In light of the recent series of real estate oriented posts and the recent July 4th holiday, we’re partially reposting a pertinent topic on What Makes a House an [American] Home?
Now that you own your new house, how do you make it your home?
This can be a really subjective question because “home” has specific and personal meanings to each individual but the National Building Museum in Washington, DC has attempted to put it in perspective with their House and Home exhibit, which is on view through May 2017.
We’re all about individual expression here at Casart Coverings, and believe this is what makes our homes personal to each and every one of us. How do you do this, by collecting, displaying and personalizing what you like — making it your own.
Make a space your own with a Custom wallcovering, as seen below. The yellow birds were color matched to the yellow kitchen cabinets.
Keeping this in mind as well as below, let us know what make your house a home.
This quote from Thomas Mellins, an architectural historian who organized and helped curate the exhibit, explains that it may not be exactly what you think:
“In America,” Mr. Mellins continued, “we are very connected to this idea of individuality. Even if we do inherit a place to live, we are interested in personalizing it and having it express our innermost thoughts, desires, aspirations. What is less obvious or less known to most Americans is the way in which their houses reflect major economic changes, government policy, technological advances and consumer culture.”
The exhibit tackles these themes in six galleries: Living at Home, Building a House, Buying a Home, Models, Film, and Education. The exhibit starts with pictorials from the American Memory Institute (I didn’t know there was such a thing) as well as historical societies and Flickr.
Living at Home displays a few American iconographic items that have progressed in importance over the course of time, like a butter churn, a Farrah Fawcett poster, a fondue set and a painted front porch door. Some have become collectors’ items.
Building a House has “touch walls” with building materials with texture.
Casart removable wallcoverings could be in this category as well as others.
Our Faux Glass Tile gets the look without the hassle, expense or long-term commitment.
Buying a Home shows the progression of the modern mortgage system.
Models displays 14 iconic American home models commissioned by the Museum including Mt. Vernon among others, accompanied by photographs.
Films show 6 movies of animated tasks such as laundry, and cooking and how these have evolved to make a home function. Another gallery shows contemporary designed architecture and examples of planned communities.
Laundry has come a long way as seen on Chris Kauffman’s blogspot. We can now sit back and let our machines do the work while we enjoy the design of the space.
Modern architecture for a home has also come a long way as well, as seen in this premier property listing in Florida.
Here’s what the press says regarding this exhibit:
“In gallery after gallery, the show explores how the American dream of homeownership has played out over the years, in consumer artifacts…and models of architectural milestones, culminating in a double-screen immersion into architect-designed spaces.”—The New York Times
“House & Home…explores a subject so wide and so fundamental to American life that it inevitably touches the pleasure buttons of nostalgia.”—The Washington Post
“House & Home will take an expansive look at what it means to be at home in America.”—The Huffington Post
“…the National Building Museum’s most ambitious project to date.”—Washingtonian
If you are traveling to DC this summer for vacation or even next year, you may want to check it out.
Meanwhile, have fun turning your new house into your new home with some personalization.
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