Things get neglected when one is pregnant, and I have been pregnant for what feels like the past 3 years. So you can imagine all that has been neglected. Top on the list is our house (a close second would be my wardrobe). We moved into this house the month I found out I was expecting Hazel, our second kid. The “nesting” I had was less about hanging pictures and more about making no-bake cookies. By the time we were getting back on our feet from Hazel’s newborn phase I got pregnant again with our third kid, Trevor. The house as of now functions as a place to eat, sleep, and play, but it doesn’t yet have the makings of a home. We are just now getting back on our feet again, Trevor is now 6 months old, and I really want to make this house a home. I want hooks for everything, bold colored walls, empty hanging frames, order and beauty to take hold of this house.
The Idea
Instead of making a baby this year we are going to make a home. We are going to tackle this house by taking one room a month for nine months. We don’t have a lot of time or a lot of money to make everything perfect. But we are going to do our best to make this house more functional and beautiful. This house is a great start. It is a 1926 bungalow and most of what it is lacking is color, attention to detail, and making sure everything has it’s place. Many of the walls are bare. There are blankets piled up in corners, make shift cabinets in the kitchen, and many unfinished projects.
I am humbled when I look at the “before” pictures and honestly a bit embarrassed at what my house really looks like. Sometimes I can pretend that my house looks great and Real Simple could come in at any moment to put us on the front cover. But that’s just because I get used to looking at things so long that I don’t see them anymore. Or I have given up the fight of finding a home for them. I want the house to exude hospitality, functionality, beauty and love. An example of hospitality would be the proper lighting in the front yard that would welcome friends. Functionality, would be hooks for coats, and backpacks and the right equipment to store my washi tape and spray paint. Having the house full of beauty and love might be more abstract. But I hope it will come through in our design and in how we use the actual space to create community with each other, our children, and our neighbors.
The House
We live in a 1926 bungalow in the heart of Phoenix in what I think is to be the best neighborhood ever! It’s called, The Coronado Historic District, and it is full of architects, artists, activists, entrepreneurs, innovators, firefighters, and people who care about their neighbors. One thing I am thankful for is that it is also made up of many families who have decided to have one parent home with the kids. Since I stay home with my brood, this has created a rich community for us during the week. Living here has been one of the sweetest times I have known when it comes to knowing/loving my neighbors.
This is when we moved in 3 years ago.
The Plan
List every possible project we want done in each room.
Pick one room a month and get as much as we can complete.
Take photos and share with you on our progress and how we have come up with some of our ideas.
Get your input on things we aren’t sure about.
I am so thankful for this house, and we are excited to make it a warm inviting home.