As you may have noticed, here at The Katillac Shack ALL styles are welcome – because ALL people are welcome! A willingness to explore another's style is an act of tolerance and kindness. In this big, beautiful, diverse world we need ways of better understanding each other. And, it is true that when we enter a home, we get a peek inside the heart of the homeowner. That’s why at The Katillac Shack there is a room for everyone. No style – positive and consciously created – is turned away. Our style may define us, but let’s not let it divide us.
LEFT: Portrait of Elizabeth Winthrop Chanler by John Singer Sargent
You may have heard someone say (in judgment)," That's not my style...in fact, that is ugly." But isn't that a bit like saying: "I don't like the look of that bird, flower or skin color. Therefore, I can't possibly appreciate its way of singing, smelling, or being..... What was He thinking anyway? That thing is a tasteless Divine screw-up!" Of course, we wouldn't actually say that about nature. But do we infer it by being overly critical of expressions of God's style as created by humans?
If our Creator is in us, then our style – the way we depict ourselves – is a representation of it. When we allow our own style to develop and express it without self-judgment, we open our hearts to that of others. It is written: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Well, most of us don't love ourselves – in all of our colorful glory! Making it harder to love our neighbors as well. So, we are at odds and uncomfortable with anyone who does dare to be free. The ego screams, "How dare they be soooo fabulous!" We have all done it, so overcome with fear that we take the low road. Alas, I have a simple antidote for you – a liberation ritual that helped me: Pick your most feared color; then do an object or room in it....the color you are sure your family or neighbors or friends will mock. I did and not just a wall – but the WHOLE house! The ritual worked and not only liberated myself, but my whole neighborhood.
When I first moved into The Katillac Shack it was a faded watery yellow. Truly anemic. So, first came the fiesta-ware turquoise paint. Then, chartreuse for the back door. My neighbor stepped onto her back porch and proclaimed loudly, "WHO does she think she is?" Yes, the classic line. It wasn't long, though, until she was spray painting everything she could find a very loud purple and 1940s lawn chairs in red. Then, the folks across the street picked a tangerine orange for their stucco – calling me over for a trim consultation. Three doors down, yard ornaments became profuse. And all manner of colorful and creative changes erupted down the street like Technicolor turning Dorothy's black-and-white world into Oz. My color courage had liberated a whole city block!
Yes, "little pink houses (or cottages) for you and me"...as John Cougar-Mellencamp sings. Or Southern mansions or Hollywood-regency chateaus or minimalist lofts...whatever your style – just BE – and let be! Let’s enjoy each other, celebrate our uniqueness, and cherish our Divine sameness: that creativity that binds and then defines us. The process of making a home of empowerment and belief works the same for everyone, freeing us to think: " I prefer a rose to a violet, a desert to a forest...but aren't they all interesting and beautiful! The Master Artist did a fascinating job...true imagination and originality in all of them. Good job God!"
It was time to hone
their style, and Lee and Jackie Frickey had earned it. Working hard and from the ground up – teen newlyweds to millionaire wealth while raising a family and forging an integrity-filled business. It was time to artistically illustrate their lives. To step outside of their comfort zone and get risky with their conservatism; to visualize and rekindle youthful dreams. Lee had won a scholarship to leave his small town and go to architecture school. Instead, he chose to marry Jackie and raise a family. He wanted to explore his love of architecture once again. The Federal Style home they purchased was just the venue. Lee began to collect architectural models like the one on the left of a Palladian structure. Also see the Greek Revival image painted above the mantel as a clock tower.
QUESTION: What dream would you like to explore in your life? How can you represent it in your style?
Like many of us, Jackie loves romantic literature: Jane Austen or George Sand, elegant balls in Bath, England or in colonial Williamsburg. She also loved yellow but was afraid to try it. So, we devised a ball gown design for the curtains and her color – anchored by Lee's Federal blue and an upbeat and modern coral. In the curtains, I actually employed ball gown grommets to create the sweep and pull of the draping.
QUESTION: What is your favorite and most feared color? What do you envision doing with it?
In their lives and business, Lee and Jackie value integrity. Integrity in craftsmanship and character. We paired that value to furniture that best illustrates it: Chippendale chairs and sofas of our own design. Handmade furniture with attention to every detail became their symbol for their life-value.
QUESTION: What is a style or period of furniture that attracts you? What is it about the style that speaks to a value you cherish?
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ALL PHOTOS: © Roy Inman
STYLE QUIZ GIVEAWAY! So, what is your style? In House of Belief: Creating Your Personal Style, I created a whole process for figuring it out. A few questions from those exercises are included with the images here. In the comments, answer all three questions with one word answers for each, and I will send you a copy of House of Belief – FREE! Email us: Attn, Jen.
Remember all those nice comments we tallied a couple of weeks ago for Colette as she entered her chemotherapy treatments? You helped raise funding for a "Miracle Makeover" for Colette's little room in Michigan simply by leaving kind thoughts and prayers. How is that possible? My mission statement acknowledges that positivity expressed through actions as simple as writing a note or comment are valuable. It moves spiritual energies into forms that help ourselves and others.That is why Design Gives Back provides cash contributions for projects to match your valuable comments. Through that cash-for-kindness premise, I have been with Colette over the last two weeks creating a room for hope and happiness. My team of "Design Angels"--including many generous folks from Colette's hometown-- worked for three days and nights to remake a sad little room into a healing haven. We began by removing dirty gray carpet; a ceiling with holes; dysfunctional closets; ancient peeling wallpaper; and transforming a hospital bed. The room's rental house energy had felt so negative that Colette's sweet dog, Annie, wouldn't even sleep with her mom, in that bed and room.
