Living Rooms

In this insightful exploration, Living Rooms examines our perceptions of home and the political realities intertwined with our living spaces.

In Living Rooms, Sam Johnson-Schlee presents a thought-provoking essay that challenges readers to reflect on their dreams and fantasies about home. He delves into the complexities of our living spaces, revealing how they often serve as a façade, concealing the messiness of daily life. The ideal home, as portrayed in society, is often an illusion of comfort and ease, a place that can be sanitized of the realities of existence. Johnson-Schlee encourages us to confront these contradictions and explore the deeper meanings behind our domestic environments.

The narrative weaves together history, theory, and memoir, taking readers on a journey through various themes, such as the colonial trade in house plants and Proustian nostalgia. By connecting these elements, Johnson-Schlee offers a sharp critique of rentier capitalism and its impact on our perceptions of home. He posits that our living spaces are not just physical locations but also reflections of our desires and aspirations for a different kind of life.

Ultimately, Living Rooms invites us to reconsider the way we furnish our homes and the implications of our choices. Are we unconsciously crafting spaces that embody our dreams for a better world? By challenging the commodification of housing, Johnson-Schlee advocates for a reimagined understanding of what it means to have a living room—a space that truly embodies life and connection.