Beauty and Aesthetics.....a rant

I am a sucker for beauty. I love to fill my home with pretty trinkets and things that make me stop and smile when I pass by them on the way to fold laundry or cook dinner. I am also a careful shopper, choosing items not only for their usefulness but for their aesthetic qualities as well. Whether buying dish soap or a new coffee mug, I'm a sucker for a pretty package. And, I have a feeling I'm not the only one. The marketers of these products are smart, savvy little fellows who are well aware that most of us are slaves to our aesthetic drives. That's probably why Kitchen Aid mixers come in every color under the sun ( I personally dream of a peacock blue version...sigh) and pink Hello Kitty microwaves exist. Even the most utilitarian of items are designed to be appealing to our senses. I experienced this when I was forced to choose a new faucet for our kitchen sink. Although, I had never paid that much attention to our old faucet when it was my turn to find a replacement I stood for what seemed like hours in Lowe's waiting to hear the siren song of the perfect one. Finally, I picked a curvy model, that I would describe as "whimsical". It's beautiful to me, and to be honest I have spent much more time at the kitchen sink just to admire it.

I believe this quest for beauty stems from our creation when God infused a unique allure into each and every one of us. All different, all captivating. It just makes sense to me that our creations follow the same pattern. I love to discover hidden beauty in objects whether natural or man made and thank the Supreme Artist for that special insight.  Of course being immersed in the world of antiques, I am constantly surrounded by items that take my breath away. Some posses humble beauty, they show their wear and I can tell they have been loved and used for decades, even centuries. Others reflect a past aesthetic such an art deco shot glass that seems transported from the world of Fitzgerald with its glimmer and glitz.

I could probably post a picture of every items in the shop since each would sing to someone. However, that's not how it works. Beauty is best when it is discovered by the beholder. When they can own the moment of laying eyes on something they can not live without.  So, I invite you to come on your own quest. Browse our shelves, look closely and listen for your own sweet song.