M. Suzanne Terry

I love design books, websites, and social media accounts. They’re so visually satisfying. Even if they don’t reflect my personal style, I love seeing what people do with their spaces (or the spaces of others who have paid for their services). For example, I could watch videos of Anna Page’s New York apartment for hours. It’s so soothing. 

In my lush fantasies, I know exactly what I want in a home. When I’m daydream shopping for houses, the ones that stick out to me are those that have large, open kitchens, a nice backyard (swimming pool preferred but optional), a small additional kitchenette/wet bar (especially if there’s an upstairs), and an extravagant laundry room. I once saw a laundry room with an overstuffed chair and bookshelf in it, so now, of course, I need it.

For many, home is their social center. I’m not sure that’s the case with me. I prefer for my home to be a bit of a getaway from social activity most of the time. But even if I’m the only one who usually sees it, I still crave good design and order. I want nooks – for reading, napping, daydreaming, creating, snacking. I like ceramics and glass – bowls made by local artists for our annual Empty Bowls luncheon and makeshift flower vases in the form of white pitchers, wine or sake bottles, and Mason jars. I enjoy soft and luxurious fabrics. I adore art made by beloved friends. Kitschy items with nostalgic stories attached. Good lighting.

My main home design strategy, though, is to be surrounded by books. Decorating is just another term for acquiring more bookshelves. At one point, there was a meme going around with a home layout that was a small kitchen, a small bathroom, and the rest of the space was labeled “library.” It was meant as a joke, but I would definitely live there.

According to Meik Wiking (The Little Book of Hygge), every home should also have a hygge emergency kit. If I were to catalog mine, it would look something like this:

• Unscented candles
• Good chocolate
• A robust selection of teas
• A full wine rack
• A shelf of cozy mysteries or foodie fiction/memoir or this month’s TBR selections next to my favorite reading chair.
• Comfort TV or movies (my frequent go-tos are Pushing Daisies, The Good Place, Gilmore Girls, Chocolat, and Under the Tuscan Sun)
• Good bread with Irish butter, goat cheese, and/or homemade jam 
• Warm socks and blankets
• Journal
• Soothing playlist or records

Just reading that list makes me want to cancel everything for a week and stay home.

I’ll finish up tonight’s post with a few books about design or making a cozy home that I’ve either enjoyed or are on my design TBR list:

My Hygge Home by Meik Wiking

The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman

A Room of Her Own: Inside the Homes and Lives of Creative Women by Robyn Lea

For the Love of Books: Designing and Curating a Home Library by Thatcher Wine and Elizabeth Lane

Apartment Therapy by Maxwell Ryan

Spark Joy by Marie Kondo

Why Design Matters by Debbie Millman

The Kinfolk Home by Nathan Williams

Wonderland: Adventures in Decorating by Summer Thornton

Cozy Minimalist Home by Myquillyn Smith

I’m writing about all things lush this month.