Less is More (or is it?)

Just back from an amazing trip to Colorado - and refreshed - I've been pondering the age-old philosophy that less is more. I think by default we are programmed to be impressed by all things bigger and that bigger = better. It makes sense...bigger salary, better stuff - bigger meal, better satisfaction - bigger school, better education...you get the picture. But these days when there is less to go around and our awareness of the damages our lifestyles have imposed on Mother Earth, many of us are starting to ask ourselves "Can I really do without that?" more often. I've had several conversations with friends and co-workers about minimizing how often we get in our cars to go somewhere, about really prioritizing where and how we spend our money, about supporting the local economy and doing what we can to be "green". Instead of being reserved for Earth Day worshiping tree huggers, having an environmental outlook on everyday life is being forced into everyone's consciousness. Even Walmart is making efforts to go green with reusable shopping bags and promoting local farmers. So now it's not just that girl at the market with hairy armpits using her own organic bag made from recycled materials, it's your boss, your mother, your snobby next door neighbor with the expensive maid, and it's you (well...it should be anyway).

Out in Colorado, I was introduced to an architect whose houses had a real impact on me. He is creating a neighborhood in Creede, CO called Creede America. The homes in Creede America are unique, impressive, and not 5,000 square feet plus. These houses command attention yet blend into their environment. The materials used to build these houses, like corrugated steel, brick, and slate, aren't completely out of the ordinary, but are used in captivating ways that create interest and give each house character and a uniqueness not found in new construction today. Home owners in Creede American also have the option of investing in a geothermal heating and cooling system which actually uses the earth's energy to heat and cool the home.

But beyond all that, the principle of the homes in Creede America is effective use of space and well proportioned rooms. In other words, it's not about being the biggest house on the block, it's about living in a house that makes sense with the way life is really lived. Why have the stairway command all the attention when the best memories are made around the kitchen table? Why have big unnecessary rooms? Why does every bedroom have to have its own bathroom? Why not just have a separate room for the toilet, the shower, and the vanity?

So yes, big may be impressive and certainly has its place...but I believe that bigger being better is really a thing of the past.

To learn more about Creede America and geothermal heating and cooling, visit www.creedeamerica.com.