I’m feeling totally inspired :) Which usually happens when I’ve spent a little time perusing design shops or lusting after textiles. But, yesterday I attended Design Week at SF Design Center and got to hear Margaret Russell speak, of Elle Decor fame. Her topic was “Style & Substance”, which is the title of her new book that features 20 years of terrific, inspiring and yes even “ugh” interiors (you can’t like them all). Anyway, the whole talk injected me with inspiration and got me to thinking, what’s the real key to having great style, and living with substance? These days it’s become so hard to answer the question, “what is style?” Because, let’s face it, there are a million ways to upholster a bench — some work for us and some don’t.
However, I think there is an answer to the question, “what is substance?”. Simply put, I believe substance is meaning. It’s that oh-so-personal je ne sais quoi that is sitting on the tips of our tongues, or at times squarely in our laps. The meaning behind our interiors is who we are and how we want to live. It’s that divine moment when we make the leap from “what will I do with this odd shaped living room?” to building double sided bookcases that create a space that works amazingly well — forgetting about resale value and what the neighbors will think. Style & Substance comes from fearlessly getting to know yourself and courageously expressing it. Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” So express on.
- Margaret Russell & Me (shoulders up to ears = excitement)
And Happy Nesting!
ps: I met Margaret Russell at the book signing after — in a fit of delirium I told her I’ve been blogging. She politely accepted my card and said she’d check it out. So, if you’re reading this Margaret…welcome and thank you for all the years of inspiration!
