I haven’t lived with anyone over the age of two in quite a while. Well, I guess I have, but I haven’t really shared a space with anyone. Not since, I found out I was pregnant and made the move from my tiny studio space in Miami, to occupying a guest room in my brothers home. Even living in someone else’s home, in Hawaii, I had a tiny space to call my own. And even when Alex moved into our tiny place, right before Marlowe’s first birthday, he never really lived there. He brought a handful of boxes, filled with a fair amount of kitchen things, and a selection of clothes, but that was it. I’m not sure what he thought of it, but I know I didn’t think much, because with him out of the house, 14 hours a day, my home was still primarily my space, Marlowe’s space, and a little bit of Jerry the dog’s too. At a glance, my home stayed the same: white, bright, open, textured, and floral. He left, and again, at a glance: nothing changed. Now here I am, in my new home— a home (more than) large enough for my daughter, her fish, and my dog. I’ve been here for a little over three months now and I’ve made big changes in every corner, but I still have innumerable plans for much of it. But like any new and bigger space, the changes will take time. These shelves were bare and brown when I moved in. I had no doubt, that I needed them to be white. And if you asked what my plans were (which everyone did), I knew I wanted them to be mostly barren. I wanted the most prominent and open storage space of my home to be empty. But now here we are, and in a matter of a hours, my shelves went from intentionally undeveloped to mostly occupied. We have a shared space now. This home has gained another occupant— another person, over the age of two, that will be living with us. I’m nervous, like a child who’s learning how to share. My space will no longer by my space, it will now, and indefinitely, be our space. While, running a home, raising a daughter, and providing an income, everyday, alone, has had it’s challenges, it’s also proved to have some perks: complete schedule, purchase, and design control. (I love you, floral couches.) I’ve made every decision about and for my home and my daughter, for a very long time. But now, it’s not just me who’s involved, it has to be okay with someone else too. (Please never leave me, floral couches.) While I may have never wanted packed shelves, the idea is settling in quickly, the view is growing on me, and it’s only a tiny space sacrifice to make for something that we are both so completely certain about. So yes, my space is no longer mine. And my shelves are filling up, with not only my things, but his too… but so are our hearts, and our plans for the future. (And I love it all)
This has been a year of many resolutions and changes. I’m learning. I’m growing. And I’m finally allowing myself to accept that life can be easier, if I let it.
*on a design note: we’re (so hard not to write “I’m”) looking for a piece, art,— that perfect something, for the big would-be-tv-space. If you have any, I’d love to hear thoughts, ideas, whatever. Also, along the top, small shelf… my first thought is succulents, my second is long art, my third is “I need to stop going with the obvious and really think”. Help me think? 😉
29 Comments
Hi, a thought for your long shelf, I have a small collection of my two year olds worn and grown out shoes from pre-walking onwards, I write on them our adventures and where we went, some of them are really colourful and look nice as a we line up. Good luck.
hi, just a thought for your long shelf space, I've got a little run of my two year olds worn and grown out shoes from the first pre-walking days till now, I write on some of them, where we went in them, and as a little colourful group they look quite sweet. Good luck with the sharing.
Congrats on making the finals over on Apartment Therapy! Just voted for you pretty mama! And yay for shared living spaces!! Can't wait to hear more about it xo
Oh, and I vote succulents for the top shelf…tera cotta pots and bright succulents…can't go wrong there, and if you find art that works…succulents can be moved elsewhere!
I love, absolutely LOVE your bright, white, cheery space. I hear you though, sharing is hard work. That hubby-o-mine has a stronger opinion on home decor than I ever imagined! haha 🙂
Congratulations Drea, I hope you will all be very happy together. Your home and your space is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Hears to things going great! You deserve to have someone else in your life (and in your space) who is good for you. Sometimes "sharing the load" (and the space) is a bloody fabulous thing.
xx Biggest love.
So nice to hear things are going your way… Lots of pleasant changes happening around you!!!
I'm thinking to fill the tv void you should create so e sort of wall hanging tapestry to add some texture and interest. (Even though I like what you already have going on there)
Best of luck… Everything is coming along nicely and I'm super jealous of the light your new place has… It's beautiful!!!
Something three dimensional – a sculpture (esp since its a space for something three dimensional). Maybe made out of paper mâché so if a kid were to pull at it it wouldn't fall onto her, crushing her.
And can't wait to hear more about the dude. And maybe see a pic of the lucky guy. Maybe Marlowe won't be just a one…..:)
I teared up reading this… tears of joy and that feeling when you are so happy for another person. I'm glad that your shelves are filled with the right things and for the right reasons. I even like that we blog readers don't know "him" yet. Everything about this feels good and I have never met you and should never judge.. but good vibes are just flowing. Congratulations on your beautiful home. Congratulations on finding the right kind of roommate… cheers to you and Marlowe 🙂 That guy is one lucky dude.
I love this. And I love the filled shelves.
You're reading my thoughts 😉 I was planning on some art for that special Monday and it could be up to you how big you can enlarge it to cover the tv space. So… no more to say… x
So happy for you 🙂
http://www.todaymyway.com
That's awesome! I too feel like everything needs to be white! But I love interior design, it's what I go to school for and I love the way your shelves are looking. They're still barren enough but filled with both of y'alls stuff. 🙂
it looks beautiful, your space. i can't wait to see more.
You get such amazing lighting in your space! Such an exciting time for you!
Theresa
http://bomamma.blogspot.com
Congratulations 🙂 I have nothing but best wishes for you guys and I can't wait to follow along
Look at you! Living out your new years resolutions. Proud of you, girl. As far as the shelving, have you seen how Beautiful Mess has decorated their shelves? I adore your photos. Food, M, doggies and otherwise. I'm certain you could find a photo you love enough to use! Cheers!
http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/11/family-photo-bookshelf-project.html
Gah, I think I lost my last comment on an internet hiccup, but I'm SO happy for you guys – I hope you find the beautiful life you and Marlowe (and the mister) deserve. I feel like I know you, and I have true joy for you.
As for the space – I think an antique TV would be a really cool piece of art! Kinda like these: http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/atq/3544494854.html
How exciting! I am so happy for you! So glad you have allowed yourself to move forward with this person! Really, so happy for you!!!
Exciting news! Looking forward to reading more about all your big changes. Some friends of mine made a fish tank out of one of those old TV's…the kind that has the big wooden frame around it. It was way more entertaining to watch than the majority of stuff on TV.
Sharing a home, how exciting and different and wonderful! We just moved in together, too – boyfriend & his son have moved into my little bachelorette pad – and it's a big change but a good one. 🙂
Finding the balance between "mine" and "ours" is something I haven't had to think about before, either. It's a learning experience – wishing you and the new resident all the best as you adjust! 🙂
For the decor … hmm. I'm not sure, because I can't even manage to decorate my own home. I do think succulents are adorable, despite being a little overdone right now.
Yay! Happy you! This is excellent! 🙂
Love it. I am a fan of white too, and of how organized your shelves are. Congrats on sharing your space with someone. Will surely be fun and happy for you and Marlowe.
http://www.fromthehillathopewell.com
Woohoo!
YAY! So happy that you are going to be living with someone. Love your house and space 🙂 Lots of happiness to come!
We all want to meet this special someone 🙂
(Ya'll)'s space looks amazing and I wish you much happiness!
It will be fun living with someone! Enjoy your accompany! 🙂
Exciting changes are coming, I see. I'm not sure about the top shelf. I seem to love little collections of the same colour bottle. It might go against your minimalist decor plans but just a few would do well, I think! Also, wanted to say thank you for the vegan pot pie recipe you posted a while back. I made it last night and it was a big hit.