Just last week we were beckoned over to a friend's new apartment to help survey and advise about the new space (note: that's obviously not him above). He's an artist with a proclivity for pack rat behaviour, both out of natural tendency and also in relation to the process of creating his art. But he wanted to finally get his $&%* in order since he had a whole new place to call home...
Since moving from his previous dark and confining apartment, he's felt a need to tame his collection of "stuff", with the hopes of creating a new home where he could happily live within the space instead of living with an assortment of stifling things that were all battling for attention. He had been living with someone for a long while prior, so his desire to decorate a space completely to his whims and aesthetic was liberating...and also a bit daunting (this despite being a most gifted artist, proving an artist does not make a designer, and vice versa).
When we saw the photo above of the rainbow collection of shoes* displayed simply upon a white table from our LA Flickr Pool, we thought it perfectly illustrated the advice given to our friend: keep the larger surrounding elements free from clutter so you can create a focal point for the things you most love...give them some breathing room.
A work in progress: books, artwork, records, art supplies, paper...our friend is slowly editing it all down and it's already starting to come altogether.
Initially, when we first advised that our friend edit down some of his possessions, we could sense a bit of hesitation. Letting go that first time can be hard for someone used to holding onto everything. But then we noted certain spaces had already been curated or organized with a thoughtful eye devoid of clutter. In those specific spaces, there was already a naturally eye-pleasing organization because he had unconsciously decided those areas were his favourite and therefore removed the clutter to respect what he wanted highlighted. It was communicating the idea for application throughout his whole apartment which would most benefit with his battle of the bulge.
The light in his head went on when he began to understand the importance of editing down his possessions so he could highlight the most important things he had in his home: his collection of artwork and his vintage furniture (there are several pieces in his collection we truly covet). He's still in the process of editing and organizing, but we're confident with this newfound understanding his new space will be different from his last because of just the simple understanding of breathing room. We can't wait to see how it looks 1-2 months from now once he's settled in.
* On a related note, the photos up top were shared by wood & wool stool at our Flickr Pool. Some of you might remember she happens to make beautiful knit adorned stools, and now we know she has an impressive shoes collection (we're most fond with the blue ones).
(Image: Flickr member wood & wool stool via the Apartment Therapy LA Flickr Pool)
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
I think the idea of breathing room is one of (if not the most) most important contributions of modernism and minimalism to design.
view travislessness's profile
YES. I wholeheartedly agree with travislessness.
Breathing room is the grail; but to mix allegories, in my place creating breathing room is a Sisyphean task. I blame everybody else.
view Henrietta the Terrible's profile
You can't beat attractive shelving to bring order to chaos, and to highlight precious items you love, and Ikea have made that within everyone's reach. I'd be lost without my Billy bookcases, and the little blown glass lamps that sit so well in them - with a low energy and low heat-emitting lightbulb of course!
view yeti3a's profile
Yeah, breathing room is essential, which is what caused me to make a weird (but in the end awesome!) layout decision regarding my studio: Putting my kitchen table in front of the gorgeous marble fireplace.
Rather than jam it in a corner where it felt cluttered and out of place, the table is front and center in my apartment, symmetrically pleasing in such a small space and constantly inspires me to cook the food I love and share it with my friends.
view teacupcake's profile
I can relate to the clutter bug artist friend. I'm an artist and graphic designer who just moved into a new place with my sister. All of her processions are simply necessity items, even her furniture. When I was near finished unpacking I got yelled at quite a bit for all my clutter and being a pack rat. I did successfully edit my things. Our mother visited and said it was decorated better than any other place I've lived :)
breathing room = great advice
view sofistiphunk's profile
teacupcake, if you see this, how did you handle the mantlepiece?
I've been thinking of doing something similar in my dining room/crafts & storage room, but I'm having problems reconciling my natural tendency to make the fireplace a focal point.
But the table (which is a big, old, dark wood thing - and perfect for the room) just looks wrong anywhere else in that room.
view yeti3a's profile
I REALLY wish I had room to do that with my shoes.
view Tiamat_the_Red's profile
Breathing room in one's pad is just spiritual. That many shoes is.... porn. :-)
view Laughing Tiger's profile
Hey yeti3a,
I centered my white Ikea Docksta table directly in front of the fireplace/mantle, with the table touching the mantle's edge. I have three chairs around the table.
I just try and keep the table as clutter-free as possible: When it's not meal time, there is literally nothing on the table, so the mantle is in full view!
It feels like even more of a focal point with the table there and is a very functional/cute space.
view teacupcake's profile
Thanks teacupcake!
Will think about how that can apply in my room, thanks for replying! :)
view yeti3a's profile
Hmm.... you know sometimes there is something to controlled chaos/disorganization/clutter, like in that photo with the guitar. It says, I'm lived in.
view BruinToo's profile
What a lovely couch. And not to slow down someone's editing progress, but I think he could be much helped by a long, low bookcase behind the couch, and the table up next to the window (so one dosen't feel hemmed in while eating, esp with guests, and because I think the wood would benefit from the natural light), if the space isn't inhibited by a heater that is. Maybe not the most beautiful arrangement, but somewhat functional.
Regarding arranging around fireplaces, I have to say that I'm over fireplaces. I don't find them practical (certainly!), nostalgic, or romantic - esp where I live. And they can really ruin the possibilities for a good room flow. Kudos to those folks who are working around them in creative ways.
view BlueLM's profile
I meant the wood would be well displayed by the natural light, esp if it's indirect.
view BlueLM's profile
Laughing Tiger -
That many shoes is porn?
That's only 20 pair of shoes. That doesn't even border on obsessive... that's just good style!
view clickchick's profile
Breathing room is great for the modernists and the minimalists, but not necessarily for everyone. (Isn't that why we have gardens and the great outdoors?) Personally, I like STUFF (quality AND quantity).
view mirandabee's profile
@BruinToo that isn't so much a lived-in photo as my friend's space with some of his belonging emptied out since moving. Controlled clutter can quickly fall into messy disarray.
@mirandabee: Hurrah for gardens and the great outdoors! But breathing room isn't just for modernists. It's important even in traditional spaces. The Victorians knew this, even with their love of visual and textural depth. Breathing room could just mean an inch of space between things, or a sectioned shelving unit, or hiding away clutter that is rarely used or appreciated. It doesn't have to mean a space space.
My friend will forever be someone who collects stuff, but I think he'll be happier keeping his stuff organized in a manner that allows him to remember where it is and also having it presented in a visually cohesive manner. Small steps can equal big results!
view gregory's profile
I will take each of those pairs of shoes in a size 8, thankyouverymuch.
view cranberrybobbie's profile
I have a bad case of shoe envy right now...
view mmwitzke's profile