You are about to embark on a journey that will change your life. Many people dreamily finger the pages of shelter magazines, but few possess the design acumen and forbearance to take that next step and carve out their own modern masterpiece.
It takes a hardy individual to strip down to the bare minimum of possessions required to live in a truly modern home. When you encounter the inevitable hiccups in the process or falter in your steadfast approach, remember that you are special: You are a modernist.
Modernists are a rare and superior breed of human, individuals who understand that high design gives life meaning and that the ordered luxury of minimalism is a salve that heals the weary soul. A modernist is eager to eschew the meretricious accessories that have been deemed indicators of success— enormous televisions, hand-cut crystal champagne flutes, plush carpeting, and comfortable furniture. As a modernist, you are enamored with architectural innovation. You crave a home that is a direct extension of your ego and ethos.
In this book, we will help you become modern. From chairs and cladding to children and pets, let us be your guides to a new way of living. You will allow yourself to be released from the trappings of mediocrity, to let go of preconceived notions of corporeal joy, and to take pleasure in waking up in a sepulchral bedroom. You will begin to appreciate the subtle beauty in the irregularities in a sheet of wormy plywood and to relish the tickle of walking barefoot through a gravel yard.
We will dole out practical advice and how-to insights that will make your journey to modernity as pleasant as possible. All you need is careful study and a generous budget. Soon you will become accustomed to accepting the plaudits of friends, neighbors, and strangers who envy your minimalist home. Get ready to enjoy the germination of a lifelong desire, to bask in the éclat of the great achievement of shaping your surroundings to fit your particular needs.
Welcome to the modern world.