| They are our biggest asset, and our sanctuary from | | | | de Botton. If we find a place beautiful it makes us |
| the world. If we're lucky, we love them. I'm talking about | | | | happy. What we find beautiful depends on a multitude |
| our homes. In his book, The Architecture of Happiness, | | | | of things, but it boils down to something that's |
| writer Alain de Botton explores how our homes can | | | | personality we just like, if inanimate things can be said |
| affect our moods, making us happy or depressed. The | | | | to have personality. And of course, we all want to be |
| idea that our physical surroundings can actually have a | | | | happy. This is probably why most people put so much |
| great impact on our well being should come as no | | | | effort and money into decorating their homes. It's what |
| surprise. After all, I'm sure we've all experienced elation | | | | every seller hopes for when their home is being |
| at seeing a wonderful home, something that just made | | | | viewed, that the buyer will love it and see themselves |
| you feel happy. Whether we are able to live there or | | | | living there. But no matter how you dress it up, some |
| not is another matter, but there is no denying that | | | | people will love it and some will hate it. There's no |
| some homes make us feel good, and some just do | | | | accounting for taste. |
| not appeal to us at all. And each person's tastes differ. | | | | But there is plenty to influence taste. Beyond the |
| What impacts each of our taste in homes is also | | | | factors I mentioned above, like childhood experiences |
| diverse. For some, childhood memories may influence | | | | and unexplainable, ingrained personality preferences, |
| the styles of homes, colors and other features they | | | | trends can also influence us. In our society there's a |
| love in a home. For others it isn't as clear why they like | | | | certain pressure to always have the newest of |
| what they like. Some people want an open feeling, and | | | | whatever is out there, and it can leave some people |
| are most at home (so to speak) in a place with lots of | | | | feeling like they're always chasing after their dreams. |
| windows, high ceilings, and even on the upper floors of | | | | But trends come and go, and while they can be |
| an apartment with expansive views. But to others this | | | | inspiring, what we need in a home is something that |
| would be completely unpleasant. Some prefer a cozy | | | | makes us feel good all the time. If you are considering |
| space, with low hanging lights and lots of little nooks for | | | | buying a home, it's important to consider what your |
| curling up to read. Some people love the quite of rural | | | | tastes really are. Owning a home is an opportunity, |
| areas, or a large yard to work and play in. Others can't | | | | really, to express your true self, to surround yourself |
| stand solitude and want the busyness of the city and | | | | with whatever it is that you find beautiful and that |
| people around them. Some hate yard work, and would | | | | makes you happy. Trends come and go, so if you go |
| never use a lawn. We each are truly our own people, | | | | with your heart when choosing a home and all its |
| and if we are lucky, our homes reflect that and are | | | | furnishings, you are far more likely to enjoy it for years |
| pleasant, if not elating, spaces for us to live and grow. | | | | to come than if you follow whatever the latest trends |
| What it seems to come down to is beauty, suggests | | | | are. |