In A Little Corner
Written by admin on December 16th, 2009My laundry room has always been a challenge. Well, let’s be honest. This whole, old house has always been a challenge. Yes, old houses have charm, but they also have bumps and dings, and evidence of remodels and permanent cosmetic fixtures that people thought were pretty in the 70s. And when you are young and newly married and you feel like everything should be new, it’s not necessarily the most attractive project to try and take on, depending on what you thought you wanted.
I used to try and make this house into something it was not; like putting a new patch on an old garment. Things only looked worse. Then one day I decided to just go old. I began to hunt for things at the thrift stores that looked like they came out of a house as old as mine. I began to find old things that I actually used and loved using, like old coffee grinders and antique kitchen utensils. Things began to look natural, even if they didn’t look new and modern.
I found that home began to feel like home.
Last night in the dim light of about 10 p.m., I stood in my laundry room working on some things. I looked at the little corner in my laundry room that has become my little corner to look at when I sort clothes.
I love the picture of the three children in bed, all smiles and happy, and I know that it was never new or old or any type of decor that made this house a home to my children. It was being tucked in and reading bedtimes stories. It was meals around the table as a family. That’s what made my children all smiles and happy.
I look at the milk-glass lamp with the yellow and red toile shade and admire the soft light it casts on the pictures. The old, framed needleworks, hidden behind dirty glass when I found them, cleaned up really well, and I think of the day I spent with my mom, finding these treasures for 25 cents each at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. How old are they? Whose hands stitched them? I’m glad they now call my home their home. The tin lithograph was a thrift store find as well.
Next to the lamp, on a doily my husband’s grandmother made, sits a picture of a very sweet friend. I miss her so much. One day last summer, with a terrible headache, she lay down for a nap. Later, her children could not wake her up. She was buried that week. I think of her while I’m doing laundry and I’m thankful that I am here to do laundry at all.
After all, it’s the little, mundane household chores (done with joy, of course) that make a house a home. I want to delight in my work here at home. I want to never forget that it’s my job to serve with joy.
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
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Such a lovely, beautiful post!
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Lynn.. this was such a delightful post. And you know when I see the photos of your home, I am always struck by how uniquely lovely everything appears. You have put your own stamp on it all♥
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I completely understand about living in an old home, Lynn. Ours is almost two hundred years old and most of the decor reflects its age. Thankfully we love antiques! Your little laundry room corner is so sweet. I’ve also created oases of beauty all around my home – my cousin once called them still life settings. It makes the load seem lighter if we have something lovely to gaze upon, doesn’t it? Loved your post; it truly sums up what it means to make a house a home.
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Ah, maturity is a blessing that comes with age. It would be nice to be younger again, but I would not want the same brain! And I like the thought of creating spaces in your home to look at while doing the things that need to be done. Very good idea.
Jenn
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Delighting in ones work! That is such wise words dear friend.
You have made your house a home because of the love that you have showered your family. The lessons that you have taught them.
What a blessed post…thank you dear one for your thoughts.
maria
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Dear Lynn,
Thank goodness for life’s little lessons~What’s true for our homes is true for ourselves~Work with what you have and love the journey!
Thank goodness for thrift stores too, eh? Where would we be without them?
Love,
Marqueta
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Once again I have been inspired–
thanks so much for writing!
Cathy
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I love your blog.
I really like how you penned these words –
“After all, it’s the little, mundane household chores (done with joy, of course) that make a house a home. I want to delight in my work here at home. I want to never forget that it’s my job to serve with joy.”
I really enjoyed my visit to your little place on the web today. Thanks for creating such a wonderful website.
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Thanks Trinity Mommy.
Diane, this house has stamps on it for sure! No, really, thank you. I think everyone does have their own mark they make in a home. I do try.
Emily, thank you! I would love to see your home. I do truly love old homes. They present challenges, but so do new ones. I keep telling myself to just bloom where I’m planted!
Ah, Jenn, you said it perfectly: Would love to be young again, but not with the same brain. Me too! Or me either! Whichever is correct!
Thanks, Maria. The best we can do is keep trying. My children are getting older, but I find that one is never too old for lessons, so I keep sharing with them as I learn new things and just hope it sinks in.
Oh, Marqueta, if it weren’t for thrift stores…well, there would be a certain part of me that just would not be me. I love to shop in them and I love to donate to them. I think they are one of the nicest things that have been set up in our country. They are a great help to many.
Cathy, thank you so much for your kind comment.
Honey, thank you! I enjoyed a visit to your blog this morning.