The old way..



This is what the LORD says:

"Stop at the crossroads and look around.

Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it.

Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. Jer. 6:16

When we moved from our last home into our present one we had many boxes of collected things which we put into storage.

We decided to go "modern" in how we decorated our new space and chose a very pared-back decor, compared to our usual vintage style.

In fact, we tried the "minimalist" look for a while with hardly anything in the way of decoration on display.

It was an interesting exercise to do.
We discovered how having (or not having) our usual items us around  made us feel.

In the beginning it wasn't too bad - it was even pleasant to be in a very uncluttered space; but as time went on we found the emptiness of our main rooms was starting to depress us.

Friends and family noticed our "new look" and it became obvious that they didn't particularly like it!
We thought it was just because it was so different for us and that they would all get used to it in time ..and hopefully we would too.
One day a familiar friend came to visit us, and after fretfully looking around our rooms asked, "Are you moving out"?!

That showed us that the bare look was not only making us uncomfortable, but our guests were missing the stable, warm feeling they were used to finding in our old house.

Our "minimalist" look only confused others and made them wonder if we were still in the "moving" process.

So..out came some boxes from storage, and into the dressers went our rustic and familiar things, and onto the chairs went the comfy cushions and quilts once again!

When our young friend returned the next time, he walked in and declared, "Ah that looks much better! It's more homely now!"

I was actually surprised at how our decor had affected him, as I didn't think such a young man would take notice!
 I expected something from our lady friends - but this was a burly 30ish fellow who surprised us by his spontaneous reactions! 

It wasn't that he was looking for designer furniture or collectibles, it was the atmosphere of the room that had caused him to speak out.

I decided then that I would forget about trying to de-clutter on a massive scale and just concentrate on creating a warm and cosy home again.

For us..that means vintage knick-knacks, lace, china, musical instruments, rustic kitchen things, lots of wood and quilts.

It's how we've always decorated and visitors to our homes often remarked on the nice "feeling" they found in our place.

I really think that had more to do with it being a happy christian home than anything else; but I also believe that how we decorate our homes does impact the sense of warmth and comfort that our guests find within our walls.

We "looked around" our home and went back to "the old way".
And I'm glad we did!

Now family and friends feel comfortable here again, and even more welcomed and loved!
*
joining Kathy:

and Debra: