美国人的家

Ｈome.Few words in the English language have such a special meaning.Home is a place where you can relax,kick back1 and just be yourself. Just about(差不多，几乎) everyone has a strong opinion of what makes a house a home. And for most people in America, home should be, above all, comfortable.

Americans like their homes to reflect their personal tastes. Many do-it-yourselfers enjoy fixing up(收拾) their house and making it more "livable." They often try to create a cozy(舒适的，安逸的) atmosphere2 so that when they're at home,they'll really feel "at home." Sofas and lounge chairs (躺椅，安乐椅) may be heavily padded and arranged in groupings conducive(有助的)to relaxed conversation.The bathroom even receives special attention. Carpeted floors, scented(芳香的)soaps,colorful wallpaper and decorative3 curtains adorn(装饰) the "comfort room" in many homes. And on average,Americans have more bathrooms than any other people in the world.

Lisa Marie Odegard, an interior(内部的) designer in Bozeman, Montana, comments that "a home is a haven(安全的地方). People want an open, easy feeling to make their homes comfortable."For that reason,many new homes now have big, open kitchens and vaulted (拱状的，有拱顶的) ceilings.

Americans try to make the most of their space,too.The majority of homes have built-in(嵌入墙内的) closets and shelves,and people sparenopains4toadd dressers(梳妆台), filing cabinets (贮藏柜) and closet organizers to maximize (使增加到最大限度)their storage space.Although keeping the house neat is often a constant battle,Americans feel it's a battle worth fighting.

People in America keep an eye on5 the latest trends in interior design. In the 80s, the "country" look dominated6 the home decorating scene. Rustic (农村风味的) furniture and shelves full of old-fashioned knick-knacks (小装饰物，小摆设)created a homey atmosphere reminiscent（发人回想的）of ruralAmericaseveralgenerations back.The 90s have brought in another longing(渴望) for the past: the retro (重新流行的)50s and 60s look――plain and simple furniture with square backs and arms and block-style legs.

家，在英文中没有几个单词有这样特别的意义。家是一个你可以放松、平静下来并感觉自然舒适的地方。几乎每个人对于如何把一处房屋变成一个家都非常有主见。对大多数的美国人来说，家最重要的应该是舒适。

美国人喜欢让家反映出他们的个人品味。许多喜欢自己动手做的人沉醉于收拾他们的房子并让它更“适于居住”。他们经常试着营造一个舒适的气氛，这样当他们待在家时，会真的感觉到“毫无拘束”。沙发及安乐椅可能会被铺上厚厚的垫子，并运用不同空间组合的摆设以利于营造轻松的谈话氛围。甚至连浴室也颇费心思：铺有地毯的地面、香气四溢的肥皂、彩色的壁纸及带装饰窗帘，如此就打扮出了许多家庭的“舒适之地”。平均来说，美国人拥有的浴室比世界上其他的人都多。

蒙大拿州博兹曼的一位室内设计师莉萨・玛丽・奥迪加德谈到：“家是一个避难所。人们想要一个开放、轻松的感觉来让他们的家变得很舒适。”因为这个原因，现在许多新房子都有大而开放的厨房以及拱形的天花板。

美国人也试着将空间做最佳的利用。大多数的家庭都有壁橱以及架子，人们也不辞辛劳地添加梳妆台、文件柜以及组合柜来最大限度地增加储藏空间。虽然维持房子整洁像是一场永无止境的长期战役，但美国人觉得这是一场值得打下去的战役。

美国人也会注意室内设计的最新时尚。80年代，“乡村”风貌主导了家庭装潢；摆满旧式风格小摆设的质朴家具及架子，创造出一种会令人想起几代以前以农业为主的美国家庭气氛。90年代又带入另一个怀旧情愫：回溯到50及60年代的风貌――四方形靠背、把手以及有方正桌脚的朴素、简单的家具。

注释：

1．kick back [口]放松，平静下来

2．atmospheren. 环境，气氛

3．decorativen. 装饰性的，作装饰用的

4．spare no pains 不遗余力，全力以赴

5．keep an eye on 照看，留神，密切注意

6. dominate vt. 支配，统治