I am off to hunt for eggs, eat a yummy southern lunch cooked by my mom, and celebrate this special holiday. I hope you all enjoy your weekend and I will see you back here Monday!
Archives for April 2012
what i love about my house
I spend so much time thinking and talking about what I don’t like in my house. I am constantly plotting what I want to change, repaint, add, take away, or move. I feel like I rarely look around my house and think, “Gosh I really love this place.” I never sit around and think, “It’s done!” That’s sad! I live in a great house in my favorite part of our town and I know that I am beyond blessed to just have a roof over our heads. In an effort to focus more on the positive I am going to tell you a couple of things that I love about my home. And warning…no pictures in this post!!
First, my top 5 reasons that I love my house…
location, location, location
Like I said, my house is in my favorite area of our city. We are in Myers Park which is a historic neighborhood located right outside of downtown. Its the kind of area that has lots of old beautiful homes and huge trees. I have lived in Charlotte for 23 years and I can still spend hours driving down the streets of this part of town looking at houses. They are full of character, each one uniquely different, and sitting on large green lots. We spend a lot of Saturdays cruising these streets deciding on that day which house is our favorite. Our house is no where on this scale but it is nestled right up to these beautiful streets and has tons of personality on its own.
the ‘hood
In addition to being surrounded by these inspirational homes, we can literally walk (and have many times) to our favorite neighborhood bar. It’s one of those old-houses-turned-into-a-bar bars and it has been a staple since my college days. The food never changes, the patio is built around a huge oak tree, and everyone feels like a regular. It’s even getting some star-cred as Michael Jordan has made this his neighborhood bar as well when he is in town.
We are not in an actual neighborhood and sometimes I think this is a negative. Especially when my friends talk about hanging out with neighbors and letting the kids play in the cul-de-sac. But as much as I like that picture, I have come to realize that we are more of a “main street” kind of family. I don’t know if I would want people stopping by any time…we like our privacy. And as much as I would love for my kids to be able to play with neighborhood friends, I like even more that we can take a family walk up to the yogurt shop or pizza place.
We have jokingly told our realtor that we will only move if the next house is within walking distance to a bar as cool as Selwyn Pub! But really I wouldn’t trade our little piece of urban living for anything.
green living
Our yard is what really sold us on the house. Since we are located on a busy street, the thought of our kids and dog playing was a big concern. The only reason I felt at ease with this location was because the house is way back off of the road and feels oddly like it is miles from anyone. We have a large hedge that hides the cars and noise and being an older home there are mature trees providing tons of shade and privacy. I can sit on my front porch bed-swing and hear nothing but birds chirping and leaves rustling. When I look out at my front yard I see an old magnolia tree (not to mention the smell!!) and green green grass. It’s no wonder we basically live out there come spring!
close quarters
When I have been in my “we-have-to-move-now!” phase it is usually because I feel like we are bursting at the seams. Our house is less than 3,000 sq feet and although that is not tiny, in a house built in the 1930’s things are very divided. Each room is very boxed in and we have filled every nook and cranny with something. Sometimes I yearn for a big open floor plan where the kitchen spills into the family room and where I have an actual laundry room! But it is a good reminder that I can be happy with what I have. When I want to complain that we are too big for our house I try to look at it as a positive that I can really put my design skills to the test to make the most of our house. Sure there will always be a layout that I will love more or a Pinterest image that makes me want to go house-hunting but at the end of the day I want to learn to be more grateful for what I do have and find the positives in life (and decor!).
my blank canvas
The number one thing that I love about my house is just that it’s mine. Or at least will be in 4,856 more payments 🙂 I have my very own blank slate to create whatever, wherever I want! If I want to paint stripes, I can paint stripes. If I want to make my son’s room the guest room and the guest room my office, I can! I can create any look on any whim whenever the urge strikes (as long as it is free, ha ha!) I know that there are so many things that I can obsess over and get frustrated at, but at the end of the day all it takes is some creativity to transform my house into a place that is comfortable, makes us happy, and reflects our style! There really is nothing better than that!
What do you love about your house? If you really stop and think about it, what are your top 5??
celerie kemble
{Keep your eyes open! There are solutions to challenges, variations on the expected, and inspiration everywhere.}
~ Celerie Kemble
I was looking through one of my favorite local magazines, QC Exclusive, when I saw an interview with famed designer Celerie Kemble. She has a fresh casual take on interior decor and I loved reading what she had to say about her own home. You can tell she decorates her home from the heart describing it as a “collection box.” Her quote, above really spoke to me and my recent effort to focus more on the positive. Kemble is right, there are solutions and inspiration everywhere. If you are in doubt just try browsing some of her portfolio…you will definitely be inspired!