Hey RevGalPals: looking for a way to supplement your income? Or maybe it's time to consider a change in the direction of your ministry? Here's an idea straight from yesterday's Wall Street Journal--become a faith-based interior designer. Help people create "sacred spaces" in their homes. (I didn't link the story because you have to be a subscriber to the WSJ to access it online.)
The story ("Your Bedroom's Divine", by Troy McMullen), reports that some interior designers have begun to market themselves as experts in merging home decor with religion. Their designs can be subtle, such as using colors from favorite scriptural passages, or including Biblically themed plants or wallpapers. Or the designs can be more obvious such as the installation of large crosses, altars or prayer closets in the home.
The story ("Your Bedroom's Divine", by Troy McMullen), reports that some interior designers have begun to market themselves as experts in merging home decor with religion. Their designs can be subtle, such as using colors from favorite scriptural passages, or including Biblically themed plants or wallpapers. Or the designs can be more obvious such as the installation of large crosses, altars or prayer closets in the home.
So, you may ask, what colors are Biblical? There's sky blue (doh!), amber and crimson (from Jeremiah). What is a Biblically themed plant? Most homes can't accomodate bullrushes, so why not try an amaranthus? It has red, yellow and green and thus symbolizes Joseph's coat of many colors. Looking for spiritually based wallpapers? There are two companies cited in the article that manufacture spiritual wallpapers and borders. Example: "Give us this day our daily bread" is printed on the paper along with pictures of the communion elements of grapes, cheese and bread. Perfect for that new kitchen remodeling!
Prayer closets are apparently popular and the WSJ says that the cost averages from $300 to $900. They are installed in under-the-stairs closets, outdoors sheds, or as niches in a den or living room. Usually they include candles, pillows or kneelers, and maybe a rock water sculpture for that babbling brook effect. ( Note to self: no babbling water for us--El Jefe always says that it reminds him he needs to go to the bathroom is very distracting, not soothing.)
How to get started in your new ministry? The WSJ article advises volunteering in local churches to reorganize furniture or arrange flowers for special events in order to get referrals. Hmmm, that reminds me. Our Youth Committee found an interior designer volunteer to help them rearrange the Youth Lounge and make plans for refurbishing it. Clearly we're on the cutting edge of this new trend.
Prayer closets are apparently popular and the WSJ says that the cost averages from $300 to $900. They are installed in under-the-stairs closets, outdoors sheds, or as niches in a den or living room. Usually they include candles, pillows or kneelers, and maybe a rock water sculpture for that babbling brook effect. ( Note to self: no babbling water for us--El Jefe always says that it reminds him he needs to go to the bathroom is very distracting, not soothing.)
How to get started in your new ministry? The WSJ article advises volunteering in local churches to reorganize furniture or arrange flowers for special events in order to get referrals. Hmmm, that reminds me. Our Youth Committee found an interior designer volunteer to help them rearrange the Youth Lounge and make plans for refurbishing it. Clearly we're on the cutting edge of this new trend.
But if you think that interior decoration is not your strength, here is another idea for a little supplemental income--home blessings. Home blessings average $100 for a simple ceremony that involves a clergy member reciting prayers, lighting candles and burning incense to chase away negative energy from the home. Who needs Feng Shui? Lucky Revgals with strong color sense could combine their skills and offer a full-service ministry--design and blessing. One stop shopping!
Spiritual decorators charge $85 to $125 an hour, according to the American Society of Interior Designers. So what are you waiting for? Supplement your income and expand your ministry by becoming one. Operators are standing by to take your call....
12 comments:
What WILL we think of next?
I found the prayer closet the most ammusing. Montreat College build a prayer shed/closet/space that was truely beautiful and a great idea except for those of us there during the summer with 'randy' high schoolers. We had to check that thing every 20 minutes!
Hmmmmm ..... my monastery/religious community is looking to generate "alternative forms of income" .... of course, I'm not sure how popular this kind of thing is out here in America's farmlands ....
This sounds very "Feng Shui" to me.
Hey, maybe we could start up a RevGal Spiritual Decorating show on TLC!!
Prayer Closets are good :)
dont think paying a pastor to do anything will catch on here in Finland though.
drats!
I've done home blessings before when parishoners moved into new homes. It just never occurred to me to charge them for it. Doh!
wills mama, are you saying you gave the young couples twenty minutes each?
(Teehee.)
$85-$125 an hour. Sigh. Don't ask what my salary averages out to, please.
I love personal oratories. That'd be my specialty. (Specialists get paid more; right?;-))
I have done Harley blessings. But nobody offered to pay me. ;-(
Or take me for a ride...
Ah, finally something I can do!
I clearly have a gift for it. Have I told you about our lavatory, off of PH's office? It's otherwise known as the Bishop's Throne Room. It came with a lovely stained glass window (for privacy), so I papered it with stonework patterned wallpaper, looking rather like the inside of the Cathedral at Chartres, hung a picture of the Duomo of Milan, put a couple of little gargoyles on the back fo the toilet tank, and made a skirt for the washbasin out of damask fabric with corded trim.
Let it be known that we only think holy thoughts whilst meditating in there!
I kid you not - I should post some pics of it...
Mibi,
You MUST post those pictures. What a hoot! You can be our "divine designer" if we get a reality show for TLC since you have experience. And Lutheran Chik can do the oratories.
Who will be the carpenter?
Jee-zus was a carpenter, right? ha ha!
This is too weird. Although, at $125 an hour I'd be willing to swing a hammer.
I read your entry thinking "How ridiculous!" and then I started looking around my tiny studio.
My main room is decorated with prints of Russian Orthodox icons, a North Indian brass Buddha head, a print of a Duccio Madonna and Child, two framed pages of an old Quran, a menorah, and Tibetan Buddhist art. My walk-through closet/dressing room has reproductions of Turkish mosque tiles and Marc Chagall stained glass.
What can I say? Religious art resonates with me. But I'm never going to see the attraction of religious plants or (shudder) spiritual wallpapers!
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