Saturday, September 17, 2011

corners of our home





































































































































































































We are self-confessed homebodies. We love being at home, pottering about, moseying from one thing to the next. Daniel and I both work from home too and we count ourselves incredibly lucky that we can earn money and spend our days with our children. While our house is not nearly as design savvy as some, we love it for it's comfort, practicality and quaint-appeal. Our style is stamped on every wall.

Over time, with Che growing up and Poet arriving, we've had to change a few things. I've been really inspired by the Montessori philosophy that a child's independence should be encouraged and nurtured. You'll see in that first photo up there that Che's raincoat, hat, beanie, bag and umbrella are hanging on little timber hooks at his height. A simple addition to his room but absolute genius! Why? Because when we're about to leave the house (always a rather time-consuming procedure with a little one in tow) I ask him to go get his hat etc. and he knows exactly where it is and can reach it on his own. There's a vintage bookshelf near our front door and the bottom shelf is his designated "shoe shelf" - when we arrive home from an outing the first thing he does is take his shoes off and put them on the shelf, followed closely by the hat/bag/umbrella going back on the hooks.

The Montessori classroom has everything at a child's height and since being introduced to this idea I've made sure that all of the things that Che needs in his day are easily accessible to him. The bottom row of our expedit bookshelf features four baskets with luggage tags on each: "cars and trucks," "puzzles," "blocks" and "music and puppets." He just helps himself throughout the day. His lego is stored in clear containers behind the couch along with a basket of toys and his teepee. His art and craft supplies are on his vintage desk and his play oven is close to the kitchen. Our house is child-friendly, decorated with family photos (more to come), Che's artwork and quirky prints.

When Daniel and I first moved out together (four months after meeting each other) we didn't even own a toaster. Since then we have collected bits and pieces that we love. We haven't spent much money and we've kept it all quite simple. Delightfully so.

Everything has been chosen for its wonderful blend of practicality and aesthetic appeal, remebering always that beauty is found in simplicity - a collection of shells on a windowsill, a single flower in a glass bottle, a child's colourful painting.

Photos by you know who

29 comments:

  1. just looking at these beautiful pictures makes me feel peaceful and relaxed.
    so beautiful. i love your style~

    D

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  2. A beautiful house! I love your philosophy about the child having the autonomy within the environment and I especially love the craft desk. I believe every child should have a place that allows them to create whenever and whatever they want. It is sad that so many schools and preschools have beautiful art supplies that are only brought out when the teacher chooses and are otherwise kept in a locked cupboard.

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  3. A beautiful house! I love your philosophy about the child having the autonomy within the environment and I especially love the craft desk. I believe every child should have a place that allows them to create whenever and whatever they want. It is sad that so many schools and preschools have beautiful art supplies that are only brought out when the teacher chooses and are otherwise kept in a locked cupboard.

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  4. You, Jodi, are just so beautiful. It is so obvious in every word you write. The photographs just confirm it x

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  5. it looks so beautiful and calming.x

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  6. I'm dying to know where you got the teepee, and the lovely prints above Che`'s desk?
    Your home is beautiful x

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  7. An environment to grow, to blossom and to learn... to dream and be surrounded with love.

    What a gorgeous family home. I love it all.
    X

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  8. Hi Jodi, Lovely home photo's, made me smile sitting here watching you on the other side of the world with your family, thanks for sharing them, have a good week ahead,
    Maureen

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  9. there is something so captivating in that first photo. you live beautifully jodi. x.

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  10. Hi Jodi, I'm a new reader & love the sense of quiet happiness and calm certainty in the way you write and speak about how you live your life - inspiring me to enroll in yoga again & embrace a bit more of the now, thank you!

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  11. What a gorgeous family home you have created Jodi...so beautiful :)

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  12. from the pics you show... your home looks mighty fine to me!! Love the name Poet, btw.....

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  13. beautiful in its simplicity. you obviously have a good handle on the 'stuff'. . . i'm packing all of our in boxes and wishing there was a whole lot less right now. xo

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  14. And what a beautiful home it is Jodi. It just oozes warmth and love... much like yourself :o)
    The pics are gorgeous, Tim has captured the essence of your home expertly. I too believe a house should be a home and have no problem surrendering our home to the children, so they can be just that. It is only for a few short years that they get to enjoy being kids xo

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  15. I adore your home. Simple, understated style. Warm and loving. We too believe in our sons having to the tools to hand to help themselves. We have a set of pegs low for them to find their coats, a draw where they keep their shoes and hats. Craft is also accessible as are their toys. They like to potter just as much as us... so we let them. lou xx

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  16. You have a really lovely home Jodi ...
    love the pics of our new local cafe too (still haven't been for a look)

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  17. It looks like the perfect place to raise a little family :)
    I love the idea of making it Che's home too by putting everything lower. x

    P.s. That magazine on my blog is an online mag and is free to read. Just click the link x

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  18. absolutely beautiful in simplicity

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  19. gorgeous! and with so much more heart and spirit than homes that maybe more 'stylised'.

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  20. Hi Jodi

    I love the gesture of within a child's reach.

    You always make me want to be twenty something again.

    xxx
    Jill

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  21. Your home looks just perfect for two little ones and a working from home muma and dad. xx

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  22. I think you have a beautiful home!

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  23. Can I come and live at your house too .... please!!

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  24. Jodie your home is beautiful and has a peacefulness about it. And you and your family are gorgeous.Thank you for sharing them with us.

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  25. I love how simple and beautiful you make things. It's an inspiration and i'm taking notes.

    The corners of a home are always the most lovely, and yours are divine xx

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  26. You have such a beautiful house, family and way with words. Love it all. xx

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  27. Such a beautiful home. Empowering your child is such a wonderful thing to do, it's so important to remember that they are little people and to treat them with the same respect that you'd treat a big person x

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