The mysteries always teach us to combine the holy with
the profane,” theologian Martin Buber said. That same insight is expressed in another way—doctrine without
jargon—by decorator Elsie de Wolfe. An attitude toward home interiors like Dc Wolfe’s enhances our sense of the holy to ground our busy, fragmented lives. When we incorporate visual elements in our home that spring from our desire to worship, we express spirituality in the raw stuff of life.
Your decor may be inspired by high-church environments that feature rich color, ornament, and embellishment. Or it may be inspired by minimalist congregations where neutral colors, sheer light from transparent windows, and plain furniture facilitate simplicity. It may be inspired by nature, particularly the celestial realm as filtered through the heritage ofJudeo-Christian tradition: stars, sun, clouds.
However you combine the sacred with the ordinary will keep the flame burning on the hearth of your dream home.
“Color is the first thing we respond to when entering a room, the most powerful decorating tool, because it affects how we feel,” according to designer Gail Mayhugh.’
Marketing analysts claim also that color is a tool of communication. Since color can actually shape mood and biological responses, it greatly affects the sacred possibilities in our homes. Much like scent, memories are attached to different colors; individual color preferences are often based on our own experience of emotions associated with places or events.2
In the twenty-first century, consumers seek healing colors— colors that create soulful feelings, even down to the rejuvenating hues chosen for bath towels. For the new millennium, the Color Marketing Group predicted earth tones and shades of water and sky would predominate in response to consumers’ interest in spiritual things. At its dawn, true red, the color of religious iconography, was most popular, possibly in connection with the anniversary of Christ’s birth celebrated around the globe. Deeper reds, burnt reds, and bluish reds came soon after, symbols of connection to regal heritage as children of God and to the creation. Purples and blues were popular as soothing colors. They make visible transcendence, cleansing, and clarity. The light we love in white brings a tie to purity and emotional comfort. Subtle browns make their way into the earthy palette with names like “biscotti” and “mocha,” inspired by the popularity of coffeehouse hot spots—substituting for some the fellowship previous generations found in church.