"I've always had a fascination with the way that people live, and so for me there's nothing more exciting than being invited into a person's home. I believe that seeing how people choose to exist behind the doors of their home is the only way to get a real insight into their personality, their interests and the type of life they've chosen for themselves."
– Shannon Fricke from Sense of Style: Colour + Space
This is exactly how I feel about being welcomed into readers' homes for house tours...being invited to be part guest, part voyeur and of course, interviewer. I can't think of one bad experience while conducting a house tour in person, as every participant has been nothing but warm, welcoming and uniquely themselves as hosts, since they're not on guard in their own home (oh, and the wonderful pets who often hold court are a bonus!) and enthused about being profiled. It's possibly the best aspect of working at Apartment Therapy and an experience that always reminds me of the spirit and goals of the site. I hope more of you invite me over soon!
Photos, clockwise:
Alexis' Modern Glass House 
Before & After: A Bathroom Goes From Pinky Peach to Sleek and Chic
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Tom Black Espadrille
20 Scrumptious Brunch Recipes 
Magic One-Ingredient Ice Cream 5 Ways: Peanut Butter, Nutella, and More
Comments (7)
Good quote :)
I'm a total voyeur in the evening while I'm out walking our dog. I like to try and peek in and see how people have decorated their apartments. You can tell so much about people that way. Recently I saw a great yellow kitchen with a chalkboard wall that all their friends had signed and drawn all over. It made me smile!
I don't know how much it really tells you about people's personalities. I know a number of bright, interesting people who seem to have no interest in decor at all. Their furniture is all big-box and beige, and yet their personalities are anything but bland.
You know, this works for AT readers and others who know and care about design, but I wonder how valid it is for people who are clueless about decor. I don't think it necessarily says Truth about people if they are kind of defeated about making their homes just what they want. I suppose in philosophy, it might demonstrate that they have other priorities or something, but oftentimes it just shows they don't have the specific resources -- including money or ideas -- to create what they actually should have. Which is kind of sad.
I think people can have poorly organized or non-decorated spaces, yet still be fascinating/interesting in content (think messy artists, stacks-of-books professor, colour-blind teen, souvenirs-from-around-the-world traveler, etc). Caring about design is important, but finding inspirational spaces can be separate from the formal appreciation of the field and I've rarely run into truly interesting people who don't have some sort of fascinating place to call home.
I completely agree with this quote. One of my favorite things is to go on various neighborhood house tours. I am dissappointed when some of the homes are overly staged as well. I entertain rarely, but when I do have people over they are usually surprised by my home. It reflects a more private part of my personality I don't usually share.
it depends. as lisa (montreal) points out, many people with vivacious personalities live in beige. I know several painters & photographers who like to live without any art on the wall & in bland surroundings as the emptiness inspires them. some people live mentally & have no need to dress up their surroundings. but i do like to peek in people's houses on my nightly walks & see how they live--somehow i find this comforting.
Interesting quote, but not always true. Some people live in the homes they do because they can't translate their decor ideas into reality, or don't have the money to do so. It's a bit of a luxury to have accoutrements like your home decor, wardrobe, car, etc. reflect your personality - sometimes you've just got to go with what's cheapest and/or the least hassle.