The architecture of vacations
A large screened-in porch where one can eat a leisurely meal or enjoy a good book on a swing, large windows, and a bathroom with therapeutic bath or steam shower... all are features that have some link to the feeling of being at leisure and that many people try to include in their homes.
One of my clients told me she wanted her full-time residence to make her feel as if she were on vacation every day when she got home from work.
I think the general idea is to have a home with features that make the most of our few leisure hours by giving us that sense of relaxation, and yes, even remind us of the feeling we get on vacation.
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Often people bring back various ideas from travels about how they want their homes laid out, starting with a comment like ‘remember that great place we stayed in...’ It could mean a bathroom with a sink separate from the tub and toilet area or a well-designed mudroom connected to storage for outdoor equipment.
Sometimes vacation references mean turning to new technologies seen elsewhere. It could be anything from environmentally favourable practices like sod-covered rooftops or the use of wind energy.
In general, I feel that having opportunities to bring the exterior inside and really blurring the line between outside and in is characteristic of that vacation feeling... the idea that we can just step outside from whatever room and connect with nature.
For some, having the same style of architecture as where they spent their summer vacations is comforting. For Quebecers, this often means references to seaside, in particular New England, architecture. Cedar shingles can bring back a lot of memories. Of course, it’s nice to choose inspiration that also fits nicely in the local vernacular.
One thing we may not consciously think of is that on holidays we do not have all our belongings – we live an uncluttered, simplified life, and less stuff makes us feel more relaxed. To achieve this in a full-time home requires good planning as far as storage goes so that we get that ‘Zen’ feeling in each room: a good entranceway with plenty of storage for out-of-season clothes, storage for recycling, toys, built-in cabinetry for our favourite books…
There’s no doubt that well planned spaces can make our lives more relaxed and fun!
Johanne Béland