The Value of Design
Is design really important? Does it really make a difference? These are questions I used to ask myself about interior design, feeling that what I loved doing had no real value other than making things look good.
I have three great loves. My God, always and forever the greatest love of my life and my number one; my family, coming in at a close second; and Interior Design. I love beauty. It seems impossible to me that there would be anyone who wouldn’t. I developed a love for beautiful things as a child and carried that love into adulthood by beautifying my surroundings in my home and, on occasion, helping others as well. But I never really understood the importance or relevance of this in our lives. It felt superficial, not something that would really make a difference one way or another. But the more I learned, the more I understood how completely wrong that was. Our surroundings matter and can have a very real effect on us. God’s Word so beautifully makes the importance of design very clear.
In the beginning when God first created the earth it was formless, empty and dark and completely covered by water. And God saw that it was not good so He set out to change it. He spoke light into existence, He divided the firmaments to create the heavens and the earth, He separated the waters from the dry land. He stood back, took a look at what He had done, and saw that it was good.
He stood back, took a look at what He had done, and saw that it was good.
I would compare this to walking into a house that had been neglected and left for ruin for months that stretched into years. Things within and without had begun decaying and falling apart, leaving it dark, damp and smelly. We can go in, remove and replace the decaying elements, install new windows, change out a few light fixtures and put some paint on the walls but, that alone does not make it a home and certainly not a nurturing abode.
God saw that things on Earth were better, but it was just the beginning. For the earth to be functional and provide a nurturing place for man, God knew it would need more. But God didn’t just create the basics of function and provision, He created it in a way that added beauty as well as purpose, with fruit bearing trees and lush vegetation, the moon to softly light up the night, stars that shone like diamonds in the sky and the sun to brightly light up the day. Not only were these things beautiful, they also provided nurturing elements that were necessary for life on Earth. The Earth was now beautiful and functional, creating a wonderful, welcoming place to live.
Let’s look at that house again. Repairs have been made and some paint applied to the walls. It’s a fairly decent start but still feels lifeless and devoid of any emotion or feeling. When we think of HOME our hearts should see a place that is warm, welcoming, a place we want to linger, to curl up and get cozy. So let’s bring in a nice cozy sofa, some comfy chairs, a couple of small tables and some lamps, furnishings that bring function to the home and give definition to the space. Add some pretty pillows, a soft throw or two, some nice art on the walls, a rug on the floor along with some green plants and a few interesting, well placed accessories. These necessary finishing touches will bring in the element of beauty that will turn your house into a home. It becomes a place you want to be.
Your home is an extension of you. In everything that God did in that first recorded renovation, His fingerprints were all over it.
Your home is an extension of you. In everything that God did in that first recorded renovation, His fingerprints were all over it. His handiwork declares His glory, His beauty, His heart. All that He did in transforming the earth was a reflection of who He is. He is a God of order and purpose, function and beauty. Our homes can, and should, reflect those elements as well. Even the smallest of changes can make a big impact on your surroundings and, ultimately, your life. A well designed home can make your life easier and less stressful, nurturing not only your body, but also your soul.
God, the Master Designer, designed the Earth to not only work for life, but gave it beauty to enhance life as well. When I realized how important design is to God I began to understand how necessary it is for all of us. I encourage you to look around you, determine what you can do to enhance the feel and function of your home, then take that first step in making it happen. Every house should be given the gift of becoming a home, every person should be given the gift of such a home experience. Small changes can result in great rewards. The little things in life really do mean a lot.
Gail for Gail’s Favorite Things
