I can't believe I've never shared the inside of our home here on the blog. I've been meaning to do a house tour for the longest time. But excuses always came up as to why I couldn't. Our place is too small. The windows don't let in much natural light in the winter. We'd actually have to hang all our art, finish this and that project, deep clean, hire a professional photographer. Too overwhelming.
But then my friends at Porch.com asked me to share just one special spot in my house for their #LoveYourHome series. This I can do. And I'm happy to! So welcome, darlings. I invite you into our quirky little 1930's cottage.
I have many "happy places" in my home, but one that remains mostly my own, is our formal living room - or shall I say, living corner? It's probably only 100 square feet! But that's what makes it cozy. There's no TV. Just a wood-burning fireplace, bookshelves, and two ends of a 3-piece mid-century sofa, because we couldn't fit the entire piece.
It's my reading nook, where I cuddle up with grandma's hand-knit chevron throw underneath the 60's arc lamp. It's where we hold a little collection of art books from when Hal ran the Museum of Contemporary Art store in LA. It's where we display old family photos, one of my parents after they got engaged, one of Hal's deceased father who watches over us, and an old snapshot of Hal and I, over a decade ago, when we were just babies falling in love.
You'll notice a lot of vintage in our home - the retro wall clock, the large ocean oil panting, and the sheepskin rug, gifted to us by our landlord. We enjoy filling our house with history and memories, even if not our own. On the shelves are little brass deers, a mini moon globe, and my Polaroid camera, all snagged from local thrift stores and antique malls. The orange footstool / magazine rack was a lucky find on Etsy that begged to live in our home.
This room is also special because it reminds me of my kitty Bailey. When she was alive, we'd spend hours together snuggling under blankets, purring, dozing, loving by the fire. After she passed, it was hard for me to spend time here. But eventually the sadness turned to sweetness. Now I feel her presence all around.
Tomorrow, my family will be visiting for the holidays, gathering around the dining table on the other side of this room for our annual raclette party. I'm not sure how we manage to squeeze seven people into this space at once, but somehow it works. We plant ourselves down on the soft rug. We sit on laps. It's perfect. Because filling it to the brim with loved ones is what makes a house a home.
Where is your happy place? I'd love to know. Tell me in the comments below, or Tweet / Instagram a photo with the hashtag #LoveYourHome.
