To pay tribute to Valentine’s Day, let’s ponder the many ways in which we love design.
Design can make us marvel at architecture • stare at display windows • try on shoes we can’t afford • line up more throw pillows on one bed than we have fingers on one hand • paint multiple swatches on a wall to pick the perfect shade • need designated closet space to store purses, plural • measure twice and cut once • value the concept of having “one in every color” • dedicate long weekends to small projects • flip through magazines and take notes • want the perfect layout when arranging furniture • willing to put our monogram or initials on just about anything • notice the difference a font can make • buy a laser level with an ingenious built-in measuring tool • see that new couch as an investment • anticipate the words “sale” and “red tag clearance” with delight • explain almost any purchase with “but I wanted one” • want to press our noses up against glass display cases; but it just doesn’t seem appropriate at this age • free to choose and choose again • have too many favorites to count • think of IKEA as an amusement park for adults • see a bold print or pattern and immediately wonder what we could do with it • love the changing of the seasons for all the different table centerpieces they offer up • know the difference between turquoise, teal, and aqua • put chocolate brown with just about any other color and make it work • feel as if the space we live in is a real representation of us • spend 20 minutes in an aisle full of lampshades • get over a burn from a hot glue gun because the finished project seems pretty worth it • think about how addresses will look on a custom rubber stamp first when house hunting • salivate over the creativity of products on Etsy • debate the pros and cons of leather-versus-upholstery very seriously • find new meaning in “shop ‘til you drop” • sacrifice comfort for the style we so highly value • cook something just for the tools and dishes we’d get to use doing it • know there isn’t just one shade of white • get serious with a pair of scissors • rearrange to our heart’s content • take pride in making our home our haven.
We love design because it can mold us, distinguish us, and create for us an environment of our choosing. Here’s to a very Happy Valentine’s Day and all that we love so much.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star February 13th.
