“Trends are for the anxious”. John McClean. That is my mantra daily when I feel the need, yet again, change something perfectly functional and beautiful. Years ago I nailed my style in clothing and our home. Being Finnish my style is always clean (classic) lines and lighter in colour.
I enjoyed this so much. Hubby and I have been married for 41 years and I can’t tell you how important contentment is. I was cleaning in my kitchen while listening and thinking how blessed I am.
Love this episode. I’m one that looks at these “picture perfect” homes and then I look around my home and I start critiquing it instead of just being thankful for what I have and enjoying it. This episode was so helpful for me to hear!
Loved this! I am the ,"past my prime Mama",commenting before. With a houseful still, I Loved the Sally Clarkson reference at the end. PS., sourdough starter was today. 2/13/23 easy date to remember ! 💗
I'm in the Willamette Valley too!!! 🎉❤ I have a garage front house. And you're right that no one is making content for how to make that feel special, old, or detailed. I would watch that for sure! We have very few old houses available in our area. 😢 I'm doing my best to love my house and make it feel old fashioned. It's not easy though!
A lot of our decor choices really suit our house but aren’t necessarily what is my favorite design choice, but it looks good because of the house it’s in!
I sound like Lisa's sister. I saw a video of a couple that was remodeling some very old European house and they showed in the stone doorway where there were marks from the cooks sharpening their knives on the entry stone. Is there a term for that kind of thing in a house because it spoke to my soul lol. I love decorating with useful things like fruit etc...could anyone link that Elliott Homestead video they were talking about, now I am curious :)
Recognized Kali from your previous interview. Enjoyed listening/watching while doing homemaking chores. I also have very hard water and have to use a pumice stone on my toilet. Having a beautiful, sunny, content day at home with windows open. Hope you have a wonderful weekend! Take care and God bless y’all! 😀❤️
Hi Lisa, My mum lived near the beach and so did my sister. We used to say we would love to live there too so we could go to the beach all the time, spend time with family, etc., however mum used to say, "think twice, we never go to the beach, we still have to work, clean the house, pay bills, mow the lawns as every one else does which doesn't leave much time. It just looks attractive to you as you visit us when you are on holidays and are relaxed and not have to do those things while you are here". She was so right. We love our little town where we live, have lovely friends and our two girls are here. My mum and dad have also relocated here too to be closer to us as unfortunately my beautiful sister passed. So there you go, life changes, but the moral of my story is that I have realised be happy where you are at that particular time - however I am still working on my home to make it mine and my style (it's a brand new modern home, but I love what I think is modern cottage style). ::)))
Love what your mom said. I need to remember this as we’ve had that same urge to move…this “think twice” reality check is invaluable wisdom. Thanks for sharing it😊
Hi Lisa, check out Parisian Farm Girl on RU-vid. They have bought an energy efficient 80's house, and she and her husband have turned it very European, French/English. They have added stone, and beautiful old fabrics, paints, and so many things to make the look. It is beautiful! And her gardens! BEAUTIFUL!! By the way, she and Shaye Elliott are best friends. You would love her channel. She has 6 kids and homeschools her children.
This reminds of the importance of the directive in Titus 2, with older women instructing and helping the younger. I think it was in the Rebekah Merkle interview where she mentioned reaching out to older women at your local church to help in learning things. Also, if she's around, there's mom, mom-in-law, grandma, aunt, etc. Theology applied. 🙂
This is one of the reasons I shop second hand. When I am in the mood to change, it is less expensive. I think it is in women to want to decorate and create. Beautify our homes. Maybe that is why it is always a work in progress. Enjoyed this chat! Thank you
Our grandmothers had catalogs and magazines to learn the latest trends. I remember fondly their kitchens and home decor as never changing. But recently, while looking through old photo albums of my maternal and paternal side, I discovered over the years how their decor changed many times. For example, seeing photos of one my grandfathers sitting in a different chair on hardwood on another side of the living room where I’ve always remembered a couch on carpet. I noticed different drapes too and other decor I don’t recall. Even the kitchen decor changed a few times as my father grew from what I remember. It was intriguing to see, and I suppose when my grandmothers reached a certain older age - the time I recall- making interior changes was no longer feasible or as important. Maybe It was decided to use extra money to travel to visit other states to visit and spoil their many grandchildren.
I am married to a contractor, so our house has been constantly under renos. It is so amazing to be able to look at all the work we have put into our house and how it started out, but it is exhausting! We have a lot of half done projects, and having 3 little kids running/crawling around doesn't help!
This was such a blessing to me. I struggle with always wanting bigger and better. Thank you for the reminder to choose to be thankful for what I have and just to strive to do my best with what I have.
I love that episode really much. Thanks for those very simple and so deep thoughts about being happy and grateful for what we have and caring for what we have
We bought our first home about two years ago. My husband saw it and instantly knew it was the one for us! I wasn't quite so sure. My personal style included bright colors, florals, a mix of modern and vintage, and a lot of femininity. This home was built in 1912, has wood floors, dark wood trim, dark wood doors, and dark furniture! Not quite my natural style, to be sure. The ladies who owned the house before us ended up leaving a lot of furniture and things behind, so the house already had its own style. That ended up being a huge blessing, though, because I had a template to work with! From there, I have been able to add rugs, bedding, throw blankets, wall decor, etc. to transform it into a home that blends my husband's tastes as well as my own into ONE style that is beautifully cohesive. It's not what I originally pictured my dream house to look like, but it's a home I now love to spend my time in. I agree, though, that there are still plenty of things that are unfinished and that I would like to change eventually, but we plan on being here for a long time, Lord willing. The adventure is in continuously creating the home, while still being satisfied with where you're at now.
This was so good to listen to. So appreciated it. So much truth to all you shared. I used to be a person that had to change things all the time and then several years a goal God just hit me with the word Contentment. Not saying I don't love the decorating stuff but I used to do it so much all the time and My kids will laugh and say how many colors are on the wall mom. I would change out curtains all the time and how many different duvets to be able to swap out. Several years ago it was that point of finding A bit of peace in my home And realizing if all the projects didn't get done right away I was gonna be okay. We have a fabric place not far from me and it is called SR Harris it is a fabric place that you go in and there is fabric from floor to ceiling. People come from all over to go to the store. When you talk about people being opposite that is my sister. I Would stay up all night sewing and painting dad even though I had 4 children and running at home business It was in my blood it was my get away. My Sister she can have the same thing forever she doesn't do a lot of change. You sharing your stories made me realize it was normal it was OK when my family members thought I was weird because I loved to be creative all the time. Thank you for doing this podcast.
Kali's theory about having two almost opposing styles... I can totally see how that's true. Such a great conversation. Really makes me feel more confident in the direction I'm taking our home. Feeling brave about decor!
Ough you guys make me cry lol 😆 only cause you have amazing partners .... But besides that I have this space behind the kitchen sink I used the massive amounts of unused coffee cups and random shelves to build floating shelves back there it's amazing and so design on a dime and it makes a great herb growing area ( wish I could send photos ...
I really enjoyed this and so glad to hear the point about gratitude. I personally struggle with the term/idea of “influencers”. I don’t want to be influenced. I like inspiration or encouragement and sharing ideas. I LOVED my grandma’s house and I’m now in my 60’s, but still dream about it. She was poor, everything was old and out of the current styles. But- it was clean, she made pretty things like crochet edges around her bathroom wash cloths and towels and the house smelled good from cleanliness and cooking. But, a HUGE part was the love received in that house. I can SO relate to fabric. My mom was a seamstress and I love fabric. She would be amazed that I could look at old black and white pictures from when I was little and remember not only the colors of the clothes, but what the fabric was-like corduroy or seer sucker. LOL. Linens are one of my favorite things in life!!
Oh, girls, I almost didn’t listen, thinking this wouldn’t pertain to me, but oh, my goodness!!!! Words I needed! Balm for my soul. I am a 75 year old woman, married 55+ years, in the process of building our 4th home, after a move to be closer to family. Even building a custom home, I can already recognize the truths you are speaking. We are currently living in an old farmhouse on 79 acres. The drawers don’t shut well, the well water stinks, and the heating is uneven, but we have a roof over on heads and each other. Gratitude is the name of the game. Even the new house is not going to be a “dream” house. I think that we hold that part within our own souls.
This was so timely. I'm due with baby number 2 and have realized I struggle with contentment. After coming out of a career, I struggle with the repetitive tasks that are never done. I miss those reviews that told me I was doing a good job, I don't have those now. It's refreshing to hear experienced homemakers talk about being content despite the holes in the walls and chipped paint. I'll get there!
Excellent! Just what I needed to hear.....after spending 4 days painting and being exhausted, then thinking of more that "needs" to be done. It's never ending.
