Home is more than four walls and roof. Home is a door opening to you, your family, your pets, your lifestyle, your neighborhood, your community, your city. It’s all encompassing on so many levels.
Love You to Pieces
Furnishings that hold history or is a conversation piece can bring your home warmth and nostalgia.
As I child, I remember particular details of my home growing up—the green leather couch, the orange ashtray that my dad flicked his ashes in, the black leather bar, and large oval table that sat so many birthdays and family holiday meals. I can still remember the fur-like multi-colored rug that laid in my brother’s room, but nothing so memorable as the amount of times I brushed my tiny hands across my parent’s red velvet bedspread on their intricately wood carved bed.
My parents had this amazing bed set that had such great detail. Weirdly it reminded me of an old church with it’s three steepled design. It was a serious bedroom set, heavy and walnut. I cannot tell you how many times I’d run to their room, jump to lay on the bed just to watch my mom grab a purse from her armoire or to watch her dress for the day. My mom had impeccable style and LOTS of clothes and shoes (there may be a genetic connection here). I don’t know if it was the warmth of all the red that surrounded that room, but that bed brought me much comfort during a turbulent childhood. I remember I’d lie head at the foot to stare at the large wooden headboard while talking to my brother, listening to the rain on the metal pan my mom threw up on the roof so she could remember her home. Her childhood home in Panama was a metal roof in the jungle, and the sound of rain on it would calm her.
Fast forward to adulthood and I’m left with these nostalgic feelings, but have come up empty when thinking about my own furnishings. The only feeling I have is for the black Victorian framed mirror I got from my father. He gave it to me in my early twenties and it is the one piece i have held onto with each move. It has brought many a room together and it has brought me aesthetic joy, but it does not fulfill the comfort I felt from that wooden bed frame of my parents.
You may have a favorite chair or a favorite table. A piece that has history or sentimental value can make a house—a home. I love a good signature conversation starter. I had a friend who had a vintage toy chest she used as a coffee table. It had remnants of the original illustration on it. There wasn’t anything fancy about it, but every time I would visit her, I found myself investigating it with new findings of a carving or faded color I had not noticed before. My ex-in-laws were REALLY into mid century modern and there were two consecutive years of replica Wassily chairs given to us, but there was no comfort in them. It was the first thing people commented on, and although they have stayed with me through divorce and moves, they are so not the chairs you want to rest your weary bones in.
So, I’m wondering where my next beloved piece of furniture will materialize. I really want a good chair. I like a good chair I can cuddle up in and watch my stories from. Maybe even a modern recliner, one with a pocket for the remotes. Can you tell I’m getting to Senior status? I’m not hating on a good wingback recliner!
What’s your beloved piece currently? Is it decorative or is it functional? Is it one that has seen many places or is this a new piece? What makes it special to you? Feel free to comment below.
Set the Table
Gather round! Dining rooms are great spaces for conversation and breaking bread…
Do you have a dining room and do you use it?
“We have more of an eat in kitchen - no formal dining room. We have never needed one. What is supposed to be our dining room is an office.”
“Yes we do. It looks very pretty holding my mail. We use it in cold weather when our family comes over for dinner. Not as often as I’d like.”
“All the time. (Until someone in my house took it over as her COVID-era work from home space!)”
“Yes, to date, once every 3 years … rethinking to make more of a flex space.”
“E: Yes and never
C: Oh you mean our craft palace catch all?”
“We don’t have a dining room, but do have a dining table separated from the rest of the kitchen by an island. We eat there several times per week.”
In my research of friends, it seems the dining room does exist, but is rarely used for nothing more than a holiday or extended family gathering. I think a lot of my people have eat-in kitchens or a dining table which extends, and is near the kitchen. Formal dining rooms seem to be a bit dated for most people, but I personally love them. I prefer to keep stove and plate separated. I think it also depends on what mealtime means to me as a concept. Do families still eat together? Do people still invite friends over for dinners rather than just cookouts and potlucks?
Growing up, the dinner table meant eating all your vegetables, doing all your homework, and having “serious” talks. This was very different than the dinner table at my Uncle’s house which consisted of a cloud of smoke resting upon anywhere from 5-12 family members playing cards, drinking and laughing hysterically. A dinner table that was a peninsula for biscuits and boudin on a Sunday morning after church, a meetup of cousins for late night cereal encounters, and countless holiday gumbos, fried turkeys, collards, and jumbaylas. It is the place of fond memories and heritage that defined my childhood. I think a lot of people associate the dinner table with tradition, but what does this room mean for the modern family?
Our dining rooms have now become transitional due to the pandemic. Dining rooms became workspaces, homeschool desks, and craft work areas, giving way to home offices becoming one of the most sought after rooms in buying a home. It also forced families to be around each other all the time and without some sort of room division, I can only presume, a formal dining room with pocket or French doors—a makeshift escape.
I guess I’m calling for a dining room comeback! I enjoy entertaining and cooking for people and having a meal presented, but mostly I enjoy a room where I can actually practice the art of conversation while enjoying the intimacy of breaking bread with family and friends. You know, caring and sharing over fork and knife. Perhaps I’m just old fashioned, but I do love showing an older home that has a formal dining room. I agree with my lady, Home Stylist, Ginny Sawatzky— “I’ve seen many unused dining rooms and have lots of reimagined ideas for those spaces.”
Decorating a dining or eating area doesn’t have to be a utilitarian task, you can have a room that is fun, elegant, or artfully themed. Whether it’s playing around with wainscoting, adding coffered ceilings, or experimenting with paint colors or wallpaper, by all means—go fork and dine!
le dining room
French inspired dining rooms could go one of two ways—the grand and detailed style fit for the Sun King himself, or opt for the simpler and cozier French countryside where the whisper of Lavender and the open air preside.
We’ll have a glam old time
I adore a glammed up room. I love the jewel tones and the lush textiles. Art deco decor mixed with that Hollywood feel makes for a great dining space with lots of dinner table good times.
@swoonworthyblog
for forks sake
Vintage Industrial is a fave of mine. Bold, but not cold, you can create a dining space that introduces a sexy elegance fit for sophisticated candlelit dinners or a dining room that will endure years of kidability and has that “restaurant” vibe.
sitta for a spell
Sometimes a darker Scandi look can be compared to the Modern Industrial look. I like my Nordic flare to have some attitude. Minimal, but not without statement, this style conjures transformative vibes and beautiful design.
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For more dining decor ideas:
Where the Magic Happens
Enjoy these bedroom ideas to inspire and arouse your sacred slumber chambers.
I love my bedroom. I spent a majority of my childhood sharing a bedroom with my younger brother, and although his sleepwalking adventures were fascinating and our bunk bed shenanigans were delightful, moving from a three bedroom childhood home to a two bedroom apartment deemed challenging. As I progressed into teendom and the wearing out of every Cure tape I had, my mother ended up on a couch while my brother settled into his own space. Twas hard times back then.
As an adult, I long for the day of having all matching furniture, an accent wall, and room for a chaise lounge and ensuite bathroom to call my own. Let’s not forget a walk-in closet that i can actually see my clothes and shoes in. Sigh, bedrooms are for dreaming right?
I think we can all agree that the intimacy a bedroom can provide is also the intimacy it can provoke. It is February people! But seriously, bedrooms should be a place of relaxation, fantasy, a place to be pensive and quiet, and provide you with your own private sanctuary. Here are some bedroom ideas for you to sleep on:
Textured Accent Walls
We’ve stared at four walls for quite some time now and the bedroom is no different. Creating a textured accent wall can add depth and really showcase that dreamy furniture of yours and it’s an easy DIY project! Make different patterns and be creative.
Pendant Lighting
Lighting in a bedroom is everything! I love the look of hanging pendant lights and the variety of styles and shapes is aplenty. My only qualm about this one is if you are anything like me and want to switch your bed elsewhere in six months, moving lighting around can be difficult. The look is stunning though!
Wallpaper Accented Walls
When you want to be able to change up your background, go with easily interchangeable wallpaper to create a dramatic effect.
Upholstered and Shapely Headboards
Bespoke headboards are making a comeback and in gorgeous colors and textures. Headboards in general are making their way back into the scene with cool shapes and bold patterns that make spotlighting your restful slumber unique and expressive. They are also easy to DIY your own creations.
Painted and Textured Furniture
Bring pops of color into the bedroom with muted, colorful or textured furniture. We are still seeing deep rich woods, but color adds some pizzazz to your space.
Time to get to work and bring some magical refresh skills to your boudoir. Find your bedroom style, whether it’s moody and dark or light and bright. Visit estate sales and upcycled shops to find unique pieces you can refinish and make your own. Check out some local artists, and give your bedroom walls a little oomph. RVA has so many great woodworkers, artisans, and designers to make for a very comfortable and sacred place. Nighty, nighty!