I never thought of myself as musical, especially after a year of enduring enforced after-school piano lessons and violin classes at PS 255 in Brooklyn. Whatever I learned half a century ago about reading music, I’ve long forgotten, (along with trigonometry, chemistry and conjugating verbs in Spanish). I’ve always told anyone who asked that I can’t hold a tune if it had Velcro straps attached, but that has never stopped me from singing along to my favorite artists.

I’m not sure when the idea occurred to me that I should start cello lessons in my early 60s. Or why, except that the soulful stringed instrument has always spoken to me, and learning complex new skills is very good for brain health. (Believe me, learning the cello definitely qualifies as complex!) Then too, fate, in the form of opportunistic convenience, struck.

My book club partner/ruck buddy RW has been taking violin lessons for several years from a local instructor. I asked her whether he had any evening openings and she checked and responded that he did. She also made me an offer I couldn’t refuse: I’d be able to borrow her grandson’s student cello that he no longer used for as long as I wanted.

I think the universe was saying, ‘Do this!’ So I did. And my house-hunting since then has had a music room preoccupation; where would I hang a cello hook? What kind of chair should I get? Right now, the borrowed instrument stands in a corner of my guest room, with my music stand and a folding chair in front of a full-length mirror. My instructor suggested I practice that way to keep an eye on my bow arm form.

That’s a long way of saying that was the inspiration for this latest post/article on creating a music room for yourself at home. And that can be for the aficionado, rather than the aspiring musician. There are wellness benefits to listening as well as playing. Check out all of the advantages and ideas in this eye candy-rich Forbes.com article. Then join me and my guest moderators in a Clubhouse conversation on the topic this afternoon.

Music rooms need acoustical treatment, storage and appropriate seating for the musician.
(INTERIOR DESIGN: DEBBE DALEY DESIGNS; PAINTING AND WALLPAPER CREDIT: JOHN PEARL,
D & R PAINTING; PHOTOGRAPHY: GREG WEST PHOTOGRAPHY)

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NEW ONLINE WORK FROM HOME PRESENTATION

I’m going to be presenting a webinar on creating healthy work from home spaces on 7/27 (3 pm ET / 12 pm PT). It’s free for members of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, $20 for nonmembers. (You don’t need to be a writer to find value in the talk!) Here’s a link to sign up.

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SOCIAL GOLD

Our next Clubhouse will be TODAY! It’s going to look at creating spaces to play and enjoy music at home.

It takes place at 4 pm EST, 1 pm PST (and all the related time zones) this afternoon. Hope you’ll join us. Click the picture or the link below to connect to the conversation (using your smart phone only!).

COMING UP THIS YEAR:

• 7/19 Designing for Music
• 8/2 Back to School Ideas
• 8/16 Wellness Design and Allergies
• 9/6 Steam Showers and Saunas

What other topics do you want to hear about in the new year? Comment below and let me know.

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PAST CLUBHOUSE RECORDINGS

Here are links to Clubhouse recordings from past sessions.

2023 Recordings:

• 7/5 Best She Shed Ideas and Trends — Recording Link
• 6/21 Best Man Cave Ideas and Trends — Recording Link
• 5/17 Designing Outdoor Kitchens and Living Spaces — Recording Link
• 5/3 Designing with Water Features (Ponds, Fountains, Water Walls, Etc.) — Recording Link
• 4/5 Top Tile Trends — Recording Link
• 3/15 Wellness Design and Dementia — Recording Link
• 3/1 Best Wellness Products from Design & Construction Week — Recording Link
• 2/15 Designing with Fire Features (Fireplaces, Fire Tables, Fire Pits, Etc.) — Recording Link
• 1/18 Healthy Home Improvements with Best ROI — Recording Link
• 1/4 Creating Home Fitness Rooms — Recording Link

2022 Recordings:

• Find these links on their new archive page!

2021 Recordings:

• Find these links on their new archive page!

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GOLD DUST

Here are a few links that could be helpful to you in living a safe, healthy life at home:

• Safety-related:  What to know about returning home after a flood — Vermont Digger
• Maintenance-related: How to clean antiques  — Southern Living
• Gardening-related: Why you should plant milkweed in your garden — Real Simple