From our earliest recorded history, stories have been an important part of being human. From ancient gatherings around the fire in cave dwellings to listening to Uncle Jim’s oft-heard humorous tales or reading bedtime stories to our children, storytelling has been used for thousands of years to create connections, build shared meaning, teach important lessons and pass down traditions, beliefs and folklore. In his article “The Art of Immersion: Why Do We Tell Stories?” Frank Rose explains: “Anthropologists tell us that storytelling is central to human existence. That it’s common to every known culture. That it involves a symbiotic exchange between teller and listener – an exchange we learn to negotiate in infancy. . . Stories are recognizable patterns, and in those patterns we find meaning. We use stories to make sense of our world and to share that understanding with others.”

We understand the role of stories in our personal lives, but how does this come into play when remodeling a home? One’s home is deeply personal; it’s where we spend most of our time, engaging with friends and family around the dinner table, sharing holiday traditions and building memories. It’s our refuge from the ups and downs of life that we all inevitably experience. No matter who we are or what our position in life, we all want our homes to be warm, inviting, comforting spaces where we feel at ease and can be ourselves. This sense of comfort and belonging is why the phrase “feeling at home” carries so much weight. Thus, the stories that come into play when remodeling a home – encompassing personality, history, family, friends, interests, and needs — must be considered in the process.

Sometimes the inspiration for ARCIFORM’s work comes from a well-known story itself, as seen in this 1902 Victorian in Sellwood. Included in the extensive renovation was a dormer addition based on Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea