PrairieMod

PrairieMod Monday

Did you know that every item you place in your abode has an impact on your mood, your sense of calm, and your sense of happiness? Upon first hearing this statement, it may seem odd or mystic in some fashion—but there is actually quite a bit of scientific study devoted to the psychology of your surroundings. Well-designed, beautiful, useful objects placed in a unified environment will help build a warm, happy and healthy environment. It’s an idea that’s at the heart of the 10 principles of living “PrairieMod” and we look for people, places and things that reflect the “art of living in the modern world.”  We’ve been taking time this month to explore the principle of “Informal Meets Elegant” and today I’d like to discuss how the texture of your home contributes to its informal elegance.

PrairieMod Monday

The living room has become the center of family life today. Huddled around the warm glow of a high definition TV, people enjoy spending time with loved ones. It’s an environment that is securely grounded in the notion of “comfort.” But at some point, the idea of comfort started to spin out of control. A perfect example of this can be seen in the centerpiece of the American living room, the sofa. In exploring the principle of “Informal Meets Elegant” in regards to the sofa, we ask: “Has comfort gone too far?”

PrairieMod Monday

In the Chicago Tribune’s Sunday paper, there is a section called Home & Garden. It’s one of the sections of the paper that I enjoy looking at over a cup of coffee on a drowsy Sunday morning. There is a column in that section of the paper called Snoop Patrol that interviews someone slightly famous about such things as “What’s three things in your medicine cabinet” or “do your dirty dishes go in the sink or dishwasher?” It’s pretty superfluous stuff, which I usually just pass over reading. However, this morning I happened to skim over their question, which asked: “maker of your fine china?” and it made me pause. Here was the perfect question to discuss in relation to this month’s PrairieMod Principle, “Informal Meets Elegant”—Not “who makes your fine china,” but “does fine china make any sense?”

PrairieMod Monday

Welcome to the first PrairieMod Monday of 2007. We missed last Monday due to holiday festivities and being out of town; but I felt like starting the new year off right by getting back into the swing of things with a new topic for PrairieMod Monday. This month's principle for exploration is "Informal Meets Elegant." It's a uniquely Modern trend that we have been enjoying in the last decade and a half or so, following the rise of stores like Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel and Restoration Hardware. Pottery Barn in particular has done much in the way of championing the notion of "Informal Meets Elegant" with their wares and through information posited in their books. So what can we learn from Pottery Barn?