Guest Post: Five Things I Love About My Home

source

I’m taking a break from kitchen updates to acknowledge a small blog milestone with a guest post!  Please welcome Tanya!

Hello Design OCD readers!  I’m Tanya, from Dans le Townhouse.  I’m so jealous about the fabulous renovations being documented here, on Design OCD.  I wish my kitchen was getting an overhaul.

I spend a lot of time wishing my home were different.  Overall, I’m happy with the modest townhouse my Hubby & I share, but sometimes I crack open a magazine or check out my favorite blogs and start feeling deficient.  I’d like quartz counters atop new kitchen cupboards.  I’d prefer large windows (on all sides of the home would be a dream), and throw in a multi-level deck, too.  Oh, but I’d probably need a yard bigger than a postage stamp.

Yes, there are many things I’d like to change about my space and I’m betting you might feel the same way sometimes.

I routinely tell myself that no home is perfect and, with limited funds and time, some homes—like my home—will never be perfection.  To commemorate the 100^th post on Design OCD, I thought I would put a celebratory spin on thinking about my home and list five things I absolutely love about how my Hubby & I have decorated our townhouse:

1.       The headboard I designed with my grandfather.

Why: My grandpa used to be a metal artist, and even had a small gallery in Toronto, Canada before adapting his career and working as a welder.  This headboard will always be special to me because my grandpa worked long days welding it.  He had to work quickly because it was created just days before Hubby & I moved 1500km to a new city.  I love that my design is one of a kind and I will treasure it always because it reminds me of my papa, and of starting a new life with the Hubs.

 2.       The desk Hubby & I made.

Why: This simple desk is special because it is the first piece of furniture my Hubby welded.  But I love it because before we built this desk, Hubby used his laptop on the floor of my office for months while I brainstormed ideas and sourced materials.  The desk will always remind me how patient he is and how he’d rather be uncomfortable near me than comfortable apart from me.

 3.       The artwork above the sofa.

Why: My Hubby’s grandfather is also a talented artist and he let us choose a painting from his collection as a wedding gift.  Hubby & I picked this pair because it captivated us.  I also love the scale of the two pieces together.  Even in subdued hues, they make a statement.

 4.       Our vintage teak houndstooth upholstered chairs

Why: We only just finished upholstering the set but I had wanted houndstooth upholstered something for years.  I especially loved black and white houndstooth with teak—I had even ripped numerous “inspiration” photos from magazines, and you wouldn’t believe how many examples of houndstooth with teak I amassed.  For some reason I never pursued it until we bought our first home—the townhouse—and saw that the kitchen floors already had a black & white tile pattern.  It was fate!  I splurged on the fabric, we re-did our vintage chairs and I am still obsessed with the look.

5.       Our ugly kitchen cupboards

Why: Some days I am just itching to paint these cupboards.  But Hubby, who rarely pipes up when it comes to design and is happy with whatever I choose, hates painted wood.  A few years ago, needing to do something to the cupboards, I painstakingly stripped the cupboards with the most caustic chemical stripper in existence and lovingly re-varnished each one.  I feel good about designing a home Hubby loves too.  Even if I dream of painting the kitchen.

Writing this list reminded me that so much of what makes a home are fond memories.  I was surprised that the things I treasure most are sentimental, not purchased from a glossy catalogue or expensive shop.  As I write this, I’m pretty happy to have a roof over my head and a place to call home.  So now I’ll pass on the feel-good vibes:           What do you love most about your space?

Thank you Tanya for an inspiring round up!  It is a great idea to stop and reflect on the positives. I like how you included something you’d rather change (kitchen cabinets) as something you have grown to love.   Have a wonderful weekend all and stop by the blog Facebook page for kitchen demo updates.  
-J