Brands, Values, and Priorities
It is not a coincidence that your personal values are reflected in every choice you make in life including your home. When I was a young lady, I did not fully understand what my dad meant when he coined his favorite two statements, “perception is reality” and his second favorite “ you are the architect of your own destiny”. Today it is crystal clear to me what he meant and how true those statements are. When someone enters your home, they instantly form an opinion about you and your value systems. As you consider your purchase that involves your environment you will constantly be using the three key ingredients:
Brand: How important are brands when you are making purchasing decisions? There are brands that exude quality and others that are quality but do not rely on their name to convey that. Depending on what your value system is, you will make choices that align with the brand that best reflects that.
Value: When purchasing everything from a pen to a automobile we are faced with value options, and the perception of what that means. You may prefer a Bic pen or your may only use a Mont Blanc pen. And when shopping you will determine the value of that pen based on a number of things, price is only one consideration. If you are sales or a writer you will certainly value Mont Blanc over Bic, but if you are a pilates instructor that may have little or no value.
Priorities: This is quite possibly the most difficult of all three dynamics. This is also where people tend to disagree the most. If you are managing a busy household the priority of your interiors will be quite different from an executive who works 60 hours a week and has to decide what value he/she puts on the little free time they have at home.
The balance of time and money you spend on your home and interiors always involves compromise. As you consider the three, it can be confusing and frustrating, and sometimes results in the inability to decide at all.
When planning a home or a singular space, prepare yourself, and discuss your differences. You will end up with less conflict over the design and the finances that surround the renovation.
An Architect or Interior Designer will ask most or all of these questions. If they understand your needs, desires, priorities, and values you will end up with a brand statement that represents you. You are the architect of your destiny.