Privilege Blog

When You Find Your Symbol And Plaster It Everywhere

Most of the time most of us struggle to make sense of, well, not most, but many things.

But sometimes the universe takes us by the shoulder and points directly at significance. “Here honey, this is what I mean.” The universe may seize its opportunity, and your shoulder, at any point.

For example. I recently bought this scarf from Eric Bompard, the French cashmere company. It’s a very large thing, but I had found the image on their site so compelling.

Unsurprisingly. Because this image graces my living room wall.

Lily Stockman, Her Favorite Time Of Day.

What is it about the small room, the out beyond land? I always loved On Beyond Zebra, by Doctor Seuss. The vistas, you know? The still moment.

Her Favorite Time Of Day rests cozily on a Pottery Barn wine holder slash credenza. Oh, the ubiquitous dark wood finish of commercial “British” decor. Nothing cutting-edge, no design quotient whatsoever. Serves a purpose.

The scarf I’ll wear with Isabel Marant zipped jackets, a Gryphon cropped trench, or my grandmother’s Harris tweed. Depending on how it twists, the scarf can read brown, blue, green, or winter white. Practical and yet not really so.

Domestic signifiers have long been the provenance of women. Think about quilting, for example. We pierce the veil even as we affix it to our hair with one too many bobby pins, or shove its length onto our overflowing coat closet shelves.

Note that the pierced veil symbol originated in the Bible, and was then taken up by corporate law in the 20th century.
Landscape shelter cashmere voile scarf via Eric Bompard
Her Favorite Time of day via Lily Stockman, at her blog,
bigBANG studio, and her site, Lily Stockman

27 Responses

  1. Love the scarf, and the isolated small home image is so evocative for most of us I think. I have two paintings (just realized) with large vistas and a single, small dwelling. They’re lonely and cozy at the same time.

  2. I nod as I glimpse this image and beautiful scarf.
    A gift from the sea by Ann Morrow comes to mind…
    peace and calm, an oasis of tranquility.

    Wearing cashmere is sublime and you will look amazing with these shades next to your silver locks!

  3. I think that scarf will be so beautiful with your coloring. I can’t wait to see pictures of you wearing it. As a pert-time seller of fine French silk scarves and cashmere shawls, I feel certain you made a great choice.

  4. The colors in your favorite objects are soothing. The colors in the scarf will look perfect on you. Perhaps a photo of you wearing the scarf while looking at your newest piece of art is in order?

  5. The refuge–whether a small cottage near the water or the curl of smoke from a cabin on the plains: that’s our home out there. Or maybe a room of our own…

  6. The first picture reminds me of Harris Tweed colours,so it would as the tweed is from the soft/misty Hebrides…I had my G/father’s HT jacket re modelled to fit me it is a soft greeny tweed,it has softened with age.Ida

  7. A cashmere question – I am thinking of getting a cashmere wrap from garnet hill (large enough to use as a mini blanket when travelling)…. how would you compare eric bompard quality?
    Would love some advice as have not bought much cashmere before.

    1. Good question. I have never tried Garnet Hill, so can’t opine. In terms of sheer cashmere quality, in the durable genre, I’d have to go with Brora. The Scots also tell me Johnston of Elgins is good and less $$$.

  8. I can see why you’d be so drawn to both images; the generous vistas and psychic space are palpable. How lovely to contemplate them and “see yourself think.”

    If you find the scarf too bulky after a series of test-drives, you could always frame it, or otherwise mount it to hang on a wall. The cashmere texture would look so cozy on a chillydamp Bay Area day.

    The image on the scarf reminds me of one of my favorite artists, Joy Biddle, who painted glorious pictures of the salt marshes and tidal inlets of southern Maine (sadly there are no good images online to share with you), of which I have fond memories from childhood. Thanks for making me smile.

    1. My pleasure. I find that one of the pleasures of aging is that one can, in fact, finally see oneself think.

  9. I’ve found patterned scarves to be more practical and versatile than I ever expect them to be so I’m sure you’ll get lots of use out of that one. And it’s nice to know that even if no one else can see it, you’re wrapped in something that feels so very true to yourself with the pattern.

  10. Well, we want that scarf! In dreams it will be mounted and hung upon the wall. In reality, the image on the scarf is very close to the same view we have out our windows. Gorgeous scarf, if you musssst scrunch it up then wear it well and may great health follow you everywhere!

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