Indulging your home in everyday luxuries

A display of orchids enlivens this sunny hallway, making it a destination.

Is there anything a bubble bath won't fix, Sister used to say. Of course, in small town Arkansas there were many problems a bubble bath wouldn't fix, but my aunt's sentiment was well expressed. Despite the lack of controllable weather farm families rely on, and the lack of money, Sister had a way of looking on the bright side. As a child visiting each summer, I learned to see life as Sister taught me, making the most of each day and emphasizing the positive. In my own home, though my material means are far greater than my aunt's were, I enjoy the same satisfactions that Sister enjoyed - everyday luxuries I call them. None of these is greatly expensive, but each of them rewards with daily satisfactions.

• Fresh flowers or live houseplants in every room. Not only are green plants of benefit to interior air quality, they are also a physical reminder of the need to care for ourselves, daily. A plant, like a human being, will not thrive on yesterday's attention, but needs constant affections to flourish. When my plants are looking limp, I know I'm too busy and it's time to slow down and pay attention to what's important.
• Music in every room. Depending on mood, Stevie Wonder, Blink 182, Ketchup, Tony Bennett, Buddha-Bar IV, or ACDC might be spinning at our house. Music, sometimes played softly and sometimes loudly can turn even a simple game of Boggle into a party.
• Candles, candles, candles. Historically, beeswax candles were an expensive luxury beyond the means of most people. Fortunately, today they are both plentiful and affordable. Fill an empty hearth in summer with fat cylinders of candles and enjoy a blazing display. Line a mantel with a collection of candlesticks, varying height and texture for interest. Hurricane lamps, with a covered glass dome protect exterior candles from wind. Torches are a great addition to the garden.
• Notepaper and envelopes. A faxed love letter may be cute, an e-mail from a friend may be thoughtful, but neither compares in quality or spirit to a handwritten letter or note. A well-appointed writing desk includes a selection of beautiful paper, an assortment of well cared for pens, stamps, envelopes, and a comfortable desk chair. I also keep a stack of funny postcards on hand for camp-season missives to children.
• Sunlight through clean windows. Perfect.
• Bowls of fresh fruit. Blue and white export ware filled with shiny red apples look smart on a dining room table, a large glass cylinder filled with lemons is delicious in the kitchen, and a silver dish filled with figs is ideal for a coffee table. A full bowl of fruit is an apt symbol of abundance and a constant reminder to be grateful.
• A tempting choice of bubble bath. Jo Malone makes two of my favorites, Verbenas of Provence for relaxation and Grapefruit for energy. Having a TV in the bathroom is a great perk as well.
• Use the good stuff every day. Sister was fond of saying, "Always use the 'company' dishes", which never failed to prompt my uncle to tease, "We only have one set of dishes." Sister's coquettish reply, "Yes Pa, but you are the best company of all." Bonus: silver that is used frequently doesn't tarnish.
• Dine in a room you don't normally eat in. Dinner in the living room? Why not. Breakfast in the garden? Of course. A picnic in front of the fireplace? What better way to enjoy the warmth of home on a rainy day? Improvise with table settings as well. A matelasse bedspread becomes a Sunday brunch, a flat weave carpet (an idea that is centuries old and still used frequently in Morocco) suits afternoon tea or a dessert buffet.
• The finest coffee (or tea if that's your style). I enjoy my Capresso coffee maker from William-Sonoma so much my husband jokes that it's the first thing I'd grab in a fire. It makes a perfect cappuccino using Illy beans and a fine sprinkle of Ghiradelli chocolate on top. A selection of candylike sugar sticks and pretty sugar packets from Fauchon in Paris are lovely to look at, and a range of mugs, cups, and bowls is on hand to suit any mood.