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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

How To Get Inspiration for Your Home

Many years ago, we lived in a small mobile home located at a faith-based ministry. When the trailer was brought onto the property, it wasn't much to look at. There was lots of brown paneling, an ancient stovetop and oven, and very old carpet. But with the help of the students and staff at this ministry, it was transformed. All of the brown paneling was painted white, new carpet was installed, new countertops were added in the kitchen, and two rooms were added on - a master bedroom and living room.  Somehow, they even managed to give us a cathedral ceiling in our living room! It may have looked a little odd and misshapen on the outside, but it was very nice and fresh on the inside. Previous to this time, we had lived in an apartment in the ministry building. I was over-the-moon happy when I learned we would be moving into that trailer. I was overjoyed to know that I would have my own washer and dryer, my own "hallway", a bathroom with a bathtub (avocado green - but I loved that tub for washing our little kids), and a yard! I was very, very grateful for that home. My older kids still have very fond memories of living there (9 years total in the trailer). It was our happy home. But you know, home is really wherever we are together with our families.

But even back then, I dreamed of a "someday" home that would be our very own. We even inquired about a potential fixer-upper that was located a short distance away on Division Street. But the timing just wasn't right.

I began a folder of ideas with photos from magazines. I still have this particular photo that I would look at and dream of our future home.




Please forgive the quality of this photo. It is about 18 years old. Even though the decor might be a little dated, I still like the basic bones of this room. It still says something to me.

Then in 2002, after 14 years at the ministry, we moved to a nearby city to pastor a church. It was time to purchase our very first home. We had a wonderful real estate agent who found  a home for us on the first day. (Thank you, Chad!)  As soon as I walked inside, I thought to myself, "This is the kind of house I would like to live in." I didn't know if it was even possible or affordable. But somehow, God worked it out.

We moved into that brand new home in April.  How I loved that house! I constantly felt like I was playing a magical game of "Let's Pretend".   I couldn't believe we were living there with an actual garage, sidewalks, an upstairs AND a basement, a patio (oh my gosh!), new appliances, new everything! I hosted a big Thanksgiving our first November in that home and many more holidays after that. We lived there for five years. I can honestly say that I lovingly cared for that home.  I knew God had provided it and I never forgot that.

 There was yet to be another house in our future, but that story is for another post.

In the meantime, here are a few other photos I've kept forever in my file. Nowadays with the internet and Pinterest, I don't rip pictures out of magazines as often as I used to. I still look at some of these from time to time. Sometimes you may not know what you like. But if you start a file either from magazine photos or a virtual one on Pinterest, you will start to see a theme. It can give you a better understanding of what you like in a home. I do that for holiday ideas, also.


Pinterest








Pinterest


For instance, these are two photos I've "pinned" recently. I really like the animal print and touches of black in both photos. But I'm still trying to convince my husband about the animal print. He hasn't been talked into, I mean, he hasn't seen my point of view yet. lol Just a few touches, Dave, nothing drastic.



Traditional Home


This one, too, shows how the animal print rug works well with a more traditional room.



Here are a few more photos that I've had for a long time.




Pottery Barn and BHG


I love the top left photo, not only because of its Christmas theme, but because of all the light coming into the room from the beautiful windows. The two photos on the right (top and bottom) are appealing to me because of the size of the furniture and the fabrics.

And what's not to like about this picture? A green runner, candles, colorful branches, and lots of pumpkins...pretty easy.


Martha Stewart


I hope that helps a little when it comes to making your own home special. I still have a lot to learn, but it's been fun seeing ideas and then implementing them here in my house.

No matter where you find yourself living right now, whether an apartment, mobile home, rental house or wherever, you can make it beautiful and special. There are many good ideas out there that don't require a lot of money as much as a little ingenuity.



Linking up to:  homestoriesatoz.com   savvysouthernstyle.net  frommyfrontporchtoyours.com  impartinggrace.com
frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com  thestylesisters.blogspot.com  nominimalisthere.blogspot.com

14 comments:

  1. Kathy I look forward to your blog posts I love this one! Its funny but when I think of cozy dream house I picture the house from the movie home alone....that was from 1990. One of my favorite things about watching a movie is looking at the details in the decorations. I remember your lovely trailer and how cozy it was. xxxooo

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    1. Oh my goodness, Jodie, I love that house from Home Alone!! Have we ever talked about that before?!
      Thanks so much. The older kids talk about the trailer quite a bit. It was a happy place.

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  2. Kathy I look forward to your blog posts I love this one! Its funny but when I think of cozy dream house I picture the house from the movie home alone....that was from 1990. One of my favorite things about watching a movie is looking at the details in the decorations. I remember your lovely trailer and how cozy it was. xxxooo

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  3. I hopped across from Savvy Southern style, drawn by the image you had in your link. Like you I am attracted by little bits of black, they can add opulence to an interior.

    I read you have six children and one at 22, oh my gosh you look incredible and so happy, it must be Gods blessing upon you. I only have two boys and believe me although they are both grown up I still struggle with their ups and downs. I am in awe of people that have big families and have it altogether.

    I love your little cut outs, I do the same idea and have a folder full of ideas for when I build my dream home. I have just used some of them to create a guest bedroom and really thrilled with the results, I hope to post before and afters in the next week or so.

    I will visit again.

    Lee :)

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  4. Dear Lee,

    I don't have it all together...and I just pick the best picture of myself. ha ha Just keeping it real!
    Thank you SO MUCH for writing! I really enjoyed your comment and showed it to my husband just now. Have a blessed day!

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  5. Hi Kathy, I think too many young people today expect to have what their parents have now. My husband and I lived in a tiny concrete walls married student housing when we were newlyweds. Too many focus on the "things" instead of their home together. I'm happy for you and your family, that times are better. I look forward to knowing you better.

    Helen

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    1. Hi Helen! Thanks so much for writing. I look forward to knowing you, too!

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  6. You have a great eye for color and design. A little bit of black grounds a room so well. I once had an interior designer tell me to have a piece of animal print in every room of my house. Those zebra print rugs are awesome.

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    1. Thank you, Alison! By the way, I loved your post yesterday and all that you shared.
      I am looking for an animal print rug for our basement. I love those little touches of black, too. It adds elegance.

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  7. Kathy,

    You have the BEST attitude - oh my word, I think that alone makes this post amazing.

    Seriously, you are a wonderful lady and I am so inspired by your faith and strength and patience.

    Most people could never be happy with 6 children in a mobile home, but there you were happy as can be, spreading love and cheer each day.

    You are a true testament, and I commend you for that.

    God bless you and yours, always and in all ways.

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    1. Thank you, Michele, but I would have to say that I wasn't always happy and grateful day in and day out. There were plenty of days when I was ready to move! But, we were happy there and made it into a really nice home. People were always surprised when they came inside to see how nice it was. I just wanted to encourage other ladies that no matter where they are living right now, they can make it a home.
      Thank you so much for writing! I really appreciate your kind words. Love - Kathy

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    2. Thank you, Michele, but I would have to say that I wasn't always happy and grateful day in and day out. There were plenty of days when I was ready to move! But, we were happy there and made it into a really nice home. People were always surprised when they came inside to see how nice it was. I just wanted to encourage other ladies that no matter where they are living right now, they can make it a home.
      Thank you so much for writing! I really appreciate your kind words. Love - Kathy

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  8. I LOVE this post! Sometimes I look around our house and remember how happy we were living in a 500-square-foot apartment with cinder block walls. Love and faith can make a home anywhere! :)

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    1. It's so true. Our kids have such happy memories from that time. Thanks for writing!

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