What makes a house truly a home?

It’s not always buying the latest trend or popular things of the moment, decorating a home merely to make it beautiful.   But more so, it’s surrounding yourself with the things that make you and your family feel comfortable, loved and special.  We all have those fond memories and family treasures that we want to surround ourselves with.

If you enjoy family photographs, heirlooms, and having special things around your home that express who you and your family are, you’ll enjoy this book.

Written by Monica Rich Kosann, it’s a beautiful book filled with treasured memories of her spaces, as well as many of her clients.  Monica is a nationally recognized fine-art portrait photographer who has worked with many prestigious families and celebrities, as well as a designer of jewelry and home accessories.  Her work has been profiled extensively in national print, such as Town & Country and Elle Decor, as well as television media.Photos from Monica’s website, Fine Art of Family.  Monica believes that we should all live with what we love and find ways to incorporate those things into our daily fabric of life.  I couldn’t agree more.  {Photo: Monica Rich Kosann}

Instead of hiding away the family photos, Monica has clever ideas for displaying them stylishly and showing them off to visitors, without having them in the way.  I love her ideas on grouping silver frames with cherished family photos. I too, love to display family photos.  We have them sprinkled around the house, from the master bedroom, to the living room, my office and my husband’s office, with our family members displayed and enjoyed every day.

Monica also believes in living with and loving collections by displaying them in an artful manner to enjoy every single day.  I couldn’t agree more.  I enjoy my plate and dish collection grouped on a wall or on the sideboard.  That’s living with what you love. Insulators grouped together make a collection in that beautiful shade of turquoise.

Did you know that 3 or more of something is a collection? Begin with a few and build from there.  So what is it that catches your eye?  Collect it and have fun displaying  that collection.  Pretty books grouped together can be enjoyed as beauty or literature. A basket of shells and driftwood captures memories from our visit to the beach one summer.  Priceless and sweet memories of walking on the beach, picking up every one of these salty treasures.

Monica sent me my very own copy to treasure and she has generously offered to give a book to my readers too ($30 value), so if you’d like a copy for yourself, just leave a comment on this post, telling me what your favorite treasured collection for your home might be.

What is that special thing that you love and are living with too?  Cherished family heirlooms, family photos, or pieces that you have collected yourself?

Are  you living with what you love?  I hope you are!

{Giveaway will be open until Saturday evening.}

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Decor Longevity: How often do you redecorate?

August 31, 2010
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How long do you keep things in a room the same, especially the fabrics?
Well, mostly the same. I think we all do some tweaking here and there all the time, but for the most part, do you keep your space the same for many years?  I do know that fabrics can date a room.  Many [...]

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An Inspirational Makeover

August 30, 2010
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My friend, Kelee, over at the Katillac Shack, has completed a very worthy makeover for a cancer patient and I just have to share it with all of you.  Please go over and take a look at the video that she did.  It’s over 10 minutes, but really worth watching.  Kelee is the featured designer [...]

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Junkin at the Nashville Flea Market

August 29, 2010
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On Saturday, Layla and I headed up to the Nashville Flea Market to check it out.  We had both heard good things about it, so I was anxious to see it for myself.  We did enjoy it a lot and by far, the best things to be found are outside the buildings.
I have very fond [...]

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Women of Passionate Pursuit Online Retreat

August 28, 2010

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I’ve been asked again to speak at an online Christian Women’s conference with Women of Passionate Pursuit and it’s coming up this Tuesday, August 31st.  I just found out that we can give away 10 tickets to this online event, so if you’d like to attend, please leave a comment. This is online [...]

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Jessica McClintock Down Pillow Giveaway

August 27, 2010
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If you love down pillows as much as I do, you’ll love this one today. 
See that blue paisley sham there on the right?  It’s hiding something really pretty that I sure am enjoying.
Click on over to my giveaway page for all the details.
You’ll be sleeping like a baby!

Like what you read? [...]

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Drying Ferns for Framed Botanicals

August 26, 2010
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While out in the Pacific Northwest on our recent adventure, I loved all the ferns I saw growing wild in the woods.  So, I decided to pick a few fronds to dry and frame.
I had to try to keep them from getting crushed on the way home in the plane, so I carefully placed them [...]

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