REFLECTIONS
The perfection of imperfection
By Carla Barnes
My collection of decorative throw pillows is akin
to any elementary school child’s collection
of “lovies,” i.e. stuffed animals. In fact, I have
observed my husband, Doug, treating them much the same
as he did our daughter’s formidable collection — pushing
them aside or stacking them somewhere to make room for
our dog, Roosevelt, and himself when he sits on the sofa. It’s
as if I need to come up with
the equivalent of a jumbo toy
hammock in the corner of
the living room to contain the
colorful collection.
True to form, in 2020 I
rang in the new year with
new pillows just as I did in
2019. This time a New Year’s
Day trip to the IKEA store
in Atlanta had me fancying
myself the ITP hipster with
my new cream pillow covers
splashed with gold metallic impressionistic polka dots
and another set of matching cream velvet pillow covers.
I recruited my 15-year-old to handle the transformation
as I packed up the last of the gaudiness of Christmas.
Our living room would now embrace the serene cool of
winter, but with a festive and luxurious splash to enjoy as
we spend a cozy next couple of months.
A lot of pressure and expectation was put on the
potential impact of these bargain buys on our decor, and
initially they did bring some satisfaction. That is, until
I looked around our living space with greater scrutiny
accompanied by the echo of “cha-ching, cha-ching”
ringing in my ears as I mulled over our active list of
deferred home maintenance chores and other things that
fall into the category of fantasy renovation projects — the
result of streaming too many renovations shows.
In preparation of this issue I read up on the top ways to
freshen up one’s home looking for anything to assuage this
feeling of wanting to turn everything upside down. From
installing a board and batten accent wall in the bedroom
(sorry Doug) to revving up your space with a new trendy
paint color like Naval by Sherwin Williams (ooh la la),
most advice involves a call to a local contractor or a lot
of elbow grease. The least glamorous advice, but the most
34 CHEROKEE LIFE | MARCH - APRIL 2020
practical, is to simply get organized, clean up and clean
out in order to enjoy those things that you already have.
The bottom line is that unnecessary “detritus” (Doug’s
favorite word) can rob you of a certain amount of joy and
create chaos in your humble abode.
In the March 2017 issue of House Beautiful magazine
writer Abby Driver suggests that we all would benefit from
embracing the ancient Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi
when it comes to approaching our feelings for home and
the possessions we have.
Fundamentally, wabi-sabi cannot be bought and
it relies upon the individual accepting an absence
of perfection. Rooted in Buddhism and ancient tea
ceremonies, wabi-sabi celebrates things that are
handmade and incorporate natural elements — the
perfection of imperfection. The nicks and scars of our
possessions are evidence of a well-lived life. We could
probably all agree that we like our friends this way —
why not our homes and possessions as well?
Author Shauna Niequist wrote, “People aren’t longing to
be impressed; they’re longing to feel like they’re home. If
you create a space full of love and character and creativity
and soul, they’ll take their shoes off and curl up with
gratitude and rest, no matter how small, no matter how
undone, no matter how odd.”
On a regular cadence every year an article circulates
encouraging all of us to be the friends who have people
over regardless of whether our house is ready for company.
It reminds us of the times we had with loved ones — when
we cooked grandma’s signature dish in a tight galley
kitchen with only two inches of counterspace, and then
lined up disparate folding tables and pulled every available
chair in the house in order to have a sit-down meal
together. These are the times that we remember. These
are times we are our authentic selves celebrating with the
special people who give our lives meaning.
So, my advice is to leave the laundry piled on the
bed and ignore the missing molding at the front door.
Enjoy the warmth of friendship by the fire sipping
something bubbly from your mother’s German cut glass
crystal which is reserved for special occasions. In these
moments we celebrate what matters; however, there is a
good chance you might have to push some pillows aside
to sit down.