about houses ALL the time) and how I approach design and building with clients. I came up with a few ideas on why I still think this is relevant terminology (and why I am going to keep using it).
To "curate" something by definition, is to select, organize and look after the objects or works of art in a museum or an art gallery, etc.
Our our homes not works of art?
Are they not on display 24/7 for our families (even if they aren't always pretty), and on display for company occasionally?
Do we not look after them, their care, their look, style, well being?
My favorite thing about building, designing, and decorating a home is to collect unique pieces- mixing old and new together in a way that creates a new artistic look, tells a story, and changes the context of the space. (I'm pretty sure that is the homebuilder's version of art curation, am I right?)
Sometimes we even have galleries in our homes, and get this- they even have photos! (Ahem, museum-esque?)
The list could go on, but I think you get my point.
Whether or not you care about the context of curation, or frequent museums, we all browse social media and see spaces we are drawn to. Art is subjective. Some get it, some don't. The moral of the story is to do your thing, and if you love it, and it makes you happy, then by all means keep doing it.
This week's #RBFeedFavorites feature "curated" (old mixed with new) looks I have been drawn to lately. And for kicks I even threw in a fun gallery look since we're talking museums and artsy stuff, after all.
Check out these amazing accounts for inspiration: (images left to right)
1 | Nordic Design
2 | Whyte Lilja
3 | Article
5 | Domino
6 | Elle Decor