Today is the day for "H" in the Inspiration A-Z series, and since we just spent the last 4 days moving, all I can think of is that H should be for Home. I was going to find some pretty homes to inspire you with, but sometimes when I look at homes around designblogland they feel unrealistically out of reach to me- too perfect and too expensive for someone who's on a blogger budget, sheesh!
And I don't think that creating your home should be about perfection or trends or spending a lot of money. Home is about comfort, your own personal style and surrounding yourself with things that make you happy. We're not even unpacked here yet but it already feels very homey... so I thought I'd just share some moments from the first weekend here in our new home.
Cats in windows, flowers from a new neighbor, a dog tired from playing in the sun, shady spots in a sunny yard, drinking wine out of cute mugs, watching the weather change out the window...these are the kind of things that make me feel like I'm at home here already.
What about you? What are the little things that make you feel like you're at home?
Your new home looks wonderful! These photos are great, it looks like you've lived here a while already instead of just moving in. And I love your thoughts about homes on bloggerland--home is an expression of yourself, not a trendy object!
Posted by: Maggie | Apr 19, 2010 at 11:45 AM
Your home is amazing, Your kitties look very a home too, thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Rebecca | Apr 19, 2010 at 11:51 AM
Our house is painted almost these exact colors! We used colors called Sarah's Garden and Tart Margarita! When living in Portland, we need this brightness! Your place looks fantastic!
Posted by: Summer | Apr 19, 2010 at 12:11 PM
I love those green playing cards! Where did you get them?
Posted by: Laura | Apr 19, 2010 at 12:39 PM
i love our vacation home!!!!
oh poolie!
Posted by: drsmoothdeath | Apr 19, 2010 at 12:42 PM
happy new home jena!
Posted by: jenifer | Apr 19, 2010 at 12:44 PM
It is beautiful Jena! I love the pictures of the cats...they are lucky to have such great windows! Enjoy it!
Posted by: Rebecca L. | Apr 19, 2010 at 12:57 PM
H is also for Happy - which it looks like you guys are! Yay!
Posted by: wendyz | Apr 19, 2010 at 01:00 PM
We got them in the airport actually, at Powells bookstore! :)
Posted by: Miss Modish | Apr 19, 2010 at 01:09 PM
I love the picture of y'all playing cards, so cute!
Posted by: Evie | Apr 19, 2010 at 02:12 PM
these pictures are so sweet, Jena. i agree with you totally; it's the little things that make a house a home! some of my faves:
- the smell of my favorite coffee brewin' in the kitchen
- the way our cat unfailingly greets my hubs at the door every day when he gets home from work (running down the hallway, meowing an excited "hello" to him)
- favorite art hung on the walls, a lot of which we've picked up as souvenirs on our travels
- looking out the window at our backyard full of things we've planted together & the landscaping we've designed & built together
Here's wishing you & the Mister many very happy days in your new home! It's lovely. : )
Posted by: Beth Hempton | Apr 19, 2010 at 03:11 PM
What made me feel at home? Adding my books to the bookshelves, dishes to the cabinets, and yes, the pets settling in after exploring every single nook and cranny. Hope this week isn't too exhausting.
Posted by: Lori | Apr 19, 2010 at 03:11 PM
i love these photos. they are so vibrant, lively, and personable.
glad you're starting to feel at home. for me as long as i have my pittsburgh penguins blankets, favorite books of poetry, coffee mugs, cats, and frames photos i'm set.
:)
xo Alison
Posted by: and flowers pick themselves | Apr 19, 2010 at 03:38 PM
So Cute:) Would love to know what neighborhood you moved in to, I am going to be moving up to Portland in the Fall to get my MFA and am trying to find some cool places to live.
Love that turquoise wall!
Posted by: amanda | Apr 19, 2010 at 04:27 PM
mmmm....so fun and bright and cheery.
Home is books on bookshelves,
a candle on the coffee table,
a chair by the window
and 100 kids, more or less, laughing and playing outside.
Posted by: vintagebutterfly94 | Apr 19, 2010 at 05:35 PM
Oh I love your couch and the turquoise wall on the back!
Things that make me feel like home: my pajamas, my coffe mug with black cats on it. My slippers, my boyfriend (who is away on work and left me all alone....)
Posted by: nanouke | Apr 19, 2010 at 06:36 PM
Your home looks like a delightful, friendly place! I love the colours :-)
Things that make me feel at home: My books, photos and postcards, my quilt and my cat.
Posted by: Francesca | Apr 19, 2010 at 08:59 PM
That aqua color is like looking out at the ocean! Your couch is great too. My husband and I have been looking for some mid-century modern couches, but just haven;t found the right one yet. The one thing I really love about our house is the outdoor space and my gardens! I just fill them with flowers and move stuff around as I please. It is always moving and changing and I get to experiment a bit. Have fun!
Posted by: Michelle B. | Apr 21, 2010 at 10:26 AM