I haven’t spent much time in our house of late: about six weeks ago, DH was dispatched to the Beach House with the children whilst The Mother and I solemnly packed half our things in boxes that were shunted off to storage so that we could put our house on the market. Meanwhile I have spent every child-free day speeding to destinations up to an hour away looking at houses and schools, then rushing back to collect my Girls from school. This has left little time for me to spend messing up our half-house.
Personal items: the family picture wall on the stairs
It is a half-house. The personal items have been pared down. The extraneous ‘stuff’- all our craft things, bits I have in mind for a project, winter clothing- it’s all packed away in an anonymous steel box and we, mentally at least, have moved on.
Personal stuff: the Girls’ art on the kitchen cupboard
So American Resident’s latest ‘where I live’ prompt has given me a lot of thought. This was to be our forever house when we bought it, pregnant with our first child and eager for garden and rooms and a family. I loved the feel of it, the security, the light, the space. I love the high Edwardian ceilings and the light that plays on the hall walls, tinted by the stained glass in the door.
The light coming in through the stained glass onto the hall walls.
I love the dimensions of the sitting room, the stripes, the scribbles on the wall even. It has an immense bay which needed blinds making especially- the first time I ever ‘commissioned’ something. And in the afternoon you need to lower those blinds because the light and heat from the sun in the summer is so fierce.
The sitting room. I bought the Sea Fan from Vintage Mix for DH Christmas present. It reminds us of the Beach House.
I love the bathrooms that we lovingly replaced, letting our two-year-old choose the colour-scheme. She named the bright pink fish Bill and carried him- in the pushchair-all the way back from TK Maxx. He will go with us when we move on, though will he have a bathroom big enough? The picture was one we all made together when The Girls were very small. I had it framed and love looking at it whilst I bath them.
Our first collaborative art: such a special memory.
Bill the Fish and friend, in the Girls’ bathroom. Yes, we have a Girls bathroom and a Boys. That is how we roll.
And my beautiful bedroom, with the art by Laura Mars- a wedding present from good friends- and the family pictures. The chest that reminds me of my nan, and the fabulous wallpaper which that same afternoon light brings to life. I love the connecting door which leads to the room which used to house small babies- both of mine, nearby for mid-night feeds- and is now a dressing room and dog chamber.
Wagtails by Laura Mars
The wedding certificate that hangs solemnly in the hallway- a daily reminder of the vows I made to DH. And the corresponding pictures of St Pauls’ Cathedral you will find around the house. We seem to acquire a new one each year. It is such a special place to us.
Our ‘other’ wedding certificate, complete with the Seal of the Archbishop of Canterbury.
My St Pauls. An iconic building and site of some of my most precious memories.
The kitchen which has welcomed so many faces in the five years we have been here. The heart of my home and the seat of my blog. I have never come to love the floor but the walls I made my own.
Photos I have taken of the Girls and transferred to canvas.
I shall miss the only home my children have ever known. But I will take all of these things with me and together we will all build a home in a new house.
Moving is always hard to do, especially when you’re leaving the house your children were born into. 🙁 The good news is that you and the kids can always look back through pictures while you build new memories in your new home! Good luck in your search for a new home – remember it’s the family that makes a home, not the house. 🙂
Thanks for your lovely comment @andrea. It is very true: so long as I have my family I will have a home.
Gorgeous home, I adore the bow fronted display cabinet! I love the mixture of grown up art, and personal pieces, makes it feel like a house that has been well loved. I am sure your new home will be equally delightful.
Thanks @sonya. I love the cabinet and am very lucky to have good friends in the business to find it for me!
xxxHouses can be wonderful but it’s the stuff inside them that makes them home. When you unpack your things (and associated memories) in the new place, it will start looking like home already.
That is so true @MaisonCupcake but thank you for taking the time to say it!
What a beautiful home, I’m sure your next place will be just as wonderful x
Thanks Sandy. 🙂
Oh how fab Kelly, I’m in the same boat as you reminiscing about all the wonderful times we had in our house, tone I thought we would live in forever too. How times change! Good luck with your move, Mich x
It’s a great year to move house @michelle, and it sounds like you have the most amazing opportunity!
BEAUTIFUL! And were you married in St Pauls? Oh my giddy aunt that would be amazing!! I love the painting by Laura Mars, and that gorgeous cabinet but I think my favourite is the light through the stained glass on the wall. What a beautiful home! And thank you for joining the Linky 🙂 xx
Thank you for running the linky @Michelle- it has caused me to think a little more about what I love in our home. I’m delighted that most of it is coming with me. And actually you prompted me to take a picture of the light I love so much, and I can take that too. So thank you.
Your house has always looked so beautiful and homely, I’ve been quite envious. I look forward to seeing what it done with the new place.
That’s very kind of you to say @theBoyandMe. And rest assured, there will be a lot of house in future posts!