Homekeeping & Happy Homes

I often talk about having a happy home. I think it's the most important part of homekeeping.

One thing I'm frequently asked about are the homes seen in magazines. Are they really as clean and perfect as they appear? The answer is definitely, NO! And in real life, they shouldn't be. Because perfect isn't comfortable. But we don't buy magazines to see other people's messes, we buy them to be inspired. And if the photos weren't beautiful and showed messes, our eyes would focus on the mess, rather than the home. So please don't beat yourself up if your home isn't always as clean as you'd like it to be, because the truth is that most homes never are.

I'm reading a mother's book from 1902 and have enjoyed discovering that the importance of a happy home has been around for a long while. In fact, I think this content is perfect advice for what I'm trying to convey.

Pleasant Homes:

Beautiful furniture on its own will not make rooms cheerful. The charm of a cozy home rests with its homemaker. If she is fortunate enough to have sunny rooms, her task is half done. In homes where the sun never shines, something must be done to make up for it. A sunless room should have bright and joyous color in its furnishings. The walls should be warmly tinted, and the curtains give a rosey glow to the light that passes through them. Ferns and shade loving plants may add cheer to the room and suggest quiet forest nooks.

An attractive room need not be too orderly. A book left lying on the table, a bit of needle-work on the window sill, an open piano, indicates the tastes and styles of those who live there, without suggesting that there is not a place for everything in that room.

There is such a thing as being too neat and nice to take comfort in everyday life, and this is anything but cheerful. And there is such a thing as being so disorderly and messy that comfort and cheer are impossible.

If a mom cannot rest while there is a fingermark on the paint or a spot on the window panes, she may have a neat home, but her tension will keep it from ever being cheerful.

A bird singing in the window, an aquarium on the table in some corner, plants growing and blooming, pets moving about as if at home, these give life and brightness to a home.

*    *    *    *

Between posts on my website, I document my life on Instagram. You can follow along with me there.

*    *    *    *

Comments

[Kim @ Homesteader's Heart]

So true. Our living room is a sunless room and we're in the process of buying "new" furniture because the leather is just so dark and it looks dreary in there. So one piece at a time I'm trying to brighten it up.
Have a lovely day.
KIm

[Leann]

Oh how I love to visit here. I wanted to let you know that Mr OP gave me The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen for Christmas and I am so loving it. I LOVE to read cookbooks - sit down with a cup of coffee and just read. Your's is beautiful and the photos are gorgeous. Then there's the recipes - WONDERFUL! I blogged about the book earlier in the month and found out that a lot of our readers love you too!

Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Leann

[Amy G]

Oh my how I love this! I feel like I am constantly trying to catch up with the messes around my home. Thank you for this sweet reminder. And I would love to know the name of the book you're reading, it sounds like one I would enjoy. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[Beth]

Lovely sentiment to start the week with. Thank you :)

[Rene Foust]

Absolutely wonderful advice! Thanks and have a wonderful day!

[kimberly]

How funny that I posted about nearly the exact same thing yesterday! I do hope it is a trend that continues~
xx

[heather @ new house, new home, new life.blogspot.com]

I grew up in a home that was clean and tidy, but not a loving environment. Swore I would not do that to my kids - think I succeeded (except the pile of shoes at the front door - yikes that drives me crazy).
Will definitely keep these thoughts in mind the next time my husband leaves his "pile" in the family room.

[Serena]

Hi Amy,
The book is called "Mother's Cookbook". It's from 1902. I happened upon it a while back at an antiques shop. I'd never seen one like it before. :)
xo,
Serena

[cathie]

you make a dynamic point - it really is true that your children and friends won't remember how your house looks but the warmth, laughter and fun times that are shared within your home. even a house with few windows can be a sunny place to be.

[Kristen @ More Than Mulberries]

I am working so hard to find a balance with this! Three kids who constantly seem to add more "stuff" to the pile and I couldn't even walk into one of their bedrooms last night to tuck him in! We are de-junking, one room at a time around here, starting with HIS room! :) I don't expect perfection, we live here. But the crazy messes that linger for too long make me cranky!

[Jessica]

Fun topic. Great way to start off the week. Thanks for sharing.

[sherry]

My grandmother always said that a messy home was the sign of happy children.

[Dawn Denton]

I love simple wisdom from days gone by. My mom has always had a cozy home. I so agree with the quote "The charm of a cozy home rests with its homemaker.'
Thanks for posting this!
Have a great day!
Dawn

[Kelly]

There is some great wisdom in those words!

[Patti Hill]

Love the sentiments in this post and from the book. I think my home is a warm and loving place for my family and friends. Having things mostly put away or, if not, in bins and baskets, candles burning, and the radio playing help make my mood and the mood of our home happy. I'd love a another glimpse of the book when you get a chance. I bet there are other words of wisdom in it!

[Emilee]

Serena,
I just wanted to let you know how appreciative I am of this post... thank you for the comforting words... really. Perfect house pictures in magazines have caused me some troubles... really. I also wanted you to know that I mentioned & linked back to your post in my own blog post. : ) Thank you again for this. <3

[Heidi Woodruff]

Lovely post! I agree!

[Amy]

Wonderful advice to keep in mind!

[Deb]

I struggle with this. I want that "perfect" home from the magazines and constantly beat myself over the fact that the carpet is old, the kids are messy, we have pets, etc. Slowly I am fixing up what I can as time and money allows, but I need to daily remind myself to be happy that I have children, that my husband helps me, that I have a home to paint and sand and redecorate. Thanks for the reminder that it doesn't have to be perfect!

[kathy]

beautiful! we all need to be reminded of this.

[stephany @ home is what you make it]

My mom and I were just talking about this.
Our playroom is full of color for the kids and I am trying to infuse that color into the "adult" areas of the house. Of course, I want all areas of my home to be comfortable and kid/dog/cat/adult friendly!

[Paula]

Ahh! Thanks so much for this post! My house is definitely "lived in"! I love it that so many of our visitors comment on the warmth and coziness of our home and seem to not notice the clutter and dust!

[Marcia]

I loved this post! You're counter looks like our breakfast table, every single morning :) With 4 boys and 2 girls, (plus myself and my hubby) clutter is on-going, but my kids bring their friends here all the time, and I love that their friends feel welcome here, messy or not :)

Btw, my nephew Jordan was able to start driving again. That means they've been able to get his pain under control and reduce his pain meds. He was thrilled to be able to take his little boy to the beach. Thanks so much for your prayers!
Blessings,
Marcia

[Sara Smeby]

Perfect thing to read today, a rare snow day, when the snow (and my children) beckon to play and until reading this post, were going to lose out to laundry and cobwebs... Thank you, Serena!

[Amy White]

Thanks so much for the fun post, had to share on my blog too, with a little "happiness" from my home. ~Amy

[kasey]

This was so nice to read. I have 13 children. Nine of them live at home right now. I really struggle with this. In fact my husband and I had a "conversation" about this yesterday. I would like to say is that I am humbled and I think my husband was right... You never know where words of wisdom will come from... : )

[Ruth Ann Smith]

Thank you for that post. I think all of us (me) are too hard on ourselves for never measuring up to what is expected. I sometimes think I have too many "things" and I know really I don't since each one is very special too me. Thanks again.

[Tracy]

Years ago, my sister and I joked about starting a business to help families get organized and downsize all the "stuff". We came up with the name "Controlled Chaos" - which we knew that our families would get a real kick out of - with "Chaos" being the operative word. I love my lived in-look - sometimes after I have tidied up, I do feel a sense of calm, but I love to know that real people live here, with real lives.

[Hollie Eastman]

I love it! Love the part especially about the fingerprints=) Such great perspective~
thanks for sharing!
HOllie

[Madge]

Wonderful post...

[teresa]

You always make my day- =)
Thanks for adding a little piece of "beautiful" to my life.
Happy Day

[Susie Homemaker]

What a beautiful post! I've so enjoyed "visiting" with you & your lovely blog :)

[Three chickadees]

Would you please share the name of the book that you are reading...would love to try and find a copy :)