One of the nicest things my husband has ever said to me in our plethora of moves is, “You always make our house feel like a home.” I take that as a huge compliment. Home is important.
Making a comfortable, nice and welcoming home is a hard balance to strike. I like nice things, especially art and books. Those two things are a big part of my vibe. Dog hair also factors in, but that is just a given. We are dog people.
I’m nosey AF. I like going into other people’s homes. I like to see what they have going on. It’s not just about their style or taste. It’s about, “Am I comfortable?” Yes. I’m one of those people who will look in your windows at night if the curtains are open and the lights are on. I’m fascinated by how people live.
The perfect example of this is my friend Jamie’s house. It is the warmest and most welcoming house I know. It oozes love. That makes me happy. I love visiting her. She also has lots of books. That is my safe space. I just like looking at them. Oh, and her art is fantastic!
I have moved about a dozen times in my adult life with my husband. Each time, it has been a very different space—including Army housing—I have tried to make each one a true home. A place we want to come back to and enjoy our lives. Sometimes it is challenging. Other times, stuff seems to fall in place.
I have never lived anywhere where I haven’t felt a sense of connection to a place. A home is a vital part of who we are as people, in my opinion. We all need a safe space we want to spend time in.
My mom did this. She knew how to make a welcoming home. Her style and taste are very different from mine, but her abodes were always welcoming and cozy. I appreciate growing up in those environments. It was a gift and taught me a lot.
Things I don’t like are a cold feeling to the space or just way too much stuff. Both of those things make me nervous. Balance is key. I have a lot of stuff, but I feel it all has its place and somehow makes sense.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, as long as you are comfortable and happy in your space. However, I must admit it is nice for others to appreciate your efforts.
I’ve never had my dream home, but I’ve tried to shape wherever I’m living into my dream. I think I’ve been more successful than not. My current home is one of my faves. It just feels right. It is the perfect retreat from the outside world.
One day, I hope I have the home of my dreams. In case you are curious, that would be a mid-century modern home complete with a pink-tiled bathroom sporting a pink cast iron tub. It would basically be the house from The Incredibles. Dare to dream.
Until that day comes, I’m quite pleased with the current home that I have created. It may not be everyone’s jam, but it is mine. It is comfortable, and welcoming and has some kick-ass art and a shit ton of books. That is what is important to me.
Angela Traver
What is this blog about? Well, it's a general blog, but it is also a very specific blog. If you get that reference, you get a gold star! I have been a public relations professional and writer of press releases for more than 20 years—primarily in the booze biz. I decided to do some writing for fun and embrace the humor that gets me through most days. Hopefully it will make you chuckle—or at least smile. I’m a certified crazy magnet, and more than a little nutty myself, so buckle up. Also, I have two vices—profanity and red wine/whiskey. You’ve been warned. It should also be noted, that I’m a HUGE Bob & Sheri fan. I’ve been a listener for more than 20 years. This opportunity is a dream come true and it may have made me cry. That being said, I cry at everything. If you are into booze, dogs, food and/or knitting, hit me up on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (although I’m terrible at Twitter and it scares me) @kyspiritsgal. You can also find all my previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com.
