Create the Space You Deserve: An Artistic Journey to Expressing Yourself Through Your Home
by Jill Butler
“Whatever brought you to the point of wanting to make changes in your living environment is personal to you. Remembering that this, too, is a journey will make it fun and beneficial.”
Jill Butler, Introduction
We are in the process of remodeling our home.
But, I don’t just want new cabinets, rugs, paint and furniture. I want each room to have its own personality. I want some rooms to be private sanctuaries while others to be for entertaining and embracing family and friends.
I want our home to bring to mind words like: Creativity. Peace. Joy. Harmony. Life. Beauty. Love.
Most people can grasp remodeling and interior design but, when I try to describe what I want, what I am trying to create, they often look at me if I am from Mars.
During this process I have devoured magazines like Architectural Digest, Dwell, Spaces, Atomic Ranch, Metropolitan Home, Modernism and Wallpaper. And, I fell in love with Sarah Susanka’s Not So Big House Series
Then I found Jill Butler’s book. She turns the concept of remodeling into a spiritual experience and journey to self.
Create the Space You Deserve: An Artistic Journey to Expressing Yourself Through Your Home
Jill Butler walks you through her process as she visualizes turning the house she has just bought into her home.
She proceeds, chapter by chapter, room by room, to examine what she wants in her life and what she doesn’t and remodels her house to answer these questions.
What will be happening in each room? What is needed in each room?
A place for art making, a place for resting, a place for guests. A fireplace, a sanctuary, storage for stuff.
“When you’re in the room, you will know it works. If you discover that you don’t want to be there, find out why not. Stand in the room and ask yourself: What is this room about? Who is it? What part of me wants to spend time here, and at what time of day? What activities and experiences want to occur here? How will it function when I have guests?” pg 61
She uses pictures, quotes, stories from readers and friends and her own thoughts and feelings, and examples from real life to guide you step by step to creating a home that feeds your soul.
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Introduction: Why Bother? More Than a Roof Over Your Head
Chapter 1: Clearing the Crud: Start Now No Matter What
Chapter 2: Creating a Written Picture: Dare to Ask For What You Want
Chapter 3: Imagining the Possibilities: A Butterfly About to Emerge
Chapter 4: Asking for help: Who to Ask
Chapter 5: Sharing Ideas: Room by Room
Chapter 6: Decorate or Entertain the Eye: Getting it Together Organically
Chapter 7: Finding Places and Spaces: For Everything Imaginable
Chapter 8: Planting Ideas: Outside Yet Another Collage
Conclusion: The Butterfly Has Emerged: As One Journey Ends, Another Begins
I am so excited, I don’t even know where to begin. I can’t wait to start.
Let me know what you think and how your creative home project(s) turn out.
Now you’ve tapped into one of my passions!! i will check this book out for sure!! Thanks for introducing it to me, Sandy. Let me recommend Jane Alexander’s Spirit of the Home to you. Also Karen Kingston’s Clearing Your Clutter with Feng Shui.
I will be most intrigued with how your remodel projects go. Please keep me updated.