I am silver and exact…

“I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions.
Whatever I see I swallow immediately
Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislike.
I am not cruel, only truthful-
The eye of a little god, four-cornered.”

– Silvia Plath, 1961

When I Skype with friends these days, I find myself looking at my own face more than I look at theirs. I wouldn’t call it narcissism, and I would be suspicious of anyone who denied they did the same. I think it’s rooted in the eternal desire to know ourselves, to understand ourselves. This made me think about the importance of personal reflection in our lives, and in our homes, and the role that mirrors have played in the evolution of human consciousness.

We can look at just about anything with just our eyes, but to witness ourselves, we need something else. A pool of water, a camera or a mirror; knowledge of our own face always comes from an external object. So where are these objects placed in our homes? How do they effect the way we perceive ourselves on a daily basis? What do they reflect when there is no one standing in front? I find myself spending a lot of time lost in my thoughts as I do things at home. Seeing a reflection helps bring me back to physical reality and into the present moment.

The sink below, designed by Jean-Michel Policer, is a spectacular piece. Lit from the inside, it creates a feeling of simplicity and organization, and is beautiful reminder that we live in a physical reality so as not to get lost in our busy minds.

I am silver and exact...

Larisa McShane and Associates is an award winning full service interior design firm in Villanova, PA. For more personalized ideas, call us to schedule our signature personal style discovery at 610-772-0445 or visit www.larisamcshane.com