Feeling Inspired

Where do you find inspiration for your home?

There’s the obvious places & answers: Pinterest, HGTV, Instagram. But lately, I find I’m looking for inspiration wherever I go. And mostly it’s found in homes I visit. 

Melissa and Derrick's entry

I think this goes back to what I discussed in my first blog post: that is, how our homes evoke feelings of comfort, contentment and joy. When I visit friends and family and feel welcome and at ease, I want to evoke those same feelings here. 

Interestingly enough, the places I feel most content aren’t in places that are picture perfect and pristine, but rather those spaces that are warm, inviting & lived in. Yes, I do love a tidy and glowing home - but what I relish most when I am welcomed into a space is that I get to see life through someone else’s eyes for a minute -  children’s artwork proudly displayed, books, magazines, pets toys on the floor, hockey bags in the corner, schedules taped to the fridge, a laptop bag or workboots by the door. It’s all intriguing and real. I guess it speaks to my analytical nature. I want to know about people and I’ve always been more of a listener than talker! Plus, In my middle age it doesn’t take much to please me. Give me a comfortable chair, a fresh cup of coffee and good conversation and I’m content!

I haven’t always been this way. I remember when I was younger and still living at home. My mom worked 5 days a week and so I would often help with supper or cleaning. I would want things to be spotless, all of it put away - and my dads words would always be “But Krista, we have to live!” 

My best friend recently moved into a new place. She’s only been there for a week or two and already it’s full of life; artwork, books, pictures. I love it. Everything tells a story. And my cousin Melissa has a brand new home just a few months old. Every time I’m there I leave feeling inspired. Her welcoming entryway has inspired me to add a bench to my entryway, and her new mantle her husband built for her is stunning. We know the story of life lived in their forever home has only just begun. Both Christena and Melissa’s spaces are their works of art and I love seeing what they’ve done.

Christena and Kurt's new place

But perhaps two of my favorite places in the world to visit are my aunt Brenda’s Century Farm house and my aunt Denise’s house that used to be my grandmothers. They would both shake their heads because to them, their homes are “too old”, crooked and worn. But it’s the feelings I care most about most - and they’re all around. When I walk into Brenda’s kitchen, I know I’ll be greeted with a smile and the smell of fresh coffee & biscuits. We might go sit on her swing on her veranda or pick veggies from her garden. Or we might just sit in the kitchen and look over the weekly flyers and catch up. It’s so comfortable to be there. At Denise’s, memories are around every corner. The Sunday’s spent visiting, every single Christmas Eve of our lives celebrated together; the birthday parties, Mothers Days, baseball on the front lawn, homemade cookies in the yellow Tupperware container; the walls still echo with the sound of Nanny’s laughter and welcoming air. It’s like walking through the door takes us back in time for a minute.

Brenda's porch

I often wonder what feelings my home evokes. The other day Aidan said the boys in his class were talking about and hoping for an invitation to his birthday party this year, because last year his party was the best. “It was?”I said, incredulously when he told me. (The boys played video games in our makeshift den in the basement and slept on old sofas and area rugs on the floor!) My basement is what I’d consider to be the eyesore of my house bar none. Its a mish mash of Aidan’s old toys, a hockey net, Christmas decor and the like. But the kids clearly loved it. It’s as “real” as it gets around here. 

I have to admit the point of view of those kids leaves me feeling inspired. And that makes me love my home just a little more too. ❤️

Denise's rosebush