This weekend I spent a lot of time indoors at the ranch house, because the weather was not very good. As a consequence, I spent more time than usual in the seating area part of our great room (it serves as kitchen, dining room, living room, and Lee’s office).
As I relaxed and enjoyed our candles and various dogs, it occurred to me that maybe Feng Shue has something going for it. Just making a few changes in how out furniture is arranged has increased my well being.
I admit that I really never felt comfortable in many parts of the house until recently. The bedroom seemed cold and vast until Lee brought in a love seat and Big Old Man recliner. We both have nice places to sit now, and there’s plenty of dog space, too. The new window coverings also bring in needed warmth and intimacy to the space.
The real change, though, has been in that living area. Before, we had a large sectional from our previous house, plus two small recliners for television watching (we actually only have ONE in the house!). I always felt awkward and out of place there, and I now think it was the furniture arrangement and lighting. We recently swapped out the sectional for a sleeper sofa, and brought in a round rug (which Brody is systematically working to destroy) and some new task lighting, so I can see to read without having to turn on every overhead light in the house.
Maybe adding a circle is good for the space. Or maybe it’s just that my chair is now a part of the arrangement rather than looking like an odd afterhought.
The result is that I finally feel as “at home” inside the house as I do outside on the porch, meadows, and woods. I feel like this hermit can now actually rest at the Hermits’ Rest.
What makes your house a home, or prevents it from feeling home-like? Let us know.
The Hermits' Rest 