invoking kinship through holistic interior design
kinship, 'kin - ship, is defined by webster's dictionary, as simply: the quality or state of being kin - relationship.
synonyms include: linkage, affinity, and connection.
moreover kinship is connection, relationship (not strictly romantic), and closeness marked by community. these words speak to one of the fundamental needs that we humans have.
science, ancient wisdom, experience, the lock downs have taught and continue to show us as a collective how interdependent we are.
despite the current turn in the U.S. other countries toward xenophobic ideologies, and entrenchment other 'isms,' in American society, the truth is we not only need each other, we rely heavily on the health and balance of thousands other microcosms that live in and among us.
plants, animals, bacteria and other life forms - doing what they do on this planet have allowed us to evolve, grow, create and produce. as the highest forms of intelligence we benefit greatly from these symbiotic relationships, which means we also have a responsibility to nurture that which sustains us.
and so we also are called to be good stewards - a task that is at times challenging and complex.
Photo Credit: Daryl Han, Markus Spiske, Patrick Perkins, Shane Rounce
how can this connection be honored and woven into the design of our most important interior environments?
this is a question, i explore often in curating my home environment and when working with clients.
i'm certainly no expert. i've been learning from the work of those who've been researching community, and the intersection of connection with design, health, wellbeing, environment and social justice.
what i've learned is that designing an interior environment whether it be a corporate workplace, a restaurant or the interior of a home, cultivating the intangibles - the emotions and wellbeing of the users, the sense and history of place.
the energy and composition of the objects - can be just as influential on the impact of the environment as the color selected for the wall or the way a sofa is positioned.
here are some of the notions, musings, and things i've found helpful for integrating the concept of kinship into the built environment:
>> honoring connection with humans can look like...
curating photos, art, and books that reflect your cultures, interests and memories - my home altar has a few photos of family members, and i have chosen to display art and books that reflect my culture and experience as a black, queer woman with ancestral roots in Africa, and the Caribbean.
setting aside time to love on others - we often get so busy and overwhelmed with the day-to-day of life, we don't have time or energy to invest in or remind others how much they mean. i set aside time each week to call (text is a last resort) someone whose been on my mind, or send a hand written gratitude card to someone whose actions uplifted me in some way.
honoring your own emotions and experiences - create some art and then display it in your home, journal around your travels, or write a poem and frame it so you never forget that you are a creator
>> honoring connection to nature might look like...
pouring into your relationship with your pet with a long walk or some quality cuddle time
nurturing your plants with a good soak, a new location for more sun, fertilizer for more nutrients or a more spacious pot
a hike or forest bathing - shinrin yoku is the Japanese word for connecting with the forest. i've understood it to mean deep sensory connection with the forest. in the warmer months i go on hikes and embrace the idea of shinrin yoku by engaging my senses more intentionally. i pick up rocks and leaves, become aware of aromas, try to identify plants, and tune-in to the symphony of the forest. sometimes bringing back sticks, plants and other finds to create artful displays.
>> honoring connection to place could be...
learning about the indigenous people who stewarded the land you live and work on - with recognition of the care and love that was exchanged with the land for generations you may find a deeper sense of belonging and understanding of the gift, and responsibility the same land now offers you.
finding out about the history of your neighborhood may encourage your participation in the community or inspire you to create a connection with the community in a new way - what is it known for? what if any challenges have been faced by the community historically?
inside out design, as we explored last week, is as much about intention, and mindset as it is about the physical environment we want to transform.
in order to cultivate safe sanctuaries -- where we feel free to be our most authentic selves, connect to the greatest version of who we are, and more easily find ourselves being that version out in the world -- it's necessary to consciously infuse the intangible elements of love, support, care and awareness into each layer of interior design.