What Makes a House a Home?

Earlier this year we relocated from our long-time West Texas home to Southern New Mexico. This was to give hubby an easier work commute, be closer to nature and outdoor activities, and to downsize our living space (now that we're on the verge of becoming empty nesters). 

Although our newly purchased ~2,000 sq. foot casita in New Mexico was indeed new to us, it was built in the late 1980s--and had not been updated much since then. This was evident by the pastel pink tile and other pink accents throughout the house, the calcified faucets and dull aluminum patio sliding doors, and the brown shag carpeting. Not to mention (but I will) the clunky, outdated kitchen cabinets and 1980s builder-grade brass light fixtures and ceiling fans.

The structure, however, was sound. The house had been loved and generally well maintained by previous owners. Not anticipating any major  repairs, I was excited to have something fun and creative to dive into!

MY HOME RENOVATION JOURNEY

Challenging my skills and budget, I approached our home renovation as a life-sized art project. Most of our contractor-allocated funds went towards fully updating the kitchen and bathrooms, replacing most of the home's flooring, installing French doors in place of sliding doors, replacing every single permanent light fixture in the house, and re-finishing the fireplaces.

Dealing with various different contractors to execute on my vision was frustrating at times, expensive for sure, and seldom ever went according to schedule. There were times during the demolition phase when I knew it was necessary for it to "look worse before it can look better" but it was unnerving nonetheless.

But after nearly four months of demolition and remodeling work, the house finally started to look like a home again. 

Once we bid adios to the last of the contractors, I shifted into a different creative gear. It was time for the interior styling, the gardening, the organizing...and the dozens of small DIY projects that I knew would take our budget so much farther if I did them myself.

FINDING MY HOME STYLE INSPIRATION

I've moved several times and typically decorated my new living spaces to match my state of mind and lifestyle at the time. For this home in particular--and for this stage in my life--I wanted the house to feel like a charming and whimsical retreat. A house that whispers "a good witch and her consort live here" as you walk in. 

For that reason, it's probably no surprise that for this home, I drew inspiration from Bohemian aesthetic, but with a Southwestern twist. I've always been attracted to earthy colors, rustic reclaimed wood, and eye catching patterns...This time around, it made sense to run with my instincts and not hold back at all. Because, when it comes to interior design, go bold or (no pun intended) go home. 

Above anything else, however, I wanted our renovated home to feel lived in, cozy and personalized. In other words, the opposite of a sterile, generic beige "buyer-friendly" interior like so many you see on Zillow (all of which you forget before you've even moved on to the next listing).

FIVE TIPS TO TRANSFORM A HOUSE INTO A HOME

So the question is--what makes a house a home? These are the "cozification" principles I follow regardless of whatever aesthetic is inspiring me at the time. 

1. PRIORITIZE FLOORING AND PERMANENT LIGHT FIXTURES

My dad was a talented architect and designer. He always said that if you "install the right flooring and light fixtures in an empty room, the room will feel complete." So it should be no surprise that the number one thing I prioritized in this house renovation was finding flooring materials, rugs, and permanent light fixtures that matched my desired aesthetic.

2. DISPLAY YOUR ARTWORK PROUDLY

Your life is your art! As such, you'll feel at home anywhere if you embrace your inner artist. I personally enjoy collecting original artwork and ceramics (mostly during travel) and co-mingling them with commercial prints. Then I take it up a notch by mixing in my own amateur watercolor paintings and artsy photos (which I frame to help blend in with the professional stuff). 

3. DECORATE WITH PLANTS

Plants breathe life (quite literally) into a room. They are living entities who share your home with us and, when cared for properly, can totally improve a home's vibe. They also contribute color and texture. I like treat green as a neutral color--it works well with everything (Mother Nature can't be wrong). 

4. PERSONALIZE SPACE WITH BOOKS AND FAMILY PHOTOS

When you think about it, books are a form of art too. They can add an extra layer of color and whimsy to a room when on display. On the other hand, family photos capture personal heritage or special moments in time (a family vacation, a wedding, etc.). Why not surround ourselves with our own highlight reel? In other words, displaying our favorite books and family pics is an easy way to make our home feel joyous and evocative in ways that are truly meaningful and reflective of who we are. 

5. LEAN INTO YOUR HOME'S NATURAL LIGHT

Eastern-facing windows are everything to me. The purity and sparkle of morning light motivates me and reminds me that every day is a new start. This is why every time I've set off to find a new place to live, finding a home with as many East-facing windows as possible throughout the house is a priority above all else. Then I do my best to not block the light--so that it may speak for itself and decorate my home with its changing patterns. 

Others might prefer a good sunset and thus be inclined to seek a home with West-facing windows--for that late afternoon golden glow. No matter your preference, we all agree that getting plenty of natural light is rejuvenating and calming--and your home should feel that way too. So open up your blinds and curtains and let the light in!

These are just a few examples of how we can cozify a home to make it uniquely and distinctively ours, and I hope they were helpful. What are some of the things you do when you move into a new address, to make it feel like home?