We moved to our new house about six months ago. Packing and moving ten minutes down the road, with four kids in tow, was even harder than moving across the globe with two!
Today I sat in my chair, in my bedroom to feed the Baby. We've been cleaning and decorating in preparation for a house-warming/isn't summer great party (yes I know, it is the year AFTER we moved in, but the house still needs the warmth of friends' christening) and I am finally seeing beautiful moments come to life in it.
I painted a charcoal feature wall in the boys' room, and we ordered really fantastic charcoal and white bunk beds. I have the materials to hang a bunch of model airplanes from their double-height ceiling, when I get the time to do it. We also got more Trofast storage units from IKEA so all the toy storage is uniform. In the U.S. I bought matching sheets for their bunk and we finally got a mattress for Finch instead of using the toddler mattress on the bottom bunk. Their room is looking good.
Last week I painted a bright pink feature wall for Sprout. I found an antique iron bed for her on gumtree.com.au. At the Better Homes and Gardens trade show I bought twinkle lights with rosettes covering the lights and those are threaded around her bedhead. In Michigan my grandfather gave me some beautiful vintage curtains that I am going to put up in her room.
I have never lived in a new house, and at six years old this house feels soul-less and cold to me. It has massive windows and soaring ceilings and amazing views, but it lacks the patina and character of an old home. I know that hanging our art and pictures, and living our lives will start to break down the severity of it, and begin to make it home.
When I get some of the spaces closer to what I have in my mind I will post some pictures. Right now, spending the school holidays mostly playing at home is giving me lots of moments to breathe, look around me, and dream.
Big smile. Atmosphere creator--what a high and amazing calling!
Posted by: quietstream | 12 January 2012 at 03:03 AM