Design Thoughts Pt. 2

I want to keep running with the idea from my last blog...but first I want to share this fun picture from Josh's birthday weekend. I read that Oddfellow's was voted #1 in Best of Story County for their burgers. Josh's favorite restaurant food is a good hamburger, followed by a very full tummy and a reclined seat during the drive home...so I thought this would be the perfect place to celebrate his birthday.

It took me a while to realize, but I believe God blessed me with the spiritual gift of hospitality. I love having a clean, organized, perfectly decorated house to entertain, host college kids to do their laundry, and throw Christmas parties. We have an open-door policy here so people feel comfortable dropping by anytime (sometimes a little TOO comfortable :). It's common for people to crash on our couches, spare beds, and even the floor. This results in me constantly being worried about prancing from the bathroom to the bedroom in a towel after my shower (because I never know who has dropped by in the meantime), but it's something I've adjusted to. :)

I'm not a great cook, so we know people aren't coming to our house for amazing snacks and meals. We don't live in a mansion, live on a lake with a hot tub, own go-carts and snowmobiles, or even have a Nintendo Wii...so sometimes Josh wonders why people like coming over to our house at all (I try and tell him it's because we're adorable and funny but he doesn't buy that).

I believe it's because everything I do to our house, revolves around comfort, relaxation and 'homey-ness'. I want people to feel at home when they're here. Rummage through the snack cabinet, take a nap, do some laundry, grill, etc...And I believe this homey, comfortable feeling goes hand in hand with good design and charming household decor. 

I tend to be pretty laid back when we have people coming through our doors constantly, which is why I think people are comfortable spending time at our house. Glasses accidentally break, leaves get tracked in, and I spend an entire day washing bedding and towels after big weekends...and while I race around the house to get all those chores done, I'm reminded of the wonderful friends who stayed up chatting around the fire pit until 2am, and it actually makes me happy to cycle that laundry through. I love that our home has become a place for friends and family to gather and play games, fire pit, or watch movies. 

I think that's what having this house is all about.

The reason I'm always painting furniture I find on curbs and sewing throw pillows until I can't see straight is because all those little things contribute to one big thing...I want to continue to use the best of my crafty abilities to be creative in a way that gives glory to God. I want people to come into our home and witness a household and a marriage that is a testament to His love and faithfulness. And also to admire some adorable glitter jars.

Bouncing off the Proverbs 3 sermon from last weekend...Josh and I understand that everything we 'own' is not ours...it's been given to us by God, which means everything is really His...down to the last little touches of Christmas decor. And in order to be good stewards of what He's blessed us with, it's our desire to share our cozy, decorated house (and our washer) with everyone. 

Thanks for the inspiration Edith Schaeffer. And Lauren Chorpening. :)

-Mrs. B.