Crunchy mamas: What does your home look like?

[daisymommy]

I'm feeling more and more lately like the inside decor/design of my home needs a makeover, to match my natural-home philosophies. Sure, I've "gone-green" when it comes to things like: cookware, no plastrics, non-toxic cleaners, cloth diapers, healthy food etc. The little things that really add up. But when it comes to what my home LOOKS like, as far as furniture, paint colors, window treatments, etc. my home looks way too formal, mainstream, etc. This is because I only came across Mothering 1.5 years ago, so everything about it is from "my former life"--life before MDC My family would say before I lost my mind

But now I need some inspiration on home decorating (for real people on a real budget--not just in a magazine). Is anyone brave enough to share pictures of their home if they are happy with it?

Thank-you!

[Ruthla]

My kitchen floor is very crunchy right now- it needs to be swept.

[daisymommy]

AAAH-HAAA-HAAAA

[LadyMarmalade]

LOL Ruth. My floor is never crunchy because our dog cleans up any edible morsels (and usually the non edible ones too).

Our home is very old, and I've decorated with vintage/antique furniture when I can (ie when I can afford). But not 'precious' stuff - I'd never say 'don't touch the furniture' because it's MADE for living on/in/with. We have lots of comfy cushions in the living room, lots of handmade throw rugs, lots of books, lots of photos everywhere. My brother, a city-snob, recently came to my house for the first time in years (we live a long way from each other) and he walked in and said "your home is so gorgeous, sis" - trust me, it's a huge compliment A friend's 6 year old daughter came to visit and didn't want to go home because "this place has such a good vibe". I aim for comfort - I don't go for a particular style out of a book, but I do love shabby chic. It's always clean and tidy, but lived in. A house isn't a home unless it's filled with love, imo.

[SoggyGranolaMomma]

Eventually I will redecorate but mostly my house is no frills. I want it to remain that way as well.

I would like natural wood furnishes and organic fabrics used in my new house (ya know, the one that I'm building in my head?? ) earth tones.

I am not the best housekeeper and clutter makes me neurotic so as a defense mechanism, we just minimalize and simplify.

Lots of storage, shelves, baskets. I'm trying to get rid of the plastic storage, eventually the plastic toys (my kids and family will just DIE )

I'm on the hunt for organic bed linens right now because it's getting time to switch over for the cooler weather.

[daisymommy]

Lady Marmalade--I LOVE going to homes like yours. The ones where you feel comfy cozy, right at home, and like you could just curl up with a good book, a blanket, cup of tea, and never leave Congrats on creating a soft spot for your family and freinds to come to after a long hard day . I'd love to see photos (even if you want to share them privately). I just can't seem to figure out on my own how to create that "vibe".

And Kristina--what type of storage do you use instead of plastic bins? Thats what we have right now (from Target, on w ooden rack/shelf type of unit). But the plastic is driving me nuts! On the otherhand, I was wondering if I needed to be careful about what type of baskets I buy due to the wood used or the varnish finish on them. Could it be toxic to little ones? How to know, and where to buy from?

[StrawberryFields]

I'll share pictures but I can't say that my house particularly screams, "Earth Mama." I only took pics of the living room, kitchen, and bathroom because we are currently redoing the three bedrooms. The living room and bathroom are done but the kitchen is being repainted cream and getting a new floor--that hideous blue peel and stick was here when we moved in last year.

*edited to remove pictures*

[SoggyGranolaMomma]

I look for organic baskets on google. There are a ton, when I find what I want I check ebay.

[daisymommy]

Thanks for sharing your pictures!

And I had no idea there was such a thing as organic baskets--cool!

[Rhiannon Feimorgan]

I think the one thing about my house that is particualrly crunch is all my house plants. I love to bring the outdoors in and the air is so fresh when there is living plants in the room. Plus some of mine bloom from time to time and the smell is intoxicating. My jasmin plant has just started another round Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm bliss!

[boongirl]

I concur on the house plants. They make a huge difference in air quality and peace of mind.

I found some reasonably "crunchy" storage baskets recently at Bed, Bath, and Beyond. They are not organic. They are wire framed with colored fabric stretched tight to form a covering. The fabric velcros off for cleaning and the frame seems well made enough that I could replace the fabric if need be. They are very light and dd loves them as she can easily pick them up. (as opposed to wood, which is heavy for her.)

Something else I do that I think of as crunchy and healthy is not use any air freshener. That just adds to indoor air pollution. Instead, I have fresh flowers around or I stew a pot of spices in the kitchen and let it waft around the house.

I wish we could replace our floors. I was wanting something eco friendly and was considering bamboo until a guy I know who is a hardwood floor installer/seller told me that bamboo has to go through a tremendous process to make it into floor. He thinks the high resource usage during processing negates the ecofriendly aspect of it. He feels sustainably harvested wood is a better eco choice if you cannot afford the high cost of reclaimed wood. Plus, wood lasts longer and is therefore less wasteful than having to replace bamboo every 20 years. Marmoleum is another good choice.

I love to read Natural Home magazine for more ideas.

[ecoteat]

My entire house is recycled--it was a 285 year old colonial in the way of "development" that we rescued, disasssembled, moved 2 states away, and rebuilt. The interior reflects the original style. Some rooms are pretty accurately recreated. All new lumber was local, the windows and kitchen sink were rescued from other old houses, and the passive solar helps keeps the kitchen warm in the winter. Almost all the furniture is antique. Very few new materials were used in building and decorating. And we did most of the work ourselves--I did the wiring, dh did most of the carpentry, etc. Use the link in my sig to see. Before dd was born, this house was the most defining thing about who I am.

[daisymommy]

Oh my gosh! I'm sooo jealous! Your home is simply beautiful and amazing!

[mzfern]

Originally Posted by ecoteat

My entire house is recycled--it was a 285 year old colonial in the way of "development" that we rescued, disasssembled, moved 2 states away, and rebuilt. The interior reflects the original style. Some rooms are pretty accurately recreated. All new lumber was local, the windows and kitchen sink were rescued from other old houses, and the passive solar helps keeps the kitchen warm in the winter. Almost all the furniture is antique. Very few new materials were used in building and decorating. And we did most of the work ourselves--I did the wiring, dh did most of the carpentry, etc. Use the link in my sig to see. Before dd was born, this house was the most defining thing about who I am.

You're my hero!! Thank you so much for sharing photos of your house creation. It is simply beautiful. And the photos of your veggies! Just lovely Sigh... thanks for the inspiration.