When we moved into the Manse, it took a while to make it feel like home. Moving stuff in isn't enough to make somewhere feel homely. It's living somewhere and getting to know a place's quirks.
Arranging
We moved the furniture around a few times until we got things exactly how we liked them and it felt like ours. It's tempting to arrange the furniture in exactly the same way as the previous owners. (Although when you move into a Manse, you often don't meet the previous owners or see how they had their furniture. The house just is). Finding a place for everything, and everything in its place also helped us feel at home.
Finishing Touches
Candles, reed diffusers and room sprays so it smells nice. Flowers to bring nature in. (Some people do this with plants. As I kill plants, I leave them well alone. Because I rather like them). Books, prints and photos. Nice bedding.
Living
After we'd lived in the Manse for a few weeks, we got used to it and developed a routine. The times of the buses, divided up the chores etc. Plus all the little things that we don't even think about - making the bed, doing the washing up, keeping the place neat and tidy. All these things help make a house feel like a home to come to at the end of the day.
Going Away
Going away for a few days made us appreciate our new home. Our things! Our bed! Our very own bed!
Making Memories
Friends and family in the house and the garden. Barbecues, meals, coffee and cake. High days and holidays. One night, Rev T and I went out and we got a friend to babysit the Tubblet. She bought her dog to keep her company. After a few hours, our house was part of the dog's territory. When we came back, he started barking and growling at us. Like a good dog, he was defending his space and his mistress. Still makes us laugh.
It takes a while to make a house feel like home. I moved into my house a year ago! Adding little touches like candles and shelves, small bits of furniture and even cushions really helps :) Great tips! #FartGlitter
ReplyDeleteIt does! We've been here a while and we still don't have everything in its place as yet. Hope you're enjoying your new home :)
DeleteI secretly love moving house (have done it quite a lot over the last 10 years). I always feel like its the start of a new adventure to get into a new house and make it "comfy". #fartglitter
ReplyDeleteIt does. We tend to move every so often because of Rev T's job and its always an adventure seeing what sort of house it'll be
Deletewith my move on the cards for this week (fingers crossed) this posts excites me! Like you say it really is about making it our own and having coffees and B.BQ's and family and friends over. Cuddling up at night with hubby and laughing with our kids. I can't wait to be in. I also agree with bringing nature in, I am going to attempt not to kill a house plant as like you I have killed many. But I am determined to become nature friendly. Thanks for linking up with me #mg and I hope you make many wonderful memories in your new home!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your move and settling into your new home. I look forward to seeing all the photos :)
DeleteI totally agree, I think it really takes time to get to know your home and appreciate it, love it, to make yourself feel at home. But then I talk to my house so I'm probably a little bit strange :) #MarvMondays
ReplyDeleteEr, I do to ... That's not strange, it's normal!
DeleteFor me a new place is home as soon as I figure out exactly where everything belongs. Once a have the proper spot, I don't like anything changing. I'm a bit off about stuff like that
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like us. Things tend not to move once we've put them away. We are epic declutterers though!
DeleteAs soon as I've got my pictures up and some knick knacks hanging about I feel at home. IT has to be a quick transition- I move too often.
ReplyDelete#fartglitter
Hope the preparations for the next one are going well
DeleteAha, I kill plants too! What makes home for me are my books and my bed! There's nothing more I love than snuggling in bed and reading a good book. I don't really collect anything else but books. So there are always bookshelves in my home. #fartglitter
ReplyDeleteYes! If you've got books and bed, you're pretty much sorted :) And heating. And hot water ...!
DeleteHot water to make hot chocolate?? YES! Thanks for sharing with #PassTheSauce
DeleteI think that the making memories part is the biggest part of making a house a home (and just living life in it with the ones you love). I like the idea about going away...that sure does make you appreciate your home more (and will make it refer to it as "home" with everything that that means). Beautiful post, Nicola! #AnythingGoes
ReplyDeleteThank you for the lovely comment. :) You're right, going away really helps you appreciate a place :)
DeleteI know how you feel about making a place feel like home! When you move into a new place it takes some time to adjust to your new surroundings. It has been nearly a month since moving to the farm and it is finally starting to feel like home. Enjoy your new space and all that it has to offer! 💜
ReplyDeleteI feel a bit of a fraud as we've been in our current Manse for too long for it to be described as new, but Ministers do move around alot so who knows?! Hope you're settling into life at the farm and enjoying the new adventure :)
DeleteYes, I agree completely. We're in the process of arranging a move currently, so will have this to go through soon if all goes well. I hate the moving & settling in part, but it's nice when you finally have it how you want & are used to. #anythinggoes
ReplyDeleteWith a baby and a toddler?! Respect! I wish you all loads of luck and hope it goes well.
DeleteI totally agree with you. A house is just bricks and mortar, it becomes a home when you have your personal touches on it
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up to #AnythingGoes
Debbie
Thank you for hosting and good luck in the #BIBs2016. Congratulations!
DeleteIt always takes time to feel settled somewhere new, but it sounds like you are getting there. For me its definitely about making your own mark on a place that makes it look and feel like home :-) Enjoy the new space and the new adventures and thanks for linking up to #MarvMondays. Emily
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