Is it madness to desire so much, when we can hold so little?

High summer, holidays taken, waters swum. Homes are ruffled, a little messy even – things are not guest-level best. These last few weeks of summer are for roaming around – out and about, but also at home. The shuffling of crockery and furniture, a repainted front door – the annual combat to coil the hose.

This can be a time we feel slightly dissatisfied with what we have – or don’t have.  We tire of what we already own. A rising sense of an unfulfilled desire. A new bed will solve ‘x’, two new lamps ‘y’. It’s normal to desire new things for home – it is our cradle. We want it to show ‘this is who we are’.

Tweaks, fluffs and additions are all part of the pleasure of having a home in which we are allowed to imprint ourselves.  But to seek more for the sake of more new or just more, is a different thing entirely. A treadmill of desire that can never be satisfied. If you buy filler things or things for the sake of it – once you are used to them, you’re back on the hunt again. A seasonal lamp is just that.

 It’s why we don’t promote colour of the season or year, as a Pollen kitchen should bring you the same joy in November as June. Some of our best-selling colours have been quietly waiting for four or more years. You’ll find it when you’re ready.

A key to domestic happiness is to quietly examine your actual desires and then prevent yourself from feeling dissatisfied with what you have. You may be naturally someone who loves to be surrounded by much, or very little. I like spare with detail. We are what we are. Roam your turf with an eye on happy instead of covet. Look at everything – is there anything you take for granted?

I have wandered through our house recently as we are moving. There aren’t many things that won’t travel – which I am happy for. Perhaps a little upholstery, perhaps a rug. I do long for more roses – but this house isn’t the one in which I want to lay their roots, so their absence is soothing rather than annoying. There will be a summer with a house laden with ‘The Generous Gardener’ and I look forward to the wait.

 Do you want what you already have?