This recession has had me thinking a lot about the importance of art in our life and surroundings.  Recently two very dear friends of mine sold their home in Carefree Arizona.  In spite of the depressed housing market, they sold their home quickly.  They told me that the person who bought the home was impressed with the décor and wanted to buy the house “as is” with everything in it – everything from the furniture to the toaster and also including all of the original artwork in the home.  Now, my friends had to give this a lot of thought, because they had been collecting all of this art over many years.  Some pieces had much sentimental value to them.  But this buyer was insistent that the house be all-inclusive.  My friends were in a situation much like many other people right now, they knew they needed to sell the house, and sell it soon.  My friends went through with the sale.  I believe that the artwork made a big difference in how quickly the house sold.

In many ways my friends went through a bit of mourning over what they felt was a loss of many memories hidden in all of the artwork left behind in that house.  However, they now had an opportunity to start fresh, and decorate their new home (over time) like a new adventure – and they fully intend to do just that, because they know how art added to the quality of their life.

Surrounding our lives with beautiful art in our homes is truly an investment in self care, because we spend so much time in our home – it should be a place where we feel comfortable, and relaxed; our personal sanctuary, our escape from the big scary world outside.