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I love deep, rich colors. I love things with meaning, depth, and character. (Including people!) But right now, I am not talking about people -- I am talking about my home. My home now, and my dream home. (Which may only ever be in my dreams!) Such lovely dreams I have! So, what is it that makes a house a home, for me . . . ?

(Doesn't this picture just make you want to go inside? :-))

A home is not a home (to me) unless it possesses a certain "atmosphere". One special quality that women can attain is the ability to create "atmosphere". It is amazing, really. It is not something that every women does naturally, but it can be learned. I can remember, as a very small child, I would spend hours rearranging my room -- trying out different lighting, angles of furniture, picture placement, etc. I LOVED to do it then and I LOVE to do that now. (Keeps Charles on his toes!) ;-) wink!

Atmosphere, I believe, is KEY to having an inviting home. It can be accomplished in any level of home, too. Regardless of size, age of home, fancy features, or lack of features -- a beautiful atmosphere can be achieved! You just have to create it, work at it, make it happen. If you do it right, sometimes, it is almost a tangible thing. (By the way, it is ALL about mood lighting!)

*A side note . . . YES, the Spirit has a LOT to do with atmosphere -- but I think atmosphere has a LOT to do with the Spirit, too! You have to invite the spirit in your home, after all! I clean/arrange my home when I invite a guest . . . should I not do the same to invite the Spirit?

Anyhow, for me, my personal choice of atmosphere is . . . Victorian Style.

Mmmmmm . . . what a yummy room.

Like I was saying before, I love the deep, rich colors, the depth of design, the look of quality, and warmth. I love a room to be full of interesting things to look at, even to touch. Things that invoke pleasant feelings and joyful thoughts. I love having family history pictures displayed. It reminds me of life gone by, struggles overcome, and where I came from -- as if my ancestors are watching over me, daily.

In my future (dream) home, a fireplace is a MUST. There is nothing better than a cold winter night, candles lit, a roaring fire -- divine. Proper lighting is essential. Beautiful lighting fixtures, such as chandeliers -- amazing. It is important to let the light shine in your home -- not in a blinding way, but a beautiful way! It is very interesting the effect a nice soft light can have on your soul -- peace.

I think one of the main reason that I love Victorian style is because it feels like Christmas. How I adore Christmas! During the Christmas season there is a special Spirit that fills the air: the color, the warmth, the light. Why is the Spirit especially strong during the Holiday season? I think it is because people -- all around the world -- are "inviting" the Spirit into their homes, towns, cities, etc. Christmas is invited by the "atmosphere" that is created.

I try to, and would like to better achieve that same Spirit in my home, always.

In design, and in my heart. Depth, warmth, peace.

Our current home is not our final destination, but in the future my goal is to fill my home with things of beauty, things of deep meaning, and things of light. I do not consider myself a "worldly" or possession-hungry person, but since we must live in a home -- it might as well be a place of beauty!

Brigham Young Said: Beautify your gardens, your houses, your farms; beautiful the city. This will make us happy, and produce plenty. The earth is a good earth, the elements are good if we will use them for our own benefit, in truth and righteousness.

Part of being a good "homemaker" is being skilled at creating feelings of comfort, beauty and warmth -- the feeling of being home. Creating a beautiful home atmosphere (which includes, cleanliness, furniture arrangement, picture placement, lighting, even smells, etc.) is truly "making home" and inviting the Spirit to dwell in it.

Consider the House of God, the Temple. Judging by the beautiful Temples that dot the Earth -- beauty and quality are important to Him. Consider the glorious Earth. That in mind, I do not believe the "atmosphere" of Heaven will consist only of puffy white clouds. I must say . . . Heaven will only be Heaven to me if it feels like Home, my home. Perhaps, even the home of my dreams -- deep, rich colors, depth of design, look of quality, warmth, a place where the Spirit will dwell, constantly. Heaven. Home.

Salt Lake Temple

(Perhaps this is where my love of Victorian Style was first discovered.)

Truly . . .

Home can be Heaven. Heaven will be Home.