One of the poignant signs of fall for me is that my
early-evening walks with our dogs are now gradually bathed in
shadow as the days get shorter. While I miss the later light of
summer, I love getting a glimpse inside my neighbor’s homes as
lamps and candles flicker.
One of the poignant signs of fall for me is that my early-evening walks with our dogs are now gradually bathed in shadow as the days get shorter. While I miss the later light of summer, I love getting a glimpse inside my neighbor’s homes as lamps and candles flicker.
In one home, the foyer was lit with a lamp on a console table and there was a lovely display of mums, pumpkins and gourds all piled into an oversized urn. Walking by another home, I noticed a softly glowing dining room, the meal apparently finished, while candles still lit the scene. Seeing these domestic vignettes was very touching.
For each one said something comforting to me about the homeowners – that they were proud of their homes and that they took the time to perform the little rituals that turn their home into a haven.
I believe that home is greater than the sum of the stuff you put into it. Home is ritual, appealing to the five senses, and home is indulging yourself and your family with the little touches that have less to do with expense than making an effort.
And what I particularly love is seeing how a home evolves, not just in terms of decorating and display, but also the changes that we make in the mood – the smells, sounds and textures – during the year.
These subtle transformations acknowledge the change of seasons or, if seasonal change is not so dramatic in a particular climate, celebrate the holidays and special days we set aside each month, as well as the get-togethers and family rituals.
I know all of us lead busy lives, and some people find it more difficult than others to do those little extra things. But small touches can make a big difference, and are worth the effort. Here are some of the little steps we can take when we arrive home at the end of the day or that we can set aside for weekends when we might have more time to “fluff” the nest:
• Light a candle: The minute you walk through the door, light an aromatic candle that makes you happy, reminds you of a favorite holiday spot or provides a warming, welcoming glow to help you relax.
• Put on some music: I know some people automatically flip on the television when they walk through the door. Resist this impulse. Try to get your news fix during the day – during your commute, over the lunch hour or online. Come home to music that energizes or relaxes.
• Pour a refreshing beverage: Before my working life became so hectic, I used to be home occasionally when my boys returned from school. And one of our rituals was the after-school “milk and cookies,” a time to welcome them home and provide a “pick-me-up” in a relaxed setting in which we conversed about the day’s activities. These days, husband Kevin and I still enjoy the adult version – a spritzed or spirited beverage – that signals it’s time to unwind and recap our day.
• Display fresh flowers year-round: Flowers add energy and verve to any room, and they needn’t be elaborate to make a big impact. A potted orchid is a fresh bloom that lasts for several weeks and will bloom anew with proper care. Simple tea roses clipped from the summer garden or dried hydrangeas cut in the fall are both pretty and dramatic.
But sometimes, when the garden yields little, I just cut whatever is out there and stick single blossoms in a collection of old pharmaceutical bottles. Even a cutting of mums will add color and a sense of occasion to your table.
• Make bathing a ritual: My favorite antidote to everyday pressures is a relaxing hot bath at the end of the day. I make it an occasion with candlelight and flowers, bath salts and fluffy towels.
Make a small effort to make the ordinary beautiful every day in your home.
