From House to Home

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. 

Of course, some people just make themselves at home very quickly ...

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.

What other things make a house feel like a home?

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