You had me at steam engine

After thoughts on flea market weekend. Beyond the fact the heat and humidity were crazy intolerable, the show I had done this weekend have brought some things into perspective. The show name of coarse involved barn/farm motifs. I catered to this in a very loose sense. Some have taken it to the end all extreme. I began to mull over the events focus.
Reading an article this morning in current issue of "Where Women Create", Kim Leggett of City Farmhouse Style discusses her evolution from leaving her every day position to opening an antique shop, to shows, writing, decorating etc.. developing her farmhouse style. She clearly has seen the move to that direction. The interest in taking an urban dwelling and bringing a primitive earthy feel seems to have an overwhelming response. This got me thinking.

                                 

I, on the other hand, feel that it really comes from our roots or our perceived roots. I come from a German background steeped in transportation, steam engines, heavy metal, the ultimate of form of engineering transferred into function of movement. With that, travel from city to towns and what they have to offer is another feature. Travel to Berlin to the opera house, Baden Baden the steam baths, Munich for holiday overload in decor and eats, etc.. these are the functional result. I connect with this process and the outcome.

                                          

I gravitate to primitive wood pieces of foundry forms or molds curved, metals, industrial pieces that are used in manufacturing. Primitive not in a barn find item but primitive to the multisensory interlocking three dimensional. Then I look to art of consequence, bold, firm, rich and not necessarily  comforting. Sometimes an item of kitsch thrown in the mix. This has always been my esthetic since creating my space as a child.


                                   

The barn/ farm or urban farm, has become the standard that everyone tends to emulate but unfortunately every said home is basically lacking individuality. Each a copy of each other, each a product of a trend. Not timeless, not reflecting the personalities, not a single spark creating an emotion of wonder. Shabby chic became something else, painted chalkware furniture a torturous result of Suzy homemaker gone wild.
That's fine but keeping up with the design Joneses has its limitations. It I so necessary to find your voice, find what makes you move and feel, find the inspiration. Don't let trends dictate, don't let ones kitchen or farm table be YOUR flavor. Each space unique, each space a product of you and each has to survive your brand of life.