As an empath I have always been heavily influenced by my environment.I have been meticulous about styling my bedrooms since I was a small child.My room was always a space I had influence.
I have since spent the last three decades making our little house a home.
Thirty two years ago we moved to a brand new suburb.My sweet dad had helped us with the down payment.We had a two year old with another on the way.A house was the next step.
We left our luxury apartment behind on Avenue of the Arts in the South Coast Metrowhere we had rented in for seven years.To say I wasn't excitedwould be an understatement.Tears were definitely involved.I loved our apartment and the Arts area we lived.But I had every intention into turning our little suburban house into a home.
Living in southern Californiain a small house with a family of 5outdoor spaces are as important as inside.Jeff built the kids a play housethat transitioned 3 times over the course of the kids growing up.
Our yards have transitioned over the years as well.Our house and gardens have grown and changedjust as our children have grown into adultssome with children of their own.
During the years we homeschooledeach of them had their own little gardensin which to plant and play.
Over the yearswe have made good use of almost every square inchinside and out.Always grateful for our little home.
We moved here when our oldest was just 2 years old.Jeff and I have designed and styled everythinginside and out.I usually come up with the designandJeff brings my vision to life.
We really did start with the blankest of canvases.
We moved into the house in 1994by 1996 we began to get press.I still love the jungle/circus themed room I did for our boys.
This sweet baby turned 30 this year.
The playhouse Jeff builthad a deck complete with child size furniture.
This is the second rendition the playhouse had.I remember really wanting to do a red and yellow room.Truth be toldI probably had more fun with the playhouse than the kids did.I just love creating small intimate spaces!
I even made all of the pillows and patchwork quilt.
We also had a little wooden bridge that crossed the backyard waterfall that Jeff also created.We were doing things ourselves since the day we moved into our little house.
We let the boys build a pond next to the waterfall that Jeff built.
All of these sweet moments live in my heart to this day.I remember taking theses picturesknowing I would look back with a full and grateful heart.I just didn't know that sometimes they would also make my heart achewith the longing to go back with theses wonderful childrenif even for a day.
For years we had a raised deck with a ladder that was part of the playhouse!I loved styling this secret space every summer.
The deck also went through many design renditions.Here it was part of my summer blues and whites.
This was the final rendition of the playhouse.This time I let the kids decide a use for the space.They each cut pictures out of magazines to decide the directionand purpose of the space.They were the cutest little mood boards that still exist in the family scrapbooks.
Beanbags and video games it was the decision for the final redesign.
Bedrooms have also gone through many renditions and uses.this was Eliss's loft bedfull of whimsy and tulle curtains!
This was her window seat which was flanked by bookcases.
As the children became adultsI did my best to invent new backyard uses.One year it was a pingpong table followed bya grown upEaster Egg Hunt.
Since they were all over 21 I hid canned cocktails and little the little liquor bottlesand one golden egg with cash.
My sweet parents and brother would join us every year.Boy do I miss them these days.So much more than I ever thought I would.I've missed them so much it has taken me years to really mention the loss.But now it makes my heart happy to see pictures of them atOur Little House.
Fast forward yearsI am still Styling My Life.Knowing in my heartthese days tooI will look back on with a yearning heart.It's the impermanence of lifethat makes me want to make the most of the every day.
I love to Romanticize My Life.with a Grateful Heartwhile creating meaning along the way.
To elevate even a meal to a family memory.
To create beautiful spaces that fill my heart with joy.
32 years laterI am still gratefully herein our little housetrying to create beautiful family memories.
This Easter I set up a Craft Barto make bandana jewelry with charms.Watching their wonderful creativitymade my heart so happy to see!
32 years laterI still love Styling My Lifeto spend time withand celebratemy family.
They say grandchildren are the dessert of life.I couldn't agree more.I am so grateful for ours every single day.
I still enjoy creating new spaces to spend time with them.We recently put the pool away for our first Fall Backyard Campout!
I did bring out the small round pooland filled it with glitter filled beach balls!Inflatables do double duty at our Little House!Even our tent is an inflatable!
They allow Jeff and I the ability to dramatically transform our little backyard!
And on that noteI would never be able to be as creative with my spacesif it wasn't for my wonderful and supportive husband Jeff.I come up with the visionand he brings the building blocks to life.
We have always had a beautiful partnership that way the entire 32 Years in ourLittle House.
Thank you so much for visiting herefor my stroll down memory lane!
Creating meaningful memories and beautiful spacesis a core part of how I Make My Life My Art.I appreciate being able to share it with you.
As always my friends
I wish you love and joyas you style your life