Flowers Against Darkness

On Henri Matisse, memory, and why beautiful spaces still matter in uncertain times

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I have this painting from Henri Matisse in the center of my own home. It has been with me for as long as I can remember. As a child I did not know why it spoke to me so loudly I would never let go of it again (and I threw out a whole truckload of things it seems).

A few decades down the road I do: It has bright and not too bold colors that make you feel better almost instantly. It seems like there are white and blue flowers on it. I just love flowers. They are nature’s perfect designs, they seem breakable but are resilient, they usually have the best designed lines and greatest colors: made to attract attention for obvious reasons. And these particular ones exude a silent joy that is just awesome. Whenever I look at it, everything else slowly starts to fade.

And don’t get me wrong, I am not talking about a little disagreement with my boss, when I say everything else starts to fade. I am talking about being cut off from my husband’s relatives for over two months. For most of that time we didn’t even know for sure if they were even still alive. When one little message finally made it through, I cried for some twenty minutes. When my sister sent me a sticker I originally got from Maman Topol (Big Mama) I had a few uncontrolled tears running down my face today.

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So let’s get back to the painting - it is a collage actually - from Matisse. It is called “La Danseuse” (The Dancer) - do you see it? It has had and will have it’s influence on my mood for all my life.

However, it sure has more influence than that on me. I like my designs to exude the same warmth, the same joy, the same calmness and the same not-too-boldness. I do not create this kind of happy designs because I am oblivious to what is going on in the world. I create them despite all the anger and sadness and despite all the uncertainty and darkness. Because life deserves some joy too. And - who knows - maybe one day we will all live in the same town wherever.

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If this philosophy sounds like the right kind of thing for you, maybe you would like to collaborate on any kind of design project? Let me know about it! I’ll be delighted to help. Send me an e-mail to julia.bahar@mailbox.org. We will figure everything out later on in an online meeting.

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Want to know more first?

I will tell you the secret no one in the Western world knows about Persian rugs. It is very beautiful and you can read all about it here. If, afterwards, you find yourself craving printed flowers, continue reading here. If you only want to change one thing in your own home, continue reading here.

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خسته نباشین

Khaste nabashin - Don’t let yourself get exhausted. Another way of expressing gratefulness in Iran.

Have a wonderful day ✨

Julia