I love my home. I really do.
And at 850 square feet for 5 people, it’s what you would call…cozy. But it’s fun cozy. At least that’s what I think. I’m a country girl at heart so my home reflects that. I love cottage details, neutral colors Β and just about anything shabby chic. My favorite way to decorate is by perusing yard sales. Whenever I find a piece, whether it’s a wooden goose, wire picture frame or rag rug, it’s fun to mix and match with pieces that are both old and new—pieces that have a story. Ok, and any treasure in my home has to be kid proof π
I think a home really reflects a person’s heart. From the children’s shoes scattered about, to the dog-eared pictures on the fridge, to the stacks of books tucked into antique wooden soda crates, my home is my nest. It’s the place that holds all the people I love. It’s where my children grow and snuggle down in theirΒ bunk bedsΒ for the night. It’s where my husband and I sit and read and talk and laugh by the wood burning stove. There’s a crib next to our bed, a stack of diapers on what should be my writing table, and an old tackle box that holds my earrings. It’s quirky and messy and…just plain home.
So tell me, how does your home reflect your heart? What is your favorite style and way to decorate?Β
We love the same kinds of things, Joanne!! Your bookshelves are wonderful. Love the idea!
My father-in-law made my bookshelves and I bought another one at an antique store. It’s old, sturdy, and has chips in it–but that’s what drew me to it. π
Julie, I bet your house is as cute as can be. There’s nothing like a good place to store books. I stole the crates from my mother in law who had them in storage. I promised to give them back of course, but I don’t think she’ll hunt me down π
We try and go for the uncluttered look and keeping it simple. My favorite pictures are our windows π Looking out at the beauty of nature and bringing the outside, inside. A few favorite teacups decorate the kitchen and favorite cozy throws on the couches to provide an inviting nest for reading. (Can’t wait to read your new book!)
The windows from your view are gorgeous. With the birds and the trees, I love how it lets the outside in!
My hubby likes wood, plain white walls, and German embellishments, so we have all three. I think it’s kinda funny how he doesn’t drink, and yet we have his collection of German beer steins sprinkled around our living room. He bought them while he was serving as a missionary in Germany, so while they’ve never held a drop of beer, they do hold plenty of memories.
That’s a fun story! And great memories from his time in Germany!
Love this post! Your home sounds so cozy. π My house…well, the furniture is all a hodge-podge of stuff that we got for free from family when we got married. We figured it’s more important for us to pay off school debt than buy new furniture right now. BUT I did just get to finally decorate our bedroom, and I did a vintage European look in blue and brown. I love Hobby Lobby…they had so many awesome knickknacks! (I don’t think I’m that great at decorating but I’m pretty proud of my work with this room!)
Thanks, Lindsay! Your bedroom sounds beautiful. π Ours is a disaster with it being teeny-tiny and doubling as our nursery. I’ve never heard of Hobby Lobby so I will have to check it out…
I love to see inside people’s homes, every nook and cranny tells about who they are (that sounds creepy…I don’t open drawers and stuff!). Many years ago when we were all military newlyweds on base, we were invited to a newly arrived couple’s home. Their dishes didn’t match, their furniture was passed down from their parents, and they hadn’t put any curtains up yet. But they were so excited to have us there, we didn’t even notice the wear on the second-hand carpet. That taught me a lot about hospitality, and enjoying each other’s “nest” solely for the friendship and generosity. Not the expense of the items, or the brand of china. I’ve tried to imitate their gift of hospitality ever since.
what a sweet story and a wonderful example that couple led. Your home is so cozy and welcoming.
I love your books in the crate. I like things clean, simple and uncluttered. With a three-year-old that doesn’t always happen. π But tripping over trains is all worth it.
I like things uncluttered too. I wish I was as on top of it as I would like to be. Tripping over trains? We have a few things in common π
I try to keep things unclutterd also – with a touch of country and vintage “charm”. =)
Thanks for stopping by, Melissa π love vintage!
Oooh, I love those crates, too! We have a wooden crate from a house we rented…the owner just put it out for the dump. It was a crate from his days in the navy during WW2–and it has Pearl Harbor stamped on it! Also the place where he lived (also where my husband’s family lives now). So it’s very special to us. I also have lots of southwestern paintings my grandmother painted, so those are special too!
I can’t wait to come visit your momma this summer…we have to stop and see you and your charming nest.
I love the “shabby chic” look as well..especially the queen of shabby chic-Rachel Ashwell. My favorite quilt is from her affordable “Tar-jay” line that I bought on clearance a few years ago…soft with that gently used feel. Last summer I found an “actual” duvet cover from Rachael’s fancy/schmancy line in an Amvet store for $10. Don’t you love a great find? Still, my very favorite “things” are from the grands and great-grands…old pictures, my great-grand’s school autograph book and my grandmother’s graduation gift of Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass”…all tattered and fadedβ¦.sweet memories of them until we meet again.
I hope you can come up, Tami! My mom has the sweetest place. I love how you’re hanging on to those heirlooms…such a sweet legacy.
Joanne, I loved this post and your attitude toward your “cozy” home. I love the country look, but would find myself whining for a bigger house – mainly so I could have more books. lol I love looking at yard sales or in little shops filled with things other people don’t want anymore. Just the other day I found an irresistible pair of painted wooden cats, done in black and white vertical stripes. I call them my jailhouse cats, and love them, chips and all. Thanks for sharing.
I’m with you, Nancy. There must always be room for books! Don’t you just love a good yard sale? They are so fun!
My heart is my son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter who live with me. This is what fills my heart and home. And come June 11thmy heart will fill up more with the birth of my second granddaughter God is so good to me
I’m so excited for you, Susan. Can’t wait to see pictures of your new little bundle soon! And your current bundle is oh-so-cute!
I tend to decorate in old unwanted stuff from the coffee shop I worked at. That sort of aesthetic is where I’m most comfortable, after all. π
That sounds cozy, Miriam! I love the smell of a coffee house. That’s where I escape to when I really need to concentrate. I bet the smells and sounds put you right at home π
I love cottage style too! But I’ve had to remind myself that the pictures in home decor magazines are pictures, not what those houses look like on day-to-day basis. I like that my home looks lived in, while still keeping near-perfect order in at least the front room. π
Amen, Stacy!
Wow. That is a tight fit! I like my 1,600 feet of living space, but I do admire those micro apartments I’ve seen, where the toilet seat is also the night stand and the refrigerator doubles as a book shelf.
By the way, it looks like we’re using the same theme! I never see anyone with Chameleon. I love what you did with it. I debated my background pattern for a long, long time, and almost went with the one you had, but at the last minute I went for the stripes instead. Who knows what it will be tomorrow, though, since it’s so easy to change! Oh, and I love your social media icons, too. Simple, understated, and still eye-catching.
Caryn, it is SNUG π Thanks–I really like this theme. I’m going to pop into your blog and take a look around. Thanks for stopping in!