I heard the phrase "home takes time" somewhere on the internet (likely part of the Instagram fodder in my own feed) and it really resonated. I, too, walk from room to room in my house and add to-dos to my ever-growing mental list. It's overwhelming at times, but how beautiful to have something like your lamp to serve as a reminder that home can still be homey even while in the in-between 💛
Home DOES take time. This is so, so true. I am just now feeling at home and so relieved because for sooo long I wondered when/if it would ever click. But it's not the "everything being done and perfect" that makes it feel that way, as it turns out. A good reminder.
Such a beautiful essay, Olivia! I love your writing style and words so much! Also, I am not able to find any info on your event at the Mooresville Public Library. I did look up the library calendar of events and didn’t see yours ☹️
I love old houses. They have a charm that a new house could never have, flaws and all. I have the privilege of traveling back to the Hudson Valley each summer to visit our old family cabin and marvel all all the detail my great uncle put in to building it. I adore every crack, the slopes, the stone fireplace, and the warm glow it puts out at night. Your house sounds cozy! I am in FL with a son in Gainesville. I hope your tour makes it down here so we can come support you and your work! 🫶🏼
We built what I very much hope is our forever home on 5 acres and moved in a year ago. I had some crazy notion that when you build a house, there wouldn't be that never ending list of projects because you just made it the way you wanted the first time, right?? Lol. A year later, I've relegated landscaping in general to a 5 year plan (turns out lots of land means LOTS of money and time to make it look good!), I'm still trying to figure out how to make a few rooms more functional/organized/decorated than they currently are, and less than half of the windows have blinds or curtains on them yet. I still give tours of the house with the "we're not done yet!" caveats. Making a home is hard, but I'm trying to look at the things that need to be done still as opportunities, not chores. Just think how fun it will be to give tours to the same people over the next 5 years and hear them say "wow it's come such a long way!"
This is so beautiful! I bought my dream house in 2021 and did the same things you describe here, thinking of everything as temporary and planning grand visions in my head. In 2022 I unexpectedly accepted a job a time zone away and had to move, after only a year in my new home. I long to be able to wander through my kitchen again and appreciate everything that was right about it: the giant single basin sink, the cool tile floors, the perfectly centered window over the sink. I've now lived away from my house longer than I ever lived in it, which feels so sad, though I still own it and sincerely hope to move back someday. A great reminder that everything is temporary, which can be both beautiful and sad.
I hope you get to move back soon. I can't imagine how hard that would be. The dreaming is definitely fun, but nothing beats just being in your home and enjoying it (when we actually allow ourselves to). I hope that happens soon for you <3
I heard the phrase "home takes time" somewhere on the internet (likely part of the Instagram fodder in my own feed) and it really resonated. I, too, walk from room to room in my house and add to-dos to my ever-growing mental list. It's overwhelming at times, but how beautiful to have something like your lamp to serve as a reminder that home can still be homey even while in the in-between 💛
Home DOES take time. This is so, so true. I am just now feeling at home and so relieved because for sooo long I wondered when/if it would ever click. But it's not the "everything being done and perfect" that makes it feel that way, as it turns out. A good reminder.
Thank you for reading, Lauren <3
This was so lovely and so, so relatable to read.
Thank you so much, Carly. <3
Such a beautiful essay, Olivia! I love your writing style and words so much! Also, I am not able to find any info on your event at the Mooresville Public Library. I did look up the library calendar of events and didn’t see yours ☹️
Thank you so much, Bhavna.
I'll look into Mooresville and get back to you! But as of right now it's scheduled and open to the public (no ticket required).
This was so gorgeous. <3
Thank you so much.
I love old houses. They have a charm that a new house could never have, flaws and all. I have the privilege of traveling back to the Hudson Valley each summer to visit our old family cabin and marvel all all the detail my great uncle put in to building it. I adore every crack, the slopes, the stone fireplace, and the warm glow it puts out at night. Your house sounds cozy! I am in FL with a son in Gainesville. I hope your tour makes it down here so we can come support you and your work! 🫶🏼
I love your description of that cabin. So lovely.
I will be in Gainesville mid-October so stay tuned for that :)
We built what I very much hope is our forever home on 5 acres and moved in a year ago. I had some crazy notion that when you build a house, there wouldn't be that never ending list of projects because you just made it the way you wanted the first time, right?? Lol. A year later, I've relegated landscaping in general to a 5 year plan (turns out lots of land means LOTS of money and time to make it look good!), I'm still trying to figure out how to make a few rooms more functional/organized/decorated than they currently are, and less than half of the windows have blinds or curtains on them yet. I still give tours of the house with the "we're not done yet!" caveats. Making a home is hard, but I'm trying to look at the things that need to be done still as opportunities, not chores. Just think how fun it will be to give tours to the same people over the next 5 years and hear them say "wow it's come such a long way!"
This is so beautiful! I bought my dream house in 2021 and did the same things you describe here, thinking of everything as temporary and planning grand visions in my head. In 2022 I unexpectedly accepted a job a time zone away and had to move, after only a year in my new home. I long to be able to wander through my kitchen again and appreciate everything that was right about it: the giant single basin sink, the cool tile floors, the perfectly centered window over the sink. I've now lived away from my house longer than I ever lived in it, which feels so sad, though I still own it and sincerely hope to move back someday. A great reminder that everything is temporary, which can be both beautiful and sad.
I hope you get to move back soon. I can't imagine how hard that would be. The dreaming is definitely fun, but nothing beats just being in your home and enjoying it (when we actually allow ourselves to). I hope that happens soon for you <3
Loved this one! What a joy to attend your Chicago event tonight. Thank you for coming to the Windy City!
here for the reno content! also, any plans to come to DC for book tour?
This issue felt like a warm hug to me. Thanks for sharing these special bits of your life, Olivia.
Thank you Olivia!