One more family portrait….saved the best for last!

I have enjoyed reading your supportive comments about decorating our homes with things we love.  I guess we all tend to want to show off our children or grandchildren, and who doesn’t want to remember a fabulous vacation?  What else is one to do, but cover every available space with family memorabilia.

(I’m glad I’m not alone in doing this.)

This family portrait, drawn by daughter Katie many years ago, is one of my favorites.  While none of us would be accused of  being handsome, I think this rendition of my husband with his lopsided mustache, shaggy side burns, and high ears is quite endearing.  He wore that mustache for many years and it is a huge part of our memories of him as a young dad!  I guess my hair color is spot on for a  dishwater blonde, and I’d give anything to be that trim once again.   Artist Katie did a great job recreating the various outfits and other details of each family member.   Yes, this picture makes me smile.

Together

we   make   a

f a m i l y !

While none of us is perfect, we do make wonderful memories..

And that is why my house is covered with personal memorabilia.

JoAnn

Clip art by Fiddlesticks

Breaking the rules

It’s a good thing my house isn’t on the market.

I watch enough decorating shows to know that too many personal momentos and photos do not make a house “buyer-friendly”.  Neutral is the big guide for making a place sellable.

We pretty much don’t do either.

 

Our grand kids hang on the wall of the office.  (Yes, that sounds wrong-but they really are climbers, so in a way it works.)  Some day their pictures will all show them between three and four years old, but a few aren’t quite there yet.

A family mini-gallery hangs in the living room.

Some of our ancestors pictures are also hanging in the office.

(My husband just finished putting the popular shiplap on one wall.)

There are a lot more pictures throughout the house .

A LOT!

Our book shelves are adorned with more photos, Ken’s dad’s American flag, grandmother’s tea cups, inherited vases, old tools, and some antique family books and dishes.  We have items brought back from vacations.  We have inherited souveniers from our parents and grandparents travels.   Practically everything has a personal story behind it.  If we ever sell this house, we’ll have to empty it out completely before we show it. 

But…

It is kind of nice walking in to a room and being reminded of people and places we love. 

When asked what our decorating style is, perhaps we’ll have to create a new phrase-

“Sentimental family museum style--collected over time.”

Does any one else have this same dilemina?

JoAnn

P.S.  Even my office windows are family decorated.