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BloesemKids has a great new feature, 'Open House,' of which I am honored to be a guest today. There, you'll find some photographs and an interview about home and work that I did with Irene. It was lovely to spend some time thinking about these things, and to share a space with the other interviewed women and their beautiful homes. Thank you, Irene!

I wanted to take a few new photographs for that interview, and found myself uninspired at best. How many times have you seen my wood floors? A lot. Our house is small, our furniture is old and worn, and sometimes - just sometimes - I get a little tired of the looking at the same thing - and trying to find inspiration for photographs of it amidst the mess and the dust and the worn-out everything. Most of the time, I'm happy with all of this, of course. I love all the 'old' in our home, for so very many reasons. But sometimes, well...you know how it is.

So I asked the kids. What's your favorite spot in the house? And each of them - in turn - led me without a moment's hesitation to their 'favorite spots'. They weren't the spots I expected, and I guarantee that if I asked them the same question again today, it would be three different spots. But still - they had their spots, and oh, they do love them dearly. I took a photograph of each spot, printed them, and with a note on the back of each, popped them in their journals (otherwise known as a big box full of random things - some day I'll organize that) for them for later.

And with new eyes - as they give me so many times - I looked around and saw things just a little bit differently. It isn't just about the things or the space, of course, it's about what we do with those things and that space. And what we do in our home, is lots and lots of living. Like anything full of 'life,' it's always changing and moving to fit the kind of living we do in it at any given time. And while there may be little 'new' that comes into it, and it may not ooze of a magazine photo shoot, there is all that vibrant life that embraces me each time I walk in the door. And hopefully the same thing happens for my children - a deep and true knowledge that they are 'home'. I couldn't ask for anything more.

Comments

[lera]

It looks like a home of love :-)

[Kate]

Oh Amanda, I think your home is beautiful. It always looks so warm & sunny. It's alive and spilling over with creativity and love. Those are not things found in a magazine.
Have a lovely weekend!

[Sara]

What a lovely picture. The comforts of home is a blessing. My children also have boxes full of random things. Who knows when I'll get to that. :)

[jean]

love that you snapped a pic of that moment's favorite spot. that is beautiful.

[colleen]

I've been reading your lovely blog for about a year now and am just now posting, as I wanted to say that I can't count the number of times that I've looked at your photographs and thought "How can she do it all and not have a messy house?" or wondered at why you don't have dust bunnies, or been envious of the way that you can incorporate all the old, loved things into your home and make it so fresh and beautiful. Your home is a beautiful mix of all the important things in life and I've yet to grow tired of looking at it.

[anilia]

It is funny how we can't see the beauty in our own everyday. We need someone else's eyes to find it. Someone said, "The obscure we see eventually, the obvious, it seems, takes longer."

[Viv]

You are a remarkable teacher ~ I learn so much from you in every post. Nice interview.

[julia]

this is such a wonderful moment to have captured. calvin sitting almost wisely in the chair, ezra and steve sharing a laugh, and adelaide busily moving about. there's so much character just in this one moment. it also makes me realize how much i feel like i've come to know each of your family member (just a bit) from reading here for about a year. thank you, as always, for sharing them and yourself with all of us.

also- loving the new banner! what's the image on that embroidery?

[Meredith]

Love the picture...that room looks inviting for so many reasons.

Also love your new banner!!

[Shannon Lajoie]

Hi Amanda! I have never commented before, but I've been reading your blog for several months now and want you to know how much I love reading learning about your beautiful family and your beautiful work. I work from home raising my 18 month old daughter and working as a massage therapist. It's so nice to take a little time each day to read your blog and look at your photographs. It makes me feel like I've gotten out of the house for a bit! Thank you!

[Sarah Jackson]

It's such a warm and inviting space that is lived in with a lot of love. Beautiful.

[Steph VW]

I love seeing photos of your home. It helps me imagine what my house will look like with books and toys and tiny people running about.

[Karen]

Amanda,

Great interview over at BloesemKids! I just found your blog in November and have been so inspired by your family and creativity. Thank You So Much! You have such a beautiful family!

Karen

[Elizabeth]

the interview and pics are great!

[Caroline]

It's so lovely that you share images of you're home, I think to myself
"I wouldn't dare do that, my house is such a mess!"
But it is funny how we spend so much time in our own environments that it's easy to loose perspective on just how lovely they are. It's a great idea to ask the kids, they are always great for giving a fresh perspective!
Caroline
: )

http://carolineinckle.wordpress.com/

[sarah]

OK. So what are their favorite spots? I wish I had done that when my girls were young. We moved out of our first home when Lou was 5 and she doesn't remember it much at all!

[Erica]

Your house is beautiful and warm and inspiring. It seems very much a reflection of every member of your family, and the values you hold dear.

[Kelly]

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing! You are an amazing woman! I am so grateful for your continued inspiration! ~

[Ilse]

Hi, What a wonderfull post, Amanda!

And let me tell you , I would do (almost) anything to visit your home. I think you have a lovely house and a cozy home. I imagen me walking to your door and feeling, seeing the love, warmth and beauty of this wonderfull family.

Have a great weekend.

[sarah Jane]

THank you for that! When I am sick of my small little space, I often remind myself of what I remember of my childhood home. I remember play, love, creativity...I don't remember if it was messy or not, or the condition of the furniture. So, I have to remember that my children see my home so differently than I do most of the time! THanks for this post! I really really needed to hear that today!!! PS: I posted about your blog today on my blog: www.sarahjanestudios.com

[sarah Jane]

oops: I meant, www.sarahjaneblog.com

Thanks:)

[sarah Jane]

oops: I meant, www.sarahjaneblog.com

Thanks:)

[sarah Jane]

oops: I meant, www.sarahjaneblog.com

Thanks:)

[Penny in VT]

Great interview Amanda - I can't wait to get the book!

Also,I think I need to go move some furniture around...(grin)... you really are so inspiring :)

Cheers - Penny

[Bea]

I love your house! As a fellow owner of a very old house, I sympathize with the "quirks" they have, but I definitely can say that I love the fact that it's "lived in" :) I can't wait to get your book, and I also wanted to say, I think it's so funny that in almost every picture I see of Adelaide, she's a blur!

[eni]

thanks for the picture and these true and lovely words! they made some tears in my eyes!i feel that your house is a real "home"!

blessings
eni

[Helena B]

I love when you talk about your book and toys choices for the children. I find it extremely helpful and inspirational because I have a 15 month old and another on the way, and I am finding it hard not to jump on the toys-r-us-made-in-china-plastic-bandwagon. So a big huge thank you!

[kristin]

yay for cozy homes. and great job on the interview too!

[LB]

Another old home inhabitor, here!
I love the pictures of your home. I peer into them, looking for the details of life and it reminds me of being in my sisters' homes. Full of life and beautiful things tucked around every corner, waiting to be discovered.
It's magical and inspiring and it gives me new eyes for my own home of collected, mismatched, thrifted and well loved things.

Thankyou so much for the daily inspiration...

LBxo

[gonzomama]

from your photos i have never thought your home looked small. it seems to always be filled with warm, beautiful light and much movement and joy. your home has great character and details which i would choose over a more 'decorated' style any day! it isn't the size or the style or the newness, it is about the quality of life in the home. that's what your family cherish ( & you seem to do it effortlessly ) you have a gorgeous home & family & i have yet to tire of looking at your beautiful wood floors!

[Dawn]

Loved the interview...and the photos of your cozy home.
It was like snuggling up in a favorite quilt with a warm cuppa.
Aaaahhh!

[QALBALLAH]

Everything is relative. Compared to *our* house yours is a mansion - I mean, you get a whole room to yourself for a studio what more could you ask for?? But then I have lived in a house smaller than ours so I try not to complain about our two up - two down kitchen/diner/schoolroom/study/art room/studio combined room.

Soon it'll be outdoor weather and your house won't feel so cramped.

PS I have to say that this particular banner is your best yet! Love it. So pretty and spring like!

Debbie
xx

[brandie]

i love your space :)

[Geertrude]

I love seeing pictures of your house! And I can't see enough pictures of your wooden floors. Ours is still in a planning state (we had regular flooding here, but it seems to be solved), maybe this summer. Your house is much bigger than mine, ours is even small by dutch standards, especially for a family of five. But you're so right: most important is the feeling of being "home".

[Luann]

I grew up in a little old house and loved every drafty piece of it - except maybe the damp, moldy basement! It seems like there's a lot of love in your small space.

[MamaShift]

Your house is huge.

[Natalie]

Home sweet home. Your space, your things... they always seem to me to be made of comfort. Would you be surprised to know that your home inspires me? Looking at one more remodeled, granite and designer home will gag me... I just want a home that welcomes all to live and play, to feel secure and creative... a home much like yours.

[Stefani]

such a needed post for me today, Amanda. Thank you, so very much.

[kristena]

Pictures of your home always make me think warm and inviting, cozy, full of books and comfort. I like it. Very much.

[Nannette Spencer]

"And with new eyes - as they give me so many times - I looked around and saw things just a little bit differently."

This line really made my day as I felt it's something we all can and should relate to. Any chance you'll share the favorite spots with us? Curiosity strikes again!

[Kelly]

I read the interview yesterday and I loved it. Your house is beautiful. It has that warm and loving home feeling. It really inspired me to make some changes to our home (bring more toys into the living space and out of the bedroom).

[Jayne Hickey]

Amanda,
As a fellow Mainer in a small 1850's home spilling over with 5 people and their "stuff", I look at your home and your family as a place where anyone who knocked on your door would be welcomed in and made to feel like they were the most important thing in that moment. You have a way of expressing what "family" truly means. We all could stand to take note from your family and SLOW DOWN! Maybe I just speak for myself here! :)
Oh and by the way, I think we have the same couch and the same color paint on the wall! Is your couch stained with chocolate milk too?! I just zip off the cushion covers and throw them in the washer now, along with the pillows! To me, everything is washable!
Jayne
www.wickedbusymomto3.wordpress.com

[Leila]

Your house is beautiful.

And I LOVE your new banner. You've certainly found some lovely things to photograph.

[kat nicholas]

what a great family you have. i love the moment you've captured in the last photo. the space you live in with your family may feel small at times but know that by sharing it with all of us, it becomes so huge that words cannot contain it. thank you for that.

on another note - nice interview!! dang lady, you just keep that inspiration coming!!

[julie]

I love your home... so warm and inviting!

[kat nicholas]

what a great family you have. i love the moment you've captured in the last photo. the space you live in with your family may feel small at times but know that by sharing it with all of us, it becomes so huge that words cannot contain it. thank you for that.

on another note - nice interview!! dang lady, you just keep that inspiration coming!!

[erin]

i feel the same way about our house. i think looking at it differently might be what i need.

[Kelly]

great post - and I love the idea of saving photos of their favorite spots - it's sure to bring back lots of memories for them down the road . . .

[Danette]

This is why I read your blog you have such a great ability to put thought and moments into meaningful words that so many moms/families relate to. I so often look at our tiny living space with the same feelings of frustration...
It's dusty, worn down, cluttered and so on but at the end of the day it always comes back to being loved and comfortable.

[lissilulu]

Amanda, thanks for making me feel at home more in my home once again. I think I will follow your idea and ask my kids where there favorite spot is and stick it with their baby stuff...(also still in boxes-there will be enough time later on to sift through those boxes huh?) :o)
thanks!-Lori