Name: micro-decorating move #18

The weekly micro-decorating newsletter * Issue 11 of 13, W24 *
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Whether your dwelling is grand or humble, it deserves a name. Sure, you can settle for the default, like your street address, or in the case of many condos and apartments, the building's pre-crafted moniker.

But claiming a space as your own takes on a new meaning when you choose words for it. The names closest to us have a way of filtering into our consciousness and affecting the way we think and act.

I've discovered this to be true even with furniture. My living room is anchored by a Soren chair from Stylegarage:

I bought it for its sleek shape and comfy ergonomics, while suspecting that its name is a reference to Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard. Sure enough, when I'm sitting in its embrace I'll find myself pondering the riddle of existence, convinced that with enough time a manuscript will be in the making.

My neighbourhood is full of buildings whose names encourage flights of fancy. Just up the street is "couture," its entryway host to a constant parade of stylish neighbours:

One street over is "Gloucester Mansions," the second word flaking away, but still proclaiming the building's aspirations to those who remember:

The entire city is full of shiny new hoardings that announce condo developments, the names engineered to make us salivate in anticipation. Every so often, there's a stray umlaut to convey European chic.

These names may have an effect, but they pale in comparison with anything you invent yourself. Where to begin?

One method is to take a word that resonates for you and precede it with "The." Years ago, I named my apartment "The Treehouse," prompted by the fact that it's on the tenth floor of an eleven-storey building. It also gave me permission to escape, to daydream, to leave pedestrian concerns at ground level. Strangely enough, it worked, and had an especially fortifying effect during the pandemic.

Think of your own special word and give it a try:

The _________

Another method is to choose a favourite word (try your last name as a possibility) and combine it with an evocative architectural term:

_______ Palace
_______ Hall
_______ Terraces
_______ Manor
Château de ________

Don't be afraid to fill in the blank with a word that feels silly. The collision of lighthearted and solemn can result in something that's uniquely yours.

In the end, there are no rules, so be as creative as you dare. It's a form of home ownership that's completely free and it just may lead your life in the direction you desire.

From the archives

We've been featuring a lot of Ikea products recently (whose names are definitely key to their mystique) so it's time to re-evaluate how much Ikea is too much. Check out Ikea, Where's Waldo, and you for a guiding principle that works.

Parting words

Thank you for reading.