Why Environmental Coherence Isn’t Purism

Since I like environmental coherence so much, I started wondering if I was just becoming the same kind of purist I critique in aesthetic culture. I don’t think it’s quite the same thing. One of the main reasons is that environments are inherently dynamic. They shift and evolve, but usually gradually. In aesthetic culture, things tend to […]

Why Am I Not Into Interior Design?

I always thought I was into interior design until family and friends started asking me for help. I’m fine with furniture placement questions. Lighting questions. General spatial logic in a room. But when it’s something like, “Can you help me make my house Scandinavian hygge?” I feel slightly irritated. Even though I want to help. […]

What Makes Clothing Timeless

Recently I was thinking about Derek Guy’s article “Can Style Be Timeless?” and I remembered liking his explanation. He suggests that timeless style tends to come from three things: self-knowledge, confidence in your taste, and an understanding of culture. Over time, someone who develops those qualities becomes more consistent in how they dress. That explanation […]

Where Classic Style Might Actually Come From

I’ve been thinking about the idea of classic or traditional style. In most style advice, “classic” gets presented as a kind of aesthetic ideal. Certain garments, proportions, and materials are recommended because they are considered timeless or correct. I think its possible what we call classic style simply reflects a set of conditions that tend […]