what makes a house a home...

click to enlarge

I have been thinking about some of my favorite decor blog posts. The ones I like the most are more personal in nature. Photos of our homes, real and unstaged, and little glimpses into personal lives. 

My style is kinda quirky - a mix of antiques, new pieces, and art. But folks always gravitate to the growth chart we made with our son.  It's in our hall, you have to turn a corner to see it, and as you can see, we've painted that wall several times, but it grabs attention everytime.

It's one of the things that really makes our house our home.

  

30 comments:

Amanda said...

That seriously looks like it could be a julia rothman pint! It's fantastic!

Holly said...

LOVE THAT! So much more clever than just mere marks on the wall... really terrific & thanks for sharing.

Kathysue said...

Bravo!! I love this and you are so right, I get asked all the time if it is OK to put family pictures out. I know what most say but I always say, It is your home and your family is what makes it a home. You have proven this by this wonderful illustration. These are the things that make a home hard to leave, You are going to have to get a really good dry-wall man to remove that for you, That is such a precious memory. Happy Monday, Kathysue

Erica Cook said...

Love this!
I have done a canvas in client's nurseries before to be used as a growth chart but never thought of the hands too... what a great idea. xo

annie said...

Lovin' the keepin' it real feel of this---it's personal and fun!
annie

Amanda said...

I love your blog and style. Check me out, I am a newbie.

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

love the growth chart- we have never stayed in one place for long enough to make a wall chart but we always to hand print art on paper, canvas or cement!

shi(f)t said...

what an adorable idea!

La Dolfina said...

This is really beautiful and especially poignant as we get ready to send our one and only off to college. Absolutely priceless... and you are so right about it making your house a home!!
XO

bluehydrangea said...

This makes me happy and sad. Happy because it is just about the coolest growth chart I have ever seen, sad that I didn't see it years ago so I could do it with my kids. Maybe it's not too late!!

Greet Lefèvre said...

Thank you so much for your comment on my blog!
I have added your blog to my bloglist! You have a beautiful blog!
xx
Greet

charmaine said...

What a great idea! I am totally doing this with my kids(maybe on canvas) so I can take it with me when if we move. Thanks for sharing!

Splendid Willow said...

I love it!!! You turned scribbles into art! Frame the picture you took for this post. Your son is so going to appreciate it in his older days (What a lovely Mama!). Happy Monday, ox, Mon

Kerry said...

I completely agree with your sentiments about our spaces and what makes a great read as well. Thanks for sharing that. I love that there are hand prints as well...I wish I'd been that creative when my kids were growing up. It really is a great spot, and bonus...it looks pretty fabulous too!

Tantie Tades said...

It's my favorite wall ever!

A Gift Wrapped Life said...

How lovely to have you as the 100th comment on my anniversary post. I am so glad that La Dolfina sent you my way and in return I find another wonderful and stylish blog. If you are new to this, you are doing a fabulous job! I love your wall chart and just wish I had done the same, it certainly makes a house a home. All the best.

Dumbwit Tellher said...

That is the greatest growth chart I've ever seen, & I've seen plenty in my 30 years of parenting. To see the progression from wee boy to what looks like a now tall guy is so touching. I love quirky and I love blogs that let the writer's true self shine through. Bravo!

Karena said...

One of the most darling growing charts I have seen!

Karena
Art by Karena

escapade said...

Love this idea - such a personal touch, and a lovely sentimental piece of art to enjoy as those little handprints get bigger and bigger!

Charlotta Ward said...

I love this idea! So precious. Actually I teared up when I saw it.

I have a wonderful piece of art made of hand prints (water colour) from all the members of our family. I missed my own grand mother by a few weeks when she passed away, and her hand is sorely missed (in every sense!).
I love this piece and as the family grows I want each new generation to add another print. This way the family will be intact forever..

Have a fantastic rest of the week.

xxCharlotta

Raina Cox said...

You've stabbed a hole of rainbows and ponies in my dark snarky heart!

That may be the most precious thing I've ever seen.

Please tell me you're cutting out the hunk of drywall should you ever move.

Unknown said...

LOL, I was just going to suggest the same thing as Raina did above, that you must take that with you forever!
The hand outline are too precious for words...going back to stare some more!

ticklishfromadistance said...

Oh, my. Ow and wow. I feel them both. xoxoxoxoxox

nelya said...

You were brilliant to document your son's growth in this most amazing way. I wish I had been as brilliant. My youngest is only four and so I might just steal this pulling-at-my-heartstings idea. Seriously, I think this is the sweetest, most wonderful thing I have ever seen in blogland. Thanks for letting us into your home. It's always a treat, but you have really outdone yourself with this one!

XO-nelya

Cristin said...

Sweetest thing ever.

PS~Erin said...

How cool. So special.

Do you have a good brownish gray paint color suggestion? Or maybe it's grayish brown I'm looking for. I want a rich color that's not chocolate-y though. I though you might be the person to ask :-)

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

So so true. That is what I like to see most too!

Those hands are a spectacular idea...we have lines...and mismarked pens...but love it so. You remind me I should take a photo of it...Thank you!

Adding your blog. Love it!

Carrie Ann Eddleman said...

We have our kids growth chart on the side of the door going into the garage, but what really catches my eye are the little handprints. I'm so going to steal this idea from you...hope you don't mind ; ).
Take Care, Carrie

The Peak of Chic said...

Wow! You and Cecil Beaton would have gotten along famously! ;)
It looks really great!

An Urban Cottage said...

I LOVE THIS! And I love that you've painted around it a few times.

I wonder if I could get my cats to do it?