TEMPORARY PERMANENCE: OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHANGING ROLES OF TEXTILES AT HOME
SHA N NA SE E T IA N H U EY
IN THIS ZINE.. I present the process I went through to speculate on possible design outcomes for present-day domestic tensions. T h r o u g h o u t t h i s s e m e s t e r, I have studied many aspects of home activities and physical space in order to understand transformations our homes have undergone from past to present. This zine was made in an effort to understand and anticipate future needs and the changing directions of home design.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
02 / 03 INTRODUCTION
0 4 / 10 T E X T I L E S : PA S T AND PRESENT
11 / 14 D O M E S T I C T E N S I O N S
15 / 2 2 SPECUL ATIVE D E S I G N C O N C E P T S
23 / 24 BIBLIOGRAPHY
“Domestic tensions are transformations of domestic life that causes contradictions or discontinuities between an everyday routine and its material culture� 1
INTRODUCTION M y r e s e a r c h f o c u s e s o n h o m e d e c o r, primarily textiles. The textile products have remained fairly consistent t h r o u g h o u t t i m e ; h o w e v e r, t h e f u n c t i o n s of these products have changed. In this zine, I path out these changes. I begin by comparing the roles of textiles in the past and present; I hypothesize the social and cultural shifts that may have caused these transformations and how these regime changes will affect how we interact with home textiles. Following that, I identify specific tensions that have emerged as a result of the aforementioned changes. I finish by presenting 2 speculative designs I fabricated as a solution to the domestic tensions of household textiles and decoration. The bulk of my information was sourced from academic readings and material from the design archives. Regime changes were identified and supported by current magazines and cultural probe kits.
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Te x t i l e s a r e a n i n t e g r a l p a r t o f h o m e l i fe. It prov i d e s c om for t , w ar mt h , an d s e c u r i t y. I n r e c e n t y e a r s , p r a c t i c a l i t y has taken a back seat. Self-expression and reinvention are now primar y drivers of choice. Before, home textiles w e r e p e r m a n e n t f i x t u r e s . To d a y, h o m e textiles seem to change almost as often as clothing (our other primary textile). This change has been accommodated in the form of easily removable cushion c o v e r s a n d u p h o l s t e r y. Tr a d i t i o n a l objects now exist in brand new contexts; for example, a result of open plan living has repurposed carpets to become dividers of spaces. In tr ying to understand the shift in mindset and permanence, I read up on topics like socialization, hygiene and economic effects on households to gain insight into the many factors driving regime change. For old regimes, I sourced the bulk of my information from academic readings and material from the design archives. I identified and supported regime changes using current magazines and cultural probe kits.
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Fig.1. Home Beautiful magazine from 1949 - full floor carpeting was the norm
IN THE PAST, t e x t i l e s p r o d u c t s w e r e n’ t m a d e a n d applied with the intention of regularly changing it. Full-floor carpeting was c o m m o n l y f o u n d i n m a g a z i n e s , i t ’s reasonable given its function of insulation during colder months. The magazines I found from the ’40s to ’50s heavily e m p h a s i z e d ‘ m a k i n g d o’. T h e n o t i o n o f DIY and repurposing may have reflected c o n s u m e r w e a r i n e s s p o s t - Wo r l d Wa r I I (Brooke, 2018). There was an issue of “Home B eautiful” dedicated entirely to making cushions (Fig.2). Clearly a need for occasional change has always e x i s t e d ; h o w e v e r, m a g a z i n e s b a c k t h e n d i d n’ t e x p l i c i t l y p u s h p r o d u c t s a n d u r g e r e a d e r s t o b u y n e w t h i n g s c o n s t a n t l y.
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Fig.2. Home Beautiful magazine from 1953 featuring a spread on cushion DIYs
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TODAY, magazines are page after page of idealistic homes with the prices of everything in photos conveniently listed at the bottom. They are marketing a certain lifestyle, urging readers to buy more instead of making do. This consumerist culture has made everything look desirable but only for as long as it takes for the n e w e r, ‘ b e t t e r ’ p r o d u c t t o b e r e l e a s e d . We s e e d i m i n i s h i n g r e g a r d f o r t h e practical uses of textiles from its lack o f p e r m a n e n c e . Te x t i l e s a r e n o l o n g e r essential for warmth due to central heating systems in homes. Social media has turned ever y aspect of our lives into an opportunity to share and ‘brand’ oneself. Constant change is not just p r a i s e d , i t ’s e x p e c t e d . A f e w e x a m p l e s of products that reflect this change are:
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Cushion covers and seat upholster y that have zips or buttons on the back, intended for removal and change.
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Sequined pillows that change appearance when you swipe its surface. I t ’s functionally impractical, not providing warmth or comfort (Fig.3).
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We s e e l e s s o f i n s t a l l e d c a r p e t i n g and more small, single carpets (Fig.4)
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Fig.3. Product photo from the Myer website
Fig.4. Photos from Home Beautiful April 2018. Carpeting is displayed as space dividers;product details are listed on bottom left
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The way homes were de corate d t hen VS now also hints at the temporar y nature of t e x t i l e s a s h o m e d e c o r a t i o n s t o d a y. I n o l d m a g a z i n e s ( p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e 7 0 ’s a n d 8 0 ’s ) , t e x t i l e s w e r e b o l d a n d t h e y w e r e ever ywhere. Sofas were upholstered with messy floral prints, dining chairs were neon, shag carpeting was ever ywhere ( f i g . 5 ) . It ve r y s t rong ly e x pre s s e d t h e h o m e o w n e r ’s p e r s o n a l i t y. We h a v e b e c o m e a l o t s a f e r w i t h o u r choices since then, despite having more freedom to experiment. The typical home shown in magazines consists of a neutral color palette - i.e, grey sofas, wood tables, hard wood floors etc. - with textiles injecting color into the scene (fig.6). The objects that are usually more expensive (therefore changed less often) is kept plain and simple. Readers are re c om me nd e d to “t h row a c ol or f u l patterned blanket over the sofa to spice it up!” In doing my cultural probes, I n o t i c e d t h a t b o t h m i n e a n d m y f r i e n d ’s home had ver y similar grey sofas and g re y car p et ing (f ig.7). My f r iend had laid out fuzzy pink pillows and blankets to inject some color and texture.
from left to right: Fig5. House&Garden from 1973 Fig6. Photos from Home Beautiful April 2018. Most ‘ideal’ home spaces show simple sofas with textiles to add personality Fig7. Cultural probe photos from my friend Jon (top) and me (bottom)
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“ We spend mos t of our time here in the living room, we made t he sofa as comfortable as possible because we use it when we t ake naps, eat d i n n e r, wa t c h t v e t c . ”
I live in a s tudent accomodation, so the living room is ver y sparsely furnished. I rarely spend time here; the sofa is currently s t ac ked wit h my housemate’s belongings. 10
“Nowness and flatness are not just conditions af f ect ing t he present. They have colonized ot her t imes too. The ability to view vas t volumes of data and records from the pas t, as well as g rasp a variety of positions on the future, means that t here is no longer any meaningful separat ion between ot her eras and our own. Indeed, his tor y is today understood as a kind of alternat ive present, s t ill happening somewhere e l s e . � ( S e l f , 2 018 )
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DOMESTIC TENSIONS
In one of my critical annotation readings titled “How The Great Recession influenced a decade of d e s i g n”, Brooke(2018) mentions a phenomenon dubbed “ The Big Flat Now”; she defines it as ‘t he i n f i n ite sp a c e on w h i ch ou r c u l t u r e o p e r a t e s t o d a y ”. I t c l a i m s t h a t t h e reach of social media has allowed us to be inf luenced by a myriad of cultures, tastes, a n d t re n d s . Un l i k e t h e p a s t , h om e ow n e r s n o l on g e r h av e a s i n g l e t re n d y ‘ l o o k’ t o s t r i v e f o r. T h e ‘ i d e a l ’ h o m e a e s t h e t i c today mixes both minimalism and m a x i m a l i s m . I t i s m u l t i p l e “ l o o k s ”. We crave individuality yet keep track of ever y trend; in a culture with so much u n i q u e n e s s , t h e r e’s a l s o a l o t o f s a m e n e s s . This phenomenon may explain the c h a n g i n g r o l e s o f t e x t i l e s a n d h o m e d e c o r.
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Another household tension could be attributed to the trendiness of environmental conciousness; many homeowners are adopting new ways to be sustainable in decorating their homes. They want to feel closer to nature despite b e i n g m o r e r e m o v e d f r o m n a t u r e t h a n e v e r. This may explain the rise in popularity of houseplants. Many people are opting to buy vintage furniture and homeware now as a means of being sustainable as well as f u r t h e r i n g i n d i v i d u a l i t y. F r o m p e r s o n a l obser vation, I find that decorative t e x t i l e s a r e s t i l l u s u a l l y b o u g h t n e w, probably due to hygienic standards. From a sustainability standpoint, I question this domestic regime of regular textile change. Most businesses (even sustainable ones) may never truly be sustainable. Their livelihoods depend o n t h e n e e d f o r t h e n e w, which is the real barrier t o s u s t a i n a b i l i t y.
Fig.8. These photos were found on Pinterest under the search “Plants Room Decor�. There are countless other photos just like these.
Should the solution we design be an object or a mindset?
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As a design prompt for future designs, I think it presents an interesting opportunity for the creation of products. The current home decoration ideals seem muddled; t h e y ’r e very c o n t r a d i c t o r y.
PERMANENCE / TEMPORARY MINIMALISM / MAXIMALISM SAMENESS / INDIVIDUALITY
The tension created by these contrasting ideas may require a unique design solution. As I ponder on the direction to take future designs, I think about h u m a n d u a l i t y. T h e d u a l i t y o f m a n i s n o t a n e w c o n c e p t ; h o w e v e r, I b e l i e v e i t ’s b e e n a m p l i f i e d b y o u r c u l t u r e t o d a y. We’r e n o t urged to tamp down one side of ourselves or be one thing, we try to do and be everything. Could there be a way to design for two opposing things simultaneously?
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DESIGN CONCEPTS Speculating design and storymaking through Lego.
CONCEPT ONE, “FURNITURE IMPLANTS”
What if we could augment our f u r n i t u r e a t w i l l ? I t ’s l i k e c o s m e t i c s u r g e r y, without the pain or permanence. As the “Big Flat Now” s u g g e s t s , h o m e o w n e r s t h e s e d a y s d o n’ t follow one specific mode of home d e c o r. T h e y c r a v e r e g u l a r c h a n g e without committing to hefty prices. Imagine this: Botox for your sofa. Liposuction for your chairs. Fillers for your cushions. This concept relates to current typologies of modular furniture, yet should be categorized on its own. Instead of moving parts around for a new look, the part itself changes its appearance. Maybe with a combination of zips and snap buttons, upholster y can be expanded to accommodate new shapes. Adding furniture stuffing or cushion forms inside can change t h e f u r n i t u r e’s s i l h o u e t t e . I n s t e a d o f conventional square cushions laid on furniture, have cushions like building blocks, expanding and adding on to furniture in unexpected ways.
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When?
Why?
Whenever one feels like changing the appearance of their home
Sometimes, buying a new cushion cover isn’t enough of a change. Additionally, the habit of small changes can add up to a lot of money.
Where? Any are of the home where tables, chairs or sofas exist. Most likely the living area, where furnishing and decor is seen by most people
Who? Homeowners who tire of the same look very quickly
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CONCEPT TWO, “OUTDOORS, INDOORS”
W h a t i f p l a n t s a s d e c o r a t i o n d i d n’ t e x i s t only in potted form? What if plants played the same role in decorating a s t e x t i l e s ? N o w m o r e t h a n e v e r, w e want to bring the outdoors inside. P l a n t s a n d g r e e n e r y, w o v e n t o g e t h e r l i k e a t a p e s t r y. I t c o u l d e x i s t a s a w a l l h a n g i n g , a r o o m d i v i d e r, a curtain - an ever-growing textile. Colors and textures may change as new things bloom and others w i t h e r. We a r e c r e a t u r e s w h o g r o w bored easily ; how entertaining it would be to have something in our home that shifts and changes organically and in unexpected ways?
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Where?
Why?
In spaces with lots of light. As city populations increase, many people don’t have backyards anymore. This may be a way to bring nature into a home with space limitations.
Sustainability is trendy now, which isn’t a bad thing. However, it’s difficult to stay sustainable while yearning for the occasional change of scenery.
When? Anytime, always
Who? Homeowners who enjoy having plants in their home but perhaps don’t have enough space for all the pots
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Brooke, E. (2018). How the Great Recession inf luenced a decade of des i g n . Vo x . R e t r i e v e d 7 A p r i l 2 0 1 9 , f r o m h t t p s : / / w w w. v o x . c o m / t h e goods/2018/12/27/18156431/recession-fashion-de-sign-minimalism C o l or & D e c or at i n g Sp e c i a l . Hom e B e aut i f u l . ( 2 0 1 9 , Apr i l ) . D-S, A. (2018). Smarter Homes: how technolog y has changed your home life ( an i nt ro du c t i on ) . Me d iu m . R e t r i e v e d 7 Apr i l 2 0 1 9 , f rom http s : / / m e d iu m . com/@iotwatch/smarter-homes-how-technolog y-has-changed-your-homelife-an-introduction-5e8306a59a31 IKEA | DELAKTIG Collection. (2019). Ikea.com. Retrieved 25 May 2019, f r o m h t t p s : / / w w w. i k e a . c o m / g b / e n / c o l l e c t i o n s / d e l a k t i g / Ford, A. (1955, November). Make your own cushions and save yourself pounds. Home B eautiful, 30-38. I r e n e C i e r a a d ( 2 0 1 3 ) T h e F a m i l y L i v i n g R o o m : A C h i l d ’s P l a y p e n ? , H o m e Cultures, 10:3, 287-314, DOI: 10.2752/175174213X13712175825557 L a t e s t G u i d e To T h e D i s p l a y H o m e s . H o m e B e a u t i f u l . ( 1 9 7 5 , O c t o b e r ) . M a j - B r i t t Q u i t z a u & I n g e R ø p k e ( 2 0 0 9 ) B a t h r o o m Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n : F r o m H y g i e n e t o We l l - B e i n g ? , H o m e C u l t u r e s , 6 : 3 , 2 1 9 - 2 4 2 , D O I : 1 0 . 2 7 5 2 / 1 7 4 0 6 3109X12462745321345 N e t t o , D . & D e l a v a n , T. ( 2 0 1 9 ) . L o v i n g t h e U n l o v a b l e D e c a d e . N y t i m e s . c o m . R e t r i e v e d 1 2 A p r i l 2 0 1 9 , f r o m h t t p s : / / w w w. n y t i m e s . c o m / 2 0 1 5 / 0 3 / 2 9 / t - m a g azine/1970s-interior-design.html Smith, L. (2000). The Home Front: consumer spending on home decor acc e s s o r i e s h a s i n c r e a s e d d r a m a t i c a l l y. A r e y o u m a k i n g t h e m o s t o f t h i s l o v e a f f a i r w i t h h o m e f a s h i o n ? , G i f t s a n d Ta b l e w a r e s ( Tr a d e J o u r n a l ) , Vo l 2 5 , Issue 3 S e l f , J . ( 2 0 1 8 ) . T H E B I G F L AT N O W: P o w e r, F l a t n e s s , a n d N o w h e r e n e s s i n the Third Millennium, 032c (Magazine), Issue 34 Ur b a n R hy t h m St y l e . ( n . d . ) . D e c or at i n g w it h r u g s t o d e f i n e a s p a c e [ B l o g post]. Retrieved from https://urbanrhythm.com.au/blogs/urstyle/decorating-with-rugs-to-define-a-space Wo n d e r f u l S i l v e r A n n i v e r s a r y I s s u e . H o u s e & G a r d e n . ( 1 9 7 3 , D e c e m b e r ) . Wa r d , E . ( 1 9 4 9 , S e p t e m b e r ) . S h e w e n t t o m a r k e t … t o f u r n i s h h e r h o m e . Home B eautiful, 23. 24