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BY DESIGN | SIMPLICITY

DECOR CAN HELP CREATE ATMOSPHERE THAT
SOOTHES THE SAVAGE BEAST IN US

Published: Sunday, May 22, 2005
FEATURES - HOME & GARDEN 09I

By Paulita Kincer
FOR THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

For some people, decorating a house is not about the latest trends -- the colors, the
fabrics, the accessories. It's about how the house feels and makes those within it feel.

"To assure well-being and happiness in modern life, it is imperative to create homes that
are in tune with our senses, needs and desires; that offer respite from the chaos and
confusion of the outside world,'' said Juliet Pegrum, author of Peace at Home (Chronicle,
$35).

Pegrum was influenced by vastu, the ancient Indian study of architecture and design that
is similar to the Chinese feng shui. It convinced her that people affect the environment
and the environment affects people.

"Drawing on the theories of Eastern philosophy, I offer some simple principles for
designing interiors to soothe and nurture the spirit, fostering calm and inner
peacefulness,'' Pegrum said.

She has seen the spa industry grow, along with yoga and tai chi, as people search for
relaxation.

"We emphasized peace because the Western world is increasingly chaotic and fast-paced,
while tranquil environments help create balance,'' Pegrum said.
Finding peace within a home can begin with one small space or it can encompass the
entire house .

One way to promote balance is to create symmetry in a room. But the objects do not need
to be mirror images of each other, Pegrum said. Instead, consider differently shaped
objects at each end of the mantel, balancing with asymmetry.

Simplicity is one of the most important principles in creating peace at home. Pegrum
calls it "a stripping away of all that is inessential.''
Elaborate decoration and unnecessary possessions are not part of the simple room. But
the limited number of items in a room helps make the few items there more interesting,
she said.

Simplicity sounds easy, but in today's hectic climate, it can be difficult. Clutter is
something that disturbs the peacefulness of a home. It inhibits space and movement,
Pegrum said.

"A simple way to make a room more tranquil is to minimize the clutter, emphasize space

and light, have more horizontal lines than verticals, and to use soft neutral tones,'' Pegrum
said. "The result can be instantly transforming.''

Creating a house that satisfies emotional needs requires asking whether it fulfills four
principles, said Kathryn L. Robyn and Dawn Ritchie, authors of The Emotional House
(New Harbinger, $14.95). Every house should provide harmony, balance, support and
stresslessness.

They point out that a yellow Berber rug might fit in well with the room's textures and
give some balance to the colors, but if muddy paw prints will make cleaning it a pain, it is
not contributing to a stress- free environment.

The book serves as a manual for checking the emotions in every room of the house , providing
guidance for furniture measurements and paint colors as well as wish lists for the
future.

Then it addresses the practical function and the emotional function of each room. For
instance, the practical function of the living room is for fellowship and entertainment
while the emotional function is camaraderie. The kitchen's practical function is physical
sustenance, but its emotional function is nurturance. Each room then has a list of rules.

For example, in the kitchen, rule 2 requires "a stool or chair for another person to perch
on while food is prepared.''

An emotional house works for family members and nourishes them.

"This,'' Robyn said, "is a home that functions practically, is organized, is inviting, and is a
great place to just settle in and be.''

Illustration: Photo appeared in newspaper, not in this archive.

Photo caption: PEACE AT HOME
A dark painting and twisted willow branches seem more beautiful when set against bare
white walls and a pale wooden floor.