Tony Stark’s house. He is the fictional character better known as “Iron Man”. It is all about contemporary design, technology, success and vision.
This is a question that has always haunted me as an individual and a professional.
On a personal level I grasped the difference a while ago when I rented a flat: I liked it and saw the potential of its interiors: great layout, right ceiling heights and acceptable finishes, hence I started to plan some small changes that would make it look beautiful, cosier; representing more who I am and what I stand for in order for me to feel “at home”.
As you can guess this implied a certain level of investment, not that much to be honest with you, it was very easy to improve its condition. I was very optimistic as I thought my landlord was going to accept the changes. I would leave the property in a better state than I received it.
Poirot’s apartment. Hercule Poirot, famous character created by Agatha Christie lived in a neat ArtDeco flat, as immaculate as the obsession his owner had for scrupulous detailing.
I was in shock!!!
His answer was that I could do it but I had to put everything back as it was when I took the flat. My spirit sunk as then the investment did not make sense any more. I had to pay twice, which obviously I did not want to do; and I did not.
From that moment my perception of the flat changed completely, it was not my “home” any more; it was just a flat that I rented whilst I moved to the right one.
This helped me realise first that home is not related necessarily to real ownership, but the feeling of it, second that home, at least for me, is a place that reflects who you are, a place that you create in your image and/or resemblance.
What I did later and how I “embraced” the place is material for another time.
As a professional the understating of this difference is extremely important as every designer should have at the core of his/her mission to create homes that feel and transmit the owner’s personality, character and soul.
Is this approach getting weaker in the 21st century?
What do you as a 21st century man value and appreciate in your home?
Dan Draper apartment. Mad men. New York.
I think as social creatures the importance of having a home and not just a house or a flat is still very relevant to many of us.
It is true that in a city like London where we have access to so many wonderful places: restaurants, parks, gyms, cultural centres, museums, etc the need for inviting people to our home seems less imperative but as the saying goes: people make business with people they like, and the way of building those relationships frequently relies on sharing our personal stories and space.
It is also correct to say that the internet makes everything immediate, removing the need for personal contacts, yet it makes those contacts potentially hugely shallow, unreliable and hence fragile as well, which as a consequence make direct contacts a must for very key and important decisions or experiences.
So how do you define your home?
What elements does it need to have for you to give it that definition?
Is that definition really important to you?
Thinking of these questions will help you to visualise the home you want when you are considering how to refurbish your house or flat, giving you the feel and look that is aligned with your needs or/and interests.
Christian Grey penthouse. The fictional character of 50 shades of Grey.
Home sweet home?
