There's No Place Like Home

"It's nice to return home each day to something intensely personal." ~ Stanley Barrows

I am a longtime fan of a certain Very Famous Chicago Talk Show Hostess, BUT sometimes I get very frustrated with the tone or topics of her show. Yesterday was an example of this. The show's intention, I feel, was good;updating one's home decorating style, but some of the things said, in my opinion, gave the wrong message. If you caught this episode, you know what I am referring to, but if you didn't- the gist was to not let your home decorating go out of style or be too trendy.
"Ah! There is nothing like staying at home, for real comfort"~ Jane Austen

This topic resonated with me as I believe one's home should be a haven from the outside world where you can feel safe, and also one's home should reflect your interests and loves whether they are trendy or not. So what if you still like peach and green, blue and mauve, geese, borders, dried flowers,plaid, florals, frilly stuff... If it means something to you and you love it- then in my opinion, have it in your house.

My house is not particularly big (which all the houses on renovating shows always seem to be), but it is filled and decorated with the things that make me happy and have personal value to me even if they are a decorating nightmare. According to the Very Cute Decorator, certain things should not be seen in today's homes: dried floral, frilly, stuffed things, too many antiques, cross stitch, border, ceiling fans, walls of wood, and lace curtains (the list continues). I feel the only thing I have going for me is the slip cover on the couch- that's it! And...I don't care! My house reflects my personality and my love of vintage and seasonal and my family is ok with this (notice, Mike's decorating personality is not mentioned- it is plain scary) and that's the ONLY thing that should be important- pleasing yourself (and family) not keeping up with the trends and pleasing others. So below is a "tour" of my Decorating Don'ts in the living room and dining room according to yesterday's show.

Note the knotty pine paneling going up the stairs- there's even more upstairs! Also- is that a dried floral swag above the arch? AND a cross stitch piece?

Uh oh...I spy lace curtains!

Border and a craft piece on the wall (lace made by my sister-in-law)- shame on me! Nobody ever mentioned twinkle lights- I am sure they would be a no-no too~More border in the dining room...
Hmmm...a stuffed bear on piles of books...what WOULD the Cute Decorator say about that?
Lots of florals and lacy frilly stuff abound- including a fairy or two... or three... And what about the grapvine tree with dried flowers and twinkle lights???

Not only is the writing desk an antique but so is the hobnail glass piece and lamp

So- this is my home; more shabby than chic, and I enjoy coming home at the end of the day and spending time here; it's cozy and comfortable and makes me happy. Even though it is not decorated in the trendiest style and colors- it is me and I love it!

What do you love most about your home?

"By home, we mean a place in which the mind can settle… a refuge to which we flee in the expectation of finding those calm pleasures, those soothing kindnesses, which are the sweetness of life." ~ James Bean

On a side note, today was Molly's 1st day back to school as a sophomore!!! Don't let the happy smile fool you- she was NOT thrilled to be going back~