"Bohemian Style".

Considering that I have mentioned the word Bohemian in my yesterday post, I though I would elaborate a little bit on the term Bohemian Style, which is a favorite style of mine.
Or I guess, the only style of mine.

I love everything about it, particularly in the more modern form, where it - at least to me - embraces the free thinking of unconventional living, in harmony with nature, focused on an artistic mindset. Both in fashion and home decoration, it is the design that appeals to all my senses of a romantic dreamer, with its incredible colours, natural fabrics and an eclectic, sensual femininity in every aspect.

I bet most of you are very familiar with the term Bohemian, but few of you know its origins. Initially a French word, the term bohémien was a common term for the Romani people of France, who had reached Western Europe via Bohemia, the country of my origin. It became a term used in the early 19th century when artists and creators began to concentrate in the lower-rent, lower class gypsy neighborhoods. The alternative lifestyle of Gypsies inspired a movement, that later came to encompass almost an adventurous existence, with at times eccentric thinking of like-minded people, such as artist, actors, musicians or writers.

Of course, today the term Bohemian or Boho has been adapted to be used in describing almost anything that defines a laid back, unhampered style, such as fashion (with the term Boho-chic), interior design, jewelry making, art, crafts, literary works or music. In the past, it has been associated with writers and numerous artist, such as the Pre-Raphaelites, my favorite art movement of all.

As for my own affection for this carefree style, I guess it started early on, when I already as a child became fascinated by the vivid multitude of colours of the flaring fabrics of long dresses of the seventies. I have always been allured by anything that was aesthetically pleasing and I guess, tried to also convey that into the romantic pictures I drew as a young teenager. They became a hit among my peers and I drew countless images of ethereal looking girls with flowing wild hair and dreamy expression, all of which I gave away as gifts to my friends.

As I grew older, I was drawn to almost anything eclectic and while living in the US, my personal style developed in the direction of almost a hippie like fashion. Coincidentally, the nineties brought a revival of the 60's style, with wide pants and loose tunics with flower-power patterns. I enjoyed immensely the travels I did in the Four Corners states, where the crafts and jewelry of the Native Americans was readily available. To this day I wear rings, earrings and bracelets that are hand made in this part of the world.

My home is filled with colours and patterns as well. The style is wild and free, very much like my personal outlook. I like to think of my home as a safe heaven, always cosy and inviting, perhaps never stylish or modern and rarely organized. My visitors often tell me, that they experience a feeling of well being and relaxation, when staying at the house. The airy space and the wide windows, with mesmerizing views of nature might have much to do with that. But perhaps some of it can be attributed to the vivid colours and the unrestricted freedom of the Bohemian Style.