There's no place like home

Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz taught us all that there’s “no place like home”. There’s great power to the word home. What does “Home” mean to you? Is it a bed, your sink, your shower, a favorite blanket, a favorite picture or vase? We all have something that whether it’s an apartment, a condo, a house or an estate, that something makes it home. It’s what we miss when we go on a trip.

For many people “home” means a house. I remember how excited I was to get out of an apartment and buy MY house. Suddenly something just fell into place, a part of me that had been missing was there. It wasn’t my dream house, but I had a mailbox right on my own porch. It’s the little things that are important. After years of living in an apt and having to walk to get the mail, that was something that I wasn’t going to budge on. The fireplace, attached garage, fancy kitchen all had to go. But I got the mailbox. Next time we will work on the fireplace and attached garage. I did create a fantastic kitchen in this house and that can be done again. For me, a house is about good bones. The colors and fixtures can change. It always amuses me on these shows where they are house hunting and they don’t like the house because the bedroom is a bad color or the bathroom sink is ugly. These are easy fixes. If you like the layout, paint is easily changed. Kitchen and bath remodels are big projects but if the rest of the house has good bones, those can be repaired eventually.

For someone else a dream house could be an amazing view. Some people are very connected to the outside and if there are a lot of windows and an incredible view, other details may less important. However if you put them in a home with no windows, they will wilt like a flower with no sun.

Making a house a home is important. Adding your own personal touch that makes it look like you. Maybe it’s as simple as a picture or your favorite chair. Maybe it’s painting a color on the wall that makes you feel comfortable. Add some draperies, or throw pillows. A room should create a feeling, if you have a busy work life, then maybe you need your home to provide some calm for you. Are you a writer or do something creative? You need a space to inspire you. Do you want a more romantic bedroom? Maybe a living room meant more for entertaining. All of these are possible. Your home should reflect how you live

Our homes are mirrors of ourselves and a place we look for refuge and inspiration. Everyone has a different item that gives them that peace. When the whole room and/or home is designed with these thoughts in mind it is a place that can nourish you, calm you down, inspire you, give you whatever you need to take on the world. So yes, Dorothy, there is no place like home, because home is where your heart is.