I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the above quote from Deborah Needleman. I picked up her book, The Perfectly Imperfect Home, and it really resonated with me. Have you heard of it? It’s a very easy read, full of honest, practical decorating advice.
Spending so much time and energy on making a house a home can sometimes feel frivolous. This quote helped me realize that creating a happy home, one that you and your family enjoy being in, feel safe and comfortable in, where love, food, and romance abide, is anything but frivolous. It is, indeed, noble.
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Lovely! I love the idea that this quote offers. It's the way I've tried to live for the last decade or so, and I get really tired of people telling me it's a 'frivolous' way to live. Thanks for this!
Use the good dishes- LOVE that!
Thank you so much for posting this! I'm not going to lie, sometimes I wonder what is it all for. Is it simply because I like to look at pretty things around me? Sometimes. But I really do believe that making our house a home for our kids to feel safe, comfortable, and cared for will give them such happy memories for their future. We recently built a 10 person dining room table. Did we want something pretty? Yes. But we also were so happy that we could all sit for Sunday Dinner and break bread together at the SAME table. Honestly, that's what its all about. Thanks again for posting!
Very well said- the family meal is something I think is so important. And to have that meal at a nice table (that you built!) is even better.
Thanks for the recommendation. Just ordered it off Amazon!
I love creating a safe, happy home. There is a fine line between being too frivolous and obsessing over your possessions and wanting to create a loving, functional home for your family.
I'll definitely have to check that book out. I love to read decorating and homekeeping books. My favorite homekeeping book has to be,"Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping". Mrs. Dunwoody is a character based on the author's great grandmother and women like her. The book gives advice and wisdom from the past and the present on the importance of decorating and everything needed to keep a great home. It talked about how southern women used to keep "receipt books" which were books they created that included everything important to the running of the home-everything from cleaning, to day to day living and the rules for decent behavior, lol. She talks about how caring for our homes are not chores but rather, we must approach them as blessings to be received since, "our family members will carry the atmosphere we create in our homes for the rest of their lives". A delightful read. I wrote about this book on my blog on 7/17/09 and the book is a nearly 5 star review on Amazon. I also loved the recommendations on gardening-both the size and recommendations for planting. The book was fun too because many of the things they talked about as to how things "used to be done", I remember from my childhood. She talks too about decorating and organizing and how the color of the rooms are important since they create the mood. Meaning, decorating, organizing and everything are not frivilous in the home since we are creating the environment for our children to thrive.
Megan… this is exactly what I needed to read this morning! I was having a 'what is the point' moment. Sometimes I feel like I put so much effort and energy into my home, and yet I'm not sure my kids or husband even notice. In fact I feel like I barely stay ahead of the mess the kids make every day! Oh well… this was a good reminder that it IS important (even if the three guys in my life don't really notice!!!)
i've been wanting to get my hands on that book! heard its amazing.
http://itsthelittlethingsblog.blogspot.com/
Love this – I agree 100%!
I love that book — I bought it about six months ago and really enjoyed it. 🙂 And that quote resonated with me, too. It is so true!
Love the book, got it awhile ago. While I agree, I think the problem lies in trying to make our home what we think others would want, or think is "in", keeping up with the trends. When we decorate with things we and our family truly love, enjoy and feel comfortable with, it is well worth the effort!
SOO so true!! And a great reminder…thanks for this!
Thank you for posting this, and for your beautiful blog. I absolutely love it. You and your home are such an inspiration!