A Sense of Place: Designing Our Endlessly Household Residence by the Sea

a way of place: designing our eternally household house by the ocean

Monday could have been probably the most anticipated days of our renovation progress up to now. There have been many thrilling days, after all, however yesterday we lastly received to see the lighting put in over our island and eating desk, and…the massive second we’ve all been ready for…Beatrix (our blue vary named after Beatrix Potter) was introduced into the kitchen! EEEKK!! We’re THRILLED!

There are nonetheless a number of minor changes to get Beatrix settled in to position after which I’ll share how pretty she appears to be like in her new house.

Our kitchen remains to be in progress (and some issues are nonetheless altering) however I’ll additionally share a number of pictures of the brand new lighting in at the moment’s submit. I so admire everybody’s pleasure to see Beatrix and your enthusiasm for our kitchen in every section alongside the best way. Which means rather a lot to me.

This kitchen could be very particular to us in methods most individuals won’t ever see simply by taking a look at a photograph. So at the moment I wished to share a private story about what has influenced the design of our kitchen and the way our historical past impacts our sense of house.

Lots of you understand via the years of following our house adventures that we’ve cared deeply for every of our houses. A lot in order that lots of YOU bonded with our houses as properly and even expressed your unhappiness after we’ve needed to depart them behind! That’s the energy of house.

Leaving houses we love is at all times laborious as a result of every house we contact turns into part of who we’re and holds recollections of these seasons in our lives.

My mother and father additionally needed to depart houses all of us beloved behind, together with houses I grew up in and that our youngsters grew up with, together with our beloved household seaside home (which you’ll see a two half tour of right here). 

Whereas none of these houses fulfilled my dream of getting a “eternally house” every one is a chapter in our household’s story and performed a big position in our lives. For that reward, we’re grateful.

We’ve so many tales that came about in numerous settings we beloved deeply, together with houses and locations we hung out in through the years (such because the San Juan Islands and coastal areas the place we reside now!). Due to these locations, we even have vivid footage in our minds and hearts of rooms and settings the place significant moments and plenty of seasons of life came about.

Every of those locations in our historical past shapes our sense of house and what meaning to our household going ahead.

Because of this we felt so deeply concerning the timeless design components in our renovated kitchen.

We knew our design decisions on this house would depart an indelible mark on our household, simply as so many others have. We wished this to really feel like a household house — heat, welcoming and acquainted, as if it has at all times been part of our story.

The kitchen would be the coronary heart of our house, a sacred place the place previous meets current and a brand new technology of household tales could be written. Because of this I selected basic finishes corresponding to marble and soapstone and beadboard –they’ve stood the take a look at of time. We additionally added show areas so we will proceed to create and expertise the easy joys of adorning for every season.

Reasonably than really feel restricted by a smaller footprint, we selected to be intentional with each sq. inch. Some folks would possibly contemplate their dream house or a eternally household house to be massive or on a large property. Dream houses are available in all sizes and styles! We truly determined way back that our future dream could be to reside in a small charming house (which we name huggable houses!) and bonus if it was by the ocean!

I’ve many fond recollections that embody the scent of salt air, sandy walks on the seaside, boats in a marina, hopping on ferries, crusing from island to island, so it’s no marvel I really feel at house right here on this island.

Our new house has a way of place.

That is what attracts us house –a way of historical past and tales and a deep and significant connection to our environment.

I’m excited to point out you the way our new areas will evolve as we lastly get to meet our dream of a eternally household house by the ocean.

Thanks once more for being part of our house journey with us. 

Do you may have houses you’ve beloved or locations which have grow to be part of your loved ones’s story? I’d love to listen to about them within the feedback!

You possibly can atone for all my transforming posts right here.