Can architecture make you happy? Not the I-love-my-new-kitchen kind of happy, but the deep down, inner bliss kind of happy. The kind of happy that stirs your soul, because this house or that building somehow speaks to your core values and attitudes about life. The November issue of dwell asks the question — which has been pondered throughout history by the likes of Renaissance architects and, more recently, by architect/writer Christopher Alexander. Alexander penned a a book in the late 1970s called “A Pattern Language” (Oxford University Press, 1,216 pages, $65). Alexander sought to decode the magic — what it is about a space or place that makes people feel good. Dwell puts a modern spin on the question and gives the pondering floor to London-based writer Alain de Botton, whose latest book explores architecture and happiness. de Botton lays out his principles for architectural happiness, his belief that society harbors a “tedious overemphasis on the future” and his thoughts on the trouble with architects — particularly cutting-edge architects. That seems like a strange discussion in a design magazine devoted to all things cutting-edge.
THE INFORMAL FORMAL COCKTAIL PARTY: For those itching to throw one, check out the fall/winter issue of InStyle Home. New York cosmetics executive Olivia Chantecaille shares her recipe for such an event, which includes handwritten invitations, board games, Latin music from the 1950s, Budweiser served in the can and silver-plated koozies, elegant plastic plates (www.bongenre.com), Russian-style deviled eggs and (our favorite) macaroni and cheese in Parmesan cups.
AND FINALLY: Wondertime, a parenting magazine from Disney Publishing that launched in February, gathered child development and family experts for a summit on the state of parenting in the U.S. Among the most interesting findings came from a study conducted by the Families and Work Institute that asked children for one “wish” to improve their lives. Their answer: to feel less stressed and tired. Surely, that’s a commentary on something.