An Anthropologist’s Look at Home

An Anthropologist’s Look at Home

I recently came across a book that sounded interesting called Home: How Habitat Made Us Human by John S. Allen.  Not my usual read, but the science of home really peaked my interest as an interior designer.  The book takes a vast approach covering prehistory, the real estate market, homelessness, all the way to the intangible feeling of home.

As an interior designer, I help my clients to love where they live.  This is something very important because I know that people’s surroundings can actually affect how they feel.  Reading the book Home: How Habitat Made Us Human took my intuitive understanding further with each chapter, but what resonated most for me was the concept of “homeostasis”.  The author defines homeostasis as the “body-regulating processes that maintain equilibrium”. This covers the full spectrum of eating, digestion, behavior, temperature regulation, pretty much everything we take for granted as our body functions normally in a given day.

Allen’s central idea about the importance of home boils down to this: “Home is necessary to maintain equilibrium in our lives.  It is essential for our whole-being homeostasis.”  Without a home or the safety of some place where we feel at home, our lives are imbalanced and we can become unstable both physically and mentally.

The feeling of “home” is harder to define and more difficult to prove or quantify scientifically.  Isn’t it interesting that you won’t feel completely at home in someone else’s house, and you can be homesick if you’re away from home, even when you have a comfortable place to stay such as a five-star hotel or dorm room?  Feeling at home will take time after moving into a new place, even after your belongings are all set up and arranged.  Home is more than simply shelter or familiar objects and furnishings.

I found this book fascinating since designing homes is how I make my living.  The idea that creating homes in the course of our evolution is what made us human, is very satisfying for me.  It explains why home grounds us, why it is so important and so personal.  I hope that you make your home a place you love to be.  I invite you to contact me if you want help in creating your dream home!

Heather McManus

Principal Interior Designer, Creative Director, and Author of Love Where You Live – Dream Homes Made Real. Heather McManus, an associate ASID member, often has people hardly believe her design accomplishments since she looks so young. Heather has been Creative Director of Artistry Interiors for over a decade, transforming drab homes into fabulous and functional spaces. Having graduated from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY she has the trained aesthetics and the industry experience needed for any project. Our design philosophy is “Love where you Live!” Your home should be a sanctuary from everyday life stress. Clients continue to praise how stress free we make the whole design process. Artistry Interiors goal is to make stunning homes that are a reflection of you – whether it is a single room or an entire home. We create a time line to suit your immediate needs as well as long term plans. Looking to work with Heather contact her at info@artistry-interiors.com or call 862.812.1600 now!

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