Home DecorA Home of Intention and Soul & a Giveaway January 12, 2016First, off, I have to say thank you again for all of y’all’s sweet feedback on last week’s posts. I’m thrilled with this new direction and I can tell from your comments that you guys were craving it. I’m so excited to get moving! I’ve been dying to share my friend, Erin’s, home tour as an example of what I meant in last Wednesday’s post. Erin has become such a dear friend to me. She first invited me to the ladies’ group that I’m apart of that read 7. And she’s also one of the masterminds behind Given: cause conscious goods. Erin is the one who suggested we read 7 because when she’d read it a year before, it’d turned her life and perspective upside down. She felt challenged to not buy any clothes for herself or anything for her home for one whole year. She wanted to repurpose and use what she had. I first visited, and then immediately asked to photograph, Erin’s home in the fall (as you’ll see by the pumpkins). Everything that I shared last week was already on my heart. We were in the midst of reading 7 and I felt my life and what I was craving starting to shift. I’m not sure that I can put into words the reaction that I had to Erin’s home when I first walked in the door. I knew ahead of time it would be beautiful. I’d seen glimpses on Instagram and I admire her style. But it was so much more than I could’ve expected. It was everything I’d been craving. I was in the depths of realizing I wanted to do our home, blog, and life differently, but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what that would look like. I walked into Erin’s home and it just hit me, “This is it.” I wish so badly that each of you could see it in person so that you’d feel it. Erin and I definitely have similar styles, but it went so far beyond that. It was immediately clear that this was not a designed house. It was a home cultivated specially and lovingly for this family. Beautifully framed family pictures fill all of the walls. Her kitchen backsplash isn’t expensive tile, but instead she’s hung black and white photos of her kids. And every piece has a story. Erin said that she and her husband decided when they were newlyweds that they wouldn’t buy much for the house. Her home is instead filled with pieces that lived a lifetime in family members’ homes and some estate sale finds. The white chair by the piano was reupholstered when they were newlyweds. Now, instead of getting rid of it or spending the money to have it recovered, she tossed a fur vest on the back of it to cover some stains. I loved that so much! Make what you have work and be creative. Their sweet pup, Fisher, followed us around on photo day. Homes with well-loved dogs are always a favorite of mine. The dining room is the passage to the kitchen and den area, so she leaves the chairs back against the wall when they aren’t being used. As I was asking Erin about her home, she said something that really inspired me. Everything that goes up on the walls has to have a meaning. Nothing is hung just because it’s pretty, but instead because it has a purpose. Because there is a story behind it for her family. One thing that immediately struck me about her home is that it’s created for kids. This isn’t a home focused on perfection where three kids supposedly live, but there’s no sign of them. Erin has put this home together for them to create, play, and learn. In her china cabinet, there are stacks of beautiful dishes… …and buckets of crayons. The kids’ teepee isn’t relegated to the playroom, but instead it takes a central spot in the den. Colorful, kid-inspiring things like these pom pom garlands can be found everywhere. Erin saw me snapping photos of the sunglasses on the pumpkins and she laughed and said that she’d come downstairs that morning to find her youngest son had put them there. No toys were “styled” for these photos. It’s where her kids naturally left them and they’re 100% at home in this beautiful and relaxed atmosphere. Who doesn’t need a toy dinosaur on their gold mirrored tray? I know I do. And one of my very favorite elements….they picked up a hammock on a trip to Costra Rica and instead of having rings for it to hang out in the backyard, they’re hung in the cased opening between their living room and the “pool table” room. It’s ready for a ride anytime someone wants one! They have the most beautiful home, but here, kids are encouraged to be kids and to actually live in their home. There’s no, “Be careful, don’t break that! Don’t touch!” It’s their home to love. Erin’s even left a crib set up in her guest room for visiting friends’ babies when they need it. Do you know what that gesture of kindness and hospitality does to a new mama like me who’s always trying to schedule things around a baby’s nap time? Her kids’ rooms are some of my favorite in her house. They’re collected and are so clearly a kids’ space. She said her goal for these rooms is that their truly the kids’ spaces. They can create, hang things on the wall, use it however they like. And I think that’s my very favorite part about this home: it’s filled with little reminders about what’s important to them. From words and tiny reminders… …to scripture… …to a weathered wooden cross hanging in the master bedroom. Erin’s home is beautiful, heart-felt, collected, meaningful, family-focused… …all of the things my home wants to be when it grows up. I have about fifty more images I’d love to share, but I know this post was a long one. Thanks for touring this lovely home today that inspired me so much! Erin and her sisters’ company, Given Goods, has the same heart as her beautiful home. They have incredibly stylish and pretty pieces, but each one has a story and a purpose. They so graciously offered to give away one of my very favorite things they carry to one of you today! They’re giving away one white fringe clutch: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Corley says January 12, 2016 at 11:10 am Thank you for the change of direction! Itshirt discouraging when one post from a blogger is about a great barging find and the next is about a whole bedroom suite donated to the from a sponsor. I’ve never commented here before but I love your collected style. Even more I love that you featured a home that wasn’t all magazine staged. If you truly do have 50 more images please do a part 2! I have 3 tiny ones and I feel like I’m somewhere between decorating for a daycare and just throwing my hands in the hair. Real houses are great. Reply
Erin Etheridge says January 12, 2016 at 11:11 am This is perfect. This reminds me of my home, and it’s so validating and refreshing to see people who love style but love their families more. Reply
Jessica says January 12, 2016 at 11:18 am This tour was so wonderful! A stylish house that is lived in and has signs of the beautiful people that fill the rooms!! Thanks for sharing! Reply
Farris Huff says January 12, 2016 at 12:11 pm Love your post and the clutch! Not buying much since Christmas! Would love a gift! Reply
Shannon says January 12, 2016 at 12:12 pm I get it!! I feel what you wanted us to feel. What a beautiful home, I agree with the comment above me, if you have 50 more images I don’t think anyone would complain. As a newlywed and a (still relatively) new homeowner I wanted to fill my new house and decorate it and buy more things for it to make it look a certain way. I feel encouraged to let the house be for a bit, rather than forcing a style or spending outside our budget. Also, I’m totally going to go home and hang up our guitars that have just been propped up in the office for a while. Excited to see how this inspiration plays out in your continued renovations. Reply
Leah says January 12, 2016 at 12:13 pm I love this home and the new, refocused direction of the blog! I always want to feel like my home is a collection of memories and a place where we feel comfortable and enveloped in our personal history. It is refreshing to see another family truly living out that sentiment! Reply
Anna says January 12, 2016 at 12:14 pm The fringe purse is beautiful. Everything in the shop is. Reply
Rachel says January 12, 2016 at 12:18 pm Love this post! Such a beautiful home for all the right reasons! Reply
Ann Flora says January 12, 2016 at 12:42 pm This is just the kind of home I love, with all the style, grace, and balance of a decorated home without the stiffness of a decorator home. It’s personal, interesting, warm, charming, believable, and achievable. I would happily look at all 50 of the other photos. Part 2, please! Reply
Jesse says January 12, 2016 at 12:43 pm So proud of who Erin is and how she cares for her family and their home! Awesome post, and love that you are sharing real people and real spaces! So happy we get to giveaway one of our favorite Proud Mary pieces! Reply
Meaghan says January 12, 2016 at 12:44 pm I really dig Erin’s black and white photos. I especially like the backsplash photos of her kiddos. Thank you so much for sharing a space that takes into account family and function :]. Reply
Baileywife @ IrishmanAcres says January 12, 2016 at 1:23 pm Yes! This home is in tune of my style also… Love hearing the words to describe it! ~Kim Reply
Kim says January 12, 2016 at 2:10 pm I loved seeing this post. For awhile now, I have tried to only put things in my home that are meaningful, and a reflection of my family, but it is hard when bloggers have these amazing homes, and are constantly changing things. I appreciate you showing this gorgeous home, and I think all that have commented strive for this kind of lived in home. I would love to see something like this become a series, because these lived in homes are always my favorite. I guess purpose in style is already that huh? lol. More home tours like this though I guess is what I mean. Thanks again! Reply
Erin says January 12, 2016 at 4:03 pm Thank you so much Lindsay! My heart is so full reading this! And thank you too for all the lovely comments! Can I quit for the day and just revel in this? Reply
Mary S. says January 12, 2016 at 4:45 pm I also have crayons in my china cabinet! I love that her home feels like crayons belong in the china cabinet with the dishes. Mine doesn’t feel that way but I want it to. Great inspiration! Reply
Jessica says January 12, 2016 at 5:24 pm Thank you! I am struggling with the whole design house/have it be a happy kid home. This is beautiful! Reply
Whitney Shortt says January 12, 2016 at 6:52 pm Love this post, LIndsay and love your heart. As someone who’s just breaking into the blogging and home decor world and planning on having a family, you’ve encouraged me and given me a lot to think about as far as the direction I want to go. It’s so easy to get caught up in the love of pretty, and forget the reason you started, which is to help and encourage people in a real way. Reply
Jessica k says January 12, 2016 at 7:06 pm What a beautiful home! As a newlywed myself, sometimes it is hard to remember that a home is styled and collected over time. I love incorporating and displaying souviners from our travels. Where did Erin get her blue ticking douvet cover? we have been looking for one just like that! Reply
Erin says January 13, 2016 at 4:09 pm Hey Jessica! It’s from Ikea! We’ve had it for about 2 years and it’s held up wonderfully! Reply
Jessica K says January 14, 2016 at 12:00 pm So good to hear, that’s the one I’ve been looking at! Reply
Megan says January 12, 2016 at 7:53 pm Lovely! I love kid friendly, pretty spaces that are real. I get e feeling that some homes aren’t real and it bothers me. Thanks for sharing this home!!! Reply
Haley says January 12, 2016 at 10:09 pm I see my home in this one and it leaves me with a really content feeling. And it feels good! Usually, after reading a blog post I am left feeling like I want more and I need to do more or better (a lot of times this is an inspirational feeling, not always negative). But, I must say I like this shift! I love your blog. Thank you 🙂 Reply
Elise says January 12, 2016 at 11:09 pm Yes, yes, YES! I swoon over the intention behind this. You can tell it is a well loved home..love lives there SO WELL! It epitomizes purpose in style! Thank you for sharing!!! xx Reply
Robbie Zeller says January 13, 2016 at 9:54 am I totally see what you wanted us to understand and it was completely lovely and refreshing! Thank you so much! Reply
Sherri says January 13, 2016 at 10:21 am This was such a wonderful tour. I loved Erin’s home- filled with love, purpose, heart, style, and JESUS. What a good start to your 2016 blog!! Blessings to both of you and your families. And reading “7” is a must!! Reply
Christin says January 13, 2016 at 10:54 am I love when people choose to decorate to reflect their style and not just use what is on trend or popular. It’s so refreshing. Can’t wait to see what you will do in your new home! Reply
Audra J says January 13, 2016 at 11:12 am I really love that you have a hammock in your house. I am now wracking my brain to see where we can put one! : ) Reply
Krista says January 13, 2016 at 11:13 am Yep, ditto what others commented on! Please do a part 2 sharing more pictures from Erin’s lovely home. And if you find other homes that fit your theme “styled with purpose”, share those too! Reply
Christie says January 13, 2016 at 11:18 am Beautiful. ? I love the lived-in, lovely look. Thanks for sharing your heart in the last few posts. I’m a decade ahead of you but what you shared reminds me of those early months, and believe me, the journey is worth it and gets better and better. Reply
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says January 13, 2016 at 12:08 pm Now that looks like a real home where genuine, content and happy people live – love it! Reply
SANDRA says January 13, 2016 at 2:30 pm HONESTLY I LOVE HOW COMFORTABLE ERIN’S HOME FEELS. I’D BE HAPPY TO VISIT ANY TIME! Reply
Dharma says January 13, 2016 at 3:43 pm My decor word for 2016 is “HEART” and Erin’s home has gobs of it! The crib set up for friends, the hammock, the tins of crayons, the styled rooms that balance between WE live here and our KIDS live here is exactly how I have tried to reflect design with purpose and collecting memories not stuff. I’m with the others, post away if you have more photos, you seem to have inspired a gang 🙂 Reply
Katie says January 13, 2016 at 4:16 pm I absolutely love all the personal touches in this home. Too often blogger with children have homes that look like no children live there. I love that there are kid-friendly things and photos scattered all throughout this home. Beautiful! Reply
Kim says January 13, 2016 at 4:53 pm I love the quirky touches. Very inviting!! A place where your not afraid to have a good time. Reply
Corinna - A Designer At Home says January 13, 2016 at 6:29 pm I love the real house feel to this home That hammock is incredible. I wish I could find a good spot for mine indoors. I definitely need to put up some pom pom garland, that’s my favorite! Reply
Christy says January 13, 2016 at 10:42 pm What a beautiful home! Love how comfortable and inviting it feels! Reply
Sara says January 13, 2016 at 10:49 pm I love the horns over the china cabinet! And everything about the living room:) Reply
Leslie whitehead says January 13, 2016 at 11:02 pm Such a happy place with a great purpose. Thanks for sharing! Reply
Erika says January 14, 2016 at 7:14 am Love that everything has a story and how the kids were incorporated in every room! Reply
Jill Rogers says January 14, 2016 at 8:32 am I get the feeling you are talking about. It’s real, beautiful and refreshing. I enjoyed looking at what Erin has repurposed in her home rather than the new things she has bought. I really loved this. Thanks for sharing. Reply
Jennifer Creviston says January 14, 2016 at 6:19 pm It has exactly what I’ve been searching for…. simplicity without minimalist qualities. Does that make sense? haha Reply
kristin says January 15, 2016 at 8:43 am i love this post/house/space so much. it helps remind me that you don’t always have to have a curated home. our home is a work in progress and most of the time a construction zone, too. and this makes me feel better about not always having it staged as we move into the process of listing it soon! thank you for sharing! Reply
Cindy A. says January 16, 2016 at 10:45 am My favorite is the dog. I could never imagine a home without our furry family members. Reply
Holly says January 16, 2016 at 4:39 pm What do I love about Erin’s home? THE FIVE WONDERFULS WHO LIVE THERE! But besides being all biased over my love for this family, it’s that it looks like them. Not just her … but all of them. It’s cozy, it’s welcoming, it’s THEM. I love that. (ERIN – Hiiiii, friend! I miss you!) Reply
MJ Moore says January 17, 2016 at 2:54 pm I love how all the practical details are integrated into he aesthetic-like the galvanized book rack on the wall by the bunk beds! Reply
M. Riddle says January 18, 2016 at 11:50 am I love that Erin’s home is AUTHENTIC! I love that the blog is becoming more authentic. Thank you for listening to God!!! Keep spreading your joy!!! Reply
Brittany Koelmel says January 18, 2016 at 9:03 pm I love the decor! Very nice and clean. Also, awesome kitchen! Reply