Sunday, May 3, 2009

Personalize Your Space




I think we all need a place in our home that is ours to do as we please. Since downsizing, I have relearned the joy of small spaces. On my side of the bed I have created a little area that is all me. On my husband's side he has done the same. I think he is actually enjoying the activity. We both take our time, utilizing the shelves for additional space. I needed a place for my "jewels" (costume, of course), and he wanted to showcase that motorcycle all made out of wood that we found on our trip from Minnesota at Devil's Tower, in Wyoming. (Some of you may remember this from Close Encounters of a Third Kind, or in the Oregon Trail computer game.)

Anyway, on his side he likes his books mostly, but also that picture I found for him that reminded us of a heron doing exactly the same thing as this bird in a marshy area on the Oregon Coast. It was sunset, and it was so nice to sip our wine and watch this bird doing a little dining of his own. The reflection on the water was breathtaking.

He also likes the neat fossil our daughter gave him for Christmas. He uses it as a bookend. And the leather case for a pocket watch he inherited from his father. The watch doesn't work, but no matter.

I like plants, flowers, and candles, all things outlawed on his side.

I also like my little Buddha statue, and my robin picture that reminds me of the robin family we had the good fortune to follow last spring, right in front of one of our windows. I'll do a special post on that.



What about you? Do you have a little place that is all you?

35 comments:

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Delightful! Isn't it wonderful how our places EXPRESS us!!! And how our homes do, too! Thanks for sharing! Always thought-provoking!

Marguerite said...

Since I lived on the coast of Maryland, for many years, I have a vast collection of beach finds. Several corners of my home hold these treasures and express my love for the water. Your home is lovely.

Anonymous said...

It's very true! Being a renter, I never feel 100% at home. And lately I've been renting furnished places so it's become really hard to add my own personal touches. I have some photos, candles and doodads scattered here and there, but there isn't too much room at all!

No pink diamonds in the jewellery collection? :D

Hilary said...

You're just loaded up with good ideas. My home is mine, mostly, and pretty much reflects me. My son's room is his space, as is the basement - both reflect him quite well.

Frank (my SO) spends a lot of time here and there are many aspects of his personality in most rooms of my house. Now I'm thinking that it's time my personality crept into his. Thanks for the idea. ;)

Kathy's Klothesline said...

My sewing room is mine, all mine. I have "treasures" I love in there. fabric is my fetish and there are piles of it every where. I also have a thimble collection and framed cross-stitch pieces adorning what little wall space that is not devoted to fabric storage. My favorite one is a little mouse busily cleaning with the caption "you can touch my dust, but please don't write in it".

Lillian Robinson said...

I was just 'talking' to Lady Katherine about that... I will soon post pics of my master bath project. It's almost done. It's my space to go 'super girly'! Aside from the old plates & gadgets on the kitchen walls,most of the house is on the south-west/horse theme. Of course, there is the dragonfly bathroom! I'll be posting some pics of some of my decorating projects.

Natalie said...

Hi LOL, I did a post a little while back, about my sea items. I grew up in a place between the ocean and the lake, and having these little treasures keeps the sea with me always.
Your bedroom is wonderful for you both, how nice to both have your treasures to look at and love each day.xx♥

Anonymous said...

Another great idea and these pictures are INSPIRING. Okay..I must do this.

ellen abbott said...

I have an antique tea cart that belonged to my grandmother, maybe mt great grandmother as well. Since the tea cart is very fragile, I had a glass top made for it and it is covered all the stones and sticks and seed pods and crystals and feathers and stuff I pick up when I am out in nature. It's sort of an altar to the Mother. Also, my side of the bed (and his side for his) similar to what you have done.

Elizabeth Bradley said...

Thanks for letting us in your bedroom! I adore having a space of my own to write and read in. Or just to take a nap.

Bogey said...

Because I have a ton of books, I want to create a special seating area for both my books and my backside.

I really stopped by to say a personal thank you for stopping by and leaving your kind words of condolences yesterday. It was very thoughtful and appreciated.

Nancy said...

Sniffles - Nice way to put it - "expresses us."

Marguerite - How wonderful to have beach finds. I love the ocean, and the little treasurers one can find.

Rain - LOL! No, I'm really not the diamond type! But if I was - a pink one might be nice...

Hilary - I'm sure Frank would want you to have a little space of your own at his house. :-)

Kathy - That little saying about the dust is so cute. I can just see your sewing room with colorful fabric all 'round.

Mizz - Looking forward to the pics of the new bathroom!

Natalie - You sound like me - a lover of all things WATER.

Debbie - It's so much fun!

Ellen - What a wonderful tribute to Mother Earth - beautiful things from her. (I also have a teacart from my Grandmother.)

Elizabeth - Spaces to call our own are so important - especially for napping.

Marlene said...

I also have a "scared space" just for me..all the things I love and that make me smile are there..its in my sunroom, a old hutch that I painted and filled with plants, pots, pictures, plaques, collection of dog statues, books..I do my projects in front of this hutch..and hang out with my dogs there ...pure heaven! Love your blog! I think I'll post a picture on my blog.of my own special place, stop by sometime! Marlene

Joanne said...

I had to think about this for a minute, and yes, I do have a space that is all me. It's a curio cabinet filled with a small, lifelong doll collection. There's a rag doll my grandmother made, a doll from my mother's shower cake, dolls from very special places I've been, things like that. So yes, thanks for reminding me of my space.

Nicole said...

wow your little space is beautiful !!! my own space is one of the things I often think about these days. Since I moved from Germany to Canada 16 month ago I didn't have my own place. Part of my work permit is, that I have to live in my employers house. I have my own room yes, and the first thing, when I moved in was... painting, decorating and giving it my own touch. I often miss my own place...to cook in my own kitchen, to open my own fridge, to sing loudly under my shower without wondering what the rest of the house thinks of me...hehe...all those little things that u do in you own place. I won't have that for another while so I enjoy little spaces that I create for myself like my room or my little garden :)
Thanx for sharing yours with me :)

Anonymous said...

wow very nice! No I dont have a personalized place like that and I should.

♥ Braja said...

Yes, definitely...my husband and I have our own rooms...it's wonderful :)

Nancy said...

Bogey - I can see a comfortable chair, good light, and things that mean something to you all around. (Casper was certainly loved - lucky little guy.)

Marlene - I stopped by your blog - loved the chairs.

Joanne - Your little doll collection from the women in your life is most certainly a treasure.

nikina - I think you are right to make wherever you live a special place. A small space is all that's needed.

Nancy - Make a little spot just for you. You're worth it!

Kay said...

I love how interactive you are, sharing, and asking. I find myself selfish....in saying, my entire space is mine...yet, unfortunate, to not have anyone to share it with... catch 22, I guess :) Then again, if I had to share, it would have to be MUCH bigger!

Nancy said...

Kay - Thank you. I like your blog, too.

Swetha said...

you have created a beautiful space! thanks for sharing.. and recently even i was doing this "cleaning work"(thats what my mom says)!! and created a space just for me in my room :) and i feel like i have done a gr8 job this week!

CrazyCris said...

Lovely!

I'd say my room is "all me" and a sad reflection of my state of mind this past year as it's a constant mess and I still have most of my boxes from when I moved back from Belgium last year packed up and piled under my bed, in my closet or out on the balcony... I don't think I've really personalised any of my rooms or let a place truly reflect me for years now (and I used to take so much care in that aspect, once upon a time)... something I realise is an indication of how NOT "in my own home" I've felt over the past five years or so. Someday...

Reya Mellicker said...

These are wonderful pictures that say so much about the two of you. Very cool!

Since I'm single, my entire room is all about me ... except for Jake's food bowls, I guess.

robert said...

That's certainly how a place looks like, one loves to return. As I took an aeroplain to Greece four years ago, I was allowed to take only one suitcase with me, which made me think alot of what to put in and what to leave behind...most of what was inside were books, as they are my 'second me'.

Ruth said...

Personal affects (or is it "effects"?) say a lot about us, don't they?

Thank you for your visit to synch-ro-ni-zing.

Mental P Mama said...

I have to have my own space. I love the dichotomy;)

Expat From Hell said...

Dear Lover of Life: You have been tagged. Please see my blog. Thanks as always for your continual inspiration.

ExpatFromHell

Brian Miller said...

great intro to "your space". think we all need that space. mine is amongst my books. love to read and books take me to my space.

thanks for stopping by and commenting!

L'Adelaide said...

how fun to read this...you have inspired me to stop thinking and get to doing something about this....i seem to have stuff everywhere and never a special place for anything excepting my bathroom but that's not really where i want my jewelry!

also i wanted to just quickly ask you [i asked on my comments to you but thought this might be better as i am a bit freaked about it] you mentioned having gone to a website, "my website" to see my art and i don't have one...so i am wondering if you have seen my art on another website other than my blog? i am hoping not but it is also very possible as it could always be stolen by someone because what are the odds, you know? so if you don't mind just dropping me a comment, i would very much appreciate it! i am worried about it now...thanks so much!

blessings for a lovely week!

Deboshree said...

hehehe...my dear friend.Whenever I visit your blog,I wonder how can she manage to pay attention to sooo many comments.
Well,I'm here for another one^_^
Both the sides are lovely and it is a nice thing to do.
My space would be my study table and Almirah.

Love
Deboshree

Missy said...

Love this post. For some reason it is fascinating to see what people keep at their bedside. Says a lot about who they are and what they love. Beside my bed I have books, a photo collage of my son's different haircuts (he's obsessed with his hair) a little trinket box filled with earplugs for when my husband snores, my alarm clock and my journals-all 4 of them!

susan said...

Nice pictures. I couldn't help but notice the copy of 'Cryptonomicon' on 'his' side. I commend his taste in books.. but tell him to avoid 'Anathem'

swastika said...

sooo beautiful to be able to find pleasure in little deeds,also giving space to your partner.after all it's only one life.feel the joy!!!!!!!!!!

Nancy said...

pranky - Good for you! It always feels good to accomplish things.

Crazy - It's worth it, I think, to be surrounded by things that make us happy to look at. Soothing for me.

Reya - I see it as being very cool.

mo'ikeha - I'm not sure I could do only one suitcase! I can't even get it that narrowed down for vacation!

Ruth - They do effect affect! :-)

Mental - I do, too. Yes, his side is very basic - mine - not so much!

Expat - Okay - Tuesday!

Brian - Thanks. I like your blog, too.

linda - Hanging jewelry on the wall is fun and easy to find what you want.

Deboshee - Sounds like personal space to me.

Missy - So cute about your son's haircuts!

Susan - Thanks, I'll tell him!

swastika - He likes his little space., that's for sure - I am not allowed to add one little plant...

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