I LOVE decorating books and Emilie Barnes is by far one of my most favorite authors. I have several of her books and was very thrilled to have found the book "Beautiful Home on a Budget". Emilie co-authored the book with her friend (who is also a professional designer) Yoli Brogger.
Sadly, we can go through our whole lives without ever sharing the gift of hospitality with others. Let's all make an effort to open our homes and hearts to others. Don't wait - do it soon! I will too!
I'd love to share an excerpt of the book with you! What they're saying is soooooo true in these paragraphs....
In the end, what really matters is the sharing.
You want your house beautiful (even on a budget).
You want it comfortable and cozy for you and your family.
But whatever you to do to your walls and your windows, don't forget that the most wonderful adornment to your home is your spirit of hospitality, your willingness to share your home and your lives with others.
You don't need to wait until everything's perfect. It will never be. After all, people live in your house. Something will always need painting or re-covering or replacing. You'll always be wanting to add something here, take out something there.
But share anyway. Love what you have and invite others in to share the bounty. Your gracious welcome will fill the gaps and make the problems seem to disappear.
Your home will always be its most beautiful when you stretch out your arms in welcome and say, as Yoli's sweet, gracious grandmother always said, "Mi casa es su casa."
Please share with me some of your experiences as you step out and invite others to share in your life!
This is one of my all time favorite books, too! I think I mentioned that I am going to read Simple Hospitality soon. I'll let you know if I would recommend it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Michelle. We *should* remember that we set the tone for our homes.
Great post.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Emilie Barnes. I have most of her books.....except this one!! Cant get it here in Canada though unless maybe I get my Book & Bible store to order it in.
Emilie Barnes and Elizabeth George are my most favorite authors.
Hmmm.....I don't think I've ever read an Emilie Barnes book, but I think I'm missing out!!
ReplyDeleteI love this post Michelle. This is one thing that I've tried to do over the last year. It's not always easy for me, when we are a family of six and most of our friends have larger families, but I still do so once a month or so. My brother and his wife come over a good bit too, but with it being just the two of them, it's easy....and they don't mind being guinea pigs and trying new recipes! :0)
I love E.M....went many times to her home in Riverside CA..in her early days when she was doing the More Hours in My Days seminars in her home...she is just so gracious and very REAL.....
ReplyDeleteNeed this book
Deby