Interior Design as a Personal Metaphor
What happens when a psychotherapist embraces his passion for craftsmanship and carves a successful career as an interior designer and furniture maker? French furniture and interiors specialist Jean-Christophe Burckhardt talks about his unique approach.
To me, a personal metaphor is the way in which we project our inner life onto the screen of our everyday. We are continuously seeking to create in our outer environment something that reflects how we feel, and symbolises what we need. Most people are not aware of this process, of the meaning generated by arranging things in a particular way.
What I believe is that by designing with this understanding in mind, it is possible to not only create a richer personal experience, but also to actually enhance the personal healing effect of our home space.
Feeling safe to let go
One of the primary functions of the home is to provide a sense of protection, safety and privacy that affords us the opportunity to recuperate and reflect. Historically we derived our identity from our family or tribe, which gave us a strong and unquestioned sense of self. Today, however, our sense of self is a far more delicate concept that is constantly being constructed and revised. The home has become an increasingly important support for our evolving identity and sense of self. Designing with a deeper perception of an individual’s needs helps to create a space that supports their personal goals and aspirations. The home needs to leave the owner with the sense of being held so that they can let go and relax.
Psychodynamics of the space – People and Space
Another element to design that I feel is incredibly important is the psychodynamics of the space. What I mean by that is how does the home environment reflect the way people relate with each other? Your home is a space where interaction occurs, so how do you want your space to receive people? Welcome them? What do you want them to see? What experience do you want them to have? These are some of the questions I like to address when talking to clients about what they want their space to be.
The kitchen is often a pivotal area in the house where people interact with one another. The table where the family eats together can be the hub of conversation at the end of the day. It may also be where the children will do most of their homework when they are young. Even if they have their own study area with computer and desk, they are often drawn to this family space as our gregarious nature wants to be with others.
When I visited Kathy to design some furniture for her dining area, the discussion wandered to the area near the kitchen. Like most people, she loves to chat to a friend while preparing a meal. What came out of our discussions was a need for a little sitting area near the kitchen bench with a small round table. Kathy could have a friend over and still be able to do things in the kitchen. In the few moments between busy tasks in the home, and spending time with her young children, Kathy could now sit down and have a cup of coffee while leafing through a magazine.
Knowing your preferred spot
Your preferred spot is where you feel the most comfortable. It’s often the place with the best view, or where you feel safest. Your home needs to be to be designed around this area. Quite often I have gone into a clients house and been told that the room they originally designed to be the main room is hardly ever used. I have even seen an extra room built as a family room because the one originally designed for that purpose did not take simple things into account, like the distance to the kitchen or the natural flow of people.
The importance of getting every detail just right
When this happens, and something in our home space does not sit quite right with us, our awareness is initially drawn to it continuously. After a while, just like with a persistent background noise, we ignore it. Yet some mental energy is tied up in this process. If there are 10, 20 or 50 details that do not feel quite right to us, a lot of energy is being wasted. We can sense that we can’t quite rest or fully let go, like a niggling thought haunting us.
 Ensuring that every detail is right enables us to experience a sense of repose, allowing that deep relaxation to nourish and replenish us. In today’s hectic world, this could make a major difference to how we feel and also how we perceive ourselves and others. To surround ourselves with the right objects, shapes, colours and textures that truly speak to us, makes for a greater sense of integration between our outer and inner environment.
Visit my website for more information or to purchase the DVD "Decorating in the French Style" bu Jean-Christophe Burckhardt.
You can also email me.
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