There is a reason I love to make my home all bright and colourful, you know. Today is a good example. If you look out of the windows, it is grey, dark, wet, cold and revolting. Enough to send me burrowing back under the duvet to try to shut out the world. But when I walk into my kitchen, with the red bunting on the rafters, and the bright rugs Mum crocheted on the chairs, it makes me smile. The red apron hanging in the corner, the gingham bows on the dangly thingy above the table, the flowers in the vase....... and I stop thinking grey thoughts and focus on the brightness. And I am exceedingly glad I made the bunting.
It takes very little effort to make a home cheerful. A few bits here and there, and it can be transformed, and the cost can be minute. This morning, Jean and I happened to pop into a charity shop to drop some things off, and I found a beautiful big bright green vase for 99p. Perfect for Spring. Little things. A few twigs and some white paint, and a corner is changed. Not yet, though......
At the end of February, the house will change seasons and it will be the pinks, greens and yellows of Spring/Easter for March, April, May. Then the bright Summer colours. And so it goes. Keeping my eyes open when I am out, I can find really great bargains, especially out of season. Now is a good time to look for the Autumn colours. Not that I actually NEED any more - I have enough!
Speaking of "enough"......
Contentment is a very precious thing. To acknowledge that you are not on the quest of acquisition any more. That things do not have a hold on you - the acquiring of more and more or newer or batter. New is not always good. Or necessary. But seeing how altering, adapting, making and swapping around can provide constantly fresh surroundings is a delight. And a challenge, and I love a challenge! Moving cushions from one room to another. Tossing a few crocheted rugs around. Painting old toy boxes or tables. Anything. I just use what is available around here, and believe me, there is a lot to choose from. I have more than enough.
Today, I am loving the simple things. The little things. The warm coffee. The cheerfulness. The colour. So I turn my back on the windows for a while, and concentrate on the brightness right here all around me. And I am content.
I am a great believer that making your little corner of the world as beautiful as you can is a huge benefit to the whole family, and also to the people who visit you. Warm. Inviting. Fun. It changes my attitude - improves it, and that has a knock on effect on the people around me. It also inspires more creativity - I want to make things. Change things. Use what I have sitting there. We will not discuss the fabric stash which has been out of control for a decade or more.
And most important of all, if you love your home, it shows. It has nothing to do with the actual 4 walls you know, it is all about the caring. The feel of the place. If I left this house, wherever I found myself, I would still make it a home which makes ME smile. (This is turning into a post which could become a dissertation with all the pieces I could delve into....)
In fact, I am thinking that I could make a quilt or 2 in the red fabric left over from the bunting, which I have in a pile on my cutting table. (There is no room for it in the cupboard!) Hearts, maybe.
What a good idea. I am off to start cutting........
8 comments:
I can definitely see how the bright colors would cheer up the inside of your home. The winter months can be so gloomy.
I can't wait to see what you do with that red fabric. Hearts sound like the perfect solution for it.
I completely agree with you!
It is quite dark, dreary, and damp here today too.
Instead, as you have so wisely recommended, I will focus on the simple things, the little things. Contentment at my fingertips.
Great post, Linds.
It's rarely dark and dreary here, but I still love color and love having lots of it in my home (which I also love).
I think your post put a lot of color in many peoples day! Thank you!
:)
Oh I'd love a cheery visit to your home just about now. I am a titch concerned about the warm coffee, but I suppose I can nuke it, right? I can not agree with you more...everyone should create a home that s/he loves and it needn't cost a fortune.
I've taken more interest and time in decorating our home now that the children are gone. Perhaps it's because I have more time or perhaps I am more settled with myself as a creative person. And you are very right - it doesn't have to all be brand-new or cost a fortune. You have been a real inspiration to me in this - thank you , my friend.
I'm going to make 2 valentine buntings tonight - one for Meadow and one for me! I just took down the birthday one and sent it to Melinda for her birthday. I'll show you in a week or two, after she receives the box in the mail. I look forward to seeing your quilt - maybe I need to start another one of those too!!!
I know how much you love the sun on the snow in Switzerland. We have mostly sunny days - when it's gray for two in a row, we start getting antsy. I love your writing, as you know, and this post is no exception. I almost bought some daffodils at the grocery store today, but decided to wait for my own in a couple of months. The days are longer already!
What a lovely positive uplifting post Linds - I so enjoyed reading it!
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