I was reminded lately of the great food and travel writer M.F.K. Fisher. She traveled extensively and wrote about not only her travels but her fascination with the people and places in which she lived. She created great simple recipes from locally grown and harvested foods wherever she was. I was rereading her description of her apartment in France with it's tiny kitchen and the delight she took in describing how efficient it was.
She retired to a one room studio in a vineyard in Sonoma County in northern California. She could have choosen a large home with multiple subzero freezers and all manner of amazing appliances but she did not. She chose to live simply in a small,light, airy and place. We should all be so wise.