Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Negative Space : Where my History Lives

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( My den today- without its furniture.)



This afternoon

after the painters finished wall repairs

and finished painting our built-ins,

I was blessed with a look at the

negative space in our den.



The space that today is still unfilled.

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I had just read

a statement in one of my ‘saved’

Traditional Home magazines-


that the real beauty in a room is found in its negative space-

the space not filled,

the floor not covered,

the window not swagged,

the furniture surfaces laid bare.


And then I thought, it is in the negative space

that the story is.

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My den’s history:

*My husband made multiple trips in 1989 across the border into Mexico to Miguel Aleman

to arrange for truckloads of saltillo tiles to be delivered to our home.

Our den is 20x29 feet, which is roughly 580 square feet of saltillo .

He made many trips.


I remember riding with him once and standing in the tile factory

where the saltillo was drying

and seeing paw prints from a dog that had run through the wet tiles.

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*And these built-ins, empty and freshly painted today were my first clue

that I need symmetry in my life. 

We added this room on when we bought the house, and the builts-ins

back up to a pecan tree in our backyard.

I designed the back wall of our den to protect that wonderful tree.

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*And finally,

when I had the copper top from my island replaced with granite,

I left the copper bar because I couldn’t bear to see it go.


I searched forever for a metal works company in our area that sold sheets of copper

and had the willingness to use it as a bar surface.

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And none of these things would be in the forefront of my thinking today if it were

not

for

Negative Space.

What a blessing.



That is where the history is.

***

Linking to:
Wow Us Wednesdays @SavvySouthernStyle

Show & Tell @BlueCricketDesign

Primp Your Stuff @ Primp

Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage

Hookin Up with HOH @ HouseOfHepworths

Transformation Thursday @TheShabbyCreekCottage

Show Me Extraordinary @ 36thAvenue

Open House Party Thursday @NoMinimalistHere

Fridays Unfolded @ StuffandNonsense

Feature Friday @ RedouxInteriors
 
Inspiration Friday @ AtThePicketFence

21 comments:

Olive said...

Laura, we need the negative spaces for our eyes to rest. Then we can enjoy the filled spaces. Your tile is lovely and your husbands trips were a labor of love. Olive

Lynn said...

Beautifully written! I love the tiles. Did you use the ones with the paw prints? I would have. Your den has a warm feeling, especially knowing that you built it with a tree in mind.

Glenda/MidSouth said...

What a pretty/clean space to work with !!! Looking forward to seeing what you do with it all.

NanaDiana said...

I so agree, Laura- There is something about unfilled spaces that draw me in and I feel more serene sometimes when there is a place for my eyes to rest. You have a wonderful room there and I love your hand crafted tiles- xo Diana

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

I'm finding my self enjoying more "negative space" in our house too. Or, as I call it "open space." Hubby has asked what furniture, etc. I want to put in an empty space and I find myself replying, "I'm not afraid to just have space." It's there when you need it like during a party or to set out a project and then just feels good when it's quiet. Love your den. The tile is awesome!

Brenda Pruitt said...

So very true! Wow, what a huge den!
Brenda

Anonymous said...

Your den is so pretty. I don't think I have any negative space! :) Love the story about your tiles and aren't you glad you aren't going to Mexico to get it these days?
Lovely builtins too.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Theresa said...

Sweet memory triggered by negative space:) Love the tile! Can't wait to see those built-ins filled with your treasures! Have a blessed evening, HUGS!

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

It seems I don't have much negative space in my home especially after we downsized...I may have to rebook at my space! What a big room...have fun redecorating!

BECKY said...

Love your den in all of its glory!! And I agree with Olive. The negative space is what really makes it livable and a soothing place to be! Your home is so lovely!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Becky

Karen said...

Amazing post, Laura! When I redid my kitchen and had other work done ot our home it was so fun to empty cabinets and place everything on tables. I scrambled everything up and hardly anything went back to the same place. It all felt new! But it began with the "negative space". You have such a great way of explaining things, Laura. Thank you!!
Karen
Ladybug Creek

Bliss said...

I never see the negative space in my family room because it's always covered with something. But when we had the carpets cleaned and all was out I liked it and could admire the love we put in to building it.

Looking forward to seeing your space filled too!

~Bliss~

Pura Vida said...

your posts are always so wonderfully personal and interesting. I love seeing your home..nothing negative..we need to think of a different adjective

trash talk said...

I think you just uncovered a hidden truth for all of us. For a battery to work properly, the negative energy has to flow to the positive. Has to be the same for our creative energy...has to be.
Deb

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

That is a large room, and the built-in's and the tile are just so beautiful!

It's nice to empty out a room isn't it. We've just done that with our dining room . . . it makes you think about where you started . . .

Cindy said...

Love this post! I gentle reminder to enjoy the negative space, that every corner doesn't have to be crammed with stuff. I just LOVE your tiles! (I would love to have the ones with the dogs prints!) You have a very lovely home!

Burlap Luxe said...

Just discovered you and looking forward to what you create in your beautiful negative space.

xx
Dore

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

White spaces are just as necessary in decorating as in writing. Lovely post, Laura. Made me stop and think.

Connie Nelson said...

Beautifully written! Beautiful room too :)

StephaniePumphrey said...

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Rebecca Nelson said...

I love the negative space in our home. Helps my eyes to rest. That said...some serious decluttering is going to take place when our kitchen remodel is done.

LOVE YOUR HOME! Been missing you so I had to come see what you've been up to!

xoRebecca

 

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