April 2023| The right of Choice

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do can and will be used against you.

April editorial was supposed to be about florals and their application to fabrics and home furnishings. But then it hit me, aren’t we judged for the choices we make for our home?

I feel this kind of criticism and bias happens easily, even more so than our fashion choices with attire. Maybe exactly because of this. The fact that it’s not on us - which makes everything less intimate - yet it's still laying around for everyone to notice. Because the identity of it is subtle, it makes it more free and less provoking for someone to express their opinions.

“I don’t think that pillow matches your sofa. Oh my God, why would you spend that much on a glassware set? Have you considered painting your house white? This color is quite intense; it really gives me a headache. Have you thought clearly about this wallpaper? It’s not easy to take it off once you don’t like it”

But isn’t your space about you? It reflects your personal taste when someone is critiquing how you choose to shape your environment. And that commentary translates to an assessment on your style, which is very personal for most people. This criticism can lead to stress and anxiety. Sometimes it can limit your engagement in social interactions in order to avoid embarrassment as a host.

What constitutes as bad taste in home décor? Where is the line? Poor taste is relative as it varies on each person and ultimately in the eye of the beholder.

Many people think that minimal homes are more sophisticated or marble bathrooms are more glamorous. There are many specific perceptions of how a home should be in order to reflect what society approves as an ideal. Historically, however, that has evolved but again like fashion, perceptions trends and styles always make a full circle and repeat at some point over the years.

“ Please do yourself a favor by noticing your thoughts and acknowledge your own conditioning, bias, and judgments. Make an intentional effort to notice what you like, appreciate, or admire about the aesthetics of a home. Being mindful and gentle about how you share thoughts on your home as gentle as you are with others' homes as people struggle to fit into current society and feel accepted"

In a culture where so much emphasis is placed on what is wrong with us and needs improvement, it can feel like a huge challenge to speak positively about our own character, about our own bodies and taste preferences.

Knowing why something appeals to you is knowing yourself better. It does not define you as misguided. Recognize that it may help you be more serene at home. Your home should honor you and your personality. Your space evolves the same way you evolve throughout life.

Self love will always be the key to your door after all.

ELENI NODARAKI

Creative Editorial Director

Write to me on eleni@decorationrunway.com