Swiss coffee is the word that describes our home decor first. Our entire home, on the inside, is painted in fresh Swiss coffee color. It’s a beautiful warm white paint. Not only is it durable to get the eggshell, but by having all the rooms the same white it feels so fresh and clean. I understand some people love to paint their rooms different colors. I should say that our bathrooms are not Swiss coffee. They are pure white. Ha! Our home is different, too, because we worked with our dark trim instead of wanting to paint it white or replace it. I actually love the dark espresso colored trim against the Swiss coffee paint color. We did take down the popcorn ceilings and painted them a flat pure white.

One thing everyone notices in our home is the amount of photo frames I have. Yes, I love family pictures. I LOVE photos of memories in time. It may be because all of my childhood pictures were ruined in a flooded basement. Well, most of them. I am the kind of person that likes my home to look like my family lives here, and is comfortable, and cozy. I don’t like staging my home, even though I’m guilty of it when guests come over and when my mother-in-law visits. But that is different. That is called hospitality, and Jesus wants us to do that.

One piece of advice I have is that when you find a piece of decor or furniture you really like, it’s kind of like a piece to your collection. My collection is my family photo frames on my walls. I like the white frames or dark espresso. I do like the washed or vintage frames as well. As long as they are not too weathered. Each piece should come together and fit nicely. If not, time to donate or resell that item. Let it find a new home; a new story. My husband and I have been together our whole “dating lives.” We met when I was 17 and he was 19. Our home is a collection of our story over these last 16 years.

I really do love the simple. I’m all about the history of the items. Many of my items are hand-me-downs from family. The pieces that we did buy ourselves tell stories as well. I do have many homemade pieces from my dad made from 100-year-old barnwood. Those are the pieces I truly enjoy in our home. It is the bookshelf that holds all my daughter’s favorite children’s books. One of my cousins received an entire table and chairs made of real wood that can sit about twelve for free from the marketplace! What a story! And what a save! Furniture should tell a story. A story about the family that uses it. It should hold memories, and that is value you cannot buy.

Our bedding consists of 100% cotton. A tip for all the newlyweds making their wedding registry is to buy cotton linen, and go with a quilt, not a comforter. Stay away from polyester. A pro tip is to buy pillows that have a zipper, or look for pillow covers. It makes cleaning a breeze! Our headboard, foot dresser, and dresser are all from my husbands parents. Will I ever get rid of them? Nope. I truly believe we should be grateful for what we have, and only buy when we need to replace something that is broken. And even if it’s not broken, donating is a good thing.

Most of the time, we just need to clean our homes instead of buy something we don’t need. In my home, I like to buy items that we need, serve a purpose for my family, but most importantly, the items should be of good quality to be an investment. Such as my $500 3 piece Le Creuset cookware. Beautiful pieces that are nontoxic, and heirlooms! I’m so grateful for all the delicious dishes, pleasant riches we’ve made with our Le Creuset pans.

These beautiful lilacs tell a story about our home as well. You can read more on the about page. I love lilacs, and I’m so happy we have them growing on our piece of land we call home. God is good. I thank Him everyday for our home. I would never want to say “I wish I had this,” or “I wish I could do more.” This home is plenty. Our family is enough. I am beyond grateful to have had the opportunity to be a homemaker for my husband and daughters, and to be at this point in my life. Each day is a blessing. A dream come true.

My advice, on homemaking, is to love what you have. Work with what God has given you. Be grateful and pray daily. Homemaking is more than just folding laundry, doing the dishes, cooking, and cleaning. It’s making a home where your family will make memories. Where they can lay their head at night and rest. Where your children play. Home is a beautiful thing. Finding your partner to build your home with is a blessing. Hold onto your loved ones. Make every day count. Light the dinner candles, pull out those fancy plates. Enjoy each other. And be kind.