Saturday, August 18, 2012

♥ Simplify ♥

Simplify.

I have a sign that hangs in my dining room that says that.



I know it’s not necessarily just talking about things, but more of a slowing down as a lifestyle change, and I gladly embrace that idea.  But still, it got me to thinking the other day.  Dangerous, I know. :)  One day, if/and/or/when we ever move from this house, I know we would downsize. And that led me to another thought. What pieces of furniture mean the most to me? Which ones would I absolutely want to take with me?  

Well…..this is probably number one on the list. Jason has made many things for me (for our home), but this is my absolute favorite. And, big surprise.........it’s red!  Not even sure why it's my favorite; it just is.  :)  It makes me really happy!


Second on my list would be my new Johnston Benchworks furniture, but especially my red-checked couch that I had dreamed about for years!




I’d want to take this with me, but Jason tells me a stove usually stays with the house and that it’s too heavy to move anyway…….but....... we would just have to see about that. :)  I do love my stove!


Those are probably my top picks as far as large pieces of furniture, but these two pieces would be runners up. They’re also special because Jason made them both.  It would be pretty hard to leave without these too.



Am I the only one that ever thinks about such things? What about you? What would you take with you if you downsized?  What are your favorite pieces?

And of course, let me just plug in here and say things are not the most important.  Home is where ever my family is........it's just that my brain started wandering........and then wondering........... what things meant the most to me.  :) And if I was told, I could only take so many pieces of furniture with me, then just what would I take?

I'm linking this post to Elaine's Sunny Simple Life for Sunny Simple Sunday.  :)  Elaine has a wonderful blog.....check it out!  :)

Won't you join me for Pinned it, Made it! Monday?  Have you made something lately that you pinned or followed through with an idea from Pinterest?  Come link up and share it with us!  I'll have that post ready for link up Sunday night.

Thanks so much for stopping by today! I'm so glad to have met new friends this last month here through the Sunporch Chats and I'm always thankful for my long time friends!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  :)
♥ Tammy ♥

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good Morning, Tammy. I enjoy your blog so much. That first red cabinet you featured today is my favorite. In size/style, it is very similar to my late mom's maple china cabinet bought in the 1940's.
Your husband is very talented and sweet to make all of these lovely pieces you have featured and I adore your couch, too.
The stove is awesome and I see your rolling pin holder. I have mom's rolling pin from when she first married.
My husband and I downsized one year ago due to failing health. We went from 5600 sf to 1226, so I had to make tough choices on which sentimental pieces to keep. I found "loving" homes for the most special pieces and donated some items to the Humane Society's thrift store.
Wishing you a very nice weekend.

Carmen S. said...

I love the sign and all your other wonderful *favorites*! That red cabinet is awesome! We live in a fairly small ranch home now so downsizing isn't something I really think about but my first on the list things would be my furbabies lol, then my antique wood rocking horse I got for my grandson:) Hope you have a wonderful weekend Tammy!

cucki said...

aww i truly love your house so much..the red cabinet is truly so lovely..
i love each and everything so much.
simple is the best..
GOD BLESS YOU DEAR FRIEND.
hugs xx

Blessed Beyond said...

Hi Tammy, I think of the same. I love all your pieces. And the sign is perfect. Funny we actually just did downsize, and I mean greatly downsized. It took a lot of thought about what to keep and part with, but I know it was the right move for us. I hope you have a great weekend! Hugs and Love,

Unknown said...

Hi Tammy,
Wonderful choices.
You could always add in the listing that the stove does not stay or before you actually list it buy a standard stove and replace it, so no one see's the wonderful old one and wants it. :)

I am dealing with the same thing right now.
I know whenever we do move, it will be to a much smaller home.
I walked around the other day knowing not everything will fit in a smaller house, especially if we would happen to buy one without a dining room. Eeek! I dont even want to think about that!!! :)
But seriously, I have no idea how I will decide what will stay and what I will part with.
I guess I'll just have to wait and see. Let the new house (whenever I find it) speak to me. Then when I do get moved in, have a HUGE yard sale. :)
Have a fabulous weekend.
Hugs,
Tam

Joy ~ Doodlebug ~ said...

Mama,

I think I agree with you--the cupboard, couch, and stove (especially the STOVE), would be the ones we need to take. :)

Love you! 8!

Love,
Joy :)

arkie said...

I find I think of "thinning out" my collections a lot. We did downsize to a little over 1100 sq. ft. home. We still have way to much stuff!

Love the pieces you said you would take! I'm always thinking, if there was a fire what would I try to take with me? I think mostly photographs! (Which I need to organize!)

Sunny Simple Life said...

I just love all your red. My favorite color. That old stove is awesome too. I have always wanted one if just to display things on.

~Sara said...

What a nice home you have. Filled with people and "things" that you love.The things are really important, but sometimes when you can hold on to a piece of furniture that you love its is like getting a big warm hug when you look at it.He is very talented to be able to make that nice furniture. And your stove, wow I know I am not supposed to covet, but.....well you know. It is good to constantly remind ourselves to slow down and think about life, and what's important. Blessings for a wonderful weekend. ~Sara

Catherine said...

Dear Tammy, You have a cheerful and beautiful blog. It is such a pleasure to have come across it. I had to stop by when I saw your comment on a previous blog because my daughter's name is Tammy! Sometimes, you will find a post by her on my blog.
I adore your taste in decorating and furniture. That cabinet is absolutely beautiful, and how wonderful that your husband made it for you! If I had that stove, I would never leave it behind either, especially with 'country charm' inscribed on it. A gorgeous selection...everything is beautiful. Please do come visit again soon. It has been a delightful visit! Blessings to you, Catherine

Anonymous said...

I just LOVE "simplify" signs... that's my motto too! That blue piece is awesome and I love your stove too! I am sure you could find a way to take it along:)

Primitive Stars said...

Hi Tammy, what a country cozy home you have, love all your goodies. I often think of things such as that, what to take if downsizing. Oh my, but your right, family is what counts but love my collections to. Great blog and post,Blessings Francine.

Anne said...

Oh, my goodness ~ how beautiful! I love your stove, too! Have just found your lovely blog, and now I'm following ~ so nice to "meet" you!
Best,
Anne

Anonymous said...

Hi Tammy! You have sooo many beautiful country pieces but they could fit in anywhere and with any style. I love the view of your family room - I wouldn't give up that couch either - you just don't see any pattern anymore in furniture stores. Everything is so boring! I feel the same way about my grain cabinet that hubby surprised me with - but yours was hand made by your husband for an extra special keeper. Funny, I was actually thinking if I moved or redid the house what I would really keep - just this morning BUT I think that is because I am puppy sitting and the house feels cluttered and dirty cuz I'm not used to a dog in the house!lol Anyway I do think of those kind of things more than I should admit too! Enjoy the rest of the weekend and as always thanks for your sweet comments! Sincerely Jeannette

Lois Christensen said...

Your hubby is so creative! I love all the pieces you shared. Your home is so beautiful. Love that stove as well and I hope you do get to move it whenever the time comes! Not sure I can link up this Monday. So much going on and we're going away for a few days to celebrate our 25th that was back in June. Hubby made reservations by the ocean at a really nice hotel that has NO internet! I know!!! Enjoy your Sunday Tammy!

Simply Shelley said...

I can truly see why any of that beautifully prim furniture would be hard to give up...maybe you will never have to make that choice :) Blessings friend

Olive said...

I could not leave that stove either but I also could not move it. Your sofa is utterly charming in red checks. Visiting from Elaine's. Olive

debra said...

love all your stuff ( and I have a red hutch in my dining room! ) but wow...that stove!

renee said...

Hi Tammy,
Yes, I do think about this, and it would be hard to decide.
Mine would be family pictures and some of the pieces from my Grandma. After that, it would be hard.
Much of my home is from second hand places anyhow, with the exception of a few pieces I bought from local crafters.
I can see why you like the red cabinet, it's lovely!
Have a good day.
Renee

Susan Freeman said...

You have some lovely primitives! I adore that stove. I am your newest follower. I hope that you will stop by for a visit sometime.

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

Chenille Cottage said...

Hi Tammy!
What a delightful post...How I love all the RED in your home! It is my favorite color in the whole world. Everything about your home says "welcome"!
Have a sweet week,
Blessings,
Carolynn xo

Susan said...

Enjoyed this post. I may have to do a similar one on pieces important to me!!! All those are beautiful and certainly sure to become family heirlooms. Family heirlooms, to me, are the best!!!!

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