A ninety-one year old house sits quietly empty on its large lot.  No one to creak the old wood floors or light the flames in the firebox.  There isn’t laughter in the kitchen yet, wine glasses clinking, or sizzling from the stove.  The curtains are dark and block out the sunlight and the chill fills the empty space.  The old house wishes for children running through slamming the screen door.  Chickens knocking at the back door.  Flowers growing in the flower boxes.  Singing in the shower, and in the kitchen.  The old house has its own pleasant spirit that I cannot wait to get to know.

Long time followers and friends know that I love to decorate, to create, to inspire, to set emotions with décor and life.  I pull a color from a braided rug that would make a lovely trim color.  I need to get in there and sit quietly.  Listen to the old house.

There are no library books on decorating called “Eclectic, Amish, Country, New Mexican Style”!

I start with a rug.  I love braided rugs.  They can be made by saving long scraps of fabric, or long 2 inch strips of old sheets.  You simply braid the pieces together.  Sew on more strips at the end.  A few stitches along the strip to keep in place.  Then start winding the strip into a circle or oval and stitch pieces to stay in place.  I found a stellar deal on Wayfair for a few beautiful rugs that I couldn’t do better myself so they will be the primary pieces of our new home.  One day I will create my own with old sheets or cotton.  It is a brilliant way to reuse old fabric.

After the New Year I’ll  bring you in to decorate with me.  Home sweet Home.  The best Christmas present we can think of!