What does it mean to inhabit your story?
At its root, “Inhabit your story” simply means to curate the experience of your home to reflect your story. It sounds so ordinary, to write it here. But, we can’t overstate what a pivotal shift those words have meant for us – and what a deep well of connectedness they hold for you.
When we embark on this journey, we get swept up in a satisfying search for the invisible things that make the visible things beautiful. And, we don’t mean beautiful in a trendy sense – but in a magnetic, enduring, and soulful way.
The invitation to “inhabit your story” is, at its heart, an invitation to slow down and experience something more deeply. We’ll start right at the beginning, by taking a thoughtful look at those few words. Let’s unravel the word “story” first.
Story. We believe – wholeheartedly – that your story is valuable. Living within your story, it can be difficult to see the beauty, but from a broader perspective, the beauty becomes evident. Maybe take a deep breath, and begin to think of your story from our perspective – someone outside, someone looking in, at the beautiful whole.
Your story is the gracefully woven tapestry of every experience in your life: cherished childhood past-times, unexpected journeys, the sacred rhythm of ordinary days, seasons of love and heartbreak, pivotal points of grace and redemption. It is the artful union of settings: everywhere you have ever been, and all the places you dream to go. Your story does not shy away from the hard parts – the crossroads where you faced difficult choices, and the times of adversity that became a rich soil for the next season’s abundant growth. Your story voices the things you value deeply, and the passions that drive you. It honors the legacy that was passed down to you, and the one you are actively passing along. Your story is all of this, skillfully bound together.
Your story is a masterpiece.
Now, let’s meander to the end of the phrase and consider the word, inhabit.
Inhabit.
The dictionary (1): defines “inhabit” in this way:
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Inhabit. verb (used with object)
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to live or dwell in (a place), as people or animals: “…small animals inhabited the woods.”
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to exist or be situated within; dwell in: “…notions inhabit his mind.”
To inhabit your story, then, is to live or dwell within your story.
Philosophy of design. As an architect, the spaces I create tell a story. Forms, lines, beams, windows, footpaths and details – all, carefully sculpted and curated – tell a beautifully ordered story. Each story has stunning intricacies and a unique melody. And so, each home has elements, both small and grand, that are delicately balanced to express the multi-faceted story of those who dwell within.
Philosophy of living. The second part of the definition explains that “inhabit” means to exist or be situated within. Here, there is room for something greater than architectural or home decor choices. Existing, and being situated within your story, means living intentionally anchored, integrated, in your values, your history, and your hopes. It means welcoming your contrasting parts, and embracing the hard parts of your story. It means nestling into your strengths and vulnerabilities alike. It is a departure from modern fragmented living, and a pursuit of dwelling with an anchored sense of identity. It is a mindset shift. It is a philosophy of living.
The two, intertwined. To “inhabit your story” is both allowing your home to express your story, and a life lived [intentionally] embracing your story. In fact, the two journeys are interwoven. Each effort advances the other.
Here’s what that can look like, for you:
When you inhabit your story, your living spaces are thoughtfully set up to remind you of the things that matter most. The things in your home enliven the essence of poignant moments from your past, like your favorite vacations and your cherished childhood past-times. The thresholds between inside and outside are curated with the sensory experiences that prepare you to slow down, unwind, and reconnect. Visible symbols allude to the flow between your seasons of loss and new life, and guide your thoughts as you tread those same paths again. Decorative elements echo pieces of your greatest odyssey, and you are stirred with the spirit of adventure once more. Your feet journey beside pieces of your past and, with rooted confidence, you step out to pursue your next dream.
How to inhabit your story. We invite you to join us as we:
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journey down path to discovering your story
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stop along the way to explore examples of stories well inhabited
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seek inspiration for making design choices that honor your story. With every step, we’ll encourage you as you change your mindset about every design decision you make hereafter.
Come along on this journey, and let’s discover something together.
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