It’s curious and surprising how little thought people give to design, given that it touches our lives almost every moment of every day. The pattern of a knit sweater, the billboard we pass on our way to work, the interior of our car – even the coffee travel mug in our hand was designed by someone. Each day offers opportunities to make design decisions few of us realize.
It seems as though I always have a few errands to run: grocery shopping, buy a new shower curtain, run to the hardware store for light bulbs. All of these activities sound tedious and mundane, but with a little bit of effort, each of these chores can yield great benefits to you, and your home interior.
With a little imagination, grocery shopping can also provide some design nourishment for our souls. Like most people, I am trying to eat less processed foods and more fresh fruits and veggies. That alone is an admirable pursuit, but taking the time to see them beyond their nutritional benefits presents some joyful design cues.
At the moment, clementines are available at most grocers. Small, brightly colored and heavenly scented, a crate of these little citrus beauties becomes an amazing room accent and deodorizer when placed in a wire basket in your kitchen. Same goes for apples. Instead of grabbing six apples and shoving them in a cello bag, take a minute and actually look for apples that are not only edible but also beautiful. I am a big fan of Gala apples, namely their mottled skins that vary from pale, golden yellow to deep, rich reds. Use a long bread basket to display these tasty fruits or line them up single file across your dining table. The form and shape of apples is complex and lovely, and they will add a sweet pop of color to your dining area. [Photo by Robert Michie]
