Some of you many not know that I was an interior design major at one point in college. I changed my major because I knew that we would be moving wherever God called us in ministry– and a career in interior design wouldn’t be sustainable in my mind. Honestly, my biggest regret is switching majors and not sticking with something that I loved. I see so many people who have successful design businesses that work from home.
I grew up watching Trading Spaces with my mom. HGTV was my favorite channel to watch. It still would be my favorite if we had cable. I LOVE Joanna Gaines and what she is doing. Even though House Hunters was absurd, I still loved to see the inside of those homes. All of that to say, I still really love interior design.
If you are reading our book club book for January, then you know she is talking all about home– the atmosphere that is created by us. I don’t want to go into the book now. I’m saving that for the end of the month. But, it has just reaffirmed how much and why I love home design.
I have said for years that I am responsible for creating “home” for my children. We have moved a lot, and lived in many dwellings (8) in our eleven years of marriage. We take the “home” atmosphere with us wherever we go. I create it with cozy pillows and throws, candles, conversation, music, books, art, etc.
It doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant. It just has to be you. It has to be your family. It doesn’t need to be cookie cutter or fit into the most popular box. If fills you and your family with joy– embrace your style.
For my family, on our small budget, everything needs to serve a purpose. In the kitchen, I love having our wooden cutting boards on display. They get used every day, and are easily accessible. The many throws in our home come to good use since the house is a bit drafty. We have family photos on display and thrift store artwork that we love. I am not a minimalist by any stretch of the imagination, but I do love simplicity and tidiness.
Home is where our families will learn the most about Jesus. Inside of these walls should be a safe haven for our family when the world gets too hard. Prayer and scripture should fill our home. When someone walks through our front door, I want them to feel that love resides here. That is why I love design and am passionate about creating a cozy and inviting home. I want home to be the place my daughters long for when life gets hard. I want them to know that they are safe and unconditionally loved here.