A Home Full of Hygge

What does home represent to you? I’ve lived in my house for 18 years and it’s my sanctuary. Two of my children were born peacefully in my three bedroom bungalow. I’ve mentioned before that we have a view of the bay and the mountains beyond from our conservatory. It’s not large, and there are plenty of things I’d do differently if I were building a house, but it’s comfortable and conveniently located. Our neighborhood is quiet and safe. I feel blessed to have a home of my own, especially with the Irish housing crisis.

This year I’ve become a complete homebody and prefer staying in rather than going out most of the time. It’s been two years since I renovated my house and it still gives me a lot of pleasure. Before the fire there was clutter everywhere and the stuck energy made me feel like life was on top of me. Years of financial struggles meant the house had fallen into disrepair. In the past I hated cleaning, but these days housework isn’t so bad because I love the space. Renovating the house made a huge difference not only to the physical building, but also psychologically to its owner! To read a little bit about the process, and how the house caught on fire two days before I gave birth, click here.

Home, for me, is the place I can flop on the couch and read a good book. I love curling up next to the open fire, watching my cat and dog snooze comfortably on the lambskin rug. This time of year is especially cozy with fairy lights and candles lit day and night. Home is where I bake, cook, craft and drink plenty of cups of hot tea. Give me my fluffy socks and wool cardigan and I’m happy. My daughter is a homebody too and I enjoy her company. We might chat or sit comfortably in silence together. We are both like cats… felines sprawled across soft surfaces, lounging at every opportunity.

The one thing I’d like to do soon is hang the art. All of the walls were freshly painted before we moved back in. Although I’ve finally finished unpacking all of the boxes, I still haven’t hung many pictures. I have a fear of putting them in the wrong place. I know it’s silly but I don’t want to mark the walls.

A friend of mine has a great eye for hanging art and I wish I was the same. I’ve even looked on Pinterest for ideas about how to create gallery walls and so on. For now my paintings, posters and photographs are still tucked away in bubble wrap. Perhaps 2020 will be the year I gain confidence and fully express myself. My partner is indecisive at the best of times. Even though he’s an artist of sorts, he’s no help when it comes to interior design. (He did make the beautiful table in the photos above so I really shouldn’t complain about his lack of contribution). Honestly he could care less what art I buy or where I hang it. He’s only concerned with practicalities. When I finally make up my mind, he’ll be there with a hammer and nails and sort it all out.

See Pinterest for ideas on How to create Gallery Walls

What did home mean to you this past year? Do you plan to stay put or move? How does your home reflect your personality? For ideas about handmade Etsy items to increase the hygge factor in your home check out my gift guide here. (Confession: I bought the “Camp Out” art print listed/ pictured in the post, and I’m currently on the lookout for a frame. I simply couldn’t resist even though I’ve no idea where I’ll hang it!)

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Featured photo by Rosie Kerr

Today’s post was in response to the #Manifest20 prompt: Home: Tell us about what home meant to you this year. Are you a homebody? Did you do a renovation? Move? Redecorate?