CREATING A HOME OF SELF EXPRESSION Living a sensate life Article by Robin Lennon

Just as what we put into our bodies affects our physical health, the choices that we make as we decorate our homes affect our instinctive sense of well-being. The white, supermarket button mushroom quite literally pales in comparison to the big brown flavorful robust Portobello. In the same way, a utilitarian home, that only addresses our practical needs lacks the personal flavor and subtle rich nuances of a home designed from the heart.

The connection between the material and the spiritual is not a new concept. Pre-Judeo-Christian peoples adorned themselves with talismans. These were not for mere decoration as jewelry is normally worn today, but rather to tap into their personal powerful energies. Your home can also be such a tool. It is important to remember that a home is not so much designed as woven, with hues, textures and loved possessions that reflect our deepest connections and longings as well as our individual expression.

We all have tangible touchstones that relax and inspire us, make us feel safe and spark sensual expression. If you love music... if it inspires you, moves you, affects you to the fiber of your being, then denying yourself a quality sound system that brings the music to all the parts of your home where you wish it to be available is a rejection of an inner passion. If you love rich color but your walls are all off-white then consider that you may be leaving yourself out of experiencing full, rich surroundings that would most definetly feed and nourish you dialy. By having an environment compatible with your soul self , you are consciously choosing to make the connection between your real self and your outward surroundings.

Every material has its own special energy. If you compare woods, mahogany to pine or ash to cherry wood, each has its own special gift and even personality to offer to us. The same is true with fabrics; linen versus velvet, velvet versus wool or cotton; each has its own identity and when used in a home environment (or any environment) brings forth its unique ''energetic personality" transforming the flavor of the space. The earthy intensity of a rich, robust beet and the spicy sharpness of fresh arugula differ in texture, taste, scent, color and character. A preference to one, the other, or both can weave its way into our home in very satisfying ways: a ruby red chenille coverlet, perhaps, or a smooth green iridescent curtain or purple velvet upholstered chair. It is in fact a lot like cooking and with each additional ingredient the mélange shifts and changes.

The philosophy of Inner Design begins with rejecting preconceived notions about interior decorating - particularly that it is a strictly visual exercise or method. Our personal preferences glide across the full range of our senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, taste and the more subtle sense of intuition. Our sensuality can be integrated into our experience of home. You may surprise yourself as to some of your new choices when you allow yourself to create and enjoy a more holistic intuitive home environment.

You can have a home that embraces and welcomes you to relax further into yourself. It is not limited by size but rather is as large as your heart allows, and is alive, lovely, energetic and liberating. It is a beautiful balanced space that reflects your unique inner self and personal interests and one that makes the difference between getting from day-to-day and boldly living and loving your unique dance of Life.

Robin Lennon is an artist, designer and teacher. The self-awareness exercises she has used with hundreds of clients and thousands of students and readers of Home Design from the Inside Out distill down to the essence those sights, sounds, scents, textures and sense of space that have personal meaning. To find out more about Inner Design classes, workshops and services and what they can provide for you contact Robin Lennon at (212) 744-3777; by email at: robin@robinlennon.com or visit www.innerdesigns.com.