The Home Within Us
"What we crave in this life is an outer beauty that reflects the gorgeous world inside us. I am speaking about the house within us. What if the house inside you became the house you lived in? What if you envisioned that your life could be just the way you imagine it? Then you are en route to enlightened destiny, because each of us has huge control over our lives. We don't always realize this because we are, to a degree, defined by so many outside forces. But at the same time, we do have the power to create our own environment-- and our environment, in turn, shapes us.
One of the strongest ingredients in keeping you who you are, your physical environment also keeps you in full awareness of where you are. If you can find your way to live in the house within you, then you not only create an enormous, broad, and lovely offering to yourself, but also to your "pack" -- your family and friends. You will also inspire anyone who has not yet been able to make this connection. Such is the power of rooms."
I have admired Bobby McAlpines's work for almost two decades. I am loving this book, and adore the above passage because I am passionate about the power of home. I, too, believe that the environment in which you live can change your life- that there is power in living in a beautiful space. This has absolutely nothing to do with where you live, the size of your house, or how much money you do or don't have.... but everything to do with
Wow. What an incredibly powerful post. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI too like McAlpine's work and that of his partner Susan Ferrier. This book was recommended to me a while back and oddly enough I never found it in our local big box bookstore. Coincidence, perhaps, for maybe I was never there when they had it in stock. I normally like to flip through and then if I like it buy online.
ReplyDeleteHope you're are well, Joan.
As we are on the journey for finding our "forever" home, this seems timely and a book I need to read!! I'm pretty sure we have found the "home within us";)
ReplyDeleteI love your closing sentence and conclusion and wonder if military wives don't become masters of "doing the best with what you have, where you are". I think so.
Thanks Joan! Now off to check out that book!
I truly believe this too. It makes all the difference in living a truly exceptional and beautiful life.
ReplyDeleteMy best-Diane
Beautifully put, Joan! Expanding my description of what "home" truly is...
ReplyDeleteWonderful post, and excellent statement! So often people are hung up on the size of their house or how much something costs! In this age of "keeping up with the Jonses" it is sometimes hard for people to just step back and focus on what is important in life, friends and family!
ReplyDeleteSo true. I am a huge fan of his and of yours!
ReplyDeleteHe is adorable...persuade your sweet hubby to arrange a lunch with him...and go alone! :)
I loved reading this book one of the best reads I've had in a while. I truly believe what Bobby wrote since I also live his words.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful sentiment! That is exactly what I am trying to do with our home. We have finally decided to stay put...hopefully forever. It totally changes your outlook on decorating and housekeeping!
ReplyDeleteAs with all of the other "commenters" above and below-I too believe in the power of place. Bobby McAlpine states it so truthfully and eloquently. I had to print it so when people ask me why having a beautiful home is important-I can explain my enlightened destiny and how shaping my environment has a hand in shaping the life of my dreams. Thank you for the words.
ReplyDeleteCristine
joan...thank you for such an inspirational post, and for the invitation to a good read. i agree...i very much agree with the power of home... wishing you a lovely day.
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Very inspirational. Thank you for sharing!!
ReplyDeletejoan i'm actually working on getting my insides to match my outside. i'm getting close.
ReplyDeleteJoan, I love this post!... and will have to look for the book!...
ReplyDeleteYou know, as a blogger we see so many gorgeous homes and spaces that may be way beyong our means BUT, like you said, The secret is doing the best with what you have! I try to do that all the time. Sometimes I long for the kitchen of my dreams, or a big soaker tub in the bathroom with a rainshower too. But it is not to be so I try to APPRECIATE what I have and make it as beautiful and comforting to us and our guests as possible. I now want to get this book! I ahve a new Kindle so maybe can download it! Thanks for the suggestion! XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteWe are so on the same page sometimes it is scary.
ReplyDeleteThose are the truest words. Home is my family no matter where we are.
ReplyDelete♥ sécia
www.petiteinsanities.blogspot.com
One of my favorite books...it doesn't get any better than Bobby McAlpine!!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteIt's so true! thanks to sharing this wiht us.
Very nice blogspot.
Greetings from Belgium
Jérôme
Hi Joan, Dan, and Ella: Were you in my home yesterday, when a friend and I had a very similar conversation?! To me,it does not matter ones occupation, just be the best you can be. The same where you live; it does not matter the size; make your home a reflection of you and a place where you find comfort. As much as I like to travel, there truly is "no place like home".
ReplyDeleteI love my home I love being home buzzing around doing bits and pieces even cleaning.It will never be prefect there's always something to change. Lately I've been out and about alot on my days off and I'm about to go away on holidays to my sisters in Cairns(Queensland Australia) So when I get back I'm not going anywhere for a while.Well only to work.
ReplyDeleteKind Regards
Karen
Sometimes I think you and I are blog soulmates...I love the book also and did a posting on it last year...his work is so great I can't stop looking at it. He did a friends house that I featured and I have always loved it. if you're interested it's in my archives November 3rd 2010
ReplyDeletewww.ajbarnesonline.blogspot.com
I carry home with me wherever I live - but I do believe in the power of a house or of one's surroundings. I'll definitely look for this book - thank you for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteYou blog and your home are absolutely yummy......I found a very long dresser the other day that we are going to convert to a vanity for our master bath. Then I saw your post featuring your "new" vanity and I could actually "see" my vision playing out. Now I have to price Carerra Marble.....that may hurt a bit. Lovely inspiration.....Texas misses you...I am a Texas girl myself. LOL
ReplyDeleteHis work is incredible, those words, though touch my heart! I must read his book.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Come and enter my New Giveaway from Serena & Lily! You will love it!
Just as the paragraph you have excerpted, the entire text of this book is as warm and embracing as his aesthetic, he's quite a writer and thinker on top of being a bold designer, I treasure this book and return to it constantly.
ReplyDeleteI bet those barn room floors are going down, I can just FEEL it happening right this minute!
omg Flo... are you here at the house somewhere?? You are GOOD!!! The floors ARE going down RIGHT THIS MINUTE!!! It is LOUD LOUD! Can you hear it too?! :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love this - perfectly articulated. When the focus on homes becomes excessively material or cosmetic, it's important to remember this. The concept of "home" goes beyond the stuff!
ReplyDelete"The floors ARE going down RIGHT THIS MINUTE!!! It is LOUD LOUD! Can you hear it too?!"
ReplyDeleteI can hear it in my soul! And I can smell it too, and I know first hand how the dust from each successive enterprise somehow [how?] makes its way past closed cupboard doors and settles between the dishes. Your fellow female hands-on renovator/designers are tracking you all the way via intuition. Can you hear us applauding? Can you hear us moaning in delight each time you unveil another completed room, corner or niche? And then too-quickly comes our greedy desire for moremoremore, where is Joan? she should have something new for us by now, what's keeping her so quiet? We are so spoiled by you, thank you so much for sharing yourself with all of us readers.
Flo.... now I'm thinking you're in my HEAD, as I 'do' hear the "more, more, more..." chant --constantly!! :)
ReplyDeletethank you for your sweet words!
beautiful sentiment and so true...
ReplyDeletei've never met bobby mcalpine, but he has done 2 houses for one of my friends (both featured in southern accents) & one for another friend.
ReplyDeleteas absolutely beautiful as the pictures are of his work, you really have to see his work in person. it is so tactile & subtally lush that you almost want to bath in it. and it's actually very liveable.
nanne in indiana by way of alabama
nanne- wow! how lucky to have been "in" several of his homes. while fabulous in print I love that they are "true" in real life. thank you for your comment!
ReplyDeleteI really love this book also!
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