Yesterday we attended a bridal shower at our friends, the V—–‘s, home in Buffalo. It was such an enjoyable and refreshing time, and I recorded my impressions of the day in my journal…
I love their house! Their home is a perfect extension of who they are. It is so comfortable, and set up with such a mind toward its guests, that you feel like you are being hugged by a V—– just walking through the door! Of course, you are usually being hugged by 3 or 4 of them as soon as you walk through the door, but I’m serious – the house hugs you, too!
I tried to analyze just what gave the house such a comfy, pleasant air, so I could take home some hints to apply in my own little house. I am having several guests this week so I shall have a chance to practice what I’ve learned.
Lesson one: the host says, “let me take your coat” instead of, “you can throw your coat there” or leaving it to the guest to attempt to snag their coat on the already-over-full coat hooks. 🙂 Then, within minutes of being in the house (after visiting the delightful bird-themed bathroom with the lily-in-the-valley sachet), you are offered a variety of somethings to drink.
Though the rooms were not large, they nevertheless invite – yea, encourage! – you to cram as many people into them as possible, for you just know you will have a lovely time there, and the more the merrier (That especially inspired me, with our small, trailer-sized living room – size isn’t everything!) The chairs were cozy, and the carpet invited overflow. A friendly Afghan (the knitted kind) was placed conveniently here and there.
My favorite part – the detail that gave the home its personality, which made it feel so friendly, were the pictures on the walls. Simply framed and filling each appropriate wall space, was a lovely collection of domestic art. Vintage samplers, a few pleasing prints, but mostly photos of the family. On the wall by the stairs, in the hall, on the cupboard top – from the most recent shots of each of their 5 children, most with spouses now, to shots of diapered toddlers from the 80’s (which looked uncannily like the many photos of grandson #1 that could be sighted in every room) It was a delight to meander through the rooms, visiting each photo and tasting the love and loyalty each one exuded. I especially loved how many of the photos were printed out as black and whites. I was so inspired that, just as soon as I finish hosting this week’s guests, I’m gonna work on getting some pictures hung up on our walls!
The sampler pictured is “A-maze-ing Garden Sampler” by Nouveau Encore Designs. Thanks to Stephanie for allowing me to post it on my blog!
Ha, Trina. I'm sorry, but I just had to laugh when I read this post. You're so sweet. Maybe you should drop by sometime when we weren't expecting twenty-five people. 😉
P.S. I'm glad you said that we have a bird-themed bathroom. I never noticed that before.
Hi Trina,I LOVE going to the Valine's. It's the family I never had. Growing up I never had a good family nor a solid christian up bringing. They are a good example for how God wants you to raise your children and how that should look like. Debbie
I love it when people have pictures all over the home. Seeing smiling pictures of the family really does make a house more cheerful. Oh and B/W pictures rock IMHO 😀