Home for Everyone


I’ve been working to create a space in our home to have family and friends over more often. Hospitality is something I love to do, but haven’t done much of recently. We used to have people over all the time and the slightest thing would give us a reason to celebrate. If you’ve been around my blog for awhile you’ve probably read our story about our small home. We moved into this house expecting to add on, etc. Suffice to say, the economy tanked and it didn’t happen. Fast forward to the present, this year is about opening up again. I hope to buy the book The Reluctant Entertainer, but for now I’m charting new territories on my own.

My greatest deterrent in recent days has been getting over the fact that my bedroom is now located in my front room. It’s really a lovely space, cordoned off by billowing white curtains with a beautiful brick fireplace, but a bedroom it is nonetheless. I spent last weekend rearranging furniture and turned the dining room into our music and curiosity room. I decorated the space with our upright piano, shells, butterflies, ostrich egg, and a display of our wedding china. This used to be wasted space, but now it is serving as a lovely storage area with some fun touches. It also creates an interesting entry into our nice sized kitchen – the one room in the house where you can tell someone was thinking SPACE.

This next weekend will be about the kitchen. Below are some vignettes of things I put together this last weekend. I've brought my seashells back out for the year.

Hope your weekend is filled with beauty.


Old glass buttons in a clamshell



This amazing frame used to hold a favorite antique print. I might put the print back someday, but for now I'm loving the frame with the lavender bow.




These were the pink seashells I added last year to my collection. I strung them together like a necklace and now they're cascading over this seashell vase.




Butterflies in our curiosity room




Blooming narcissus bulbs from a friend



Cushy ottoman in the kitchen.



Seashell fest!



Sunshine streaming through our kitchen window. I treasure this time of day.

24 comments:

Alison Gibbs said...

Nancy your home is gorgeous. Love your new header photo.
Alison

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Lovely photographs! I think that your special touch would make any space, large or small, a beautiful one.
My home is very small too and it is a challenge to entertain, decorate and, well use it effectively...especially with all my collections! You have inspired me, once again Nancy!
Take care, Laura :)

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh Nancy, your home is a place where WONDERS never cease. I understand about having a small space, but in your case, your NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION mindset is a miracle to behold. Only you could make the bedroom in the frontroom a place of wonderous beauty. It may even be a trend for some....there is no LESS beauty in this type of arrangement. And just remember US. We had been dreaming for 13 years about this new addition and we finally did it. You are a genius; you and Ruben both have the ability to think in ways that boggle my mind!!!!

BEAUTY ABOUNDS CHEZ TOI! Anita

Jennifer Pearson Vanier said...

Everything you touch is beautiful. Your ability to bring beauty to the smallest corners of your small home is something we all enjoy when you share with us. Don't be embarrassed. Life is messy and cluttered sometimes and we all live with some oddity or other in our homes. Your inner beauty shines through all you do and I am certain that you will make things just as they ought to be and any guest will be most welcome when privileged to visit. Gorgeous pictures.

Blessed Serendipity said...

I love your special touches in your home - so peaceful.

-Danielle

Bob said...

Sometimes simplicity says it all! Lovely photos of your special treasures. Thanks for the post. Bob & Susan

victorian parlor II said...

Your home is lovely! You should be pleased to show off your beautiful home no matter it's size. There is nothing better than a cozy, beautiful space filled with love and inspirational decor:).

Blessings,

Kim

Sandy said...

Nancy,

I can't imagine your home being anything but stunning with your magic touch and flair of style. Your guests will not even notice your bed in the room, they will be focused on all the stunning details!

Dapoppins said...

It's wonderful that you are entertaining, and sharing. Hospitality is a gift, not everyone can do it...and I am sure the warmth of your home, the details of the offerings you share with your guests, the laughter and friendship, more than make up for the lack of a "traditional" living room.

Anonymous said...

Hello Nancy - how are you - I don't stop by as often as I would like to - each time I come to your blog I say ahhhh - soft and comforting - as I'm sure your home will be for all the guests you invite in!

Zita - Mlle Magpie said...

Simple elegance and beauty are your forte, Nancy. Who wouldn't want to have a visit with you in your gorgeous home?!! I am sure your creative solutions work miracles where other people are stumped. We used to entertain more in our old house - somehow life has gotten so much busier and I think this house just doesn't lend itself well to entertaining. But if there's a strong will, there will be a way...

Gustaviana said...

simplicity is only what you need !!! it's beautifull
xx Viana

roseroomnz.com said...

Oh, you will entertain beautifully, remember it's not your home friends and family come to visit it's you! I adore the mother and baby ornament and the meaning it has for you... Rachaelxo

Elaine said...

I so love your vignettes. They are always so elegant and tasteful. Just perfection really.

Auntie Cake said...

Hi Nancy,
I adore it when you share glimpses into your home. It is so filled with beauty. I was pretty surprised at what you shared, as I only see your magical touches.

When we built our house, my builder and I didn't exactly see eye to eye. I turned a bedroom into a dining room. We recently added a family room and then knocked out a wall, allowing the bedroom turned dining room to open into the kitchen. Now I have a beauitful family room, but we really would have been satisfied just knocking the kitchen wall down. I am now really into using what you have to make it fit the way you live. I am willing to bet your bedroom is GORGEOUS!

NeereAnDear said...

Just beautiful treasures... as always...

I am happy to hear that you have decided to start entertaining again... I too felt like you in my other house and wasted over three years because of it ... good on you that you arent doing that ....

You ... are one of the loveliest ladies ever ... and those who come to visit as others said ... are coming to see you and Bill... they will enjoy the beauty that you have provided with your stunning way of decorating and even more so the fabulous food and comraderie ... all because of your special touch... keep your chin up ... you have no idea how much you inspire others ...

LOTS OF HUGS
JO

Kate Tracton said...

You know, Nancy, you probably needn't feel uncomfy with the idea of your bedroom in the front room.

What you've done with your limited space, all the lovely touches, and the unusual configurations, will leave people enchanted and impressed with your creativity.

That, combined with the obvious love you have of people, will make being entertained by you a fabulous experience.

xoxo,

Kate

Marysol said...

Nancy, I'm tickled to know you're a seashell fanatic as well.
And the way you showcase them makes me want to break out my own collection and put them on display. And maybe I should. My world is blanketed in white snow, with more on the way, so a summery vignette would certainly break up the monotony.

Can't wait to see how your magic touch will transform your kitchen.

LW said...

Lovely.....

The only new vignette that I have seen around here is snow…
I can't even say that it is new anymore because it is getting very old......and tiresome …

Louise

bikim said...

that is soooooooooooo pretty!
Rosa

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Bojour ma chère,

Yes, our dance comes within, doesn't it? I so wish I could take hold your hand and dance to the tune of hope, faith and love....enjoy a peaceful day while we here try to tie up loose ends with our new living space...the rooms are finished, we just need to clean and wait for the electrician to crank on the juice and away we go. Ahhhhhh....wishing you were here to give some tips, but the Frost White is so PERFECT and Ruben loves it. He is a prince.

LOVE TO YOU, Anita

rochambeau said...

Beautiful Vignette's Nancy!
xox
Constance

Christine LeFever said...

Making a nest is what you were born to do, no matter the size of the space. Simply put, sheer beauty.

Hugs,
Christine

Cathy said...

Nancy,

Everything about this post is amazing. Your Valentine sculpture came out stunning.

I thoroughly enjoyed all the photos of the small vignettes you used to decorate you space. The pink shells (OMG) love them, the glass buttons!!! Everything is wonderful. Great job. I totally enjoyed my visit.

xo Cathy