Empty spaces

No, this is not a blog about the empty spaces in my heart or head.. I am overflowing in those areas. It's about empty wall space, which is partially why I haven't posted any photos of our new townhouse yet.

Thank goodness our china cabinet made it here in one piece today, from what I heard it was a bumpy ride. Praise God that friends of my mom's volunteered to bring it here in their truck for nothing more than a little gas money. And lastly, Hallelujah for the much needed extra storage space!

But, now that I'm done singing praises.. I have to say that the dark wood looked much better against the deep red walls, hardwood floors, gold accents, brick fireplace, and candles that surrounded it in our old dining room. Now it just looks like a monstrosity crammed into our living room/dining room combo, against stark white walls, next to my temporary Montessori activity center. Same with the massive dining table, which, even with the center leaf removed, barely fits into the space either. I am refusing to let the bank take our furniture along with our house though, so it's just going to have to work here somehow.

My dilemma is this.. How do I add more color and warmth to soften this long bowling alley style living/dining room on a very tight thrift store budget without painting? We are allowed to paint, if we change the walls back when we move out, but I have already done accent walls in both of the bedrooms, and I think that's enough pre-moving out work for us as it is. I have a nest/egg theme through the house, so I wouldn't mind some homemade artwork ideas that go along with my theme. Also, my mom offered to make a curtain that I can cover the Montessori bookcase with.. which gave me the idea to maybe frame some beautiful fabric that coordinates? I also have 4 beautiful B&W photographs in dark frames that my friend Megan took that I've been wanting to hang again, but not sure if they should go in the entryway by the stairs, or over the couch. And just like the china cabinet, I'm worried they might look too harsh against the white walls. I never seem to have trouble decorating houses that already have lots of interesting architectural details, but I can never seem to figure out what to do with white, boxy, cookie-cutter type apartment homes. I'm completely stumped..

Any ideas?? Maybe I should go to "Rate My Space" for help.







On another topic.. I'm excited to say that I finally met my very first real life homeschooling friend Alana (Finding my way home) and her awesome kids yesterday. (Not that the rest of you are imaginary. Lol.) After seeing how sweet, kind, creative, and intelligent her children are, I feel so much more confident that I am off to a good start and that my children too will hopefully thrive in a homeschooling environment as much as her kids seem to be. It was also nice to sit and talk with someone in person about some of the anxieties I've been having. I felt such a weight lifted off of me after leaving. I wish I would have remembered to take some photos of our time spent there, the kids had so much fun playing together!

Also, I wanted to share with you that we had our very first "Friday Family Film night" yesterday evening. The boys watched "The Princess Bride" for the first time and loved it! I know that a lot of people have similar traditions with their own families, and I have some good memories of traditions we had as a family growing up.. so, it is really neat to finally start devoting a weekday night to doing something fun together! I am hoping it's something we will carry on for a long time. :)

I want to write more, but am taking a break from household chores, so I must get back to work now! Hope you're all having a wonderful weekend! :)

P.S. Don't forget to turn your lights off tonight from 8:30-9:30 for Earth Hour!