"Within the tapestry of captivating conversations, the walls adorned with salon Patterns become the canvas for shared wisdom and endless possibilities."
- John Smith.
Welcome to my wallpaper world, where walls come alive with the spirit of intellectual exchange and bohemian charm. As in the art of colorful transformation and conversation. In this blog post, we delve into the captivating concept of French Salons, where men and women of the Age of Reason gathered as equals to explore matters of the mind, body, and soul. Discover how these enlightening gatherings, aimed at fostering personal growth, continue to influence contemporary conversations and inspire unique bohemian wallpaper designs known as Salon Patterns.
Little did I know that my "reason to gather" with women in the name of wisdom back in 2016 had been a source of growth among bohemians like myself. French Salons were hosted as part of a movement called the Age of Reason, or Enlightenment. Men and women gathered as equals to discuss mind, body, and soul matters, thinking humanity could be improved through rational change.
My C.O.W. rules were simple: Gather around a table with food, wine, and flowers. Discuss an essay written on wisdom. No judgments or opinions were allowed––only questions and insights about what the piece prompted in them—no silent partners. Everyone had to speak and share reactions in the first round. This gave introverts and extroverts the freedom to go first or last and express themselves quickly, depending on their comfort level. After that, we used an incense stick as a Talking Stick to continue our discussion, which we burned at the end. The more we rephrased our opinions into insights and questions, our conversations became more powerful.
One night, we went off on a Google tangent. One of the women said she used to call her dad for answers. Now, she Googled. This forced her to be more thoughtful about her conversations with her father. She found herself wanting to connect to him more deeply.
When I told them that Google was my daddy, they all laughed. I went on to share why. I am known for whipping out my phone and googling when something is in question to ensure we have the information right. In fact, during our C.O.W. time, I often googled words to align and clarify their meaning in the context of what was being said. For an insatiably curious child like me, who never grew out of her curiosity, Google was the parent with all the answers I never had.
One of the women at the table let the tangent run its course, then grabbed the incense stick to share an insight new to her. She had always gotten upset with people who pulled out their phones to search for information during conversations. She had judged their actions as a lack of caring rather than someone's need to understand something at the moment, in light of wanting to be wiser because they cared a lot. As much as she did.
Drawing inspiration from the transformative power of French Salons, I channeled my creativity into designing Salon Patterns. These bohemian (as in socially stimulating expressions of art) wallpaper designs come with a twist— a continental west coast vibe embodies the essence of cultural diversity, imagination, and the desire to host fantastical conversations within the comfort of your own space. Each pattern tells a unique story, inviting you to engage with your surroundings and embrace the spirit of Enlightenment and personal growth.
Just as the Age of Reason sparked a revolution of thought, my Salon Patterns will allow you to infuse your spaces with a new kind of bohemian charm and intellectual curiosity. Let your walls become a tapestry of wisdom, a testament to the transformative potential of engaging in conversations that inspire growth, change, and a deeper connection to the world around us.
From My Bag To Yours,
G