Basic Psychology

August 22, 2019 Carl Barnett

A meaningful minimal is my design mantra. Focusing on the emotion of a space and how it flows, exudes a longevity that surpasses trend.

Through this I create a calm and inspiring living space, focused on its inhabitants, their needs and desires. By being inspired, we too then inspire: a design as catalyst intention.

Our living spaces should work for us, not only through utility but psychology: facilitating relaxation for mind and body, and uplifting in this era of growing challenge.

“This is not as heady as it sounds, it is merely a matter of surrounding oneself with what and whom we love.”

How we treat ourselves is basic psychology and surrounding ourselves with beauty is the bedrock to mindful living. This is not as heady as it sounds, it is merely a matter of surrounding oneself with what and whom we love.

I rely heavily on the hand created for this reason. Supporting a maker’s endeavors gives a sense of purpose, and living with their work, brings in beauty and meaning.

The creative mind is a spring board for change in all expressive avenues, inspiring better living, finding resolve and asking questions that need to be asked.

This is how life works: from emotion, to mind, to action. And how we can move forward with less trepidation, to the future unknown.

Simplify

August 18, 2019 Carl Barnett

If we are to be better, we are to live better: simpler I think. Life has gotten away from us, so quick are we to judge, scroll and lose ourselves in our black screens. Escaping from the very thing we are here for: life and its wondrous complexities.

I am certainly guilty of this, but now I’ve stepped back and reorganized my thinking. It’s not the meaning of life, but the meaning in life I tell myself. Slowly it’s coming back to the surface, back to the light it needs.

How we live is paramount in this era, and too how we think. The present requests a great deal from us, and the future will be demanding more.

”I am not suggesting a monastic existence, though sometimes that seems appealing in contrast to todays worries.”

To live simpler and with clarity is part and parcel to resolve or at least a means to soothe. I am not suggesting a monastic existence, though sometimes that seems appealing in contrast to todays worries. I do however believe that simplification is the best route forward: less consumption, less phrenetic need to fill the void.

Our living spaces are where we start and end our days, and live all the moments between. They nourish and inspire us, give us shelter from more than rain.

It is clear then, why our living spaces should go beyond mere space and four walls, into emotion and memory, this is their built utility: a machine for life and living, buffering and vacillating life forward.

Forward Step

August 17, 2019 Carl Barnett

MVRDV architects — **MVRDV** **architects**

Hope in an era of challenge.

This is my manifesto, my philosophy of doing, and my why. In all that I create, my intention is to contrast our current times of trouble and worry, to pull back the curtains and let light to come in.

Within the crumblings of government and our concern towards the future, there is beauty to be seen and resolution to be had by the creative and active endeavors of many.

The inspiration is there, always growing and building despite its counter parts, which have always been and will to some degree, always be. This is human nature, life as we know it, and to resolve or soften this pendulum of behavior is to acknowledge our imperfections, siding with our better half.

Carl Barnett Design/Studio - Untitled (Thrive) — **Carl Barnett Design/Studio** **- Untitled (Thrive)**

This perhaps is not an easy task, one mountain begets another, but again this is life: certainly my lesson to be learned. But this does not mean change cannot happen, or that our endeavors are all for not, it all adds up, step by uncertain step, forward.

”To build a positive future, is to be the stronger foundation: to know our human nature and to be our better selves.”

The creative mind is a powerful tool as is the mindset of empathy and hope. There is no grand gesture needed, only the desire and will to do better. To build a positive future, is to be the stronger foundation: to know our human nature and to be our better selves.

Inspired

August 14, 2019 Carl Barnett

Carl Barnett Design/Studio - World Trade Center — **Carl Barnett Design/Studio -** **World Trade Center**

“Just as one cannot deny the impact politics has on life, one cannot deny the inspiration design has either.”

It is difficult for me to separate politics from what I create, as design is about life, and politics the same. Just as one cannot deny the impact politics has on life, one cannot deny the inspiration design has either.

To live an inspired life is to embrace all its facets, the good, the bad and the necessity of beauty.

Carl Barnett Design/Studio - Oculus — **Carl Barnett Design/Studio -** **Oculus**

I’m inspired by my surroundings, by all that brings me wonder and joy. The things that nourish my body and stretch my mind, leave me awestruck and determined to find a better way.

Carl Barnett Design/Studio - Central Park West — **Carl Barnett Design/Studio -** **Central Park West**

Carl Barnett Design/Studio - Untitled (Then/This) — **Carl Barnett Design/Studio -** **Untitled (Then/This)**

It is not enough for me to follow the usual path, though overwhelm sometimes has its way with me, leaving me wondering if what I seek is truly accessible.

Carl Barnett Design/Studio - Museum of Jewish Heritage

“This may come across as a bit naive, but science has proven the facts: what we think about we bring about, what we design, designs us.”

I believe in what the creative mind can do, despite this era of challenge. It is a mindset I choose and a way of life that feels most affective. This may come across as a bit naive, but science has proven the facts: what we think about we bring about, what we design, designs us.

Pendulum

August 4, 2019 Carl Barnett

Often I think on hope and love, and where action lies within these. Hope and love are intangible emotions, and action gives them bones and flesh.

In this era of challenge, yet another by history standards, hope and love have made their mark, though continues to be daunted. But hope always has the constant push, and love the impossible pull.

Action is where these find their weight, in our everyday. It is this that marks the coming future: pushing the pendulum further.