I thought we’d have a little fun today and discuss dream destinations and how you feel about this topic. I am hugely inspired by magazines, like all of you, and appreciate the beauty that they so effortlessly showcase on a monthly basis like French decor magazine Marie Claire Maison. It’s one of those glossy beauties that instantly transports me a thousand miles away whenever I pick it up. This is the allure of such magazines, the lifestyle they’re showing — it’s exciting to imagine that we can also live like this if we style things just so and experiment a little with our creativity. And while that is true in many cases, all the paint in the world isn’t going to give me that townhouse in London or the apartment with the soaring ceilings in Paris overlooking a gorgeous garden. That is where the dream lies. The fantasy of What If.
We may not live in the most amazing city or even the best apartment or home but it’s the dream that possibly we could that inspires some of us to keep dreaming or working towards it as a goal even. Others prefer to dream through the pages of magazines because while they’d love to have that Paris apartment circumstances in life just won’t allow for it and when it comes down to the wire many would not pack their bags leaving behind close friends, family and business relationships to live on another continent. Again though, it’s these dreams that keep us humming along and excited for the next day to unfold. And for those of us not running off to a new land, we can still enjoy this idea of running away to our dream spot by simply doing the best we can in our homes with what we have and showing appreciation for what we have and I’ll tell you why…
I think it’s important to consider that despite how glamorous a city may sound, once you arrive there you are faced with normal everyday life after the honeymoon phase has ended. Sure, you may still love your new city and do well there, but go to any expat forum online and you’ll see thousands of whining expats hemming and hawing over what they left behind after the new has worn off. “I miss Peanut Butter”, “I wish people here spoke English”, “Why are the locals so hard to get to know”, the posts are endless. In the end, we complain no matter how beautifully the gift before us is because it’s human nature. We find fault in even perfection, “Oh that is too perfect!”. Magazines like MCM give us the taste of the dream without leaving our home. We have the chance to explore new places without buying a ticket. And if you do get the travel bug you certainly can visit most of these locations and have the time of your life without necessarily taking up residence there.
I’ve always wanted to live in Paris for a year and coastal Australia (anywhere scenic with a nice city) for a few years, and while I still have time to do this, I often think about an expression I learned at a very young age and I may not have it exactly right but it goes something like this, “Never move to your dream destination”. It sounds funny to hear that, doesn’t it? But really it’s interesting to turn the idea over a few times in your head. I guess the point is that if you live where you’ve often dreamed of living then perhaps you could no longer have something to be excited about, look forward to, or a place that is your muse… Once you live there the new will wear off eventually and then real life sets in. Who knows, it may no longer be the same dream to you then. Some say you may just have to look for a new pot of gold, a new dream. That is exactly what I always say to this — it’s easy, if you get sick of something just change it! But I wonder if that really works… I wonder if perhaps the next dream of the perfect place is no longer as exciting because your original one didn’t pan out to be all that you’d hoped. And so now you go through life thinking all other places will be the same — you move to your dream destination, life sets in, and you move on.
This makes me think about the word home and what it really means. And community. And the fact that we have this online world to dive into that brings us all together without borders so really we can travel anywhere, anytime virtually speaking. It also makes me wonder about dream destinations and how this really works once you move there. I’ve never lived in a dream destination. I guess I never really thought about it because I enjoy visiting on vacation and that usually takes the “edge” off. I’ve moved many times in my life and from this I’ve learned that life is life no matter where you go — eventually you just have to be happy with yourself and those who live with you. And while I’ve imagined Paris, London, Sydney and some gorgeous California beach town in my dreams I talk to people already living there and they don’t seem to think anything special of it. They love where they live but they are sitting there dreaming of other places to live to. We’re always chasing after butterflies in the end, and that’s okay because it makes life more exciting and of course, this desire drives us to get off of our chairs and push for new goals. Dreams keep us going no matter if we reach some or all of them. Just having them feels good.
So when you look at these rooms from Marie Claire Maison, do you dream of living in some of them? Do you often try to recreate the things you see in magazines in your own home? What do you have to say on this topic?
(images: marie claire maison)
July 2nd, 2009 at 12:59 pm
i tend to think that trying to copy things you see in a magazine will result in having a home that feels dated in just a few short years.
mixing and matching and just following the simple “do i really love this” test will lead to the creation of a real home – imo! although i am biased. i LOVE when styles are mixed and matched!
.-= Dovely´s last blog ..Handpainted Monogram Mug =-.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
What a lovely topic. I think my ultimate dream is to be able to pick and go wherever I would like whenever I would like. It’s so true that we dream of living in a magical place, and then you get there, and it doesn’t feel all that special. But to be able to pick up and see the parts of the world that I desire – that would be wonderful! I guess my magazines do take me to those far off places I long to see – London, Paris, Morocco. And I work hard everyday to make those dreams a reality. One day, I’ll be able to pick up and go to my dream destination, and live and enjoy what I want when I want. That’s my ultimate dream.
.-= aphrochic´s last blog ..Sneak Peek: Hammocks & High Tea =-.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:10 pm
What a perfect topic!! I´m a huge fan of decoratiing and because of that, I shop for deco magazine but those who can adjust to common people. I love to see that sometimes you can do a lot with just few deco things. And you think, how come I did not thought about this if it was that easy to do? I love to bring worlwide deco to my home so I can feel I have a little part of the world living with me….
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:32 pm
The rooms in other people’s home make me think of possibility, of color and juxtaposition of things, how other people arrange the space they live in. Often I don’t think about living in the spaces I see because then I start to go down the road of practicality vs. impracticality, and I don’t want to make a “dream” space real. I look at them like I do paintings, a place to rest the eye and enjoy a beautiful composition. Rarely do I take home something I see in a magazine, but I love being able to recreate something or find something similar on my own turf.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:32 pm
yes, I would absolutely live in places like these! I find a lot of inspiration in magazines (and on the internet of course) and I get some ideas for my home. Sometimes when I have to come up with something for my home I sit down with a huge pile of magazines and put marks on the pages that I like. Then I combine the ideas I like and come up with a concept of my own. I really think it is important to be aware of the new trends and the various solutions to problems, especially at what I do (I am a soon-to-become an architect).
Having said that, your blog is a huge inspiration too! :)
Hope you are having a lovely day!
IvaY
.-= Iva´s last blog ..Inspiration =-.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:43 pm
This is such a well thought out post. I have lived in different places (including Paris) and in the end the most glamorous dream locations are not necessarily the best places for everyday life. Most Parisians do not live in the kind of places profiled in Marie Claire Maison, and even if they do, they still have to go out sometimes :-)
Paris is my favorite city and I will live there again someday – for 3 months of the year. Just long enough for the magic not to wear off…
.-= Sophie @ Century Finds´s last blog ..In the Pink =-.
July 2nd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Very inspiring post today, Holly. I needed to hear it. We live in an older (1918) home and due to a chronic illness that I have, it’s a challenge for me to hold a full-time job. Because of this, are finances are always pretty tight. I appreciate so much about our vintage home, though, even though it needs a ton of refurbishing! I enjoy my front porch and the amazing view of the Cascade Foothills, I love all of the old wood , the tall ceilings, and the streetfront charm.
It’s a challenge to be content at times and not want “bigger, better, and NEWER”, but generally I really do appreciate what I’ve got.
And I appreciate you, Holly, and the inspiration for the day! :)
.-= simply hue´s last blog ..Stunning Beauty by Wiyomu…………. =-.
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:45 pm
I love Marie Claire Maison….I grew up surrounded by MCM and 100 Idees magazine another French mag which unfortunately no longer exists.
MCM achieves an amazing balance showing inspiring interiors (mostly French) for everybody tastes yet all done stylishly and buzzing with creativity & personality.
Unlike some mags that always show the same type of interiors or decorations, I find MCM one of the best mags to blend beautifully contemporary homes, chalets in The Alpes, white relaxing interiors (not too minimalist) with really colourful ones. I always get a copy when I got to France or failing to escape, just cycled to South Kensington, the French area in London.
And I felt like that YEARS BEFORE they selected BODIEandFOU.com as one of their top 6 interior websites outside France!
http://www.marieclairemaison.com/,bodieandfou-com,200307,24997,4
http://bodieandfou.blogspot.com/
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:49 pm
beautifully said, holly. as a grad student and renter – dreams are key! :)
July 2nd, 2009 at 2:52 pm
As a Californian I have to say, it’s pretty great here.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Sorry me again!
On the dream thing I would disagree with the ‘never move to the destination of of your dreams’….
From a young age, I’ve always felt London was the place for me to be. I studied in Bordeaux then went to work in Paris and finally went to London for the first time at the age of 25. At the time I was working in advertising (great job/crap money) so a couple of months before deciding to move to London, I took the Eurolines bus Paris-London that arrives in Victoria at 6am…and as we were driving through London that early morning, I just felt I had finally arrived to my real home.
I don’t necessarily in re-incarnation or anything, but I just felt I had been there before and 14 years I still haven’t looked back….
London made me the person I am now. Its vibes, its spirit, all the experiences I went through living my dream and finding my way in a new foreign country far from my comfort zone & family contributed to who I am today as a person and without London, maybe I would never have started bodie and fou.
I’m not saying that leaving all my friends and family was not traumatic..the day of the move I cried in the car for hours but I just had to follow my dreams and it was definitively worth it!
I know you’re moving to Germany soon so there are things that you are going to find hard and sad to leave behind and it’s normal (the opposite wouldn’t) but I can’t tell you how excited I am for you that you’re making this move given it was something you wanted to do for a long time.
And frankly nowadays, skype/email/blog/twitter help a lot to make the people we love a lot closer even if they are on the other side of the world…
And will Paris, London, Amsterdam, Sydney, NY live really to our expectations? Yes they will…because it’s up to us to make our dreams happen and to make the most of the city we’ve chosen to live.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I like the photos in the second group a lot. The pink headboard would make my daughter smile. Love the tiled shower/bath. The color and vaiation of the tile make it almost look like a cut crystal ~ its both a tad rustic and chic at the same time, really like it. Very soothing and rich. I woul like to re-do my bath or visit that one and soak in the tub.
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
beautiful post holly.
I think the photos are beautiful and the rooms. I find them inspiring and am often inspired by decor photos. To me the key is personalizing those elements of style I admire. I miss Domino. I was often inspired by colors in there.
.-= samantha hahn´s last blog ..July 4th outfit: Kate Spade, Sonia Rykiel, Rachel Comey, Philip Lim, Mociun/Corwin, Miu Miu etc. =-.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:13 pm
All of the images you included are beautiful, but the top left image of the bathroom in the second grouping really sings to me. It’s has many interesting layers, yet remains calm and serene. I love magazines like MCM because they feature a lot of achievable inspiration.
I have always struggled with the grass is greener concept of wanting to move somewhere more exciting or more laid back (if I were already living in the exciting place). And, I have learned the hard way that the best thing I could do for myself was to be at peace with my current situation. I’ve realized I’m happiest when I settle into a place and actually live there – decorating it, investing time and love into it – rather than waiting for the “the next thing” to paint or buy that piece of furniture.
.-= Jillian´s last blog ..Another Beautiful Evening =-.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:26 pm
It’s a fine line, isn’t it? Dreams and aspirations are so important and yet, we don’t want to miss the life we have for wanting something different.
I so long to live by the sea – with a white picket fence in a house with lots and lots of bedrooms – with windows that look out over the waves. A welcoming home to which friends and family can come to escape. I picture a lovely house – lots of white and charming little corners for heart-felt conversations over cups of tea.
I wonder, why can’t that be my reality? And then I look around and ask, why can’t that be my reality here? Well, there is the issue of bedrooms – and that critical element, the sea ….
How do we turn our homes into the homes of our dreams?
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:37 pm
Inspiration is organic for me — I collect ideas, images, moods/tones from magazines, blogs, books — and I create a dreamscape that doesn’t look like a room I saw in a magazine but the mood might be similar–serene and calm. I know in my gut when I find something that works (like the Simrin towels or Simrin tablerunner) and that, in turn, will inspire other choices and dreamscapes. Sometimes, the smallest touches can make a difference. The rooms I respond to radiate love, care, acceptance, an invitation (to dream, to let go, to be at peace) and there are so many ways to do that. Part of the reason I enjoy your website so much, Holly, is that you invite discovery and you clearly feel at home in your own skin and space.
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I definitely think a lot about moving to places by the sea – or just back to the Southeast in general (I’m in Ohio now). Yes, my dreams take me further away lots of times, but it’s easier to come back to reality when the destinations are so far away. Maybe one day…
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I definitely look to magazines for decor inspiration and ideas, but rarely want to copy exactly anything I see. Always, I analyze what I like about it and make it my own. Marie Claire Maison is always one of my monthly reads whenever I can get my hands on it, usually a quick flip-through at the bookstore (does anyone else do this?). I enjoy seeing the creative combinations that are featured and imagining/learning about different lifestyles. As for dream hometowns, I’ve always dreamed of living in Paris and Mexico City, then added Santa Fe, NM after having lived there. I think the difference is to differentiate between dream and fantasy. Do we fantasize that a location is suddenly going to make our life better? Or does the location help us reach another life goal, like having accessible skiing/hiking (hence Santa Fe would be great for that). I believe that home is what you make it, wherever that may be, a small hole in the wall because that is all you can afford or a larger family home. Whatever the case may be, I think magazine reading does tend to make me a little more restless but I like feeling that way, having something/someone keep the fires under me lit.
.-= Minnie´s last blog ..Walking Tour: If colors could make music… =-.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I do take a lot of ideas from magazines, probally a mix of many styles. I like the living/dining room pics, as well as the bath. I really enjoy color, so its right up my alley.
.-= Penny Patten´s last blog ..Picking Strawberrys… =-.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I could talk forever on this topic but in short, my dream since I was a child was to live in Paris. Well, several years ago, the stars aligned and I was able to actually do it. And despite all its imperfections (and there are many!), living in Paris turned out to be even better than what I imagined all those years and I consider myself very blessed to have been able to live out my dream. So I agree with you 100% that it’s good to have dreams like this. You never know when one might come true!
.-= FROM THE RIGHT BANK´s last blog ..My Dream House Has A Name And It’s Tattoo =-.
July 2nd, 2009 at 10:36 pm
I’m livin’ the dream! Aren’t we all. I’ve had the enviable position of being raised in Brisbane Australia and then moving to the Gold Coast for 3 years. Sand, surf and sun. After I married, we were transferred to the Solomon Islands a tiny little country 3 hours flight north east of Brisbane. Palm Trees, reefs, diving and minimum temps of 26 degrees Celsius. We then moved to Hong Kong – lights, action, shopping. We now live in Sydney, Australia. All of these places are wonderful in their own way but ALL have many drawbacks. I think the only way to survive these “hardships” is to concentrate on the positives. There are negatives to everything we do and every place we live but if we get wrapped up in them, we will never grow and never dream. I’m all for dreaming – it’s what keeps us going.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Showroom Shopping =-.
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:18 am
I’ve been lucky enough to follow my dreams and live in Europe, Australia, Brazil and now, California. I’ve had the best time in every single place and each added another dimension to my life! I say if you can chase that dream location… Absolutely go for it! May not look like MCM (which I love!) but it will bring you many lovely days :) After 10y in LA/ SF, I’m still in love with California!!
.-= gypsy Alex´s last blog ..Links and Romance =-.
July 3rd, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I LOVE that log wall! I dream of doing something that clever, but my last attempt was a disaster! I tried to use bamboo from my brother’s backyard to cover an ugly bathroom wall. What I did not realize was that I had not dried it out properly and I had a total ant infestation. Seems I had superglued their habitat to my bathroom wall!!!
becky
.-= becky from hatch´s last blog ..From my Desktop: Road Rules Gauntlet Chick Lit =-.
July 3rd, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Holly you’ve really captured an important idea here. I think sometimes we can become so distracted by “the dream” and what is just outside our reach that we forget to cultivate and nourish what we already have. I believe and know from experience that it is a lot easier to hold our dreams at arms length, living off the juice of fantasy then it is to actually enter the arena with all of its harsh realities. So my thought is that it isn’t if we should or shouldn’t move to a place that inspires us, but rather we should hold close the practice of keeping one foot on the ground when we go. The phrase “wherever you go, there you are” will prove true everytime.
July 3rd, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Wow, Holly, your thoughts are so appreciated on this subject, because its something I’m always pondering.
I think it really comes down to finding the balance between dreaming and contentment. Dreaming: validating the desires we’ve had since we were kids, and believing that we can get there (and *doing what it takes to get there*)…Contentment: Knowing that true happiness is found in exactly the spot where we are right now…if we can’t find it here, then we won’t find it elsewhere (in that dream city/house.)…it is a state of the heart and not based on circumstances or our surroundings (this is so hard to get into my head!).
When we have the depth of soul that finds joy in all we see, and the personal growth to be bigger than any of our problems, that’s where we’ll find happiness… **It is my conviction that only once we have this happiness/contentment, will we be ready to live our dreams to the fullest and touch the most lives.**
Of course, I am still learning this. Its very easy for my state of happiness to be toppled over when I see that my living room isn’t “just right”, or when I think about how much fun it would be to have an outdoor market just down the road…etc. Silly me. God has blessed me with so very much…
XO, Chloe
July 5th, 2009 at 5:26 am
Hi Holly
A great post, and really thought provoking. I am addicted to great interiors magazines, and the good ones really do have the effect of transporting you into their realm. However, mostly I love them , not for ‘the grass is always greener on the other side’ effect, but because they can inspire you to interpret some of the ideas you love in your own way. And because I am nosy at heart, and love looking in to other people’s homes!!
Amanda
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..the september issue =-.