My answer: the Simple Home is that place where sanctuary’s been created, family is nurtured and well fed, good memories are made and a legacy of hope, life and purpose is left. The Simple Home is the place where dreams are dreamed, peace is sensed, and life is lived.Other women ask, “What do I need to do to make my home the Simple Home? My answer: There are two main things to do to make the Simple Home. The first involves the external: de-clutter, minimize and organize the spaces in the home so as to have a sense of simple living – of peaceful living – one unencumbered by unnecessary “stuff” that only needs to be managed.

I tell women that the drill of de-cluttering and minimizing is a step-by-step process and it’s often little baby steps that include thinking about the purpose of the home because purpose defines space and space defines flow and organization. And, after the thoughtful process of considering the purpose of the home, then comes color and other little touches that make the Simple Home beautiful and personable.

A year ago, my husband moved my washer and dryer back from the garage and into the house. Up until that time, the originally designed space had become useful for another purpose: a larger pantry to accomodate hospitality. It worked fine, until I wanted to do some new year organization.

Before organizing, I evaluated. Evaluation must precede organizing. As I stepped back and took a good look at the space, it dawned on me that I wasn’t using that space effectively – not only was the pantry very cluttered (with too much stuff), it was a poor use of time management to do laundry out into the garage. The space needed to be redefined according to purpose.

Re-evaluating and thinking through space doesn’t have to be a big ordeal. It truly can be simple. Just stand back and take a good look and ask yourself, “What’s the purpose and is there a better usage of this space?”

To make a space change, I went through EVERY item and minimizing it to what you see here. I de-cluttered, minimized and let someone else put to use what I no longer really needed (had a garage sale and gave away). It was more effective for that space to be used in a different way. Just ask my daughters, I really minimized!

So, one of the keys in making the Simple Home is to evaluate space and define it’s purpose, de-clutter, minimize so that you can organize. Organization is key for home front time management. Often you’ll discover that needs for that space have changed. Sometimes lifestyle dictates a change in the purpose of the space.

The second key in making a home the Simple Home has to do with the internal: a woman’s heart attitude toward her home. If a woman doesn’t like being home, there’s a slim chance she’ll like her home. If a woman spends much time away from home (granted many women work outside the home), she’ll struggle finding out who she is within her home. If a woman compares her home with another woman’s home, she’ll struggle with appreciating what she’s been given to make a home with. If a woman doesn’t understand God’s heart toward the home, her God-given ability to influence from her home and that she’s the heart of the home, then it will be difficult for her to make her home that sanctuary of peace which IS the foundation of the Simple Home.

Attitude of gratitude toward whatever your home is or whatever it looks like is key. The times I have felt frustrated (and complained) about my home and my attitude was less than stellar – was truly my own internal issue. The times I didn’t get an attitude adjustment – that frustration was felt by others in my home and I robbed my home of peace. It’s not what it looks like that counts the most, it’s the Spirit that’s in the home that counts forever.

I LOVE my home. It’s not that I love my home because of what we’ve updated or changed – it’s that I love my home because I’ve accepted with joy that it’s the place God’s given me to use to serve my family and others. It’s the place of sanctuary for me. Who I am gets expressed with little Lylah touches – all throughout my home. It’s me.

Add a little “wow” to coffee and cake time. These fabulous looking black and white espresso cups will not only stir the conversation but hold 3 ounces of espresso atop a matching saucer.  Set of 6, each measures 2-1/2″H x 4-3/4″D.  gift hint: great fantastic – Mother’s Day!

As with many families, the kitchen seems to be the hot spot for accumulated paper such as incoming mail, school papers, receipts, newspapers, etc. Finding a system that works for the whole family is a must in order to relieve some of moms frustration and free up valuable counter space.”  

Head on over to Laura’s to take a look at her fabulous “command central” finds and see what will work for you!