The Luxury of a Cushion
At the end of February, I had a friend from Canada come visit as she was participating in a conference here in Boston. We shared similar interests that were directly related to our work; one interest was travel, which is often associated with another – research. She had just come back from spending 3 months in South America and ended up in Peru. On the last day of her stay in Boston at breakfast she was recounting her stay in Peru and talked about how hard it was to find a cushion and find comfortable seating to sit down and have a conversation. Sure there were hammocks, but the intimacy of a hammock sometimes can be too much.
A cushion.
It’s so interesting to me that someone else can find the luxury in a cushion; an object that is so prominent to our culture, which can be hard to believe that something so simple can be foreign to someone else. Cushions have often been a sign of luxury in many cultures around the world. When I think of luxury, sometimes I think of the gold and multi-colored cushions of the Middle East or the Far East. But one doesn’t have to go as far as Asia to experience this. It is often prominent in our society and local culture. High End furniture often have tufted cushions or fabric which exert luxury.
In the Victorian times, upholstered chairs and couches were definitely a sign of luxury and having an upholstered tufted couch was the ultimate sign of luxury. The luxury of a cushion can be found anywhere from the leather seats of your luxury car to luxury home décor. It’s always interesting to me to hear of my friends’ travels and their reactions to other cultures in other countries.
In America we can be so self-absorbed that sometimes we forget what it’s like to only have primitive surroundings. Americans sometimes wonder if those in third-world countries would be happier with more things, like we have. While running water, electricity and other utilities are often seen as luxury as well, sometimes we miss the little things that also can be luxury to someone else.
After my own experiences of traveling to third-world countries what I have learned from them is that while they may not have a much as we do, they may not necessarily be sadden by this but they make the best of what they have and they make the most of what they have. If you can be happy with making the most of what you have and live comfortably, then that is what is important. Sometimes luxury isn’t buying a $100,000 dollar ring, but being able to sit comfortably and have a conversation with your friends and loved ones.
Be on the lookout for future articles by Kristi which will feature ‘tips and tricks for artists to get ahead,’ Artwork ‘currently on view,’ Projects ‘in the studio,’ Travel Stories ‘on the road and in the air,’ and finally ‘lifestyle’ adventures. You can find more about Kristi, and her work on her blog: http://blog.kglyphics.com.
Wellesley Hills Living
Wellesley Hills Living is a private publication dedicated to the Country Club Neighborhood .
