Discovered in 1994, Chauvet Cave in southern France is the site of the oldest human-painted images yet found, some crafted as much as 32,000 years ago.

Check out the stunning cave art > 

What on earth, you're thinking, does this have to do with interior design? After you've clicked on the link above to see these incredible cave paintings, close your eyes. Now just imagine the clan of people comfortably lounging in their cave around a crackling fire on their fur throws. Their resident storyteller, a revered elder, is recounting a past successful hunt illustrated by the cave paintings to provide inspiration to the clansmen who will go out hunting the following day.

Nostalgically, I like to think of these cave paintings as the first evidence of interior design as a way to communicate a unique home story.

And that's what "home" should be about, after all, isn't it? The place you live should be uniquely yours, portraying you and your family, reflecting your personality, lifestyle, history and dreams.

Genuinely telling your home story could involve full-scale, down-to-the-studs renovation. But it could also be as simple as creating a gallery wall of family photos, rearranging your furniture to be more social, grouping treasured travel mementos, or beautifully displaying a handful of pretty rocks your kids picked up on your last nature walk.

In recent history, interior design was considered a luxury for the upper class. But today, interior design has once again become accessible to the average person. And it couldn't be a better time to elevate the idea of "home" as a way to tell YOUR unique story.

Designer DIY:

As the first chapter in telling your unique home story, what personal items do you have tucked away for safekeeping that can be brought into the light?