Ute Lemper was singing: “…it’s all a swindle, so get what you can from your fellow man…Life is good knock on wood–knock knock– I sang along as I drove by a Target in Orange County. And because I like to listen to the same songs over and over again, later, I was singing along with Ute as I drove by an Ikea.
I had just read that the self made founder of Ikea, Ingvar Kamprad and his family are worth 33 billion dollars. Forth on Forbes List of the World’s Billionaires. Ikea created a new market: an experience for consumers wherein their consumerism allows them good feelings. Prosperity, Intelligence and Satisfaction and Acceptablity. Which is alll good stuff, me thinks. However, one wonders how long that experience lasts? Past when you get it home and assemble?
It can be difficult to look past the immediate experience to look at the long view.
Objects can be suitable to their environment depending on where and how you look. Here at Bibelots Design we like to apply the mantra of Lady Mendel: Proportion, Simplicity and Suitability. This was her view of how to judge good taste. I think it’s safe to view Lady Mendel’s mantra of good taste as a view of beauty. Beauty depends on the context and Lady Mendl would look to see if all three principles were there to understand it in situ. One must look from a broader perspective to see if something is suitable.
My Holiday Wish for us all is that when we , “I need a…” The next thought would be, “Do I need it?” Then if the answer is Yes think about where one could find it locally. Eschew the Ikea, (it will always be there) and take the time to find something more thoughtful.
