On Thursday, a guy from our cable company came out to check our modem. When he entered the kitchen, he stopped and said, “This is a happy place. The place feels happy. I can tell – this is a happy house.”
I was surprised and delighted. He visits a whole lot of houses and he gets an instant impression when he walks in the door. I forgot about that conversation until I read my friend Jen’s post about her happy house. That got me thinking about it again.
When we first walked into this house with our realtor 7 years ago, we were struck by how light it felt. I don’t mean just the quality of light, though that was wonderful. I mean a lightness of being. So many houses we had toured felt heavy and weighed down. Maybe it was the decoration or lack thereof. Maybe it was the personalities that lived in the house. Maybe both. But this house was different.
Since I believe that home is refuge, a safe place, a nest, I decorate with that in mind. I want to enhance that light feeling. Cozy, welcoming, vintage, slightly and not-so-slightly worn objects abound. Everything has a story. Color is everywhere. I don’t do any of this with a huge plan in mind. I just decorate with what I have. With what I love. Don and I have gathered together the things we love. They are an essential part of this house, this home. Nothing cost very much. Nothing was curated (a word I am fast getting tired of.)
We have been under a great deal of stress lately. We’ve had our share of sorrow. So when a visitor says, “This is a happy place” I feel very grateful. Grateful that this house exudes that feeling of happiness even when things are tough. That this gentleman felt happy and relaxed as soon as he entered our kitchen. That we have created a happy home here at Mockingbird Hill Cottage.
This house makes me happy. I’m sure glad it makes others happy, too.
When you walk into a house, what is it about it that makes it feel like a happy place to you? Please share!
Happy Sunday. (I used the word ‘happy’ 12 times in this post.)
You house is a happy place, I have been there so I know first hand. i love it and you,
Mere
This is why I`m addicted to your blog!
xo
Your house does look like a happy place. But then, you strike me as a beautiful person, inside and out, and I think that spills over into your home, don’t you?
Happy Sunday, Claudia! You and your blog, and I’m sure your home, radiate warmth! And in my book that translates into happy! I believe that if you are basically a happy person, that will translate into your personal style. All I know is I always feel welcome to your blog! ;)
Your home is light in color, the light flows in, and it has many of the things you have collected that you love. That is what makes it happy. I’ll do this with the home I’m moving to. I want people to walk in and feel like my home is a happy place too. Have a wonderful day.
Happy Sunday Claudia.
How wonderful that young man could walk into your kitchen and feel the heart and spirit of your home. I’ve noticed the way the house feels depends on the demeanor and spirit, if you will, of the person living there. How you are welcomed into a home has a lot to do with how you perceive it. Also, no offense to anyone but when I walk into a home that looks like it came out of a magazine I can’t relax and I’m afraid to touch anything! When I see beloved things used within the home, pictures of family, color, light, a room that is being used – that says happy to me.
Obviously it is a happy place because you are a happy person. We all have sorrow and sadness in our lives but your basic being is a happy positive person and it shows in your home. I love that pink vase, by the way!~Hugs, Patti
I’ll share something that happened to me about 15 years ago.
A friend and I went to a “specialty” store (cannot name it for personal reasons). We were told to wait for a man while he was wrapping up a phone call. When he finished and we walked it I got this feeling of utter “badness/evil”. I believe it came from the man. Now, this would be astounding if I told you who/what he did there. Anyway, I asked my friend if she had a similar feeling and she said that she didn’t. I’ve always wondered why I got it. But it was a powerfully bad feeling emanating from that office.
When people enter my home they always tell me they get a peaceful feeling. Perhaps it’s the absence of a blaring television or radio. That makes me feel good because that’s what I want my house to “say” to people. Welcome. Peace.
Plus it’s pink and that always gets a positive comment! LOL
xoxo
Connie
When you walk into a home and see the little decorative touches that celebrate life’s essence… and your home is full of them!…
Your home as always looked like a happy place to me. I think a home filled with love is a happy place. Be it animals, children, objects that show the personality of the people that live there…..so many things make a home a happy place! Hugs, Linda
I enjoyed Jen’s post on this theme and now yours, Claudia. I’m going to have to think more about your question, but I think my house is most happy when sunlight comes through the lace curtains or maple tree leaves and creates patterns on the walls, which turn golden. That being said, I think it also likes the sound of falling rain. I like to see some evidence of living: some reading material, a bit of knitting (OK, I’ve been neglecting that), a bowl of fruit or fresh tomatoes, and something handcrafted like a piece of pottery or a painting. My place could use a good tidy-up to make it happier; I’ll be sure to tend to that.
Your house certainly does reflect that it is a happy place. Even with the hard time you are having right now, the base of why your house is a happy home it still there. You, Don and Scout. The presence of Riley will always be there too. I so agree collecting things you love, doesn’t mean expensive. I plan to get out my fall items today and am always soooo happy to have the house changed to fall colors, pumpkins, acorns, twig items, etc. That all make me very happy. Adding in scents of pumpkin candles, makes me extra happy!
A home is a sanctuary. It is a place where you should be able to walk in and know you are safe and happy. Your home is that for you and I believe it comes from you. I love your cozy, homey decorating that reflects who you are. I am glad that you have such a happy place.
Hugs,
Laura
I think each house has a “spirit” about it. It doesn’t matter the age or style of the home-it just has a spirit that permeates it. I have done many houses over the years. I have lived in a couple of houses with a heavy spirit and, try as I might, I couldn’t lighten that feeling.
The house I am in now feels happy. My granddaughter says when she walks in that she feels “laugh-y”. I think that is the best compliment I could get. xo Diana
What an ‘in tune’ kind of cable guy…. he knows a happy place when he sees it. I bet you didn’t have to wait all day for him either. :)
When I opened the page and before I read a word the photo just made me think of how nice it would be to live in that space. It looks cozy, relaxing and fun. Give me a place like this any day over the huge, stuffy ultra modern homes that cost millions. Just being in this kind of space makes me feel creative and happy. I hope the happy outweighs the sorrow soon. xo
Claudia – I’m sure that with you living in that house, it has a happy and cozy feel. It seems so calm and relaxing. Enjoy!!
Judy
Your cottage is what drew me to your blog. It is absolutely welcoming. Your spirit keeps me coming back. Like Gina I also decorate my home inside and out for seasonal change. Old pieces unwrapped from their tissue padding are displayed in the kitchen and the sunroom. Outside bursts with autumn color. We all have our own style and ways of doing things. Your way suits me to a T. Happy Sunday!
Happy Sunday back, Claudia! Your style and personality contribute hugely to the impression your place makes, but I think your darling cottage itself exudes cheer, as you noted yourself when you first saw it. The light seems to be wonderful this time of year. It’s the first thing I thought when I clicked on your post and that first picture. The others too. I’m glad you kept that light feeling. You’re so smart not to let too many things weigh down your lovely little house.
It’s a happy home…because it smiles. You have a little flower garland on your cupboard that is smiling! and on the doll house too! Smiles everywhere!
Your home is cheerful looking. I can tell when I look at the photos it is a place full of love.
You asked what is it that feels like a happy place to me?
Tidiness. But not pristine.
Unpretentiousness. (?) … a TRUE SENSE of happiness. Not …oh I knew you were coming so I cleaned up for you. But welcome!
Caring. You walk into a home and the home hugs you! Your presence is WANTED THERE. You don’t feel like you’re intruding.
That says happy to me.
loved this post. loved the photos of your home as always. Pat
A happy house is a warm and welcoming house. It has a good spirit, a soul. But a house can only be as warm and welcoming as the people are that live there. A house is a mirror of the residents or former residents. Positive thoughts of the people make a house happy. Trust that the people have makes you feel secure in the house. So if you got through tough times, the house will heal you.
In order to keep a house happy, you have to look after it, clean it, do the dishes, take the garbage out, mend broken parts, like you look after your children, your pets or yourself. If you love your house, the house loves you. Sensitive people can feel this love.
When I look at your pictures I also feel the love that you and Don share. It radiates throughout the house. What’s not to like and love when you enter your house? It’s so full of light and there’s a surprise around every corner! I don’t think I’ll ever forget the time you posted about you and Don dancing in the kitchen while dinner was cooking.
The photos of your home remind me of a nice hot cup of tea on a cold day – comforting. I need my home to exude a bit more of that.
For me, it’s the wagging tails that come to greet you…
The feeling of happy in one’s abode is the difference between a house and a HOME. I would say you have a happy home.
Claudia, I’m a new follower of your blog and I’ve gotta say that gentleman is right! Your house is sunny, cozy, warm, homey and welcoming! It’s not cluttered, like others, which have too much going on and the eye doesn’t know where to focus :)
The happiness of your home comes thru to us! Thanks for the warm welcome each and every time I open your blog!
I have always seen your house as warm and happy place.
I believe that homes are a reflection of the people who live in.
I can feel it as soon I enter them.
Greetings.
Adelina.
Your happy home has always looked like one that I could just step in, take a seat on the couch and just relax and feel right at home. It is so soothing. (Wish you were my neighbor – I’d be over all the time!) It’s just like your blog! So, I figure it all starts out with you Claudia – you radiate a peace and happiness even through the storms and it shows up in your home and blog. And remember – tough times don’t last – tough people do! :)
What a nice compliment for your home! I love it when people say nice things about my house – and notice the bright colors and happy little touches that we have accumulated over the years!
The pictures show that your house is happy and bright!
I think he paid you one of the best compliments someone could. When our house was on the market in Orlando, I was panicked that it would look not fancy enough or updated enough. I had more compliments on what a nice “decor” it had or that it just looked comfy and friendly. I have no fancy decorating sense or plan either. I put out what I like and what makes us feel good. I want my home to give visitors a hug when they walk in the door. Still unpacking my happy stuff, but I have enough out where when I look around I feel happy and comfy. I feel at home. And thank goodness, Claudia, that with your recent or ongoing stress, that your lovely home is a refuge, as it should be, for you and Don. And us, your readers. Ann
Positive energy attracts positive energy! I’m not surprised that your home is a happy place … because you seem to be a happy person! Nice, warm photos!
What a smart and “in-tune” person that cable guy was! And what a great compliment to you. It’s a combination of things that make a home happy…when you walk in, the house is neat and clean with lovely things to look at, but not too cluttered. Perhaps there’s a beautiful throw and comfy pillows on the couch, family photographs, a stack of books, sunlight coming in the windows, a clean smell to the house. There also might be a cat or dog (or several!) wandering around, smiles on the faces of the people who live in the house, plants on a windowsill, and flowers on the front porch. I could go on and on…
Oh Claudia, what a wonderful compliment!!!! That would make me so happy to hear that!! I can see why he said it though…your taste is very cheerful and homey, I love it too…a touch of vintage and the look of comfort, the perfect definition of “cottage”!! Have a beautiful week sweet friend, hugs and love, Dawn
In all the years I worked as a decorator I couldn’t make a house a home if there was no love inside. I could make it stylish, beautiful and artistic. But, there is no art without an artist, no style without creative vision and no beauty without an explored soul. I could only interpret what the individuals showed me of themselves. You and your husband live a true life and it shows in your home! I really like reading your journey.
When I first found your blog the pictures of your home made me think of a cup of tea and a good book. It looks so welcoming and cozy. It’s nice when someone notices the feelings you are trying to create!
I love what Kim wrote about your blog feeling like a cup of tea and a good book, and it does. Your home reflects the love that you seem to radiate. That cable guy was smart, and intuitive, not something everyone tunes into anymore.
When I wrote that post, I was wondering if everyone was going to call me crazy for saying that. But I so felt that our home had turned a corner, it accepted us, it loved us as much as we love it. There is definitely a feeling, a vibe to houses, and after searching so many this winter we can attest to that. This home was as curious and interested in us as we were with it the first time we walked in.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Great post Claudia
I think homes feel happy when they’re filled with the things you love and that mean a lot to them. Things that were passed down to you from friends or family, things you purchased on your travels or during a thrift-shop outing. (Or dragged down the street on trash day!) I’ve never understood the concept of paying a designer to detail your home with pictures, vases, and decorative items they think will look good in your space. If something doesn’t have a story connected to me (or connected to someone I love or to an experience I’ve had) then it really has no place in my house! I also thing a home feels happy when the person who lives there is content. Contentment goes a long way in my book to making your environment feel comforting to people when they walk in. Contented people can still feel sad, or be having a bad day (or month!) but at the heart of it, they’re content with who they are and with their lives. And that can’t help but spill over into their homes.
We have just begun our search for a home in Connecticut and most of the photos leave me feeling very lack lustre about the houses…. they are so dark inside, and I don’t know if it’s the way things are in Connecticut, dreary, or if it’s just the way the homes were photographed. I too want a light feeling house. Yours is lovely and uplifts the heart and soul.
What a wonderful complement and how kind of your cable man to acknowledge how he felt when he walked into your home! Bless his heart for sharing and bless your home to remain HAPPY!
That beautiful swag of crochet work hanging in the cupboard door in the second photo shouts happiness! I hope you’ll be making a few for your Etsy shop this fall!