I love how you can make something as mundane as moving sound so cathartic and beautiful as what you have written in this post.
1. I am SO jealous of your bunkie and the fact that you have a roof that amplifies the sound of the rain. Even when it is storming here in Toronto, the sound of the rain from sitting inside my apartment is non-existent and it is one of the things I dread most about the city.
2. I love what you mentioned at the end about the fact that you can just “do things”. That’s something that I have been realizing in passing moments as well - that I can literally do or make whatever I want to and that I don’t need permission, it doesn’t have to be perfect, and I don’t have to be an expert to try something new. Ideas of what to do or make are great but they don’t mean anything without giving them the time, effort and attention they deserve.
3. I think your footnotes might be even greater than the post itself
4. What do you mean you don’t grind League of Legends until 2 am????
Haha thank you Rachel. I’ve definitely moved way too many times since starting university and it’s definitely not all that beautiful but perhaps just a sign of the times.
In cities you lose a lot of the connection to nature, realization you’re inhabiting a planet that’s alive and growing with moods of its own. But there’s some advantages to that too. While nature is bounteous, she can also be brutal.
The way I’ve remembered it is: “I don’t need to understand something in order to do it”. I’ve found this with photography, baking, now building things. I can just start and learn as I go.
The footnotes are much less edited and random but I’m glad someone reads them haha.
You have opened us all who read your words to the essence of "feng shui." Lovely, Tommy, lovely. Good for you! Creating an environment, to play in, to write in, that speaks to you through its beauty, that is meaningful, substantive...just like you.
There are two books by Christopher Alexander that I think you would love. When we created our home, my architect suggested we read them, and we did. They are "A Pattern Language" and "A Timeless Way of Building." They are soul siblings to your sensibilities.
Thank you Amba (: that’s a lovely way of putting it. From our call last week, it seems you’ve curated quite a special place for inhabit as well.
I was dancing with the idea of “play” in drafts of this piece - creating a sacred space where work feels like play - but it didn’t make it into the final version of the piece.
I’ve heard of both those books! On my list.
Since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated with architecture and building. I hope to buy land and build my own home within the next decade. Alexander’s ideas will come handy!
Tommy, you commented recently on my Buttered Toast essay - taking a morning breakfast with my kids and writing about it. I thought if that with this piece. You took a project and wrote a wonderfully insightful and attentive piece using it as the backdrop, but what stood out for me was that the piece really wasn’t about the project, it was about your relationship with the project. And the projects contribution to you. ❤️
Thank you James. That’s such a good parallel - taking the mundane and infusing it with magic.
I want to continue to experiment with my writing. Some experiments will pay off and some will flop. But I feel I’ve been skewing toward the heavy side of the duality and wanted to write something lighter.
“Each book in its proper place”. Speaks volumes to me about you. Super impressed with the inventiveness but more wowed by “your do it yourself” efforts. Beautiful!
Ah I love how you noticed that small detail. Needle in a haystack. I’m definitely quite particular about where every book goes and continue to play with the organization as I get new books and books shift in meaning or relevance to me. Buying books and reading books are completely different hobbies!
"I can just find a space and make it beautiful." Now there's a simple motto worth living by, and it works whether you're building an essay, inhabiting a moment with a loved one, or moving to a new room.
Ah thank you Rick. That’s been a big realization of mine as I try to claim more agency over my life. Or perhaps realize I had it all along.
I love how you extrapolated space into time and writing. Really - you can just take the world as you see it and try to make it a bit more beautiful - whatever that means to you.
Tommy this is definitely an enchanting space you’ve created. I had a friend who loves to design help me redecorate but I’m talking new couches, drapes, bookshelves, accessories. She hung about 20 pieces of artwork just laying around in my office. I like how each object in your space has a story. Most people collect and collect without a deeper story esp in the suburbs with lots of space to fill. I might reflect on the redesign of my space in tomorrow’s post, but mostly I plan to write about my friend who spent the time designing everything with aesthetics and purpose in mind. It’s a kind of love, redesign. She says I have 4000 books. I think she’s kidding. 😂
Thank you Sadia! So good to hear from you & “enchanting” is exactly what I was going for (had that word repeated like 5 times in the draft and had to pair it down haha)
I so agree with you. On having objects that are meaningful, significant to us, have their own symbolism and story.
The worst example is rich people who fill their home with books they’ve never read, just for appearances.
Just to be clear I do not have 4000 books. 😂 I’d need a bigger house. I think 50% are children’s books that need to be donated to the library or school. There’s nothing you can do when books are the top choice gifts from friends and family. I’ve been guilty of buying books that I feel like I SHOULD have because they’re classics — Alice in wonderland; Robinson Crusoe etc. Kids found the stories scary and I never finished reading them though so maybe that is pretentious ...? anyway, impressive that you’ve built something from nothing!
I love the design of the shelf where you can also hang things. That’s so neat. I love looking at the books on peoples book shelves. It’s interesting what books people feel are worth saving as opposed to donating them once they have read them. Enjoyed your essay as always.
Thanks J! Yeah I thought the design was pretty nifty.
I also love looking at people’s shelves. My first shelf is all my favourites - the classics, history, religion, spirituality and some great biographies - and my second bigger shelf is largely books I once was into - more finance and self help and business and productivity.
But it’s a passion of mine to keep organizing and reorganizing my shelf. And I love how having books visible, I can serendipitously discover new books each day. Perhaps they can find me when I need them most.
This was a fun read! Loved getting to see the process as well! Crazy how we can just *do* things, isn't it? Beautiful environments are so important, and collecting things of meaning too.
Thanks Carina! I wanted to do something different, lighter than my usual philosophical ramblings.
Yeah it is crazy. But also very empowering. I’ve wanted to create a beautiful home for a long time, but I’ve always been afraid I wouldn’t. I’d just accept mediocrity, remain on the surface level. Proving it to myself has been good.
Do you read Simon Sarris? If not I think you would enjoy it. He has a lot of similarly inspiring ideas about aesthetics and DIY’ing a place according to your values.
Charlie, it’s so good to hear from you pal. Thank you for reading this piece & sharing your thoughts here (: brought a smile to my face to see your name pop up
Haha yeah I’ve gotten a good bit of inspiration from Simon on design but also life in general. He’s quite the sage.
I am fascinated by the layers of detail you are adding to your home. Not wanting to add anything you are tepid about sounds like the best way to set your intentions. Just as a sculptor carves away everything that is not necessary, you are choosing to design your surroundings with deliberate thought. It must feel empowering to craft so many pieces yourself! Enjoy the nesting, Tommy.
Everything about this is beautiful Tommy. You've created such a sacred place for yourself. So happy to have read this--totally not what I was expecting 💜🌿
Life is layered and I love how you are bringing your meaningful objects and art to be around you and later comfort, life and serenity in your space. Your writing and sleeping space which is where all intuition, creativity, emotion and the Universe is channeled in your sleep, dreams, daydreams and writing. Creating your space, your Place, and where you want to begin.
Thank you Kim. I’m so happy to read your reflections here.
You’re so right on how it’s all layered, integrated. Our mind bleeds into the space and the space bleeds into our mind. I’m sure the space will continue to evolve as I hopefully do - but it’s been a meaningful project and I’m happy with the result so far.
Thank you Kevin! Good to hear from you my friend. I hope to have the opportunity to build a home one day, something beautiful. I’m intimidated by the scale of it, and somewhat the responsibility, but I think it could also be really meaningful.
I love how you can make something as mundane as moving sound so cathartic and beautiful as what you have written in this post.
1. I am SO jealous of your bunkie and the fact that you have a roof that amplifies the sound of the rain. Even when it is storming here in Toronto, the sound of the rain from sitting inside my apartment is non-existent and it is one of the things I dread most about the city.
2. I love what you mentioned at the end about the fact that you can just “do things”. That’s something that I have been realizing in passing moments as well - that I can literally do or make whatever I want to and that I don’t need permission, it doesn’t have to be perfect, and I don’t have to be an expert to try something new. Ideas of what to do or make are great but they don’t mean anything without giving them the time, effort and attention they deserve.
3. I think your footnotes might be even greater than the post itself
4. What do you mean you don’t grind League of Legends until 2 am????
As always, I loved reading your post.
Your friend,
Rachel
Haha thank you Rachel. I’ve definitely moved way too many times since starting university and it’s definitely not all that beautiful but perhaps just a sign of the times.
In cities you lose a lot of the connection to nature, realization you’re inhabiting a planet that’s alive and growing with moods of its own. But there’s some advantages to that too. While nature is bounteous, she can also be brutal.
The way I’ve remembered it is: “I don’t need to understand something in order to do it”. I’ve found this with photography, baking, now building things. I can just start and learn as I go.
The footnotes are much less edited and random but I’m glad someone reads them haha.
Thank you for your reflection here. Love it (:
You have opened us all who read your words to the essence of "feng shui." Lovely, Tommy, lovely. Good for you! Creating an environment, to play in, to write in, that speaks to you through its beauty, that is meaningful, substantive...just like you.
There are two books by Christopher Alexander that I think you would love. When we created our home, my architect suggested we read them, and we did. They are "A Pattern Language" and "A Timeless Way of Building." They are soul siblings to your sensibilities.
Thank you Amba (: that’s a lovely way of putting it. From our call last week, it seems you’ve curated quite a special place for inhabit as well.
I was dancing with the idea of “play” in drafts of this piece - creating a sacred space where work feels like play - but it didn’t make it into the final version of the piece.
I’ve heard of both those books! On my list.
Since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated with architecture and building. I hope to buy land and build my own home within the next decade. Alexander’s ideas will come handy!
“They are soul siblings to your sensibilities.” that’s a lovely sentence Amba!
Tommy, you commented recently on my Buttered Toast essay - taking a morning breakfast with my kids and writing about it. I thought if that with this piece. You took a project and wrote a wonderfully insightful and attentive piece using it as the backdrop, but what stood out for me was that the piece really wasn’t about the project, it was about your relationship with the project. And the projects contribution to you. ❤️
Thank you James. That’s such a good parallel - taking the mundane and infusing it with magic.
I want to continue to experiment with my writing. Some experiments will pay off and some will flop. But I feel I’ve been skewing toward the heavy side of the duality and wanted to write something lighter.
I appreciate your insight, as always (:
“Each book in its proper place”. Speaks volumes to me about you. Super impressed with the inventiveness but more wowed by “your do it yourself” efforts. Beautiful!
Ah I love how you noticed that small detail. Needle in a haystack. I’m definitely quite particular about where every book goes and continue to play with the organization as I get new books and books shift in meaning or relevance to me. Buying books and reading books are completely different hobbies!
Thanks for your eyes here Dad (:
"I can just find a space and make it beautiful." Now there's a simple motto worth living by, and it works whether you're building an essay, inhabiting a moment with a loved one, or moving to a new room.
Ah thank you Rick. That’s been a big realization of mine as I try to claim more agency over my life. Or perhaps realize I had it all along.
I love how you extrapolated space into time and writing. Really - you can just take the world as you see it and try to make it a bit more beautiful - whatever that means to you.
Thank you for the reflection my friend (:
Tommy this is definitely an enchanting space you’ve created. I had a friend who loves to design help me redecorate but I’m talking new couches, drapes, bookshelves, accessories. She hung about 20 pieces of artwork just laying around in my office. I like how each object in your space has a story. Most people collect and collect without a deeper story esp in the suburbs with lots of space to fill. I might reflect on the redesign of my space in tomorrow’s post, but mostly I plan to write about my friend who spent the time designing everything with aesthetics and purpose in mind. It’s a kind of love, redesign. She says I have 4000 books. I think she’s kidding. 😂
Thank you Sadia! So good to hear from you & “enchanting” is exactly what I was going for (had that word repeated like 5 times in the draft and had to pair it down haha)
I so agree with you. On having objects that are meaningful, significant to us, have their own symbolism and story.
The worst example is rich people who fill their home with books they’ve never read, just for appearances.
Haha 4000 books is awesome. Love it (:
Just to be clear I do not have 4000 books. 😂 I’d need a bigger house. I think 50% are children’s books that need to be donated to the library or school. There’s nothing you can do when books are the top choice gifts from friends and family. I’ve been guilty of buying books that I feel like I SHOULD have because they’re classics — Alice in wonderland; Robinson Crusoe etc. Kids found the stories scary and I never finished reading them though so maybe that is pretentious ...? anyway, impressive that you’ve built something from nothing!
Hahaha you would need a LOT of space for 4,000 books. But I am also guilty of buying books. If I ever go to prison, that'd be why...
Love it (:
...wow brother what a gorgeous design...wishing you tranquility, creativity, and whatever else you need in there man...
Haha thank you my friend. Tranquility and creativity are definitely two big ones.
Appreciate the warm wishes (: hope your week is awesome
I love the design of the shelf where you can also hang things. That’s so neat. I love looking at the books on peoples book shelves. It’s interesting what books people feel are worth saving as opposed to donating them once they have read them. Enjoyed your essay as always.
Thanks J! Yeah I thought the design was pretty nifty.
I also love looking at people’s shelves. My first shelf is all my favourites - the classics, history, religion, spirituality and some great biographies - and my second bigger shelf is largely books I once was into - more finance and self help and business and productivity.
But it’s a passion of mine to keep organizing and reorganizing my shelf. And I love how having books visible, I can serendipitously discover new books each day. Perhaps they can find me when I need them most.
I appreciate you (:
This was a fun read! Loved getting to see the process as well! Crazy how we can just *do* things, isn't it? Beautiful environments are so important, and collecting things of meaning too.
Thanks Carina! I wanted to do something different, lighter than my usual philosophical ramblings.
Yeah it is crazy. But also very empowering. I’ve wanted to create a beautiful home for a long time, but I’ve always been afraid I wouldn’t. I’d just accept mediocrity, remain on the surface level. Proving it to myself has been good.
Appreciate you reading & the note (: means a lot
Do you read Simon Sarris? If not I think you would enjoy it. He has a lot of similarly inspiring ideas about aesthetics and DIY’ing a place according to your values.
Charlie, it’s so good to hear from you pal. Thank you for reading this piece & sharing your thoughts here (: brought a smile to my face to see your name pop up
Haha yeah I’ve gotten a good bit of inspiration from Simon on design but also life in general. He’s quite the sage.
Keep well & keep in touch!
I am fascinated by the layers of detail you are adding to your home. Not wanting to add anything you are tepid about sounds like the best way to set your intentions. Just as a sculptor carves away everything that is not necessary, you are choosing to design your surroundings with deliberate thought. It must feel empowering to craft so many pieces yourself! Enjoy the nesting, Tommy.
Thank you J.T. I know you have quite the creative eye so your opinion means a lot here (:
Perhaps the rule in design is similar to a rule I try to follow in my writing: cut anything that isn’t exceptional. I also love the sculpting analogy
I appreciate you reading and all the love you bring here, as always
Everything about this is beautiful Tommy. You've created such a sacred place for yourself. So happy to have read this--totally not what I was expecting 💜🌿
Thank you Tania! Your words brought a big smile to my face (: appreciate it
I’ve been trying to experiment within my writing and wanted to write something different, lighter this week. A sacred space is exactly it.
I’m so happy you got something from it.
Life is layered and I love how you are bringing your meaningful objects and art to be around you and later comfort, life and serenity in your space. Your writing and sleeping space which is where all intuition, creativity, emotion and the Universe is channeled in your sleep, dreams, daydreams and writing. Creating your space, your Place, and where you want to begin.
Thank you Kim. I’m so happy to read your reflections here.
You’re so right on how it’s all layered, integrated. Our mind bleeds into the space and the space bleeds into our mind. I’m sure the space will continue to evolve as I hopefully do - but it’s been a meaningful project and I’m happy with the result so far.
“”layer” your comfort…. Not later your comfort.
Tommy! Me ‘ol son. Terrific work. As always.
Well done.
Great work lies ahead for you as your space gradually grows into a home. Take care, and thanks for sharing.
Thank you Kevin! Good to hear from you my friend. I hope to have the opportunity to build a home one day, something beautiful. I’m intimidated by the scale of it, and somewhat the responsibility, but I think it could also be really meaningful.
Appreciate the warm wishes (:
This reminded me of a short essay on style: According to the author, "Style is a set of constraints that you stick to." https://stephango.com/style
I’ll have to check it out! Thanks Matt for reading and the recc (: hope your week is awesome