Corners of my House

I'm often disappointed after I've lived somewhere and then can't remember the details of the space, or how we used it--I hardly ever photograph the nooks and crannies of a home. Not this time...in order to preserve some of my favorite spots and the flood of memories I treasure with them, I'm trying to photograph those spaces now, while we're still really 'living' in them. I'll share them here on Thursdays for a bit.
I'd invite anyone else to do the same--share the favorite little spots in your home--the spots that make you feel...something--joy, peace, whatever it may be. It doesn't need to be a literal corner--perhaps just a nook or cranny or object. If you do, please let me know! I'll be happy to start a list here, or a flickr group if there's enough interest.

This is perhaps my favorite corner in our house. (If you click on the image, it will take you to the Flickr page, which has plenty of notes on the details in the photo.) When I first saw these wooden play kitchens (this one made by a Maine homeschooling family company, Elves and Angels), I balked at the price. But nevertheless, convinced my parents to help buy one for Calvin's first birthday. And I'm so glad I did. Sooooo many hours have been logged cooking in that kitchen. And climbing on that kitchen. We've had many a feast prepared there by our children and others (this morning it was potato apple soup. yum.), and I do hope for many more in the years to come. This corner is also home to our calendar, the chalkboard of lists (I do love my lists), and a board of favorite current photos. In the morning, the sun shines the brightest right into that corner, and it's oh-so-warm. I can sit at the nearby kitchen counter, drink tea, and watch the bakers in action while they prepare my breakfast. Or sometimes, they'll be cooking there alongside my own baking. It feels like a big part of the pulse of our family resides right in this corner.

Updated: Thanks for all the enthusiasm! I set up a flickr group here. Anyone's welcome to join and share. For now it's called 'Corners in My House" because I'm feeling terribly uncreative today, so I'd love suggestions for a different name if you're so motivated. I can't wait to see the special spots you all share! I find it so inspiring.

Comments

[wendy]

you can feel the warmth in the photograph.
very lovely!!

[hannah]

amanda! how am i supposed to not cry at work when you post things like this? i guess week 32 is when you lose total control over your tear ducts!!?? this is a beautiful post, beautiful picture and a beautiful idea. i can feel the sun and love in this corner... i need another tissue!

[carol]

I love this idea. It is so much fun to see the parts of families that keep them alive and well. I would love to be on your "spot" list.

[sofia]

me too, ad me to your list I'll post my picture tomorrow (i'm out of baterie, always when i need it !!).
That corner is really nice, love the wood brush, that's vintage for me :) !!!

[Blair]

We have a very similar little stove set, handed down from cousins. Its so fun, although yours looks a little more deluxe (wine glasses and all!). Looks like a very sweet spot for your kids. I'd love to join in on your emerging *corners* project. It'll give me something to think about while stuck in the house with my sick kids today.

[Deb]

An inspiring idea. We do all tend to not truly see our home after awhile...I'd love to join the project:)
And your nook is perfect -- a blend of family space, not just for the children.

[Niki]

What a great little space! I love the "kitchen". Makes me wish my daughter had not been so enamored with the "princess" version we now have. The little pegboard and shelf are just perfect!

[Luckybeans]

Beautiful! Our three kids have spent umpteen hours busily concocting, too-- but our stove is just a plank of wood with some knobs attatched.

And, um, your toes are purple! Purple toes!

[Anna]

That is so lovely, how I wish we had the space to do something like that and room in the kitchen for my Little One to play so I could spend more time in there! My little boy has a wooden stovetop toy balanced on top of a toybox but he makes all kinds of stuff on it, one day I'll get him a bigger space!

[Toni]

I love your corner, and I can feel everything you said about it, and picture it too! What a heart-warming space. I like this idea and would like to join, put me on your list too. I'll try my hardest to get a pic. up today. Thanks for the inspiration :)

[beki]

What a wonderful idea. I have many favorite spots in my house. I'll have to participate.

[molly]

Yes! I love this idea--i'm off to charge up the batteries in my camera, and hunt down my favorite nooks...
I can just picture all the creating that is done in your corner, we also have a wooden kitchen that my husband built. It gets lots of use and lots of sticky concotions all over it...the other day I was cleaning it out and I found applejuice in a plastic bowl that had a wonderful science experiment growing on top! It was hiding in the back of the cupboard.
Anyway--thanks for coming up with this great idea. Can't wait to join in...

[Anamaria]

I'll join the corner crowd! I've spotted the little wooden kitchen in the background of a few of your photos and always thought it looked like such an inviting place to play; thanks for the peek. I posted about our play kitchen in the spring (play ktichens are the best! much better than the real ones, I think)--I'll have to think of another corner for next week!

[Manda]

What a wonderful wooden kitchen! Your posts are always so lovely to read.
I'd like to join in too, although I think it might be a bit late today, so I'll have to start next week.

[cherylc]

I have that calendar in a corner of my kitchen too! It's not in a favorite corner, though, and since I love the calender so much, I might have to move it to somewhere better.

I love your corner. It's got me thinking about my house...

[lyn]

I think the name you've given is just perfect.
It sounds intriguing and makes me want to go look.
This is a lovely idea : )

[maria]

LOVE the idea --- LOVE the image --- LOVE the new header. you're rocking girl!!!!!

[lisa s]

oh i'm on board... love this idea.... and i feel like i have so missed out on documenting lovely nooks and crannies in many houses....

yay!!

[Nichola]

Very nice, i don't think i'll be taking part as we're in the process of packing up to move in the next month or so but maybe once we're settled in our new place. Love your new banner BTW.

[coronita]

This is such a wonderful idea! We are tackling some major projects right now, but as we complete them, I know I will have new favorite "corners"...and in the midst of all the dust and debris after reading your lovely post, I am missing some of my old faves ;)

[Pip]

That little kitchen is to die for.

[Joanna]

What a neat idea. Count me in! I wish I had a little kitchen like that when I was a kid. Sweet.

[Kristina]

What a LOVELY corner, sooo bright. We have terrible light in our house, but I AM IN too...super idea ;o)

[lisa]

can't wait to see this in person. steph has a corner almost exactly like it! so lovely.

[speckledpup]

I like your new mast head photo.
Is that Ez's toes....
so cute.

Da Pup

[Marie]

This is just so nice. I love peeking into other people's spaces and to hear why that space is special makes it even better. I'll play along, I just need to wait until the daylight comes around tomorrow so I can get a decent picture. The house isn't very much to my liking yet, we just moved in last March and we need a lot more furniture still. We moved from a two bedroom apartment into a two story house! hahaha There are a few spots that are dear though. :)

[jenn]

what a wonderful idea!! and a wonderful corner...

[kelly]

Love your corner and your idea! If only my corners weren't filled with dust bunnies! Aha! Yes, it must be time for a new year's cleaning fest!

[kali]

what a sweet little corner...and a great idea, I'd love to join...hmmm, well I actually already have. I'm up on Flicker.
Thanks for the great idea.

[eireann]

i'm in for corner-catching, too. thanks for setting it up. cheers!

[Michele]

This is a fantastic idea. Just a thought for you.....you may want to do this at your Grammas and folks house as well. My grandparents passed away three years ago (I can't believe it's been so long since I've heard Gramma cackle-laugh) anyway, when your so caught up in the sorrow of things, good ideas don't always pop up when you need them. I'm 41 now, and there are some things in life you just can't get back. All the more reason for all you folks out there to get over to Grammas with your digital cameras and start snapping and loving.

[*jenny]

i am gobsmacked by this idea! so simple, yet such a wonderful thing to do. excellent suggestion from michele, i wish i had photos of my grandparents' house, and more pics of my previous houses. i seem to take an extraordinarily high number of picstures of my house when its decorated for chirstmas, but not so many of the ordinary rooms on the ordinary days. must change that.

thank you.

[Carol]

Thanks for the great idea! I posted a spot I like.

[jess]

Came over from peasoup - love the idea of photographing corners. My dad made a stove & fridge set much like that for my fourth birthday and we used it for ages. Also, I have the same calendar.

[pimentarosa]

this is a great idea!
i will post corners of my house on flickr!
i also love the group idea!

[Be Still]

This is such a great idea. I can't wait to get this photo project underway.

It will allow me to preserve these meaningful still lifes for my little one to help him remember his first home.

[Jefra Linn]

very montessori

[Tracy]

What a lovely little corner!

[Margarita]

Hi ! Your site is very interesting. Thank you.
;)

[Emiliana]

I want to say - thank you for this!
;)

[Cyril]

I like it and the background and colors make it easy to read.
;)

[Hippolytus]

ok
;)

[Joyful Abode]

I love this idea! I will definitely be joining the flickr group.