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Jul. 18, 2006
Elegance in the Home
A recent discussion over at the 4 Real Forums caught my eye... that is a discussion on the merits of Simple Elegance...
the idea that we can have a home that is elegant in it's simplicity,
that is both easy to care for, and beautiful in it's own way. Donna Marie has a great blog, with her truly moving description of it there.
It is something I had been aware of before, over at the Making it Home forums. A slowly growing movement, of women who yearn to be the 'lady' that 'ladylike' describes.
That doesn't mean we all want to wear pearls and heels all day... but
it does mean we like to be feminine, with a house that reflects that, without clutter.
Elizabeth Foss has a great blog about being ladylike, about teaching our daughters how to be a lady. It is my highest compliment to my daughter... "You're a lady!" with the emphasis on lady.
And lest you think that somehow I am being discriminatory... the
highest compliment for my son, is to tell him that he is a gentleman. They both realise the honour, believe me! She furthers the talk with another blog about bringing the Blessed Mother into our homes.
On the same theme, Imprimis Magazine had a great article by Harvey Mansfield, on The New Feminism. He raises a number of good points.
Truth be told, the ideal of Simple Elegance
resonates with many homeschoolers. So many of us want to make
life simpler. When our microwave broke, we never replaced
it. I gained more room on my worktops in the kitchen (I
desperately needed it!). I reheat in the oven or on the stove
top... and the only time I really miss it is when I forgot to take the
meat out and need to defrost it.
To make a home simply
beautiful takes an artistic touch. I love to read all the ideas
that people have come up with to make their homes beautiful and simple.
Rather than the sterile images we often see in magazines, a simple home
is lived in. A candle lit on the stove, it's scent flowing
throughout the house. A bunch of flowers from the garden or a
bowl of fruit decorating the center of the table. A simple prayer
corner, filled with pictures, bibles, rosaries, icons... whatever suits
your faith.
A bedroom taken down to being just a bed in a room.
All these things and more, make Simple Elegance. It will be interesting to see where this heads!
Edited to add... for real, Simply Elegant touches, you can read The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer. This is a book I reviewed ages ago... all about adding touches to your home...
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About Me
I'm a 29 year old mother of two, who loves to read, bake, knit and homeschool... You can also read my husband's 'rantings' at the link below ;)
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I am currently having problems blogging here. Please check
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Nature Blog
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Jul. 21, 2006 - Oh, yes.
Lovely post!
Dy