What does “home” mean to each of us? The question seems simple enough, but the varied answers are unimaginably expansive. A home is built by the shared experiences of those that live inside—the warmth of others, the reflection of solitude, the love sewn into the structure itself.
In trying to get a deeper understanding of what the word means to all of us, I interviewed a few friends who have strong ties to the notion of “home,” to discover how they created their safe space and what went into the process for them. We know that home shelters us while we grow and evolve—that it can serve as something of a safety net while our lives continually change. But even further, home is a place where we can peacefully express ourselves—a place where we can embrace what makes us feel comfortable, inspired, and most like ourselves.
Jill Whit is an artist, singer-songwriter, and tattoo artist who infuses her creativity into everything she does. Naturally, her home serves as an artistic medium in its own way. Her art is captivating. In my opinion, she’s one of Salt Lake City’s finest artists. She creates a beautiful home with a thoughtful balance of found-and-restored objects, artwork, and her own personal flair. By renovating most of the pieces in her home, she creates an experience that feels right the moment you walk through the door.
"I would say my space feels like a collection."
Samuel Green: Where, what, or who does your inspiration come from?
Jill Whit: Eww, I’m like... Pinterest! A lot of the time, it’s me out thrifting and I see something that I think might look cool. Sometimes, I bring it home and it does, but sometimes it doesn’t. I’m just like, “Well, it was only two dollars.” It’s a never ending project—no matter how perfect I feel like a space is, I’m always changing it. I love it, it’s perfect, and then I find something I need to revamp.
SG: What room do you feel the most you in, and why?
JW: I have always been drawn to the bedroom. I think it’s because growing up, that was always my space—my safe space. I gravitate to just wanting to lounge in the bedroom. If I’m drawing, I like drawing on the bed. I like being in a comfy position.
SG: What does your home say about you and who you are?
JW: I would say my space feels like a collection. It’s something that is definitely curated—where I have a lot of different pieces of art and every aspect of it is a way to display something creative. I would love to have a space where every piece is unique. I really enjoy collecting, and I want a collection of stuff that can be displayed. I would want someone to come in and say, “Oh, this is definitely someone who is into the arts.” But it’s still cozy!
