Hi Friends,
I’m thankful for each of you. It seems surreal to me that I’ve been writing these weekly blog posts for almost 11 years now. It seems like it can’t be true. It seems like I just took the leap to start my own business. It probably feels that way because small business always feels risky. It seems like John just quit his job to join me, but it also feels like we’ve grown so much. Those first few years of working together were not for the faint of heart. It probably feels that way because sometimes it’s still hard. It seems like I should still have toddlers who sleep while I work, but now they work with me. It seems like so many friends are in our lives because of happenstance, but really, so many of our paths have crossed through FunCycled.
Since this is the week of Thanksgiving, I’m probably feeling extra sappy. It’s one of my favorite days to celebrate because it’s not about buying the best thing or attending all the events; it’s simply sitting around a table with people you choose as family or with family. We thank God and lift up each other with words of gratitude; all while enjoying the best comfort foods. I. love. it.
So I thought it would be nice to share just a few things I’m thankful for in our Repurposed Idea House this year. Some small, others large, but none less worthy of taking the time to share our thanks.
I’m thankful for this little corner… I love that sign because it’s what we love to do in our home. We love to fill our home with friends, family, and new acquaintances that will most likely become friends. Making space for new friends is important and keeping a rhythm of time with old friends and family is critical, life giving for us.
Our front foyer was one of the last spaces we finished in the Repurposed Idea House. I love this runner… it took me months to find one I liked and I feel happy when I see it. I know it’s a little thing, but isn’t that what a happy house is all about? Creating spaces that make you smile and making memories with the people you love?
I love this corner in my kitchen with an old post office cabinet that we converted into a mug rack. Each mug represents a place we traveled or a friend who gave us one. It also remind me of my mom; she had one when I was a kid and I loved picking my favorite mug and snuggling up in a blanket after long days in the snow. It makes me smile.
Gallery wall
This year, I added a gallery wall to our formal living room. This room reminds me that not everything can be done quickly. When we first started working on the house, we started with this room. Almost 4 years ago. I decided to spend the largest part of the budget on the couch we wanted, but that meant we had to wait on adding much more decor. It seemed full circle to be finishing up the house by adding the final details to the first room we started on. Sometimes it really does take years to make a room what you want to be. It’s ok. Do it little by little, as you have the means, and as you develop your own style.
We also added this fireplace to the formal living room. If you know me well, you know why I love this so much! I’m always cold and this really just gives me spot to warm up on the cold days. So pretty!
I’ve had this vanity in storage for over 10 years. I didn’t have a spot for it, but it was my grandmothers and I knew I’d use it one day. When we redid the foyer, it fit perfectly in this spot so we painted it mustard and I love how I get to think of her every time I walk by. That’s another beautiful thing about repurposing. So many things in our house remind me of beautiful people, places, and adventures we’ve been on. That’s such a gift!
Our kitchen… John loves cooking and having this large space, filled with history and character and it’s one of my favorite parts of our house. I love filling it with people laughing, chili competitions, cooking meatballs and huge amounts of pasta for our shared spaghetti diner.
June… I’m thankful for our new puppy in 2022. She has become a new best friend for our other dog Sadie, a pal to our kids, my faithful coworker, and John’s best friend. We love you Junie!
These three… I just can’t. John has worked SO HARD these last 4 years to take a house that brought me to tears on closing day because it needed so much into a gorgeous, historic, beautiful home that feels like something I shouldn’t be able to afford. It’s such a blessing.
Josh has learned so much about working on a house by helping John and that was one of the reasons John wanted to buy this house. So our kids would know how to maintain and redo their own houses one day if they wanted to. He also finished a tree house this year with John and his game room.
Harmony blossomed this year into her own interior design style. She and I have perused more design magazines than I can count, watched shows about house flips, and even met Jean Stoffer and her daughter Grace (which Harmony said was the best day of her life). Here’s her first every design… her room makeover.
All in all… this is my happy place.
I also love this little painting that we bought while in Paris this year. It’s the exact view from this little cafe on the market block where we stopped to eat and there was an artist painting photos. It reminds me of how blessed we were to be able to travel to such a beautiful place this year. Such a gift!
I’d love to see or hear about some of the beautiful spots in your home that you’re thankful for this year!
Would you like help redesigning your home? Let me help you with repurposed designs! There’s something special about not just buying everything new. So many stories to celebrate, so many new stories to make, and it helps create rooms that bring a smile to your face.
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Happy FunCycling Friends,
Sarah ;)
