"My requirements: You need a wall — you always need a wall. You need a table. You would like to have someplace to put things where you don't look at them all the time. I also need access to hot tea — often peppermint." That was the artist Jasper Johns telling Vogue what he requires in a studio — but I think it's a great exercise for all of us.
The part that really got to me was "someplace to put things where you don't look at them all the time". Storage is such a priority for so many of us, especially those of us who live in tiny places, but I've never thought about it in such clean, precise terms. No matter how much stuff you're lucky enough to have, or how nice that stuff is, it's nice to not have to look at it all the time. Well said, Jasper Johns! (Unfortunately, the Vogue story is not available online, but it is in the December issue if you happen upon it.) Now, moving on to our own homes…
How would you describe the basics you need/crave in a home? I think this is an especially valuable exercise for people about to move in together. Do your priorities, essentials, and basics line up? Is your home-to-be large or flexible enough to accommodate both of your most basic wishes, and if not, how will you compromise? What are you hoping for from your home?
My wishlist surely won't be as elegant as Mr. Johns', but here goes: Places to put all my supplies (books, art materials, tools) where they are easily accessible and easily put away. A space that's always available for projects, whether that's a work table, coffee table, or just the floor. Plenty of light, and especially, a spot by a window to sit and read (I wished for that for years and it is just as glorious as I imagined). Enough empty space to move freely, without having to constantly step over and around things… and the discipline to keep said space clear. I think it comes down to wanting my home to have possibilities. If I need to have a dance party, or wrap a pile of presents, or make fresh pasta, or paint a canvas, or screen print t-shirts, I'd like to have a home that's ready for all that and more, no matter how small and humble it may be. What about you?
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Now and forever, a good library. For me a home is just not a home without good books.
And a bathtub, large & deep enough to lay almost flat in and be compleely submurged.
A wood-floored empty corner or space to practice yoga while looking out a window at treetops or something green (i.e. not human-made structures, cars or people).
Someday . . .
Good natural light, and though it wasn't specifically on my must have list, I've now got great light and a table in a bay window. Love it!
While low to the ground doesn't bother me, I also like an open view. Either from a corner or because the building across the street is lower than your apartment.
I somewhat agree about the storage, but I like to be able to put stuff away where I notice it again. I've now got some cupboards that are over 10' off the floor. Since hardly I ever look in those cupboard, I completely forget about stuff once I've stashed it up there. And while I do like the pleasant surprise of finding something I'd forgot I'd had, the forgetting part is disconcerting.
I have to have the sunlight in the morning. I have a 15' picture window in my small 16th story studio, and I just adore it because my place is so bright and cheerful when I wake up. Before I moved in, I had the option for a unit looking out over all of the DC monuments, or being on the east side and having the sun in the morning. The east side won without even a thought to the other. Seven years later, I'm still happy with that choice.
I need enough space for a decent sized dining table. I like to have people over to eat, yes, but I also like a large space for projects. For me, a large dining table I can use for different purposes is more useful than a desk.
Light is also key!
1 - Enough floor space to practice yoga-- when I get around to it.
2 - Real windows (no basement apts)
3- Enough counter space to prep a meal, use an applicant and dry dishes on a rack simultaneously
Love the practicality of his statement. That's something I'm struggling with at the moment with my teeny corner of creative space - finding a way to make it work for both creative life and daily life. My storage space for materials is in another room, so I feel like I'm constantly shuffling stuff back and forth. It's also nice to know that others are in the same predicament :)
A working fireplace in my sitting room/library! I spend so much time there but haven't been able to have a fire for some years because my chimney had deteriorated and it would have been astronomically expensive to repair. This winter I have made a point of looking into alternatives and actually have a plumber coming out tomorrow about possibly installing a gas line in the fireplace. I am thinking of gas coals (artificial coals that the gas flame comes up through.) This won't be a much of a heat source, but it's the flame I really miss. I guess some would consider this a luxury, but to me it's an essential (and I have missed it so much!) And some form of garden (also an essential luxury.) I only have a deck off my kitchen, but I have filled (some would say over-filled) it with plants in pots, and I get so much pleasure from it.
I have lived in big houses, tiny studios, thatched huts and tents over the course of my career. For me, the things I need are a not too hard bed and blanket (bamboo does not cut it without a mat) and some kind of surface to sit at (I have used an upside down cardboard box and sat on the floor). That's all I need to live. To live well and feel at home, I need my cat, my kitchen aid, my books, a bed, a blanket, and a comfortable chair. Oh, and some art.
Lots of sunlight. A view of something lovely. A bookcase or shelves. Somewhere to sit and read or talk. Somewhere to cook - including a table or counter to work on. Somewhere to eat. Somewhere to sleep. Heat, flushing toilets, and hot water. Birdsong in the summer. A fire in the winter.
Also, having a place for everything I need and not having anything I don't need.
A comfortable chair with a window behind, for reading. A large clear surface (raised, to save my back) to do stuff on. Screens in all the windows. A ceiling fan in the summer. A shower.
Quiet. Books. Dogs & cats. Being able to see a tree from every window.
My pots and pans--ALL of them!
A quiet bedroom is always #1 on my list
living in short-term rentals and hotels for the last 4 months, i've realized i actually don't need a whole lot more than a firm mattress, a bathroom, and AN INTERNET CONNECTION. sweet lord i need the internet. and pets. and plants. that's probably it.
Horror Vacui, you might be surprised at the heat your gas fireplace emits! I sure was! Our customize builder's special has a gas fireplace in the living room, and even without the forced air fan we chose not to get, it makes the room very toasty -- and messes with the thermostat which also controls the temperature in the finished basement! (Which can be freezing whent hat happens!) We were given faux logs which also have some steel wool that the flames make glow like embers.
my dog is first and foremost very prominently at the top of the list. my house is simply not a home if he's not here with me.
the ability to cook a good meal, so a decent kitchen with a reasonable amount of space.
laundry facilities.
light and a view of green--the treetops.
a cozy spot to read, watch tv, use my laptop.
Lots of windows (light and cross-ventilation), book shelves, gas stove, wooden or tile floors, two cozy chairs, a firm mattress, a kitchen table .... everything else is negotiable.
my cats take #1 in my list,next my plants and light ,everything else is icing on the cake which I'm super thankful for having.
I meant sunlight, natural light.
In order of necessity, things I absolutely need:
1) No threats to my safety/health
2) Wedge pillow to elevate my legs (painful vascular problems)
3) Clean-smelling air.
4) Relative Quiet
5) Pleasant enough temperature
6) Lots of sunlight.
7) Somewhere to curl up (couch or arm chair) when I sit
8) Litter box for the cat
Things that I just missed that list:
9) internet connection
10) toilet
11) places for all my things to be put away neatly without piling up
12) lack of visual clutter
13) some greenery of some sort outside my window
1) Internet connection-you guys beat me to it!
2) A garage, or work area for welding, woodworking, DIY, working on cars etc
3) A yard even if its small with plants, a place for entertaining or for a pet
4) A table-must be multifunctional
5) A stove for making omelets
6) Good natural lighting/windows
7) Efficient storage
8) Temperate (not too hot or cold inside)
9) A Flexible Space, Inspiring
1. POOCHIE
2. Plants
3. Good light all day long--i.e., plenty of natural light during the day, and after dark good overhead lighting that illuminates the entire room (pet peeve: lots of dim table lamps/"mood lighting")
4. Enough windows for cross-ventilation
5. Ability to turn off the heat!
6. Plenty of bookshelves
7. Kitchen open to the living space, because I spend lots of time in the kitchen and don't to feel cut off
1) lots of natural light
2) a welcoming kitchen
3) big living/dining room
4) internet
5) garden
At the moment, I have 1 of these.
i am almost 60, live very simply and on a small budget, and i was able to find the perfect apt in davis, CA. i am so happy that these things are part of my life every day:
> quiet & nice neighbors
> lots of light in every room & full sun on porch
> 2 bedrooms
> great big porch for garden and porch glider (best investment ever!)
> beautiful views and lots and lots of trees
> swimming pool
> in an area where i can walk/bike to grocery, library, farmers' market, bank, etc.
> 5 miles from the farm out in the country where i work
living here feels like i'm on vacation every day. so grateful.
Yoohoo, your post and description made me smile. It's wonderful to appreciate the things we have. Thank you!
oh, i second that for needing nice & quiet neighbors. after reading that, that's gone to the top of my list after my dog. i am currently having some uncomfortable issues with some neighbors on my floor and it is really negatively impacting me emotionally.
1. Clean and safe building.
2. Decent neighbors.
3. Storage so that I don't have clutter.
4. Access to grocery stores and restaurants.
5. Sufficient food and beverages and nice appliances to cook and store said items.
6. Plenty of hygiene and cleaning aids.
7. Nice full, billowy curtains.
8. Back room to enjoy TV, reading, studying.
9. Books, music, movies.
10.My own back stoop (small porch) to sit and enjoy the weather.
11. Decent plumbing.
12. No clutter, No clutter, No clutter.
I currently have all of these things and I am extremely thankful to have them.
One thing: Coziness.
For me that means deep brown oversized (reclaimed) furniture. Some cream or bright colored throws. Big clunky shelves and super neat rooms. Warm cozy places for our cats to sleep. A coffee bar in the kitchen where I can jot down indie film ideas, and an electric kettle to make rooibos tea. Snow falling outside the big picture window.
Basics:
Man and dog
unlimited hot, running water
space to cook and store food and dishes
many, many bookshelves
comfy couch
internet
sunlight
green growing things (outdoors or in)
no noisy neighbors
Wish list:
hardwood floors
a woodchuck-free vegetable garden
dining room
entertaining space
craft room
woods out back
I currently have ALL except a separate dining room and the woodchuck-free garden. And my kitchen isn't fabulous, but it works, and that's the important part.
Lots of large windows, all the way around, for both light & air circulation
Big, wide open porch, with a great view &a big, comfy porch swing
A library with a real, wood-burning fireplace
lots of space with lots of built-in storage, and just enough walls and doors for privacy & safety
Comfy sitting/lounging/sleeping stuff, even if its just cushions on the NOT CARPETED floors
License to use it, indoors & out, as I wish
Oh, and ceiling fans
Functional bathroom
Bright kitchen with lots of storage
Cat
Wooden floors with bright rugs
Squishy sofa
Plants
Musical instruments
Books
Internet access
I use smell to evoke home when we're traveling for months. Sauteed onions, nag champa incense, lavender, peeled oranges. And mess; our things sprawled out does a lot toward comfort! And music. It's an art, the magic message 'home', but I'm still deeply grateful when I walk in the door of the real thing!