What language does your home speak?
I'm not talking about the people in your house. . .I'm talking about the house itself.
My sister and I were recently remembering one of my mom's friends. When we were kids, we'd visit this lady, and it wasn't a fun time. Her home was a show place: the carpets were pristine, the walls perfectly painted, the furniture like new. It was very uncomfortable.
On the other hand, I recall the first time I went to my future in-law's house. It too was a lovely home, but it was so welcoming that you couldn't help but feel comfortable there. My mother-in-law had amazing taste, and her home could have graced the pages of any decorating magazine. But whenever I visited, I only felt the love.
I know people who hesitate to invite friends over because they're not happy with their house. They'd like it to be bigger, newer or brighter. I understand that. We've lived in more than one fixer-upper house, and there were times when projects weren't completed before a party or a room wasn't perfect for visitors. It was a struggle for me. I was house-insecure! It took me years to relax and realize that if I was relaxed and comfortable as a hostess, my guests would enjoy themselves, too.
When we moved down here to Orlando, we had the opportunity to choose a home that would be perfect for our family--a new home for the first time in our married lives. We tried to be very thoughtful and realistic about our needs. We considered homes that I knew might look good for entertaining. But in the end, we chose a house that would work for our family: a large kitchen with room for lots of cooks and a table for our family meals, smaller bedrooms but a large family room, so that we can all hang out and watch movies together, a school room and lots of bathrooms!
I could spend time and money putting together a house that would look like a show room. I could have sofas that my guests might be afraid to sit on and walls that are off-limits to little fingers. But that wouldn't be fun or inviting. Yes, I'm sitting a sofa that belonged to my mom and dad, and it's well-loved. But I don't cringe when the kids leap over its back, or when it's accented with assorted cats and dog draped artfully around it. Our house is our home, and it feels like it.
So what does your house say? Does it say come on in and have a seat? Does it make your guests want to linger? Does your house say home?
Well said and how true! And I love that we really don't have "no no" rooms in our houses. As a former neat freak, I've had to learn new ways as a wife and a mom. The house never stays clean or organized for long - but I've relaxed enough to not stress about the fingerprints on the walls, the worn and faded couches, or the dust bunnies under the beds. Well, not too much :-)
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