This book considers features which make a successful interior design. I really enjoyed it. It reminds me of Pasanella's [b:Living in Style Without Losing Your Mind|650022|Living in Style Without Losing Your Mind|Marco Pasanella|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1176746589s/650022.jpg|636160]. I appreciate how the principles Wheatman discussion are not limited to any particular style.


Wheatman's list of principles:
- Edit what you have
- Rearrange things (to make the old seem new)
- Make the most of limitations (see them as an opportunity to do something different)
- Invite nature inside (pulling the view inside makes rooms feel larger)
- Let nature and travel inspire the colors in your home (natural features such as rocks or tree bark can provide ideas for wonderfully varied palettes)
- Collect shadows, textures, and reflections (you wouldn't just let color happen in a well designed interior. Be intentional about these other things too)
- Find a light for every purpose (generic lighting is boring)
- Build a room outdoors (even better, give it an indoor/outdoor connection)
- Display the things you love (you live in your home, not a magazine add)
- Invest in quality
- Realize that something special is often very simple
- Look at the space around an object (empty space is part of your composition of objects)
- Discover new ways to store things (make your storage beautiful)
- Create focal points for each room
- Buy furniture that is flexible (e.g., chairs which work as well at a desk as at the dining table.
- Work with illusion to scale and alter your space (colors, angles, mirrors, indoor/outdoor elements can all do this)
- Pay attention to transitions (use color, shape, furniture to both provide continuity while also providing differentiation)
- Plan a kitchen that helps you cook
- Design children's rooms to expand with their imaginations (and decorate them in a way that is playful but not childish. E.g., buy a dresser that they would still use when they go off to college. Also, have one purely child oriented feature.)
- Set aside a place in which to be happy alone
- Learn the art of sharing your home (welcome guests)
- Finally, a good room is never done. Your life changes, so should your home
( )

Meditations On Design
Reinventing Your Home with Style and Simplicity
by John Wheatman

I am so glad I found this beautiful and uplifting book on interior design. It not only has gorgeous and thought provoking pictures throughout, but within these 127 pages are the 21 best suggestions I have ever seen for making sacred space and blending who I am with what I love in such a gentle and simple way.

God always gives us what we need, I moved into a new home recently and boy was I getting all agitated about how to make the home reflect my personality in a way that I could feel comfortable and safe, and this book has definitely pointed me in the right direction, I have changed a few things around already and it is helping me to settle in and relax. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for ways to own their space and share it with others. Thanks, John for sharing your many years of knowledge and wisdom with us.

Love & Light,

Rik Frahmann ( )