Home Is Where The Heart Is . . .

This is a picture book of my parent's home. I share it with you since I think it's a wonderful example - perhaps not of your personal style but how your decorating choices (large or mini :) can be such an expression of yourself.

My parents taught me the value and the happiness that can be drawn from being yourself and living authentically by example. They reflect this so clearly in the way they live. I wanted to share their "Home is Where the Heart Is" with you. I hope you'll enjoy.

This blog post is lovingly dedicated to my parents who after a 5 week whirlwind romance, got married and fooled the critics by extending that 5 weeks into 57 years . . . And going!  

Knowing my parents as long as I have, I have seen them grow even closer over the years. I'm glad to be able to say that in their 57th year, they are happier, healthier & more in love than ever!

My parents house as I've mentioned started out as a very mid century modern reflection of the time. They collected more pieces than exist in their home today but that's just wear & tear. I am thinking back to childhood . . . 49 years ago lol. Here is my dads favorite piece that has been a staple in our home. Dad, NW's favorite spot is his man cave.

The Eames Chair - a mid century modern classic - was the 1st piece of furniture that my parents bought after they were married in 1957. They both loved it. My Dad now has it in his "man cave". He takes immaculate care of this belongings and in 56 years, he has only had to replace the chair once.When you visit and are looking for him, you always know where he will be. lol

This is NW resting on the couch in the living room after quite a knee injury!! No tennis for a while. :(

GI

I was so surprised to find miniature house in my parents home. This was the first one I came across . . . Just wait - there are many. Did I develop my mini interest this way? I don't think they had these things back then though hmmmm

I LOVE this Rose painting by Ed Mell! This work is of one of my favorite subjects! Of course :) 

My parents and I who can have such different ideas about certain subjects.. . . Style? Yet, their house has so many elements - miniature house themes everywhere, collections - that I love. And I admire how they've combined them into their home which reflects their personalities so well. You get such a strong sense of who they are as you walk through. They are so comfortable there. It's their haven. Isn't that the goal for all of us?

This is the piece right below the rose painting. How my mom makes her combinations, I don't know . . .

But, they work . . . brilliantly! Pieces are from a decoupage artist in England.

More detail of the decoupage piece.

These beautiful miniature houses are another collection. My mother is a voracious reader - always has been. These are bookends (miniatures :) of famous doorways. I never realized that she had an interest in miniature houses - when I reviewed the photos, I was actually surprised that we had this in common.

More bookends to follow. . . 

New York City Subway System Entrance . . . I think all of these bookends are really cool.

Etro chair - Mom saw it in a magazine & knew it would work in her home . . . one of only 18 in the world 

Etro decided not to move forward creating furniture. It's a shame. It's a very comfortable chair.

A Great Antique Secretary Desk - we should have opened it for the photo - its lovely but so interesting on the inside. The painting had personal meaning to my mom. . . . such a great way to choose belongings

 . . . .then they give you great pleasure every time you look at them.

Versace glass topper. I have a miniature door knocker just like this.

Collections. . . boxes and glass.

The Barcelona chair - another mid century modern classic.

Dad loves "Blue Dog" - he resides in the man cave. I love the expression of personality in their spaces.

    

This is a restaurant in France where starving artists like Picasso and Mattisse traded their paintings for meals. The paintings hang all around to this day.

Cool little dresser from Idaho.  My parents go to Sun Valley every August for a writers' conference.

The man of the house :0

The dining room - notice house the chairs' upholstery doesn't "match"  - it's all the same piece of fabric however each chair is covered from a different section of the pattern - a very cool way to coordinate without sweating the "match". I was inspired by Mom in a recent dining room set that I created for my shop, Http://www.MiniatureRoseGarden.etsy.com. 

Mom loves pictures of horses - however she assured me that her interest begins & ends with images lol

Books & books . . . Mom LOVES reading . . .  You wouldn't believe the stacks & stacks!!

My favorite bookend - can't believe I forgot to show it earlier :0

It's the author, Jane Austin's house. Isn't it pretty?

Books, books and more books . . . Plus my Mom peeking around the corner :)

More of the Mom's box collection and . . .

a close-up -- I LOVE Mother of Pearl!

Horse bookshelf - combine your interests lol

Colored glass - fun punctuation.

oops - more decoupage - but had to show it - you know how I love flowers!

Posters from the writer's conference - there's a new one every year - casual made cool . . .

Their 1st painting - bought in France - from a street artist - the paint wasn't even dry :) 

Funny coincidence - Mom, reflected in the mirror, watches me take photos. . . 

I should have started with this photo - it's not really my parents' aesthetic - I stitched it when I was 20 . . . but it reflects that their home is a symbol of their enduring love - for their shared home and each other.

Thanks Mom and Dad for sharing your home and tutelage with me.

xoxo

Susan