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

a way of place: designing our ceaselessly household residence by the ocean

Monday could have been some of the anticipated days of our renovation progress to this point. 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 couple of minor changes to get Beatrix settled in to put after which I’ll share how pretty she seems in her new residence.

Our kitchen continues to be in progress (and some issues are nonetheless altering) however I’ll additionally share a couple of pictures of the brand new lighting in at present’s publish. I so admire everybody’s pleasure to see Beatrix and your enthusiasm for our kitchen in every part alongside the way in which. Meaning so much to me.

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

A lot of you already know by means of the years of following our residence adventures that we’ve cared deeply for every of our houses. A lot in order that a lot of YOU bonded with our houses as nicely and even expressed your disappointment after we’ve needed to depart them behind! That’s the energy of residence.

Leaving houses we love is all the time exhausting as a result of every area we contact turns into part of who we’re and holds reminiscences 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 seashore home (which you’ll be able to see a two half tour of right here). 

Whereas none of these houses fulfilled my dream of getting a “ceaselessly residence” each is a chapter in our household’s story and performed a major function in our lives. For that present, we’re grateful.

We have now so many tales that came about in varied 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 photos in our minds and hearts of rooms and settings the place significant moments and lots of seasons of life came about.

Every of those locations in our historical past shapes our sense of residence and what which means to our household going ahead.

That is why we felt so deeply concerning the timeless design components in our renovated kitchen.

We knew our design selections on this residence would go away an indelible mark on our household, simply as so many others have. We needed this to really feel like a household residence — heat, welcoming and acquainted, as if it has all the time been part of our story.

The kitchen would be the coronary heart of our residence, a sacred place the place previous meets current and a brand new technology of household tales will be written. That is why 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 individuals may contemplate their dream residence or a ceaselessly household residence 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 residence (which we name huggable houses!) and bonus if it was by the ocean!

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

Our new residence has a way of place.

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

I’m excited to indicate you the way our new areas will evolve as we lastly get to meet our dream of a ceaselessly household residence by the ocean.

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

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

You possibly can make amends for all my transforming posts right here.