"Remember that you are mortal, and you have a limited time to live, and in devoting yourself to discussion of the nature of time and eternity you have seen things that have been, are now, and are to come."
This isn't interior design, but it is quite compatible with an Epicurean approach to life. Basically you are maximizing the pleasure you get from your belongings.
We've been tinkering with this at my house and it's surprisingly effective. In getting rid of possessions that no longer "bring joy", we find we're getting much more pleasure out of our remaining possessions.
The whole process isn't at all intended to be ascetic, but joyful. Similar to our philosophy! And it's a nice chance to reflect on what is natural, necessary, not natural, not necessary, etc.
I'm reading a book called Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness" which is a study of joy in our environment by Ingrid Fetell Lee. Marie Kondo seems to be popping up everywhere including this book. Here is an excerpt of the author's take on her system:
"...what I realized is that Kondo’s philosophy isn’t really minimalism. It’s sanity. After all, we still have plenty of stuff. And now that we can see the things we have, our place actually feels more abundant, not less. That’s because abundance isn’t about just accumulating things. It’s about surrounding yourself with a rich palette of textures that enliven your senses. If true minimalism is like clear-cutting a field, Kondo’s method is like weeding a garden. It’s a process of removing the background noise to create a canvas on which to build a joyful home. Yet it’s also worth remembering that just weeding alone doesn’t create a beautiful garden. You have to plant flowers, too."
Oscar Nice article! Natural light has been demonstrated in many studies to be a key component of effective learning spaces. And not just learning spaces, but any kind of habitable space. As organisms we are biologically intertwined with the sun to the point that natural light is definitely natural and necessary.
Many of the best architects speak of their work as sculpting light. One of my old favorites is the Finn, Alvar Aalto, who went to great lengths to pull the dim northern light into his buildings. Calatrava's work is quite different and works with bright southern light. Gothic cathedrals were all about the desire to suffuse space with spiritual light. You're definitely on to something!
You can listen on the Google Podcasts app, but I can't find a way to link to that.
The interviewer got on my nerves, the interviewee had some thoughtful insights which could be applicable to one pursuing pleasure. They very briefly discussed happiness v joy, then got into a discussion of the 10 aesthetics of joy as described in the book.
Back when I had an apartment I kept it very tidy and well-appointed. Now that I live exclusively in a truck, I find the minimalism forced and constraining. I miss my book collection, my kitchen, my desk and chair; and my hammock most of all.
She did an interview on Stephen Colbert's show recently that I watched. I was especially impressed with the translator!
The woman in this podcast is Ingrid Fetell Lee, a native English speaker. I'm guessing you're referring to Marie Kondo (Kondo is mentioned in the book though).... Ingrid FL might say to paint your steering wheel yellow or put a hula girl on the dashboard, but wouldn't say to tidy up! She also has a practice of "joyspotting" which is noticing things that bring you joy as you go about your day. She's concerned with things in the environment, but the practice doesn't have to stop there.
Her aesthetics of joy include energy, abundance, freedom, play, transcendence, magic, renewal, and some others that I can't remember. But nothing to do with frugality or minimalism.
